What is a "manifold" in the context of medical gases?

In the context of medical gases, a manifold refers to a system that connects multiple gas tanks and regulates their distribution. This system is vital in healthcare settings because it allows for the centralized management of various gas supplies, ensuring that medical gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and others are delivered safely and efficiently to different areas within a facility, such as operating rooms or patient care areas.

Manifolds are designed to automatically switch from one tank to another as gas is consumed, which helps maintain a continuous supply without interruption. This is especially important in environments where a stable gas supply is crucial for patient care. The regulation feature also ensures that the pressures of the gases are kept within safe limits, contributing to overall safety in the use of medical gases.

In contrast, devices used to measure gas pressure, tools for transporting gas cylinders, and types of gases used in medical procedures serve different purposes and do not encompass the function and importance of a manifold system in facilitating and managing the distribution of multiple gas supplies within a healthcare setting.