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2801083 
Journal Article 
Semiconductors in Anaesthetic Vapour Analysis 
Lee, A; Snowdon, SL 
1978 
Yes 
Anaesthesia
ISSN: 0003-2409
EISSN: 1365-2044 
NIOSH/00167382 
33 
4 
352-354 
The possible application of semiconductor gas sensing devices for the estimation of anesthetic vapor concentrations was investigated. An electrical circuit, incorporating a TGS-108 gas detecting semiconductor, was exposed to increasing anesthetic vapor concentrations. The voltage output from the gas sensor circuit was recorded simultaneously with that produced by a mass spectrometer, which provided accurate measurements of each vapor concentration. Consistently reproducible responses were obtained with methoxyflurane (76380), and trichloroethylene (79016). However, the analysis of diethyl-ether (60297) proved problematic. The gas sensor was extremely sensitive to ether vapor and responded when a container of ether was opened on the opposite of a side of a 15 foot room. Additionally, two minor explosions occurred during the analysis of high concentrations of ether in oxygen. A diluting system and the use of nitrogen as the carrier gas allowed analysis of anesthetic concentrations of ether. The authors conclude that the development of a semiconductor analyzer capable of measuring anesthetic vapor concentrations is feasible at a modest cost.