Messer - Medical gases as medical devices: Innovative solutions for surgery & therapy - Healthcare_LP
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Medical gases as medical devices are used as surgically invasive aids or tools in various medical procedures. They are used, for example, to expand body cavities or treat tissue. These gases fulfill supportive functions in medical procedures by producing physical or mechanical effects without having a direct therapeutic or pharmacological effect themselves. This makes them indispensable tools in modern medicine, especially in minimally invasive and surgical procedures.
When medical gases are referred to as medical devices, this refers to applications where no pharmacological effect is desired. A pharmacological effect refers to the direct manipulation of biological processes by active substances, as typically occurs with drugs, to treat diseases or alleviate symptoms. Therapeutic effect encompasses a wide range of measures aimed at improving or stabilizing a patient's state of health.
Messer offers the following gases as medical devices in various countries. The categorization is based on the legislation of the respective country. Further information can be found on the websites of our sales companies.
Medical carbon dioxide is suitable for endoscopy applications in minimally invasive surgery to “inflate” body cavities in order to create a better overview and accessibility. Liquid carbon dioxide, similar to medical nitrogen, is also used as an icing agent or coolant.
Medical carbon dioxide is also used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to create a body-like environment in incubators. This supports the optimal development of embryos outside the body.
Medical nitrogen is used as deep-frozen liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -190°C. It is used, for example, in cryotherapy. It is used in cryotherapy, for example to freeze warts, scar tissue or precursors of skin cancer. Medical nitrogen is also used to preserve biological samples and materials.
Synthetic air is used as an energy source to power pneumatic instruments such as drills in operating theaters.