Respiratory Equipment Glossary

A glossary of respiratory equipment terms and definitions that are easy to understand. Whether you are new to the oxygen therapy or just looking for a reference, our glossary can help you understand the language of respiratory equipment.

Respiratory Equipment Terms and Definitions

• APR - Air purifying respirator
• Blood gas analyzer - a machine that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in a blood sample. These extremely important measurements are required to care for patients in the hospital, especially sicker patients with lung & heart disorders.
• Body plethysmograph - a machine used in lung (pulmonary) function labs to measure lung function in order to diagnose and quantify lung disorders.
• Bronchoscope - a fiber-optic scope that is inserted into the patient's airways (bronchi) to visualize and obtain samples for diagnosing lung disorders and sometimes used for removing obstructions in the airways. This is one of the more common tools used by specialists in helping diagnose lung diseases.
• CAB - Clean Air Box compressed air systems for Grade D air
• Cardio respiratory monitor - a monitor that measures and continuously displays heart rate & rhythm, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. These are important "vital signs" that are monitored in acutely ill patients
• EEBA - Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus
• Esophagoscope - same as a bronchoscope but is used to assess the esophagus rather than the bronchi.
• IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
• Laryngoscope - a device that is used in the procedure of placing an artificial airway (endotracheal tube) into a patient's trachea in order to maintain their airway open. Used for unconscious patients, patients that can no longer breathe on their own, etc.
• Nebulizer - a device that either adds humidity to dry medical gas that a patient is breathing or provides a mist of medication that a patient can breathe in.
• Oxygen analyzer - a device that measures the oxygen levels (concentration) in a breathing system. Delivered oxygen levels need to be increased in order to provide enough oxygen to patients with lung or heart disorders.
• Oxygen concentrator - a machine that takes in atmospheric air (with 21% oxygen) and concentrates the outgoing gas to 100% oxygen. Used to provide patients with supplemental oxygen (higher oxygen levels than room air).

• Oxygen monitor - a machine that provides continuous oxygen monitoring for hospital and home ventilators, and NICU and aesthesia delivery equipment.
• PAPR - Powered Air Purifying Respirators that use a blower that draws air through cartridges or filters
• PDAR - Pressure Demand Airline Respirator
• Peak flow meter - a device that helps patients monitor their asthma easily.
• Pulmonary function system - a system that tests people's breathing in order to diagnose lung disorders
• Pulse oximeter - a device that measures oxygen saturation and assesses pulse rate
• Respirator - see ventilator
• SAR - Supplied Air Respirator
• SCBA - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
• Spirometer - a device that tests lung function; is one component of a complete pulmonary function machine
• Suction regulator - a device that controls the amount of suction (vacuum) that helps in removing secretions from a patient's airways, lungs, thoracic cavity, stomach, or other body cavities
• Ventilator - a machine that assists or provides all of the breathing for patients who cannot breathe on their own (also known as a respirator)