How to Perform Key Safety Tests on the Titan XL

By Alex Bean, Biomedical Technician 

The Avante Titan XL is a great option for veterinary facilities who need a cost-effective anesthesia support system. Designed for use with Equine, Bovine, Zoological and other large animal cases, the Titan XL is available with a wide variety of customizable options. In this article, I will outline the steps to successfully carrying out the leak test and ventilator test procedures on the Titan XL. (For a full, step-by-step tutorial on the Titan XL, view our video here) 

Leak Test Procedures on the Titan XL

To keep your Avante Titan XL in working order, you should routinely perform leak tests on the unit’s large animal absorber. Begin the leak test of your large animal absorber by installing three caps: one on the bag arm, the inspiratory port and the expiratory port. 

You’ll want to make sure the APL valve on top of your absorber is all the way shut and you have your fresh gas hose leaving your fresh gas outlet on the side of your machine.

Using your o2 flow meter, you will increase the pressure on your absorber all the way up to 40 cmH2O (centimeters of water). Once you have reached that pressure, slowly open the APL valve to drop the pressure to 30 cmH2O. Observe the pressure manometer, watching the needle to see if it is dropping. If your machine does not drop from 30 cmH2O to 20 or below in 30 seconds or less you have passed your leak test.

Ventilator Control Test on the Titan XL

Next, I'll address the functionality test for your ventilator controls on the Titan XL. You’ll begin the test by installing a 30-liter bag on the end of the patient wye in order to simulate having a patient hooked up. Fill the bag all the way, until you begin to see exhaust out of the back, using the O2 flush.

For testing purposes, you can use 10 breaths per minute, with an I:E ratio of 1:2. You can turn your ventilator on with the inspiratory flow set to a low-medium range. The needle will be facing about 9 o'clock. At that pressure you should be achieving approximately 20 cmH2O. 

If you wanted to increase or decrease that pressure, you can use the Inspiratory Flow adjustment knob to adjust up or down as needed.

For more information regarding the Titan XL Veterinary Anesthesia Machine, contact your Avante Animal Health representative today.