[Leak detector in medical gas delivery systems]

We describe an original device developed by the biomedical technicians of the University Hospital of Nancy for checking tightness and measuring the capacity of medical gas pipeline network. A leak can be assessed either as a loss of pressure or as a loss of volume per unit of time (cmH2O.min-1 and mL.min-1 respectively). To assess the latter, the capacity of the explored pipeline must have been measured when it still was gas-tight. With the device, a leak can be assessed within a few minutes whereas the official procedure requires a delay between 1 and 24 hours. The device still has to undergo bench evaluation and validation.