An evaluation of the filtration performance of paediatric breathing system filters at low flows

The filtration performance of five different types of filter intended for use in paediatric anaesthesia was measured. A total of 120 unused filters (24 samples of each filter type) were evaluated. The pressure drop and filtration performance, using challenges of sodium chloride particles, were measured for each filter at 3 l min(-1) and 15 l min(-1). The pressure drop was less at the lower flow; there was a wide variation in the pressure drop across some filters. The filtration performance of all filter types showed an improvement at 3 l min(-1) compared to 15 l min(-1). Four filter types had filtration efficiencies greater than 95% at 15 l min(-1) and greater than 99% at 3 l min(-1). The remaining filter type had a filtration efficiency less than 90% at 15 l min(-1) and greater than 95% at 3 l min(-1). These levels of performance are comparable to that of breathing system filters intended for use in adult anaesthesia using flows representing mean inspiratory flow.