Apparatus and techniques for reducing the effects of general anesthetics

摘要

An apparatus for reversing inhaled anesthesia includes a filter for removing one or more anesthetic agents from gases passing therethrough, as well as a component for elevating CO₂ levels in gases that are to be inhaled by a subject. The CO₂ level-elevating component facilitates an increase in the ventilation of the subject without resulting in a significant decrease in the subject's P_aCO₂ level and, thus, a decrease in the rate at which blood flows through the subject's brain. A method of reversing the effects of inhaled anesthesia includes increasing the rate of ventilation of an anesthetized subject while causing the subject to inhale gases with elevated amounts of CO₂ and while filtering anesthetic agents from such gases.