Carbon dioxide absorbent

Carbon dioxide absorbents are chemical materials designed to remove CO₂ from a patient’s exhaled breath during mechanical ventilation or anesthesia. Placed inside reusable absorber canisters, they chemically react with CO₂ to maintain safe gas levels in the breathing circuit, often changing color as they become saturated and require replacement.

These devices are typically sold in bulk packaging (e.g., 5 kg containers) and are single-use, despite the reusable canisters they’re placed in. Regulation varies by jurisdiction, but they’re generally classified based on their role in patient respiratory support systems, with compliance requirements tied to safety, performance, and labeling standards.