Medical gas flowmeter, Thorpe tube

Medical gas flowmeters with Thorpe tube designs measure and control the delivery of gases like oxygen, nitrous oxide, or heliox during procedures such as anesthesia or surgical insufflation. The device uses a floating element inside a vertical tube to visually indicate flow rate, with an adjustable valve to fine-tune delivery—often paired with pressure gauges for precision.

These devices are typically single-use or reusable, depending on the design, and may be calibrated for specific gases or patient populations (e.g., neonates). Regulation varies by jurisdiction, but they often fall under general medical gas equipment standards, requiring compliance with safety and performance criteria for clinical use.