Ritchie MacKenzie's  MEDIVAR Variable Speed Unit is a medical gases pumping system that comes as a much needed alternative to the commonly used AGS sets.

There are several advantages of using our newly developed system over the AGS equipment, summarised below:

• The inclusion of variable speed pumps and transducers mean the system runs only at the set point e.g. 180mBar, and the pumps speed up and slow down depending on the demand required. A crucial point is that the theatre staff do not need to worry about switching it off, yet the system is ready to use at any time. Systems being left on is currently a major cause of wasted power.
• The overall effect of this is a saving of upto 75% on energy costs giving a total pay back on the cost of the system within 24 months.
• The MEDIVAR system runs much quieter as the pumps do not run constantly at 50Hz.
• The whole system is protected via a manual safety valve and a BMS system that alerts the engineers of any pumping problems. This safety system restricts the vacuum to the 200 mBar setting ensuring the patient is protected at all times. The fixed speed AGS vacuum pump does not have this safety feature, relying only on a single manual valve which can wear and jam over time.
• The current cost of spare pumps in many hospitals can be very high due to the different sizes and types required throughout the hospital. The MEDIVAR system is designed around two pump sizes so reducing the need to stock three or four differently sized pumps and hence reducing emergency stock costs and space.

Ritchie MacKenzie have already installed the MEDIVAR system with great success in:

• The Western Infirmary Glasgow to which we installed a single pump system which was trialled and passed for use.
• The Glasgow Dental Hospital to which we have installed two systems: one 3 pump system and one 6 pump system.