Anesthesia machine is an automatic pneumatic device with electronic control which allows for a variety of respiratory support options. The device is designed for inhalation anesthesia, artificial ventilation during anesthesia for adult patients or children.

Anesthesia machine Ather 6 has the following features:
- possibility of performing low flow anesthesia
- monitoring of respiratory parameters, including graphical monitoring
- total number of gases: 3
- mechanical flowmeter unit: two flowmeters for each gas
- protection against hypoxic mixture
- large touch-screen LCD display
- using 2 vaporizers with the possibility of switching off each of the breathing circuit
- pneumatic drive

The anaesthetic and respiratory apparatus Ather 6 is used at the anesthesiologist's workplace to give anesthesia to adult patients and children with a body weight exceeding 5 kg. The device can be used for anesthesia with low and minimal gas flows.

The distinctive features of the Ather 6 device are as follows:

• The presence of a large touch screen allowing the control of the device, displaying configurable and monitored parameters of lung ventilation, respiratory and gas monitoring parameters.
• The presence of an automatic leak compensation system.
• Electronic adjustable positive pressure valve at the end of exhalation (PEEP).
• The possibility to use two evaporators with a lockable «Selectatec» mount.
• The device has mechanical flowmeters with background illumination for three gases (oxygen, nitrous oxide and air).
• The presence of a cardiopulmonary shunt function, enabling work in the conditions of artificial blood circulation.
• An additional oxygen outlet with a flow regulator designed to supply oxygen to the patient through a mask or nasal cannulas.

The gas supply to the anesthesia and respiratory apparatus is carried out from high-pressure sources (centralized wiring or an autonomous source). The gas supply is important for ensuring the operation of the pneumatic actuator. Three gases are used for the operation of the device: oxygen, air and nitrous oxide.

Mechanical flowmeters are designed to regulate the amount of gas flow supplied to the patient. Each flowmeter is designed for a certain type of gas and has two tubes. The functioning of the oxygen and nitrous oxide flow control knobs is interconnected, which prevents the appointment of a hypoxic mixture to the patient. An emergency oxygen supply button is provided.

The respiratory system module consists of the following units: a respiratory system itself, a carbon dioxide absorber, a membrane box, a pressure gauge that controls the pressure in the respiratory tract. Switching the device to the «spontaneous breathing/manual ventilation» and «automatic ventilation» modes is carried out using a special switch. The pressure level in the patient's airways in the mode of spontaneous and manual ventilation can be adjusted via the APL valve.

The anaesthetic ventilator is operated by an electronically controlled pneumatic actuator, which allows the use of various modes of lung ventilation. In particular, the following modes are available: the volume-controlled mode (VCV), the pressure-controlled mode (PCV), the intermittent forced ventilation with volume control (vSIMV), the intermittent forced ventilation with pressure control (pSIMV), pressure support (PSV), optional spontaneous breathing (SPONT) and pressure-controlled ventilation with volume control (PRVC). All mode settings can be seen on the display, which also provides the representation of graphical parameters of a particular ventilation method in real time.

Optionally, the device can be supplied with a receiving unit of the active exhaust gas mixture removal system (AGSS), designed to work with additional negative pressure devices. Its use prevents air pollution in the operating room.

The Ather 6 device can be equipped with a module for analyzing anesthetic gases. This allows for a quantitative assessment of the composition of the gas-narcotic mixture (CO₂, N₂O, O₂, АА). Control and display of digital values and graphical parameters take place in real time. The identification of the anesthetic is carried out automatically. It is possible to measure the concentration both in the lateral and in the direct flow.

The device has a built-in battery, which allows its continuous work during centralized power supply shutdown. If the battery is low or the power supply fails, the device emits a special warning signal.