Bottom Line: If your practice needs anesthesia capability outside a traditional operating room, the OBA-1 gives you a full dual-gas system in a machine light enough to carry between locations.
A portable anesthesia machine isn't just a lighter version of hospital equipment. It's built around a different set of priorities: transport, quick setup, and a small enough footprint to fit rooms that were never designed to hold anesthesia equipment.
Three things separate a true mobile anesthesia machine from a stationary OR unit.
1st, weight and size. A machine in the 30 to 40 lb range with integrated carrying handles can move between exam rooms or even between office locations without a dedicated cart.
2nd, a self-contained gas system. Office-based units typically run on oxygen and medical air with a single vaporizer mount, which keeps the machine compact while still delivering full anesthesia function.
3rd, setup speed. Conveniently located gas ports and pre-configured hose connections mean a clinician can get from unpacking the unit to ready-for-use in minutes, not the hour or more a full OR setup can take.
Picking the right machine comes down to matching the equipment to how and where you'll actually use it. Here's what to look at:
Equipment selection for office-based anesthesia isn't just a hardware decision. The American Society of Anesthesiologists maintains a statement on office-based anesthesia that outlines expectations for any location where anesthesia is administered outside a hospital or licensed ambulatory surgical facility. Among other things, the guidance calls for anesthesia equipment that supports monitoring consistent with ASA's basic anesthetic monitoring standards, along with documented maintenance in line with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Because office settings typically have less built-in oversight than a hospital, individual states and specialty boards may layer additional requirements on top of ASA's guidance, covering things like facility registration, staff certification, and emergency preparedness. A machine that checks every technical box still needs to fit within whatever regulatory framework applies to your specific practice type and state. That's worth confirming with your state medical board or accrediting body before you finalize a purchase.
The Infinium OBA-1 Portable Anesthesia Machine was designed around the exact use case this guide covers: anesthesia delivery outside a traditional OR, for practices that need to move equipment between rooms or locations. At 35 lbs with integrated side handles, it's light enough for one person to carry, and its two-gas system (oxygen and medical air) holds one Penlon Sigma Delta® vaporizer for full anesthesia function in a compact unit.
The OBA-1 is MRI-safe for use in scan rooms with shielded or unshielded magnets, which makes it a fit for imaging-adjacent procedures as well as dental offices and ambulatory surgery centers. It's compatible with multiple ventilator options, including the MRI-compatible Penlon Nuffield Ventilator for imaging environments.
Every OBA-1 ships with a free carrying case (a $1,000 value), which is airline-approved for practices that travel with the machine and also protects it from damage during shipping. MedShopDirect also offers financing through our partner Doctors Loans for practices that want to spread out the cost of equipping an office-based anesthesia setup.
For full technical documentation, Infinium Medical's own OBA-1 product page covers the complete spec sheet, and their acquisition announcement has background on how the OBA-1 line came under the Infinium Medical brand.
GET THIS IF: You're an anesthesiologist, CRNA, or dental/oral surgery practice that needs a full-function anesthesia machine you can actually move between rooms or locations, including MRI-adjacent settings, without the bulk of a traditional OR workstation.
See Price & DetailsWhat is the best mobile anesthesia machine for office-based anesthesia?
For office-based and outpatient settings, the Infinium OBA-1 is built specifically for this use case. It weighs 35 lbs, runs a full two-gas system, and is compatible with MRI environments and multiple ventilator options.
How much does a portable anesthesia machine weigh?
The Infinium OBA-1 weighs 35 lbs (15.7 kg), which is light enough to carry with its integrated side handles.
Can a portable anesthesia machine be used in an MRI suite?
Yes, the OBA-1 is safe for use in MRI scan rooms with shielded or unshielded magnets, and it pairs with the MRI-compatible Penlon Nuffield Ventilator as an optional accessory.
What ventilators work with the Infinium OBA-1?
The OBA-1 is compatible with multiple ventilator options, including the MRI-compatible Penlon Nuffield Ventilator for imaging environments.
Do office-based anesthesia machines need to meet specific regulatory standards?
Yes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists outlines equipment and monitoring standards for office-based anesthesia, and individual states may add further requirements. Check with your state medical board or accrediting body before finalizing equipment for your practice.
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