Medical gases can also be supplied using a cylinder manifold. The surgical tool air here is being supplied by a cylinder bank, rather than a compressor, because the pressure required is higher than medical breathing air.

A manifold consists of two banks of cylinders connected together. When the primary bank is exhausted, a switch is flipped, and the secondary bank is used in its place. This switching mechanism can be either manual or automatic. This bank for surgical tool air has a manual lever.

This is an automated switching mechanism for an oxygen cylinder manifold backing up a VIE tank.

Nitrous oxide is supplied using a cylinder manifold.