The microprocessor has greatly changed ventilator technology. When I started residency, intubation and mechanical ventilation involved assuming complete control of a patient’s breathing. Since then, advances in technology have fed the boundless human desire for improvement and spurred the ambition of engineers to overcome the challenges involved in creating better and better ventilators. The ve...

INTRODUCTION Numerous emergency and transport ventilators are commercialized and new generations arise constantly. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large panel of ventilators to allow clinicians to choose a device, taking into account their specificities of use. METHODS This experimental bench-test took into account general characteristics and technical performances. Performances were ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the most recent transport ventilators' operational performance regarding volume delivery in controlled mode, trigger function, and the quality of pressurization in pressure support mode. METHODS Eight recent transport ventilators were included in a bench study in order to evaluate their accuracy to deliver a set tidal volume under normal resistance and compliance conditi...

BACKGROUND Previous studies on ventilators used for air transport showed significant effects of altitude, in particular with regard to accuracy of the tidal volume (VT) and breathing frequency. The aim of the study was to evaluate transport ventilators under hypobaric conditions. METHODS We conducted a bench study of 6 transport ventilators in a Comex hypobaric chamber to simulate mild altitu...

Among the many advances made in intensive care therapeutics in recent years, few have rivaled the impact of mechanical ventilators. Their expanded use affects all who practice in the critical care setting. This article reviews the physiologic basis for mechanical ventilation, how ventilators are classified, the various modes, and specific indications. A basic introduction is made into ventilato...

Federal funding provides state public and private health care systems the ability to build and maintain a reserve supply of ventilators for emergency response to mass casualty incidents. Studying and planning the ventilator reserve capability requires subject-matter expertise, identification of best mechanical-ventilation practices and quality care standards, and contingency planning. Natural d...

Editor’s key points † This study investigated the accuracy of delivered tidal volume in four new ventilators under different conditions. † Set and delivered tidal volumes differed when compliance and resistance were changed, although the effect of fresh gas flow was less. † Some of the new ventilators tested were more accurate than others. † The clinical significance of these findings is uncert...

Mechanical ventilators used in intensive care units are sophisticated devices. The guiding principle in their design is the provision of optimal lung ventilation. They incorporate precise but sizeable pneumatic components intended to utilize piped gases and mains electricity. However, when transporting patients receiving ventilatory support, these devices are rarely suitable because of their si...