A simulation of ventilator performance testing for ventilation waveform understanding

Abstract

Artificial ventilation by using an automatic ventilator is a standard treatment for a patient who has an abnormality in his respiratory system or his own spontaneous breathing is not enough to maintain an oxygenation in a safety level. It functions to supply an amount of airflow into the lungs during an inspiration and remove air out from the lungs during an expiration phase. Ventilator itself is quite complicated in parameter setting, using or even though understanding all display ventilation waveform. Beginner always need a lot of time to practice and familiar with this sophisticated equipment especially in ICU ward. In this paper, we present a simplified ventilator model by using an effective simulation tools in order to use as a simple tool in a routine ventilation parameter study. Ventilator input parameters of volume control ventilation mode (VCV) with pause time setting are the main input setting of our model. We also intend to focus on lung compliance and an airway resistance setting in our test lung module in order to test and verify the performance of our ventilator model in case of patient pathology change to better or worse (0.5C, 2R) which commonly found in ICU patient. As a preliminary, all main ventilation waveforms (Paw, VT, $\dot V$) obtain from this modified model show an effective response to any variation in compliance and resistance and able to use as a routine practice for new practitioner. For further study, another basic ventilation mode and setting as PCV, IMV, PEEP even patient triggering setting will be added in the future.