OP-VENT

Abstract

A mechanical ventilator keeps a patient with respiratory failure alive by pumping precisely controlled amounts of air (or an air/O2 mixture) at controlled pressure into the patient's lungs [3, 5]. During intake (inspiration), the ventilator meters the flow of air and the duration of the flow to deliver a controlled tidal volume of air (typically 50 to 800 mL). During the exhaust (expiration) phase, the flow is turned off and a path is opened to allow the patient to exhale to the atmosphere - possibly with a positive pressure maintained at the end of the expiratory period (PEEP). The timing of the breaths can be entirely managed by the ventilator, or a new breath can be initiated by the patient.