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medical ventilator

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Respirator
A medical ventilator (or simply ventilator in context) is a machine designed to mechanically move
breatheable air into and out of the lungs, to provide the mechanism of breathing for a patient who is
physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. Ventilators are chiefly used in intensive care
medicine, home care, and emergency medicine (as standalone units) and in anesthesia (as a component
of an anesthesia machine).
In its simplest form, a modern positive pressure ventilator consists of a compressible air reservoir
or turbine, air and oxygen supplies, a set of valves and tubes, and a disposable or reusable
"patient circuit". The air reservoir is pneumatically compressed several times a minute to deliver
room-air, or in most cases, an air/oxygen mixture to the patient. If a turbine is used, the turbine
pushes air through the ventilator, with a flow valve adjusting pressure to meet patient-specific
parameters. When overpressure is released, the patient will exhale passively due to the lungs'
elasticity, the exhaled air being released usually through a one-way valve within the patient
circuit called the patient manifold. The oxygen content of the inspired gas can be set from 21
percent (ambient air) to 100 percent (pure oxygen). Pressure and flow characteristics can be set
mechanically or electronically.
Ventilators may also be equipped with monitoring and alarm systems for patient-related
parameters (e.g. pressure, volume, and flow) and ventilator function (e.g. air leakage, power
failure, mechanical failure), backup batteries, oxygen tanks, and remote control. The pneumatic
system is nowadays often replaced by a computer-controlled turbopump.
Modern ventilators are electronically controlled by a small embedded system to allow exact
adaptation of pressure and flow characteristics to an individual patient's needs. Fine-tuned
ventilator settings also serve to make ventilation more tolerable and comfortable for the patient.
In Canada, and the United States, respiratory therapists are responsible for tuning these settings
while biomedical technologists are responsible for the maintenance.
The patient circuit usually consists of a set of three durable, yet lightweight plastic tubes,
separated by function (e.g. inhaled air, patient pressure, exhaled air). Determined by the type of
ventilation needed, the patient-end of the circuit may be either noninvasive or invasive.
Noninvasive methods, which are adequate for patients who require a ventilator only while
sleeping and resting, mainly employ a nasal mask. Invasive methods require intubation, which
for long-term ventilator dependence will normally be a tracheotomy cannula, as this is much
more comfortable and practical for long-term care than is larynx or nasal intubation.
Life-critical system
Because the failure of a mechanical ventilation system may result in death, it is classed as a life-
critical system, and precautions must be taken to ensure that mechanical ventilation systems are
highly reliable. This includes their power-supply provision.

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Respirator A medical ventilator (or simply ventilator in context) is a machine designed to mechanically move breatheable air into and out of the lungs, to provide the mechanism of breathing for a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. Ventilators are chiefly used in intensive care medicine, home care, and emergency medicine (as standalone units) and in anesthesia (as a component of an anesthesia machine). In its simplest form, a modern positive pressure ventilator consists of a compressible air reservoir or turbine, air and oxygen supplies, a set of valve ...
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