Although there has been an increase in bench test evaluation of mechanical ventilators in recent years, a publication gap remains in assessing Pressure Control Continuous Mandatory Ventilation Modes with a set point targeting scheme PC-CMVs. This study evaluates the operational variability in PC-CMVs of eleven transport and emergency ventilators used in ICU units in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment involved a comprehensive set of test scenarios derived from existing literature and the NBR ISO 80601-2-12:2014 standard.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessment of respiratory mechanics extends from basic research and animal modeling to clinical applications in humans. However, to employ the applications in human models, it is desirable and sometimes mandatory to study non-human animals first. To acquire further precise and controlled signals and parameters, the animals studied must be further distant from their spontaneous ventilation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought concerns to managers, healthcare professionals, and the general population related to the potential mechanical ventilators' shortage for severely ill patients. In Brazil, there are several initiatives aimed at producing alternative ventilators to cover this gap. To assist the teams that work in these initiatives, we provide a discussion of some basic concepts on physiology and respiratory mechanics, commonly used mechanical ventilation terms, the differences between triggering and cycling, the basic ventilation modes and other relevant aspects, such as mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury, respiratory drive, airway heating and humidification, cross-contamination risks, and aerosol dissemination.
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