Abstract
A mechanical infant ventilator which has been systems engineered is described; it is simple to operate, and yet, at the same time can provide a range of adjustments such that it may be used on newly born infants (including premature births) and on small infants of up to 6 months of age. The machine is designed specifically for medium batch production, operates on simple mechanical principles and provides four direct reading controls which do not interact. The controls are sequentially arranged in a logical manner so that they can be easily set and adjusted by nursing staff once the initial settings have been determined. The output has a half sinusoidal wave form and the inspired gases are humidified by means of an ultrasonic nebuliser; expiratory resistance meanwhile is provided by a solenoid operated valve. Power can be supplied by either mains current or from a low voltage source and the total weight of the equipment is only 10 kg (approx.). Consequently, the ventilator is portable and can be used either in an ambulance or in a hospital ward. The laboratory performance of the ventilator is described and comparative studies with similar ventilators are shown and discussed. The ventilator fully met its design specification and maintained its sinusoidal output even at low volumes, high respiratory rate and maximum ratios of inspiration of expiration.
Published Version
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