Evaluation Background: Intensive Care Ventilators

June 8, 2023 | Evaluations & Guidance

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Here's background for our Evaluations of intensive care ventilators, outlining the key considerations for making wise purchasing decisions. Learn how the technology is used, which specs are important, and what factors we test for. Also review our latest product ratings and ECRI's data describing hospitals' interest in each vendor**.

Mechanical ventilators are automated devices that provide gas exchange into and out of the lungs for patients who require ventilatory support. Intensive care ventilators, in particular, provide temporary or permanent support for patients who cannot breathe on their own or who require assistance to maintain sufficient ventilation or oxygenation because of illness, trauma, congenital defects, or the effects of drugs (e.g., anesthetics). While intensive care ventilators are a mature technology, manufacturers continue to add advanced modes and features that may help with lung assessment and recruitment, patient weaning, patient monitoring, and patient-ventilator synchrony.

Intensive care ventilators consist of the following:

  1. Control console or cockpit—A control panel with data monitor.

  2. Ventilation unit—A pneumatic system for producing artificial ventilation; this component may include the following accessories or capabilities:

a) A humidifier to add heat and moisture (water vapor) to inspired gas

b) A nebulizer to dispense aerosolized medication into inspired gas

c) Capnography to measure end-tidal (exhaled) carbon dioxide (EtCO2)

d) Pulse oximetry to measure oxygen saturation

  1. Gas supply—Connections to medical air, oxygen, and any optional breathing gases (e.g., heliox—a mixture of helium and oxygen) are located on the ventilation unit. Optional equipment may include an...

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