A new active model lung.
A new model lung with the capacity for simulated spontaneous breathing is described. It consists of a modified commercial mechanical ventilator (Kontron ABT 4100), connected in parallel to a compliant system, a cylindric acrylic box with a latex thin membrane substituting for the top. Volume and compliance of the model are 2500 ml and 50 ml cmH2O-1, respectively. The modified ventilator simulates physiologic inspiratory flow at a rate of 10 to 30 min-1 and tidal volume up to 1000 ml, with an inspiratory to expiratory time ratio continuously variable between 1:4 and 4:1. The model has been tested under different respiratory assist techniques, connected either to continuous positive airway pressure proved to be reliable, versatile and bearing satisfactory resemblance to human ventilatory physiology.
Damia
G
G
Istituto di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Cigada
M
M
Solca
M
M
Pelizzola
A
A
D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012119:Respiration; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical