[A study of pneumatic performances of 2 new anesthesia ventilators: a trial].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pneumatic performance of two new anaesthesia ventilators.


METHODS
Test bench study.


METHODS
ADU (Datex), Excel 7900 (Ohmeda) ventilators both included in "bellows-in-box" class, with rising bellows at expiration.


METHODS
The accuracy of spirometry and pressure measurements was tested in various conditions of downstream charge and ventilation. The bench comprized a passive lung model with adjustable compliance and resistances, and flow and pressure gauges.


RESULTS
Pneumatic performance and accuracy were good in normal as well as in severe ventilatory conditions. This is made possible by the compensation algorithm included in these machines, which automatically corrected the delivered volume for errors related to tubing and gas compressibility.


CONCLUSIONS
These two new machines with pneumatic compensation overcome the main drawback seen with conventional "bellows-in-box" ventilators.
Rawal
R
R
Service de réanimation chirurgicale, hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, France.
Beydon
L
L
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013147:Spirometry; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical