title: Design and effectiveness of a membrane-pump-driven ventilator for mice.
abstract: To perform mechanical ventilation of mice in the absence of highly expensive commercially available devices, we developed a membrane-pump-driven respirator and studied its practicability. The continuous airflow generated by the membrane pump was changed into an intermittent flow by using a multifunction timer. Tidal volume was adjusted by a rotary dimmer regulating the electric power onto the pump. The expiration air left the circuit through openings at the tube connection. Mice were ventilated with room air for 5 h with a tidal volume of approximately 200 muL. In group 1 (n = 6), ventilation was performed with a frequency of 110 min-1, in group 2 (n = 6) with a frequency of 150 min-1. Spontaneously breathing anesthetized mice (n = 6) served as controls. In addition we performed single-lung open-chest ventilation for 1 h in two animals. The parameters of arterial blood gas analyses were within the normal range except for moderate hyperventilation in group 2. Single-lung ventilation led to a significant decline (P < 0.05) of pO2 and SO2, whereas the pCO2 remained within the normal range. Respiratory rate, tidal volume and pressure limitation can be adjusted for optimal ventilation. In addition, the device provides a minimalized dead space and impedes potential alveolar damage caused by negative pressure generated by spontaneous inspiration during positive-pressure ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winning
authors.forename: Hanno
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huwer
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redjai
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naumann
authors.forename: Ilka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Winning
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D007756:Laboratory Animal Science / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000191:economics / Q000662:veterinary*