Ventilator, Lung

This chapter discusses the purpose, principle of operation, specifications, and applications of lung ventilator. A lung ventilator is a noninvasive mechanical breathing machine that allows a person to breathe artificially. Mechanical ventilation process has four phase of operation during each breath cycle. These are inspiration, change from inspiration to expiration, expiration, and change from expiration phase to inspiration phase. The inspiratory phase involves choosing the flow pattern of the volume delivered during this phase. The end of inspiration and start of expiration depends upon the volume control settings of the ventilator. Expiration starts after completion of the inspiratory phase, and it occurs by the opening of the exhalation valve in the ventilator. The lung ventilators are designed to be used in emergency, first-aid, and intra-hospital transportation. Modern advanced ventilators have the capability to interface with computer systems for full monitoring of vital signs and control of patient’s treatment process.