What Is a Portable Ventilator?

The ventilator is a device that can effectively replace, control or change a person's normal physiological breathing, increase lung ventilation, improve respiratory function, reduce breathing consumption, and save heart reserves.

In clinical, especially in the fields of surgery, first aid, and treatment of respiratory diseases, the application of ventilator is becoming more and more widespread.

With the emergence of more and more non-invasive ventilators at home with complete functions, good synchronization performance, affordable prices and convenient portability, patients with respiratory diseases can receive mechanical ventilation treatment at home, which not only reduces hospital pressure but also saves family expenses. ^[1]

Chinese name: Home ventilator
Foreign name: Household breathing machine

Product function: Replaces, controls, and alters normal physiological breathing
category: Class Medical Devices

Home ventilator product description

It usually consists of a ventilation control system, a monitoring system and a control display interface. Generally, the airway pressure is controlled to a preset pressure by controlling the turbine speed, so as to achieve single-level or dual-level continuous positive-pressure ventilation support, usually equipped with a low-pressure medical gas hose assembly. , Alarm system, breathing circuit, humidifier and other accessories or auxiliary function modules, is a device with automatic mechanical ventilation function. ^[2]

Home ventilator

Intended use of domestic ventilator

It is used to provide or increase lung ventilation for patients who rely on ventilators. Portable home ventilators use precise components, stable and reliable air flow and pressure measurement circuits, silent fans, humanized ventilation strategies and control circuits for analog solenoid valves. As well as various alarm measures and simple human-machine interface, the ventilator achieves strong reliability (safety), economy and comfort, and has simple control characteristics, which can be used in home environments and medical institutions. , No need for continuous professional monitoring, usually under the supervision of non-medical staff with different training levels. ^[2]

Home ventilator

Examples of household ventilator names

Ventilator, home ventilator, home respiratory support equipment, home non-invasive ventilator, non-invasive ventilator, continuous positive pressure ventilator, continuous positive pressure ventilator, sleep ventilator, sleep non-invasive ventilator, continuous positive pressure ventilator, dual level Non-invasive ventilator, positive pressure ventilation therapy machine. ^[2]

Home ventilator

Basic principles of home ventilator

The working principle of any ventilator lies in the pressure difference of the gas. When the ventilator is ventilated, the mechanical drive causes the airway mouth pressure to be greater than the alveolar pressure, and the gas enters the lungs. After the external mechanical drive pressure is removed, the thorax and lung elasticity retracts, and the alveoli The air pressure is greater than the airway mouth pressure, and the gas is eliminated from the lungs. From this we can see that during the human breathing process, the ventilator can only perform the pulmonary ventilation function, that is, it works in the external breathing part, and has a small impact on internal breathing, that is, it has a relatively small impact on the gas exchange between the pulmonary capillaries and the alveoli. Smaller. ^[1]

Home ventilator principle

Applicable symptoms of home ventilator

Severe hypoventilation, severe ventilation disorders, neuromuscular paralysis, post-cardiac surgery, increased intracranial pressure, neonatal tetanus, high-dose sedatives requiring respiratory support, suffocation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, respiratory arrest for any reason, or is about to stop. ^[1]

Precautions during use of home ventilator

Intolerance:
Patients may feel uncomfortable when using the ventilator for the first time. Nursing staff should provide guidance, adjust masks, adjust parameters, and provide psychological care. After the man-machine synchronization is achieved, the patient's discomfort will be reduced or disappeared.
Oropharyngeal dryness:
Patients may experience a dry oropharynx when using a ventilator. The mask should be adjusted to reduce air leakage and it is advisable to drink plenty of water. The use of a warming humidifier can effectively eliminate the above discomfort.
Facial bruises:
Use Q-shaped skin protection film on the pressured areas, such as the bridge of the nose and wings.
Flatulence and discomfort:
Use nasal breathing as much as possible and talk less. If necessary, use drugs that promote gastric motility, such as morpholine.
Leak in mouth:
If using a nasal mask, close the mouth as much as possible when using the ventilator. Leaks in the mouth can reduce efficacy. If necessary, use an oronasal mask or a chin strap to adjust the tightness of the mask in time.
Dyspnea:
When the patient has sputum dysfunction, the family members should regularly turn the patient around and pat their backs. Encourage them to drink more water, guide the patients to effectively cough and sputum, and perform nebulization and inhalation if necessary. Families with conditions can give sputum suction. ^[1]

Disinfection of domestic ventilator

When using a domestic ventilator, it is best to clean the mask once a day and the filters and pipes every three days. The cleaning method is as follows:

Machine surface: If there is no obvious stain on the surface of the machine, you can wipe it with water; if there are stains or blood stains, you can wipe it with a disinfectant containing chlorine.

Nose (face) mask: wipe with 75% alcohol first, then wipe with water.

Pipeline: After soaking in chlorine-containing disinfecting water for 30 minutes, rinse with running water and dry it for later use.

Headband: After cleaning with detergent, rinse with water and dry before use. ^[1]