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1. How are tidal volume and inspiratory flow adjusted? The ventilator uses a fixed inspiratory flow for mandatory breaths. When you change the tidal volume
control, you are actually adjusting inspiratory time. The longer the inspiratory time, the more flow is delivered and
the higher the tidal volume. The inspiratory flow is set at 36 liters per minute (600 ml per second). A one second
breath is thus 600 ml in size. A two second breath is 1,200 ml. The set tidal volume is always delivered regardless
of the patient's lung compliance or resistance, unless the pressure limit is reached.
2. Does the pNeuton deliver IMV or SIMV breaths? The pNeuton Ventilator provides controlled
and IMV modes of ventilation. The mandatory breaths are delivered on a timed basis. They are not synchronized
to patient effort as done in SIMV. There is ample scientific evidence which shows no clinical benefit of SIMV over IMV.
3. How do I adjust the PEEP / CPAP sensitivity? PEEP /
CPAP sensitivity is set automatically by the ventilator. Spontaneous breaths begin at less then 1 cm H2O below whatever
the PEEP / CPAP level is set
4. Is the Peak Pressure setting a relief pressure? Yes,
setting the Peak Pressure control adjusts the maximum pressure delivered by the ventilator. When set to low pressures,
this control can be used to pressure limit mandatory breaths. For tidal volume based breaths, this control should be
set to 10 cm H2O above the normal ventilating pressure.
5. Can I use just any patient circuit? No. You must use a
pNeuton patient circuit. The pNeuton uses a disposable patient circuit with external exhalation valve. The
performance and calibration of the ventilator is very dependent upon the characteristics of this exhalation valve.
6. How long will an "E" cylinder tank last? The length of time the pNeuton
will run on a tank of gas is determined by the oxygen percent delivered, the patient's minute volume and whether PEEP / CPAP
is turned on. Very little gas is used for the ventilator's internal operation. With a normal adult minute volume
of 5 Liters, no PEEP / CPAP and 65% oxygen, the pNeuton will operate up to 2 hours on an "E" cylinder. With 10
cm H2O PEEP / CPAP, the ventilator will operate up to 45 minutes.
7. Does pNeuton have a disconnect alarm for use when patients are unattended?
YES, the NEW model A version has an internal alarm system. This alarm system will provide visual, audible and remote alarm
indication whenever there is a patient disconnection or low gas supply pressure. The model S does not have this alarm system.
With the model S, if the patient becomes disconnected from the ventilator there will be no audible or visual alarm to indicate
this condition. When using the model S, always observe the patient while providing ventilation. If this is not possible,
attach an external monitor that will indicate a patient disconnect.
8. Why is the mandatory breath flow rate fixed at 36 L/min? The AHA Transport
Ventilator Standard suggests a flow rate of approximately 30 L/min to meet the majority of patient needs. The pNeuton Ventilator
is designed to be as simple and reliable to use as possible using tidal volume and rate controls. To accomplish this and
give maximum ventilatory flexibility, a fixed mandatory breath flow rate of 36 L/min is used. This simplicity provides safe
and effective ventilation during patient transport when the patient is at most risk to machine / user error.
9. Why is the rate control not calibrated? The tidal volume and rate
controls actually adjust the mandatory breath inspiratory and expiratory time. The respiratory rate is not calibrated due
to the interdependence of expiratory and inspiratory time on the total respiratory rate. For ease of use, these controls
are labeled as tidal volume and rate since pNeuton uses a fixed mandatory breath flow rate. Once the tidal volume is set
(inspiratory time), the rate can be set to the desired level. With the respiratory rate control set, the patient’s
mandatory breath rate will not change unless the tidal volume control is changed. Only significant tidal volume changes (greater
than 200 ml) will effect the rate. Adjusted to the desired parameters, the ventilator will provide the set tidal volume and
rate regardless of changes in patient condition. See the pNeuton Operator’s Manual, Section 6: Theory of Operation
for a more detailed explanation showing the math involved.
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