An Investigation of the Placement of the Pressure Relief Valve in the Bourns BP200 Infant Ventilator

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of the placement of the pressure relief valve in the circuit of the Bourns BP200 infant ventilator and investigated whether placement of the valve in the inspiratory limb of the circuit versus the expiratory limb significantly affects gas exchange. Nine neonates were studied for oxygenation, ventilation, pH, blood pressure, mean airway pressure, and duration of positive pressure. Thirty-six samplings were made, 18 with the valve in the inspiratory limb and 18 with the valve in the expiratory limb. Slightly different proximal airway pressure forms were produced by the two placements of the valve, but no significant changes occurred in the physiologic variables studied. Valve position in the Bourns BP200 ventilator appears to have no clinical significance.