Abstract
In this paper, a number of reported systems for classifying ventilators are considered and their usefulness commented on. Most omit the concept of power, which is an important factor in how the ventilator will perform. It is recommended that a system of classification should be backed by bench tests and clinical trials. Not enough is known about high frequency ventilation to permit reasonable evaluation of the classifications proposed in this area.
Keywords
References
1.
Elam J.O.
,
Kerr J.H.
,
Janney C.D.
Performance of ventilators — effect of changes of compliance . Anesthesiology 1958 ; 19 , 1 : 56 –63 .
2.
Fairly H.B.
The selection of a mechanical ventilator . Can Anaesth Soc J 1959 ; 6 , 3 : 219 –226 .
3.
Hunter A.R.
The classification of respirators . Anaesthesia 1961 ; 16 , 2 : 231 –234 .
4.
Mapleson W.W.
In:
Mushin W.W.
,
Rendell-Baker L.
,
Thompson P.W.
,
Mapleson W.W.
Automatic ventilation of the lungs. 3rd Ed. Blackwell , Oxford 1980 ; 62 –131 .
5.
Mapleson W.W.
In:
Mushin W.W.
,
Rendell-Baker L.
,
Thompson P.W.
,
Mapleson W.W.
Automatic ventilation of the lungs. 3rd Ed. Blackwell , Oxford 1980 ; 152 –166 .
6.
Norlander O.P.
Functional analysis of force and power of mechanical ventilators . Acta Anaesth Scand 1964 ; 8 : 57 .
7.
Grogono A.W.
The classification of intermittent positive pressure ventilators . Br J Anaesth 1972 ; 44 : 405 –407 .
8.
Baker A.B.
Towards a better classification of lung ventilators . Anaesth Intens Care 1974 ; 2 : 151 –157 .
9.
Spearman C.B.
,
Sanders H.G.
In:
Kirby R.R.
,
Smith R.A.
,
Desautels D.A.
Mechanical ventilation. Churchill Livingstone , New York 1985 ; 59 –114 .
10.
Desautels D.A.
In:
Kirby R.R.
,
Smith R.A.
,
Desautels D.A.
Mechanical ventilation. Churchill Livingstone , New York 1985 ; 115 –135 .
11.
Smith R.B.
Ventilation at high respiratory frequencies . Anaesthesia 1982 ; 37 : 1011 –1018 .
12.
Ackerman N.B.
,
Null D.M.
,
deLemos R.A.
In:
Kirby R.R.
,
Smith R.A.
,
Desautels D.A.
Mechanical ventilation. Churchill Livingstone , New York 1985 ; 307 –325 .
13.
Froese A.
High frequency ventilation: uses and abuses. Annual refresher course lectures. American Society of Anesthesiologists 1985 ; 331 .
14.
Whitwam J.G.
,
Chakrabarti M.K.
,
Konarzewski W.H.
,
Askitopoulou H.
A new valveless all-purpose ventilator . Br J Anaesth 1983 ; 55 : 1017 –1022 .
