A computer-controlled mechanical ventilator based on a rotating vane

Mechanical ventilators currently in use in the intensive care unit (ICU) are designed to maintain life support, and generally have only rudimentary monitoring capabilities built into them. However, regular assessment of the mechanical status of the lungs is often of vital importance for the effective management of ICU patients. The authors have designed and built a prototype mechanical ventilator for use in the intensive care unit (ICU) based on a vane rotating inside a semi-circular housing. The vane position is under computer control for maximum flexibility and bandwidth. By tracking vane position and the pressure in the housing either side of the vane, one can accurately calculate the flow into the patient. The authors suggest that this ventilator design provides a novel solution to the problem of ventilating a patient while simultaneously monitoring respiratory mechanics via the forced oscillation technique