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Objective: To evaluate the SAVe simplified automated ventilator in a laboratory setting to determine performance characteristics, accuracy of tidal volume delivery at various lung compliance, and battery life at sea level and at altitude.Methods: Three SAVe ventilators were used for the evaluation. Each ventilator was attached to a test lung with volume, pressure, and flow measured with a fixed orifice pneumotachometer and FIO2 measured with a fast-response oxygen analyzer. All measurements were made at sea level, 4,000, 8,000, 12,000, and 18,000 feet.Results: Delivered tidal volume and inspiratory time varied when changing lung model conditions as well as between devices within the same lung model condition. The largest reduction in tidal volume was at the lowest compliance.Conclusions: The SAVe could potentially be used for ventilatory support of carefully selected military casualties but caregivers must be aware of the limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and breath type on the battery life of the LTV-1000 external lithium ion battery (LiB).Methods: An LTV-1000 ventilator and external LiB were tested in the laboratory. The ventilator was operated using pressure and volume breaths set to deliver a tidal volume of 750 mL. FIO2 was varied from room air (0.21) to 1.0. PEEP was set a 0, 10, and 20 cm of H2O. Duration of operation was determined from measurements of delivered tidal volume.Results: At a baseline of volume control at an FIO2 of 0.21 and a PEEP of 0 cm of H2O, the ventilator operated for 300 +/- 11.6 minutes. Increasing FIO2 to 1.0 reduced battery life to 247 +/- 2.1 minute (p < 0.001). The addition of PEEP to 20 cm of H2O reduced battery life to 211 +/- 3.5 minutes (p < 0.001). The combination of FIO2 of 1.0 and PEEP of 20 cm of H2O further reduced battery life to 188 +/- 6.3 minutes (p < 0.001). At the baseline FIO2 and PEEP (0.21 and 0 cm of H2O), the use of pressure control reduced battery life to 142 +/- 3.5 minutes.Conclusions: Battery life of the external LiB is significantly reduced by the use of pressure control, increasing PEEP, and increasing FIO2. This information is critical to resource planning for medical missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]