| Mechanical
Ventilators
Mechanical Ventilators
supply air and oxygen into the baby’s lungs, helping
him to breath. Air and oxygen are mixed at various levels
depending on the baby’s condition and are delivered
to the baby through an endotracheal tube (ET tube) that is
inserted through the mouth or nose going through to the windpipe
(trachea). The tube is kept in place by attaching it with
tape either to a bonnet or to the baby’s face.
There are various types
of ventilators, however the most commonly used machines gently
push air/oxygen to the lungs (inspiration), and then permit
air/carbon dioxide to leave the baby’s lungs (expiration).
The speed of the ventilator can be varied in accordance to
the baby’s breathing rate (20-80 breaths per minute).
There are also ventilators in which the speed of the ventilator
can be triggered by the baby’s own breath.
Another type of ventilator
is called “High Frequency Oscillator”,
these machines push small amounts of air/oxygen into the baby’s
lungs at very fast rates, ranging from 600 to 1200 breaths
per minute. Babies on these types of ventilators look rather
strange as the baby’s chest does not have the typical
rising and falling movement, in fact the baby’s chest
seems to vibrate. However strange this may seem this type
of process is quite natural and very similar to the panting
type of breath that dogs have on hot days, after a long run.
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High
Frequency Oscillator
(Reproduced with the
kind permission
of Simpson Memorial
Maternity, UK) |
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