While training on a simulator is mandatory for pilots before they go into practice, almost all trainee doctors in neonatology education are allowed and required to give mechanical respiration to babies without any practical experience.
Settings have to be made on the respirator, often without any knowledge of how these affect the extremely fragile lungs of a premature baby, for example, as in most cases there is a lack of understanding of the intrapulmonary effects.
This understanding can be developed without posing any risk to the patient if respiration has been learnt in a simulation environment that is as close to practice as possible.
However, a physical model of the paediatric lung under invasive and non-invasive ventilation is a required part of this simulation.
This understanding can be developed without posing any risk to the patient if respiration has been learnt in a simulation environment that is as close to practice as possible.
However, a physical model of the paediatric lung under invasive and non-invasive ventilation is a required part of this simulation.
We have developed such a Neonatal Active Lung Model, which simulates the respiratory behaviour and respiratory mechanics of a premature and full-term infant as far as possible.
GINA allows the patient's spontaneous breathing to be simulated via the breathing pump. Its strength (Prm), time behaviour (f, Tins) and periodicity (from even to apnoeic phases and sighs) can also be set with stochastic variability. It also allows the measurement of flow, volume and all relevant pressures.
It contains the endotracheal tube (ETT), airway resistance (Raw), compliance (C) with linear or sigmoid p-V characteristics and the respiratory pump (Prm). The values of ETT, Raw, C, Prm as well as breathing frequency and inspiration time are adjustable. As an alternative to internal compliance, external compliance can also be connected.
It contains the endotracheal tube (ETT), airway resistance (Raw), compliance (C) with linear or sigmoid p-V characteristics and the respiratory pump (Prm). The values of ETT, Raw, C, Prm as well as breathing frequency and inspiration time are adjustable. As an alternative to internal compliance, external compliance can also be connected.
GINA is pneumatically connected to the ventilator via its ventilation tubes and the Y-piece. Communication with the user takes place via the graphical user interface of a PC or laptop.
The desired spontaneous breathing mode is set. The resulting volume flows, volumes and pressures are measured and displayed on the PC/laptop screen in various graphical forms. They can be conveniently analysed and saved.
In combination with any ventilator, we have thus created the desired simulation environment for training doctors in the field of ventilation.
Other users include the ventilator manufacturing industry and medical research.
The desired spontaneous breathing mode is set. The resulting volume flows, volumes and pressures are measured and displayed on the PC/laptop screen in various graphical forms. They can be conveniently analysed and saved.
In combination with any ventilator, we have thus created the desired simulation environment for training doctors in the field of ventilation.
Other users include the ventilator manufacturing industry and medical research.