Respiratory

Mechanics
Respiratory
Mechanics
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What maneuvers are included in the RM software upgrade for the

Puritan BennettTM 840TM ventilator system that are different than
what's available for the Puritan Bennett 700 SeriesTM ventilator?
A. Negative Inspiratory force (NIF), occlusion pressure (P0.1) and vital
capacity (VC).
Q. Which performance indicators are automatically calculated and
displayed by the RM software upgrade for the Puritan Bennett
840TM ventilator system?
A. Dynamic compliance (CDYN), dynamic resistance (RDYN), end
expiratory flow (EEF), peak spontaneous flow (PSF) and peak
expiratory flow (PEF).
Q. ln what breathing modes can the Respiratory Mechanics
maneuvers be accessed?
A. The maneuvers can be accessed in all modes except:
Apnea ventilation
Safety pressure control ventilation (PCV)
Occlusion status cycling (OSC)
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV)
When the circuit type is Neonatal
When another maneuver has already been accessed
Q. Are there any alarm conditions that would cause the RM
maneuvers of the Puritan Bennett 840TM ventilator system to be
cancelled automatically?
A. Yes, they are:
PPEAK alarm
PVENT alarm
VTI SPONT
VTI MAND
VTI

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Q. What is the NIF maneuver (also known as maximum

inspiratory force - MlF)?

Q. What is dynamic compliance (CDYN)? What is dynamic

resistance (RDYN)?

A. This is a maneuver that occurs while both the

inspiratory valve and the expiratory valve are held
closed by the practitioner while the patient is coached
to take a maximal inspiratory breath. The pressure
generated by the patient is recorded and displayed by
the RM software in both graphical and numerical
formats.

A. The RM software for the Puritan Bennett 840

ventilator measures the compliance and resistance of
the patients lungs and chest wall. The measurements
of CDYN and RDYN indicate the impedance
characteristics of the lungs, chest wall and conducting
airways. Changes in either of these values may reveal
changes in the elastic properties of the lung and/or
chest wall, or in the ability of the conducting airways
to accommodate a particular flow of gas.

Q. What is the occlusion pressure maneuver (also known

as P100, P0.1 or P-oh-one)?
A. This is the pressure generated by the patients
diaphragm during the first 100 milliseconds (ms) of
inspiration. It is an estimation of neuromuscular drive
to breathe. The pressure generated by the patient is
recorded and displayed both graphically and
numerically.
Q. What is the vital capacity (VC) maneuver?
A. This is a coached maneuver where the patient is
coached to draw in a maximal inspiration, then fully
exhale. It is a measurement of how much volume the
patient can exhale when prompted. The exhaled VC is
recorded and displayed both graphically and
numerically.
Q. How are the respiratory mechanics maneuvers
accessed?

Q. What is peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate?

A. PEF is the maximum flow rate observed during
exhalation, excluding the first 100 ms of data. PEF
can be used as an indicator of obstructed airways.
Q. What is end expiratory flow (EEF) rate?
A. EEF is the rate of expiratory flow that occurs at the end
of exhalation and can be used to determine whether
expiratory time is adequate to prevent gas trapping
and intrinsic PEEP.
Q. What is peak spontaneous flow (PSF) rate?
A. PSF is the maximum inspiratory flow rate sampled
during a spontaneous inspiration. It is a good predictor
of impending air hunger and helps the clinician set
peak flow rate or choose an optimum level of pressure
support.

A. They can be found by selecting the OTHER SCREENS

button on the lower portion of the GUI. You can tell if
RM is installed on your Puritan Bennett 840
ventilator because the letters RM will appear on
this button.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

COVIDIEN and COVIDIEN with logo are trademarks of Covidien AG.
2007 Covidien AG or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
2007 Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated.
All rights reserved.
C-VE-RespMechFAQs/GB

Covidien (UK)
Commercial
Limited

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154 Fareham Road

Gosport Hampshire
PO 13 OAS
United Kingdom (UK)

+44 (0) 1329 224226 [t]

+44 (0) 1329 224334 [f]

www.covidien.com

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