Closed-loop control of artificial respiration

Mechanical ventilation is extensively used today for pediatric as well as adult respiratory therapy. There have been many advancements in mechanical ventilators in the past few decades. Despite having many advanced computerized features, these machines are still mainly open-loop controlled. The added features of ventilators which have considerably enhanced their flexibility have also contributed to their complexity. To operate these modern, mainly open-loop machines in an effective manner, even closer attention than before is needed from well-trained, well-equipped medical personnel. Closed-loop ventilators can offer many advantages to patients as well as to clinicians. These machines have the capability of providing more effective and more flexible ventilatory treatment to patients without encumbering medical personnel with the demanding control tasks associated with traditional mechanical ventilation. In this paper, the differences between closed-loop and traditional mechanical ventilation are discussed and an overview of closed-loop ventilation is provided.