Fluke Biomedical VT Mobile - Manual (Page 45)

4-1
Chapter 4
Checking Ventilator Parameters
Introduction
To monitor ventilator parameters, the Analyzer must first determine when a breath occurs
and delineate the various phases of the breath. For example, the breath detection
algorithm determines the beginning and ending of the integration periods for calculating
tidal volumes.
The breath detection algorithm is a state machine. The flow waveform is the input to the
state machine. The Analyzer bases state changes on flow waveform crossings of
predefined thresholds. The breath detection threshold can be set to a high flow rate to
reject noise near zero flow.
You can use the High-Flow or Low-Flow Sensor to sample ventilator parameters.
Generally, the Low-Flow Sensor provides better accuracy at low flow rates (less than 25
lpm). Also, review “Making a Measurement More Accurate” in Chapter 3 for a
discussion of the uses of the Oxygen Sensor, Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor,
and barometric pressure readings in enhancing measurement accuracy. Chapter 3 also
discusses proper warm-up and zeroing procedures to compensate for sensor drift.
Checking Ventilator Parameters
Refer to Figure 4-1 when you are connecting the Analyzer to a ventilator and test lung.
1. Press R and follow on-screen instructions.
2. At the Analyzer, connect the High-Flow Sensor to the Flow/Low-Pressure Port.
3. Connect the Oxygen Sensor to the upper port on the right side of the Analyzer.
4. If available, connect the optional Temperature/RH Sensor to the lower port on the
right side of the Analyzer.