Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Mechanical Ventilation Boot Camp Curriculum
Published on: March 12, 2018
A clinician's guide to ventilators: how they work and why they can fail. A classification system to make sense of
1Rush Medical College, Chicago.
Abstract:
To select a ventilator (or a ventilatory mode), consider the most basic characteristics: How is tidal volume generated (with a constant or nonconstant flow or pressure generator)? How does the ventilator trigger a changeover from exhalation to inhalation and cycle back to exhalation? How is tidal volume delivered to the patient (either directly from a power source or indirectly from an intermediate chamber)? What special functions are available? The answers to these questions will not only let you make the best selection but will also help you troubleshoot when a ventilator fails to function properly.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...

