Development of a Multi-Frequency Jet Ventilator for use Under Battlefield Conditions.

摘要

The primary objective of the Phase I study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultra-high frequency jet ventilation in sustaining wounded with penetrating chest injuries. To this effect, an experimental program was undertaken to simulate such injuries on animals by creating a reproducible wound in the laboratory. A bronchopleural cutaneous fistula was surgically induced in ten pigs and their progress with three different modes of ventilation: conventional, conventional jet and ultra-high frequency jet, were monitored. Blood gases and vital signs were taken and the flow through the fistula was measured. The data obtained in these experiments demonstrate a significant benefit in oxygen loading as evidenced by an improved a/A ratio during ultra-high frequency jet ventilation as compared to either conventional jet or conventional ventilation. There was also a marked decrease in the gas flow through the bronchopleural fistula in ultra-high frequency jet ventilation as compared to the other two modes. Statistical analyses confirm that the observed differences were statistically significant. These results indicate that ultra-high frequency jet ventilation offers significant advantages and benefits in ventilating lungs in which a large bronchopleural fistula has formed. A secondary objective was to investigate methods for measuring the resonant frequency of the lung system in conjunction with jet ventilation. Results demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed approach.