[abstract] EVALUATION OF THE UNI-VENT EAGLE MODEL 754 VENTILATOR UNDER HYPERBARIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The University of California, San Diego's Hyperbaric Medicine Unit has utilized a Monaghan 225 ventilator since 1983 for patients requiring respiratory support during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, because of its age, technical support for the Monaghan 225 has become increasingly difficult. Therefore it has become necessary to identify a ventilator that will safely fulfill the needs of the center into the twenty-first century. The February 2007 publication by the United States Navy's Experimental Diving Unit entitled "Evaluation of the Uni-Vent Eagle model 754 ventilator for use in the surface recompression chambers (SRC) of the submarine rescue diving and recompression systems (SRDRS)" inspired our center to evaluate the Uni-Vent as a possible replacement of the Monaghan 225. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testing of the rate and tidal volume of the Uni-Vent Eagle model 754 was conducted utilizing a Michigan test lung in a class 'A' hyperbaric chamber at pressures of 1.0, 2.36 and 2.81 ATA with exposure to air and 100% oxygen. Those results were compared to the existing known operating parameters of the Monaghan 225. Fire deluge, hand line fire protection, emergency breathing masks for the tenders, and an oxygen monitoring device were employed. RESULTS: The Uni-Vent Eagle model 754 ventilator performed as well as the Monaghan 225 during preliminary tests under hyperbaric conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The Uni-Vent Eagle model 754 ventilator appears to be a suitable replacement for the Monaghan 225 ventilator for use in a class 'A' hyperbaric chamber.