LESSON 1
OPERATION AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
Section I. GENERAL FEATURES
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GENERAL
a. Capabilities. The Babybird ventilator (figure 1-1) has established design and
performance standards for neonatal and pediatric ventilators. It functions as a
pneumatically powered, time cycled, pressure limited, constant flow controller. It
operates on source-gas pressure of 45 to 55 pounds per square inch (psi). The
Babybird ventilator has two clinical capabilities.
(1)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or spontaneous breathing.
(2)
Controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV).
b. Functional Features. Functional features of the ventilator include a Bird
oxygen blender which precisely controls the flow and percentage of oxygen delivered to
the patient. Airway pressures are monitored by a dual gauge manometer calibrated in
centimeters of water (cmH2O)/millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or in cmH2O/kilogram-
Pascal (kpa). Source-gas pressures are constantly monitored by a pressure gauge.
Gas flows to the patient are adjustable in liter per minute (lpm) gradations and visually
monitored by a flowmeter readout. Humidification/ nebulization is normally controlled by
a knob on the front panel. The Babybird ventilator is time cycled with independently
adjustable inspiratory (inhaling) and expiratory (exhaling) time intervals which allow
controlled intermittent mandatory ventilation (breathing). Expiratory flow from the patient
is manually adjustable to decrease expiratory resistance.
c. Safety Features. Safety features include an audible alarm system for quick
identification of source-gas failure and an automatic inspiratory lockout with an alarm if
inspiration exceeds a preset time limit. The low pressure alarm alerts the clinician if the
internal operating pressure falls below 43psi. The inspiratory lockout interrupts the
controlled inspiratory phase after a preset period of inspiratory time and interrupts the
expiratory venturi jet during the inspiratory phase of controlled ventilation.
MD0355
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