I S S U E - DOTmed.com

Respiratory therapy is one of the most widely
used medical practices in the health care industry.
Widespread use can translate to big
money. So, naturally, advances in respiratory
equipment occur regularly in respirators, oximeters,
airway pressure monitors, ventilators and other such
equipment. One recent trend finds its influence in mobility
and ease of transport. Manufacturers are creating more
compact machines in order to take up less room in already
crowded operating rooms and other places where space is
at a premium.
One of the leading global providers of health care products,
CareFusion, is coming out with two brand new ventila-
Respiratory
Equipment
Still a Breath of
Fresh Air During
Troubled Times
By Mary Kate Baumann
tors unlike any others currently on the market. As of right
now, the most compact ventilator is their LTV 1200, which
weighs about 14 pounds. Soon, they will be unveiling their
Palm Top Ventilators (PTVs).
The first PTV, the ENVE ventilator, is made and used for
critical care. It is about the size of a tissue box and weighs
approximately eight pounds. According to Kim Zipse of
CareFusion, “the new PTVs have four-hour swappable batteries
where, if a change of battery is needed, an internal one
takes over so that respiratory therapy can continue without
disruption.” Providing an uninterrupted service is especially
important given that respiratory ventilation is key in life or
death situations.
DOTmedbusiness news I s e p t e m b e r 2009 37