A tester for artificial respirators

All equipment used for resuscitation must be validated before use. This is possible only if means are available for simulating the human airways and lungs, reproducing the conditions in which the respirators will be employed. It is also important that such simulators be capable of determining all variables (flow rate, respiratory rate, pressure, etc.) that can be regulated with an artificial ventilator in full agreement with international standards. This paper illustrates the development of a lightweight, portable prototype lung model with a compliant bellows whereby various lung conditions can be simulated. The prototype was validated using a fixed-capacity reference model which ensures good measurement accuracy, though its weight and bulk are by no means inconsiderable. The investigation was carried out by sizing each component in accordance with international and American standards.