Critical Care Ventilator Systems
This course provides a comprehensive study of critical care ventilator systems, equipping technicians with the essential knowledge and skills for their maintenance and repair. Students will delve into gas supply and blending, examining external air/oxygen blenders, internal compressors and turbines, accumulators, and pressure regulators. A detailed analysis of proportional solenoid and exhalation valves, critical for precise gas delivery and control, is included. The course covers various flow sensor technologies, such as hot wire, differential pressure, and ultrasonic, alongside pressure transducers, and the function of oxygen cells. Further topics include humidification systems, heated wire circuits, patient circuits, filters, and water traps. Additionally, students will learn about nebulizer and expiratory valve assemblies, and gain proficiency in tracing faults through pneumatic schematics.
InstructorPatrick PowersPrerequisites
Course outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
Course Objectives: 1. Analyze pneumatic schematics to identify the function of gas supply, blending, and exhalation valve components within a critical care ventilator. 2. Trace gas pathways through a ventilator's internal compressor/turbine, accumulator, regulator, and proportional solenoid valve systems to diagnose common pneumatic faults. 3. Calibrate and troubleshoot flow sensors (hot wire, differential pressure, ultrasonic) and pressure transducers, interpreting their outputs for accurate ventilator performance. 4. Verify the proper operation and maintenance of oxygen cells, humidification systems, and patient circuits, including filters and water traps. 5. Perform functional checks and basic troubleshooting on nebulizer and expiratory valve assemblies to ensure patient safety and therapy efficacy. 6. Locate and interpret key parameters related to gas supply and blending, flow, pressure, and oxygen delivery as displayed on a critical care ventilator user interface. Grading for this course is weighted as follows: Knowledge Checks 10%, Assignments and Labs 30%, Quizzes 25%, and Final Exam 35%. Each component is designed to assess your understanding and practical application of the course material. Students are expected to become familiar with various generations of critical care ventilators, understanding their functional differences regarding gas delivery, sensing, and patient interface. This includes systems employing internal compressors/turbines, high-pressure gas inputs, and those utilizing diverse flow and pressure monitoring technologies.