Covidien introduces Leak Compensation software for Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator

Aug 24 2009

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global supplier of healthcare products, today announced the global launch of its Leak Compensation software option for the Puritan Bennett 840™ ventilator. This new feature will provide a ventilation solution in high-leak environments, particularly in non-invasive ventilation where air leaks associated with the use of masks, nasal prongs, and nasal pillows are common.

Compensating for leaks up to 10 liters per minute (Lpm) for neonates, 40Lpm for pediatric patients and 65Lpm for adults, the Leak Compensation software option helps overcome the challenge of maintaining synchrony between the patient’s breathing efforts and the ventilator’s response.

“The Leak Compensation software mitigates the challenges associated with a high-leak environment and will further enhance the Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator’s ability to be the solution in a continuum of care settings, including non-invasive ventilation.” said Douglas M. Hansell, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Vice President, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. “With this new software feature, clinicians will feel confident that they will be able to deliver effective ventilation in both invasive and non-invasive settings without the need for a separate ventilator.”

Automatically detecting, measuring and compensating for the effects of leaks on ventilation triggering, cycling and spirometry also helps to prevent auto-triggering, or prolonged inspiratory times when the leak exceeds the flow-trigger threshold. The Leak Compensation software option compensates for leak flows in pressure-based breaths, both during inhalation as well as exhalation. It also adds the necessary additional flow into the breathing circuit to help optimize breath triggering and cycling functions as well as to help maintain the set positive end-expiratory pressure. The Leak Compensation software option will display clinically valuable leak-related parameters.

“Covidien’s innovation in ventilation technology addresses a significant challenge in both invasive and noninvasive ventilation,” said Jim Willett, Vice President and General Manager, Ventilation and Airway, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. “Upgrades and feature additions like this enhance accuracy, efficiency and potentially reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation.”

In neonatal care, the Leak Compensation software option complements the NeoMode™ software upgrade, which also launched this week. Neonates breathing noninvasively typically provide no measurable exhaled volume. This commonly triggers nuisance alarms, which can lead clinicians to make frequent modifications to the ventilator settings. The new NeoMode software upgrade reduces the number of nuisance alarms, leading to an enhanced neonatal non-invasive ventilation solution.

“This new software reflects our mission to provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of clinicians and enhance quality of care for ventilator-assisted patients. Our clinicians rely upon our products — day and night in general care, critical and home care settings — to deliver the utmost in functionality, reliability and accuracy,” Willet added.

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