A Transistor Electronically Controlled Respirator

¹ The Veterans Administration Hospital and Baylor University College of Medicine.

The transistor electronically controlled respirator offers potentialities for aiding respiration in patients with insufficient respiratory force to trip the positive pressure respirators, and in patients with respiratory muscle paralysis. Increased sensitivity of pressure operated respirators often leads to chattering of the respirator due to alterations of air flow and pressure secondary to retained secretions in the respiratory tract. Such an effect is obviated with the present system. The use of the patient's own respiratory center to regulate breathing allows more adequate respiratory assistance. The dangers of hypoventilation are reduced as the patient's own respiratory center is the major controlling center. The automatic cycler prevents or diminishes the dangers arising from complete respiratory center failure. An alarm monitor system is possible even if the device is not used to control respirations.