Portable Ventilator Offers an Improved Quality of Life

The Respironics PLV Continuum II ventilator is a microprocessor-controlled, compressor-based, mechanical ventilator that provides five ventilation modes in a small, lightweight system that encourages patient mobility. Integrated side rails for wheelchair compatibility and a shoulder strap for walking allow ventilator-dependent patients to maintain many activities inside and outside the home. A built-in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve allows for a lighter patient circuit, which can also be used with flow triggering. An easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate graphical user interface (GUI) with a membrane keypad simplifies setup, monitoring, and adjustment, so that clinicians and patients can feel confidence that ventilation is being adequately provided.

The PLV Continuum II delivers both pressure control ventilation (PCV) and volume control ventilation (VCV), and comes with the ability to save a primary and alternate set of parameters, so that patients can select distinct ventilation prescriptions for daytime and nighttime breathing comfort. The ventilator is thus capable of providing the following types of ventilatory support: positive pressure ventilation (PPV), delivered either invasively (via endotracheal or tracheostomy tube) or noninvasively (via mask or mouthpiece); spontaneous intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) modes of ventilation; and volume-controlled (VC), pressure-controlled (PC), or pressure support (PS) modes. The PLV Continuum II Ventilator is a product of Respironics (Murrysville, PA, USA), a Royal Philips Electronics (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) company.

In May 2006, Respironics voluntarily recalled 269 ventilators representing all models and serial numbers of the PLV Continuum Ventilator. The recall was issued due to sudden stops of the ventilator that led to cessation of mechanical ventilation. Upon revision of the recalled units, the problem was identified as a potential for failure of an internal flow valve.

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