We developed a portable PEEP adaptor that fits well with a transport ventilator or resuscitator bag. The device comprised of a non-rebreathing valve, exhale gas separator and flex tube. To determine the efficacy of this device, we applied 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm H_2O of PEEP and observed the rate of air leak by measuring pressure changes in a circuit connecting to an artificial lung. As a control, pressure changes were monitored in a circuit that does not house this device. Rates of pressure decrements were 0.043±0.014, 0.097±0.001, 0.137±0.009, 0.092±0.012, 0.265±0.015cmH_2O/sec at PEEP 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25, respectively. No pressure change was observed in a control circuit with less than 20 cmH_2O of PEEP. From these results, this adaptor was found to be effective to provide with PEEP by applying it to transport ventilators or resuscitator bags that did not have PEEP function. We conclude that this device is useful in respiratory management of patients with severe hypoxia during transportation.
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