Optimizing ventilation management in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care patient Technologies to individually assess the respiratory physiology

This thesis explores advancements in respiratory support for neonatal and pediatric patients, focusing on equipment design, humidification, and monitoring methods.
A development is an improved nasal interface, the Infant Flow SiPAP generator, which uses a fluid-flip principle to significantly reduce the work of breathing and enhance pressure buildup, particularly beneficial for infants with brief inspiratory times.
This thesis also investigates humidification, a critical aspect of respiratory support. The non-invasive mode of the F&P MR850 humidifier effectively conditions gas, aligning with international standards and reducing risks such as mucociliary overload and condensation in tubing. This emphasizes the importance of accurate humidification in clinical practice.
Advanced monitoring techniques are explored, especially useful post-extubation when conventional spirometry is unavailable. Novel calibration methods for Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography (RIP) are introduced for effective non-invasive flow assessment, offering new possibilities for ongoing patient monitoring.
Additionally, an animal study examines the correlation between the effort and work of breathing, uncovering strong associations that could guide future non-invasive respiratory support monitoring strategies.
Overall, this thesis presents significant contributions to the field of respiratory support in young patients, underscoring the need for innovative equipment, precise humidification, and advanced monitoring to enhance patient care.