Covidien Launches New Automatic Leak Adjustments Software

Covidien has launched Leak Compensation software option for the Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator. The company claims that the 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.

Compensation software option helps overcome the challenge of maintaining synchrony between the patient’s breathing efforts and the ventilator’s response.

Douglas Hansell, chief medical officer and vice president of respiratory and monitoring solutions at Covidien, said: “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. 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.”

Reportedly, the software automatically detects, measures and compensates for the effects of leaks on ventilation triggering, cycling and spirometry. It 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, claims the company.