The Minimal Alveolar Ventilation controller

This report presents a new approach to closed loop controlled ventilation, called Minimal Alveolar Ventilation (MAV). MAV is based on a pressure controlled ventilation mode suitable for paralyzed as well as spontaneously breathing subjects. It maintains a minimal alveolar ventilation preset by the physician. The MAV controller was tested on a physical lung model and in 6 intubated patients. The controller's performance was found to be adequate in all cases.