What are Portable Ventilators and What you need to know about them? [Detailed Guide]

Did you know that approximately 1 out of 10 people dies during their transportation to the hospital because of the unavailability of appropriate ventilator services? If you didn’t then you know now. 

The movement of a patient that requires attention could be due to routine or medical emergencies but at the same time having them reach the hospital in time is a priority so they can quickly get the attention and the ventilation they need. It could be that due to some issues you can’t manage to run your family member or friend to the hospital so what do in that case? That’s when portable ventilators come into the picture. A ventilator designed for you to easily make use of it at home. 

No transport for medical emergencies? Lack of means? Live far away? No worries about all your problems there is a solution which is: a portable medical ventilator that serves the purpose at home too. 

Keep reading to find out more regarding it, its benefits, how to make use of it, and which portable ventilator to invest in.

Even though we have hospitals nearby and they do provide ventilator service but there are times when during transporting the patient these mechanical ventilators become tough to work with mainly because of their size, weight and how they require a sizeable amount of external power as well as gas for the patient’s stabilization, the reason why we hear so many patients become even sicker but the problem is solved with Portable Ventilators that are for home-usage. 

What are Portable Ventilators? 

Portable Ventilators are compact devices originally designed to serve the purpose of a mechanical ventilator. But the difference is that they can work in a setting where there is the unavailability of gas and mains electricity. 

There are quite a few times when intensive care patients connected to a ventilator are taken to a different facility or the patient’s family requests to shift them to their homes so the patient can recover in familiar environments, in such cases the medical unit working should make sure appropriate ventilator services are provided to protect the health of the patient. Portable Ventilators are perfect for home use where you can easily adjust them according to your needs.

In today’s modern era, with the advancement, these ventilators serve a purpose for people who require them quite more than a normal individual would. So by getting them installed in the comfort of one’s home you can easily keep the loved one at home and provide the patient with the ventilator he/she needs. 

Benefits of a Portable Ventilator 

• Whenever we hear the word portable what comes to our mind? Something movable and easy to carry. Now picture a ventilator and it is portable? How easy has life become if you have a patient at home who’s in dire need of one and needs to be rushed to the hospital? That patient can now easily stay at home and still get access to a ventilator. 
• The portable Ventilator serves the purpose of a mechanical ventilator in a hospital, it provides the patient with a stable airway and prevents them from getting injured from aspiration. 
• One-time investment: Hospital bills can be a bit too much especially if your insurance plan isn’t a good one. Still want to keep doing all that you want to without worrying about the hefty bills then invest in a portable ventilator right now! It’s a one-time investment but a fruitful one. 
• The patient is bound to a bed. He/she can move around the house and even visit family and friends. A portable Ventilator helps the patient to keep his/her sickness aside and feel normal, they can carry the machine wherever they go to avoid any emergency. 

Portable Ventilator serves the same purpose as a mechanical ventilator so it’s better to invest in it and avail the benefits this new technology provides. 

“Can I buy a portable ventilator?” “Are there portable ventilators that would serve the purpose for my needs?” “Which portable ventilator will be the perfect one?” 

These are some of the common questions that arise in the minds of various individuals, you are probably one of them. Well, you need not worry because here’s how you can choose a portable ventilator for home use, Keep reading! 

What to look for in a Portable Ventilator? 

When getting your hands on a Portable Ventilator, make sure you go through various options. You will observe that there various modes, alarming systems, and monitoring ability. Some provide precision in the control of oxygen risking the chance of hyperoxia. Some have better battery life and an internal battery that can be swapped. It all comes down to what serves the purpose best and perfect for YOU. Read further and find out about different Portable Ventilators, and their specifications so you can easily decide to invest in which one. 

Portable Ventilators on Amazon: 

Amazon is a site where you will find all that you need but it’s difficult figuring out which product is good and that’s where we come in the picture. Below is a list of a few ventilators that can help you find the best portable ventilator for home use. 

1. CAREFUSION LTV SERIES 1150 PORTABLE VENTILATOR: 

CAREFUSION LTV SERIES 1150 PORTABLE VENTILATOR

The Carefusion LTV provides portable ventilation for patients at home. Here are some specifications regarding the product. 

• The device is just 14 pounds and provides a wide range of ventilation services to meet the needs of various patients. It allows pressure control, volume control as well as offers various breathing types. 
•  It enhances comfort and cares for patients, by offering internal Peep compensation. 
•  This ventilator, unlike any other product in the market, provides a wide range of customizable settings that stabilize a patient’s respiratory conditions. 

2. PHILIPS RESPIRONICS TRILOGY 100 PORTABLE VENTILATOR: 

PHILIPS RESPIRONICS TRILOGY 100 PORTABLE VENTILATOR

The Philips 100 portable ventilator makes home ventilation less confusing and complicated with its simple user interface and has Respironics’ proven BiPAP technology providing versatility to its user. 

• The machine is lightweight and has detachable batteries which increase the profitability for patients who are on the go. 
•  It provides two different circuits.
• It provides volume and pressure ventilation delivering aid to the patient invasively and non-invasively. 

 3. ASTRAL150 by ResMed: 

ASTRAL150 by ResMed

The Astral 150 is a lightweight and easy carry respiratory device that adapts according to the changes of an ALS patient. These devices are popular for providing support in breathing at night via mask and during the day the support in breathing is provided with a mouthpiece. 

• It can be used intermittently or can be used as full-time ventilation support. 
• User-friendly settings can be personalized making it easier for the user to use. 
• It has a plug-in service as well as an internal battery of up to 8 hours. 
• It comes with accessories that include two optional external batteries that can be used for up to 8 hours each, a bag, a table stand, and a device trolley to carry it easily from one place to another. 

4. MEDTRONIC PURITAN BENNETT 980 VENTILATOR: 

MEDTRONIC PURITAN BENNETT 980 VENTILATOR

A device that is made for patients so they can breathe naturally even if they are using its support to breathe. 

• The device has a customized screen display with a large screen, alarm management and various presets for different sicknesses. How cool is that? 
• It gives an option of swapping batteries which makes working easier. 
• There is a compressor for battery power in case there is mobilization for the sake of patients. 
• It also comes with an integrated filter. 

When are Ventilators used? 

A ventilator also known as a breathing support machine can be used by all age groups for a short period while recovering from an illness or any other problem. 

Newborn babies, children, and adults all us could require a ventilator in the following cases: 

• When our body can not be supported by the oxygen supply that it’s doing on its one may need a ventilator. This helps stabilize the oxygen levels of our body and make breathing possible. 
• Surgeries are another reason why one may be put on a ventilator, it helps you breathe for a specific time while you may be under the influence of anesthesia. 
• Ventilators are required by mothers who may have given birth and need breathing support to keep their oxygen stable after surgery or any other patient who may have undergone major surgery and require a ventilator post-surgery to keep his/her oxygen levels stable. 

Illnesses that require Ventilators: 

During the following situations, it becomes a requirement for a patient to be put on a ventilator so their body can be supported by the oxygen a ventilator provides. 

• Coma 
•  ALS is also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 
•  Injuries to heart, brain, or lungs. 
•  Pneumonia 
•  Heat Stroke 
• Drug Overdose 
•  Mother’s delivering 

Ventilators in times of COVID-19: 

Did you know that when the pandemic hit us almost every hospital faced an issue of not having enough ventilators? Can an individual imagine rushing up to the hospital and not be able to breathe knowing that he/she may get comfort but they are denied because there aren’t enough ventilators to support patients? 

Patients who suffered severe symptoms of COVID-19 required ventilator services to stabilize their breathing as covid damaged the lungs and made breathing a difficult task. In such cases, various people invested in a ventilator so if an individual in the family suffered anything as such they could easily help the patient get better at home. Families with people who had diabetes or Asthma patients could now invest in a ventilator too since we are still under a pandemic and we never know when it could rise. Safety should always come first!