Servo respirator constructed from a positive-pressure ventilator.

We have constructed an electronically controlled respirator from three commercially available components: a positive-pressure ventilator, a recorder pen motor, and a differential amplifier. Using negative feedback derived from a tracheal pressure signal, the instrument functions as a servo respirator which provides precise control of tracheal pressure. The system's power and response characteristics are well suited for ventilation of anesthetized cats and dogs. The servo respirator can be used as an externally controlled respiratory pump which provides flexibility in selection of the parameters of the ventilatory cycle. Alternatively, it can function as a "demand" respirator which generates transthoracic pressure proportional to efferent respiratory discharge.