Integrating knowledge-based technology into computer aided ventilation systems.

A knowledge-based decision support system for respirator treatment, the KUSIVAR system, has been designed in cooperation between hospital, university and industry. Changes in patient data from respirator and monitoring equipment trigger a computer program that generates advice to the staff concerning e.g. therapy modes and respirator settings using expert systems and process control technology. A prototype has been built on an advanced development workstation, the Unisys Explorer, using the software Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE). The clinical version is implemented on an Intel 80396-based microcomputer connected on-line via a data-acquisition processor to the respirator. The decision support software is implemented as a module under the Microsoft Windows multitasking environment and communicates with modules for data acquisition, database handling and data presentation by means of message passing using the Windows Dynamic Data Exchange protocol. The modules present coherent user interfaces by conforming to Microsoft Windows standards. The knowledge base is being extensively validated by an expert group in the ICU and the system will be evaluated through animal experiments and clinical studies.