May 26, 2000, Orlando, FL -- More than 6000 health practitioners and educators attended NTI2K, TheYear-2000 National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, hosted by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, May 20-25, in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. VentWorld attended to report on the Expo and to demonstrate our website and interactive educational software. The Exhibit Hall featured manufacturers of diagnostic, therapeutic and educational products ranging from acute care, transport, critical care, and long-term care equipment and supplies to medications, books, clothing and dietary supplements. The following companies presented their latest innovations related to mechanical ventilation:
| Datex-Ohmeda | Mallinckrodt |
| Digitize | Passy-Muir |
| Dynavox | Siemens |
| Hill Rom | Thermo Respiratory Group |
| J. H. Emerson | Versamed |
| Kimberly-Clark/Ballard |
(Note: Clicking on the thumbnail images will retrieve larger pictures.)
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A convenient new plug-in module (shown in photo) was featured, which brings integrated "five-star" multidisciplinary critical care monitoring and patient assessment to all Datex-Ohmeda critical care and anesthesia monitors. The five points of the star are: 1) cardiac monitoring; 2) hemodynamic monitoring; 3) pulmonary monitoring through patient spirometry; 4) metabolic and nutritional monitoring; and 5) neuromuscular monitoring (NMT). A 46-page "Appliguide" booklet now is available, with detailed explanation and examples of Patient Spirometry™ -- monitoring of lung mechanics for ventilated patients during anesthesia and in critical care -- made possible by the lightweight plastic D-lite™ endotracheal tube sensor. More information is available by phone at 1 800 345 2700, or on the internet at www.datex-ohmeda.com. Pictured: Marcelino Gutierrez, Critical Care Sales Representative.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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The Digitize System 3500H™ for total alarm monitoring is a "smart" system that can track an entire floor's patients from a central location. The System 3500H accepts pulsing signals from ventilators and other equipment and issues audible and visual alarms. Front-end delay (0 - 7 seconds) helps minimize false alarms. Patient names, room numbers, and condition are prominently displayed on the information-rich screen. Among its many features, robust pulmonary monitoring capabilities are geared towards making ventilator weaning easier. When an alarm condition is resolved, the system automatically corrects itself at the command center, so nurses can readily identify alarms that call for immediate response. More information is available on the internet at www.digitize-inc.com. Pictured: Elliot Klepner, Sales Engineer; Linda Brecher, Vice President.
(Photo: VentWorld)
Dynavox, a Division of Sunrise Medical
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Ventilated and other temporarily non-speaking patients now can communicate more easily with caregivers, using Dynavox's VitalVoice, a compact device with a large collection of voice-synthesis messages triggered by touch. The device's LCD screen has many pre-programmed communication "pages" for critical care settings, with colorful images and text to help patients select typical messages to convey. The touch-triggers can be grouped and displayed as needed, and custom messages can be created. For patients that can't use the touch screen, a remote trigger attachment permits selection of messages as VitalVoice scans through the choices. The device also lets patients control televisions and other electronics that use infrared technology. More information is available by phone at 1 888 697 7332, or on the internet at www.vitalvoice.com. Pictured: Ken Walters, Corporate Communications Manager; Stephanie Williams, MS CCC-SLP, Product & Applications Trainer.
(Photo: VentWorld)
Hill-Rom, a Hillenbrand Industry
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The EpiCarePorter System includes the stand-alone CarePorter Cart, which interlocks with EpiCarePorter Ceiling Arms to make the transition between hospital-room and transport smooth and safe. The cart docks with most hospital beds and stretchers, and has attachment spaces for most equipment. Its ventilator shelf is compatible with models like the Puritan-Bennett 840 (shown in photo), Siemens 300A and Bird Tbird, and lowers to fit under the head of the bed during transport. Switching from wall gasses and electric power to cart-mounted sources is automatic. The EpiCarePorter System not only keeps the ventilator and other care devices organized and lets them remain attached and active during transport, but also cuts down the number of personnel required to move the patient, all lowering the risk of transport-related injury. More information is available on the internet at www.hill-rom.com. Pictured: Donald P. Andersen, Director, Marketing, Architectural Products.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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The Emerson In-Exsufflator Cough Machine, for removal of bronchial secretions from the respiratory tract, features a new design that automatically cycles from inspiratory to expiratory phase, gradually applying positive pressure then rapidly shifteing to negative pressure, simulating a cough. Emerson states this clinically tested technique is more effective than postural drainage, chest percussion, or tracheal suctioning in removing bronchial mucous plugs, is more convenient than the manually assisted cough, and reduces the risk of pulmonary complications due to retained secretions. The device uses a mask, and is particulary important for patients on non-invasive ventilation, since suctioning is difficult without a trach tube. More information is available by phone at 1 800 252 1414, or on the internet at www.jhemerson.com. Pictured: Robert Felt, Director of Sales and Marketing.
(Photo: VentWorld)
Kimberly-Clark/Ballad Medical Products
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Ballard, now a subidiary of Kimberly-Clark, featured its Trach Care® closed suction system, an innovative product line including versions for neonatal, pediatric and adult use. Closed suction allows access to the distal airway while maintaining ventilation, PEEP, and oxygen delivery. The new Trach Care MAC™ Multi-Access Catheter provides sterile, precise surfactant delivery and is compatible with Ballard's Neonatal Y closed suction system. Both MAC and Neonatal Y are compatible with the latest generation of infant ventilators and high-frequency oscillators. More information is available by phone at 1 800 345 8865, or on the internet at www.bmed.com. Pictured (left to right): Richard Paul Schmandt, Sales Representative, Critical Care Division; Chuck McGee, Division Manager.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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Mallinckrodt continues to enhance the features of the Model 840 Infant-to-Adult Ventilator (shown here), which now has a state-of-the-art Tube Compensation option. This automatically adjusts pressure support to help overcome the pressure drop related to resistance in the artificial airway (ET tube), thereby decreasing the patient's work of breathing. Mallinckrodt also is promoting the new Achieva line of home ventilators, which received FDA approval in November, 1999. It can deliver up to 180 L/min, has a 4 hour internal battery, a 20 hour external battery, and memory for modem-retrievable data recording. The Achieva replaces the 2801, and complements the LP line, using the same accessories. More information is available by phone at 1 800 635 5267, or on the internet at www.mallinckrodt.com. Pictured: Roland Bouvier, Ventilator Sales Representative.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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Passy-Muir tracheostomy and ventilator speaking valves feature "Positive Closure," a unique, patented closed-position "No Leak" design. This design advantage improves communication and swallowing, may reduce aspiration, permits use on or off the ventilator for pediatrics and adults, facilitates secretion management, improves oxygenation and olfaction, expedites weaning and decannulation, restores positive airway pressure, and facilitates infection control. All Passy-Muir Valves (PMVs) offer this design, attach to the standard 15mm tracheostomy tube hub, come packaged in a comprehensive PMV Patient Care Kit and are Medicare, Medicaid and MediCal reimbursable. Several size profiles, color choices and adapters are available, including new models for use on metal tracheostomy tubes. More information is available on the internet at www.passy-muir.com. Pictured: Mary Spremulli, CCC-SLP, Clinical Specialist.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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Siemens latest innovation allows data previously displayed only on the Servo Screen 390 to be displayed, alternatively, directly on the patient monitor, for example the SC 7000, potentially saving the hospital thousands of dollars in purchase funding. Furthermore, the monitor and its data can stay with the patient during hospital transport. Siemens also featured the portable VersaMed iVent201 ventilator; a recent agreement makes Siemens VersaMed's sales, service and distribution partner to US hospitals.This exclusive partnership allows Siemens to address the ventilation needs for all patients categories; the iVent201 for low acuity patients, the Servo 300 for mid-range patients, and the Servo 300A for the high-end critical environment. (See below for more on VersaMed and the iVent.) More information is available on the internet at www.sms.siemens.com/emdus/index.html. Pictured: Mike Beebie, RRT, Program Manager, Clinical Management; Pamela S. Swingset, CCRN, exhibit-hall attendee.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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Thermo Respiratory Group, maker of such well-known ventilator lines as Bird, Bear, and SensorMedics, has added several new models, including the V.I.P. Bird® Gold (in photo) and V.I.P. Bird® Sterling Infant/Pediatric Ventilators. These models use software technology to evaluate and respond to patients' ventilatory requirements breath by breath. Features include "total flow synchrony," pressure support availability for all breath types, broader range and selectable square/decelerating flow waveforms for volume ventilation, proximal monitoring with "Smart" Flow Sensor technology, flow triggering at the airway for all modes, and comprehensive graphics monitoring. The V.I.P. Bird® Gold also adds pressure control ventilation, volume-assured pressure support, and variable rise time. More information is available by phone at 1 800 231 2466, or on the internet at www.birdprod.com/default.htm. Pictured: Steve Resnik, Area Manager, Ventilation.
(Photo: VentWorld)
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VersaMed introduced the iVent201, a lightweight, portable, self-contained ventilator for low-acuity patients. The iVent201 is easy to use and revolutionary in its cost/performance ratio, says VersaMed. The Electromedical Division (EM) of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. and VersaMed, Inc. have entered into an agreement in which Siemens will be VersaMed's sales, service and distribution partner to US hospitals. The news release announcing this agreement is featured in VentWorld's "News and Views" headline news and product update sections. More information is available on the internet at www.versamed.net. Pictured: Lois Tanner, Regional Sales Manager.
(Photo: VentWorld)