[Lung simulator]

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main limitations to running mechanical ventilation courses is the lack of cheap, interactive, and easily reproducible lung simulators.

Objective: Presentation of a new lung simulator.

Material: Lung simulator consisting of two different parts: A) Resistance system: simulates respiratory airway. It is made up of 3 or 5 ball valves that allow for the simulation of resistance increase and air leaks. B) Compliance system: it reproduces lungs and rib cage characteristics. It is made up of three parts: 1 or 2 expandable chambers (a commercial test lung), a connection system to the resistance mechanism, and a distensibility limiting clamp. The simulator allows for a single or double assembly depending on the inclusion of one or two lungs to the resistance system, allowing the tidal volume to be adjusted from 10 to 500 ml.

Conclusions: We present an easily assembled lung simulator for teaching purposes that is cheap, reproducible and interactive, allowing for simulation of patterns of restriction, obstruction, and presence of air leaks.