How the Ventilator S/T Mode Works？

How the Ventilator S/T Mode Works？

Four ventilator modes:

1. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation)

2. S (Autonomous)

3. T (time)

4. S/T (Autonomous/Time)

The above are the four ventilation modes of classic non-invasive ventilators, and regardless of the type of ventilator, it can be said that they are all extensions of these four ventilation modes. This article provides an explanation of the S/T mode, as 95% of clinical applications choose the S/T mode.

Strictly speaking, S mode and T mode are two different modes, and they will not be used at the same time. Both S mode and T mode are used in combination, that is, S/T mode. Now let's talk about how S/T mode works. When the patient is breathing autonomously, the ventilator operates in S mode: when the patient inhales, the pressure inside the mask worn by the patient decreases and the gas flow rate increases. The ventilator triggers the ventilator by detecting changes in pressure or flow rate (two triggering modes of the ventilator), and the ventilator provides an inspiratory pressure (IPAP) to help the patient reduce inhalation power consumption. Similarly, when the patient exhales, the ventilator provides an expiratory pressure (EPAP). When the patient is not breathing autonomously, the breathing machine switches to T mode, replacing the lung function to inhale and exhale for the user. So how does a ventilator determine whether a patient has an autonomous ventilator and switch back and forth between S mode and T mode? How are the parameters set in S/T mode? Further introduction will be provided in future articles.