RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Innovations in Mechanical Ventilation JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 933 OP 947 VO 54 IS 7 A1 Branson, Richard D A1 Johannigman, Jay A YR 2009 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/54/7/933.abstract AB New features of mechanical ventilators are frequently introduced, including new modes, monitoring techniques, and triggering techniques. But new rarely translates into any measureable improvement in outcome. We describe 4 new techniques and attempt to define what is a new invention versus what is innovative—a technique that significantly improves a measurable variable. We describe and review the literature on automated weaning, automated measurement of functional residual capacity, neural triggering, and novel displays of respiratory mechanics.