Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and breath type on the battery life of the LTV-1000 external lithium ion battery (LiB).
Methods: An LTV-1000 ventilator and external LiB were tested in the laboratory. The ventilator was operated using pressure and volume breaths set to deliver a tidal volume of 750 mL. FIO2 was varied from room air (0.21) to 1.0. PEEP was set a 0, 10, and 20 cm of H2O. Duration of operation was determined from measurements of delivered tidal volume.
Results: At a baseline of volume control at an FIO2 of 0.21 and a PEEP of 0 cm of H2O, the ventilator operated for 300 +/- 11.6 minutes. Increasing FIO2 to 1.0 reduced battery life to 247 +/- 2.1 minute (p < 0.001). The addition of PEEP to 20 cm of H2O reduced battery life to 211 +/- 3.5 minutes (p < 0.001). The combination of FIO2 of 1.0 and PEEP of 20 cm of H2O further reduced battery life to 188 +/- 6.3 minutes (p < 0.001). At the baseline FIO2 and PEEP (0.21 and 0 cm of H2O), the use of pressure control reduced battery life to 142 +/- 3.5 minutes.
Conclusions: Battery life of the external LiB is significantly reduced by the use of pressure control, increasing PEEP, and increasing FIO2. This information is critical to resource planning for medical missions.