Drager Oxylog 1000 Ventilator
The RFDS in Western Australia was one of the first aeromedical operators to acquire and use the first Drager Oxylog Ventilator for the transport of critically ill patients by air. This was in 1982. Since then, they have proved themselves to be extremely robust, reliable and easy to operate in the field and in the air. The Oxylog 1000 is an improved version of the original Oxylog but with enhanced technology and inbuilt alarms. It too has proven to be simple, robust and reliable.
Ventilators are a life support machine, which are used to take over the role of breathing in seriously ill patients. A nasal or oral endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea ("windpipe") and connected to the ventilator, which is set at the appropriate rate and volume which the patient requires for breathing.
Artificial ventilation may be required for many hours during long distance RFDS transfers. All such patients are usually heavily sedated and unaware of the life support measures being taken. They require intense monitoring and a highly trained team during the transfer. They are effectively having an anaesthetic for many hours during transport.
A feature of these ventilators is that they have no electrical parts and are operated entirely through pneumatic circuitry, powered only by the pressure of the medical oxygen system. They will keep operating continuously, provided the driving gas is available. The patient may be artificially ventilated on 100% oxygen or on approximately 50% oxygen through the blending of air into the ventilator. (Normal breathing air is 21% oxygen.)
The Oxylog 1000 is used for many straight forward ventilated cases due to is size, weight, simplicity and reliability. More challenging cases and children are transported with the Oxylog 3000.
Approximate price: $10,000.