Abstract
Episodes of hypoxemia are often observed in ventilated preterm infants. Assistance with a transient increase in the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO/sub 2/) is difficult and time consuming for the intensive care personnel. In order to reduce the morbidities associated with hypoxemia and oxygen toxicity, a system for closed loop control of FiO/sub 2/ (cFiO/sub 2/) was developed to respond to frequent and severe hypoxemic episodes and minimize oxygen exposure. The cFiO/sub 2/ system is based on a hybrid algorithm of rule based and differential feedback control. It automatically adjusts FiO/sub 2/ depending on the occurrence of the severity, duration, rate of change of the ensuing/resolving hypoxemia, and on the basal FiO/sub 2/ required to maintain oxygenation. In a clinical study, cFiO/sub 2/ was compared to a dedicated trained nurse managing the FiO/sub 2/ in a group of ventilated preterm infants and it was effective in limiting the duration and seventy of hypoxemia. Close loop FiO/sub 2/ control could improve the respiratory, ophthalmic and neurological outcome and facilitate the care of premature neonates.
