Invasive and non-invasive ventilation
A ventilator moves air into the lungs of a patient who cannot breathe, or cannot breathe enough, on their own. Ventilation is usually divided into two kinds:
- Invasive: air is delivered through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube. Used in the ICU, the operating room and during critical-care transport.
- Non-invasive: air is delivered through a mask, for patients who still breathe on their own but need support.
Most ICU and transport ventilators can do both. Home CPAP and BiPAP devices are designed for non-invasive support only. If the patient only needs treatment for sleep apnea, see our CPAP vs BiPAP guide instead.
Step 1: Define where it will be used
The setting decides almost everything else: size, weight, power, and which standards the device must meet.
ICU and step-down units: a full set of modes, a large screen, waveforms and lung mechanics. The device mostly stays put, so wall gas and mains power are always available. Example: the Amoul 6000S.
Ambulance and transfer: low weight, a battery that outlasts the journey, and no dependence on compressed gas. Examples: the Amoul T6 and the Ventway Sparrow.
MRI suite: only a device the manufacturer labels MRI conditional, such as the Ventway Sparrow MRI, used strictly within its stated conditions.
Field and military: resistance to shock, dust and weather. Example: the Ventway Sparrow Robust.
If one device has to serve several settings, for example both the ambulance and the emergency room, choose for the most demanding one.
Step 2: Compare the specifications that matter
Ventilation modes: check that the modes your team actually uses are there, such as volume control (VCV), pressure control (PCV), SIMV, CPAP and BiLevel. Some transport ventilators add HFNC and a dedicated CPR mode.
Patient range: look at the minimum tidal volume and supported patient weight. If you treat children, make sure the device covers the smallest patient you admit.
Oxygen delivery: the settable FiO₂ range and how oxygen is connected (cylinder, wall supply or concentrator).
Power and gas: a turbine ventilator generates airflow from room air; a pneumatic ventilator needs compressed gas to run. For transport, compare battery life against your longest route, with a margin.
Standards: IEC 60601 covers electrical safety of medical devices, EN 1789 covers road ambulance equipment, EN 794-3 covers emergency and transport ventilators, and RTCA DO-160G covers airborne equipment. Always ask the supplier for the certificates.
Screen and alarms: have real users set it up, read the screen and listen to the alarms in the real environment, for example in an ambulance with the engine running.
Step 3: Think beyond the purchase
The device price is only part of the cost. Before deciding, ask the supplier about:
- Consumables: are breathing circuits, filters and sensors proprietary or generic, and are they stocked in the country?
- Maintenance and calibration: what interval does the manufacturer specify, who performs it, and is it documented? See our medical equipment calibration guide.
- Spare parts and repair: are parts held locally, and how quickly is a failed unit repaired?
- Training: is training delivered on site, and can new staff be trained later?
- Fleet consistency: standardising on one model or brand across the hospital reduces training load and spare-parts stock.
Step 4: Ask for a demonstration
A specification sheet does not tell the whole story. Ask the supplier to demonstrate the device in your own setting, let the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics who will use it try it themselves, and have your biomedical engineers review the maintenance side.
Thunder Venture Group supplies ventilators from Inovytec (Ventway) and Amoul, with demonstration, installation and training across all 77 provinces. Our biomedical engineering team calibrates to manufacturer standards and documents every visit. Browse our ventilator range; most ventilated patients also need a patient monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between turbine and pneumatic ventilators?
A turbine ventilator generates airflow from room air with a built-in turbine, so it needs no compressed gas, which suits transport. A pneumatic ventilator runs on compressed gas from cylinders or a wall supply. Both can take oxygen to raise FiO₂.
Can an ICU ventilator be used in an ambulance?
Usually not. ICU ventilators tend to be heavy, rely on wall gas and are not built for vehicle vibration. Use a transport ventilator that meets EN 1789.
What is EN 1789?
EN 1789 is the European standard for road ambulances and their medical equipment, covering how equipment is secured and how it holds up in a moving vehicle.
How often does a ventilator need servicing?
Follow the manufacturer's interval. Annual performance and safety inspection is a common baseline, plus a check after any repair or drop.
Can a CPAP or BiPAP device replace a ventilator?
Generally not. CPAP and BiPAP devices are designed for non-invasive support in patients who still breathe on their own. The choice of device is a clinical decision for the doctor.
Need help choosing a ventilator?
Send us your bed count, patient mix and current equipment. We will recommend a configuration and arrange a demonstration, usually within 24 hours.