Background and Identification
Ventilators are responsible for manually moving air in and out of a patient’s lungs. Unlike other breathing assistance devices like a BiPAP or CPAP, a ventilator is invasive, in that a tube is inserted into the patient’s windpipe. Ventilators function by delivering a positive pressure flow of air into the lungs, then allowing the elasticity of the lungs to exhale the air. Modern ventilators usually allow for micro-adjustments in pressure and volume for specific patient needs. They are also commonly equipped with a breathing monitor so that oxygen levels and airflow can be carefully monitored.
GE Healthcare is an American conglomerate that manufactures and distributes diagnostic imaging agents and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging modalities that are used in medical imaging procedures. GE Healthcare also produces medical diagnostic equipment including CT image machines, fluoroscopy machines, and respirators.
In 2003, GE Healthcare acquired Instrumentarium’s Datex-Ohmeda division. The division produces anesthesia, respiratory, and monitoring equipment. The Datex Ohmeda brand is still branded on select GE equipment. The Datex Ohmeda brand has been associated with many categories of medical devices and is primarily associated with anesthesia machines.
GE Datex-Ohmeda ventilators can generally be identified by the GE emblem, which includes the letters “GE” in cursive font inside of a circle. They usually include the name Datex-Ohmeda in italicized font next to the GE logo.