New Technological Breakthrough Lets Patient's Brain Control Ventilator

MAQUET Critical Care today announced the introduction of NAVA
(Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist) to the general public at the
world's largest medical trade fair, MEDICA 2006. MAQUET Critical
Care's SERVO-i ventilator with NAVA is a new approach to mechanical
ventilation which allows the patient to control the ventilator with
his/her respiratory center. NAVA represents a paradigm shift in the
area of ventilation therapy.

The NAVA approach to mechanical ventilation is based on the
patient's neural respiratory output. Signals from respiratory control
center in the brain are transmitted through the phrenic nerve to the
diaphragm, where a catheter captures the electrical activity (Edi) and
feeds it to the ventilator. The ventilator responds by providing the
requested level of support to the patient. As the ventilator and
diaphragm work with the same signal, the coupling between the two is
virtually instantaneous.

"NAVA is a completely new mode of mechanical ventilation where the
ventilator is controlled by the patient's respiratory center on a
breath-by-breath basis," said Christer Sinderby, Assistant Professor,
St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada. "In addition to being a
distinct mode of ventilation, NAVA also enables a complete evaluation
of the neural respiratory control by capturing the electrical activity
of the diaphragm. In other words, it offers a unique monitoring
capability for the medical staff."

Conventional mechanical ventilators sense patient effort by either
a drop in airway pressure or a reversal in flow, the last and slowest
reacting step in the chain of respiratory events. NAVA, on the other
hand, senses the electrical activity of the diaphragm, which is the
earliest respiratory signal that can be detected.

There are several potential benefits with NAVA including:

-- Improved synchrony between the patient and the ventilator

-- Lung protection through avoidance of over or under assistance
of the patient

-- Enhanced patient comfort as the improved synchrony helps
minimize patient discomfort and agitation while it promotes
spontaneous breathing

-- The Edi signal can be used as decision support for medical
staff concerning unloading or extubation

-- The Edi signal can be used as a unique monitoring tool
providing information on respiratory drive, volume
requirements, effect of ventilatory settings and to gain
indication for sedation and weaning

The NAVA function is available on MAQUET Critical Care's SERVO-i
ventilator. The only equipment required in addition to the SERVO-i
ventilator is NAVA software, an Edi Module and an Edi catheter. For
current SERVO-i users, it will be possible to upgrade an existing
SERVO-i with the NAVA function.

"With the technological advancement SERVO-i with NAVA, we firmly
demonstrate our dedication to drive innovation within the areas of
ventilation therapy and intensive care," said Dr. Heribert Ballhaus,
vice president, Getinge Medical Systems. "In addition, the
breakthrough complements MAQUET's mission to provide solutions that
enable quicker, safer and more cost effective patient care."

ABOUT MAQUET CRITICAL CARE

MAQUET Critical Care brings together innovative medical
technology, knowledge and services to help critical care providers
achieve tangible, sustainable patient outcomes while contributing to
cost effectiveness. With the SERVO product range, MAQUET Critical Care
is the global market leader in ventilation.

MAQUET is part of the publicly listed Swedish group of companies
GETINGE AB, a 1.280 million euros (fiscal year 2005) turnover company
with 7,400 employees worldwide. MAQUET itself is a 550 million euros
(fiscal year 2005) turnover business with 2,700 employees, 25
international sales and service subsidiaries and a network of over 200
dealers.

www.maquet.com

www.getinge.com

MAQUET - The Gold Standard.

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