Blog article 4-Smart Bag MO

Manual ventilation using a bag-valve mask (BVM) is a standard practice in emergency airway management, but achieving consistent lung-protective ventilation remains a challenge. Provider variability in technique, excessive tidal volumes, and high airway pressures can lead to complications such as pulmonary barotrauma, gastric insufflation, hemodynamic instability, and inconsistent ventilation rates. The SMART Bag® MO from O-Two Medical Technologies is designed to address these issues by providing a pressure-responsive, inspiratory gas flow-limiting system that enhances the safety and effectiveness of manual ventilation.

Even among trained providers, traditional BVM ventilation frequently leads to excessive tidal volumes and ventilation rates, increasing the risk of overpressure, thoracic overinflation, and pulmonary compromise. Studies have demonstrated that emergency personnel often deliver ventilation rates higher than recommended, leading to variability in patient outcomes.

Excessive ventilation can also cause air to enter the stomach, increasing the likelihood of gastric insufflation and aspiration. Additionally, maintaining appropriate tidal volume (Vt) and respiratory rate (RR) during manual ventilation is difficult, making it challenging to adhere to lung-protective ventilation strategies.

The SMART Bag® MO incorporates a flow-limiting, balanced piston valve that limits inspiratory gas flow to 40 L/min, preventing excessive pressure and ensuring more consistent tidal volumes and ventilation rates. This system provides tactile and visual feedback, allowing providers to recognize and adjust ventilation delivery in real-time.

Unlike standard BVMs, the SMART Bag® MO dynamically responds to airway compliance, ensuring that gas flow remains within safe limits to reduce the risk of barotrauma and gastric insufflation. The balanced valve mechanism helps achieve a more controlled and consistent manual ventilation process, addressing the common challenges associated with traditional BVM use.

Multiple studies and bench trials have validated the performance of the SMART Bag® MO in providing ventilation parameters consistent with lung-protective strategies. Research has demonstrated that it helps reduce peak airway pressures, lower the incidence of gastric insufflation, and maintain appropriate inspiratory-to-expiratory (I: E) ratios when compared to standard BVM ventilation.

One study found that when compared with standard BVM ventilation, the SMART Bag® MO resulted in significantly lower mean airway pressures and a reduced incidence of stomach inflation while maintaining appropriate tidal volumes. Another trial demonstrated that the device improved adherence to American Heart Association (AHA) ventilation guidelines, providing more consistent respiratory support.

The SMART Bag® MO offers an effective solution to improve manual ventilation practices, by assisting rescuers in delivering appropriate respiratory rate and tidal volume, the device helps reduce ventilation-related complications, ensuring safer airway management in prehospital and hospital settings.

Manual ventilation using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) resuscitator is a critical life-saving procedure used by emergency medical personnel and healthcare providers. However, despite its widespread use, traditional BVM systems often pose challenges such as:

 

To explore the full clinical impact of the SMART Bag® MO, read the complete O-Two white paper here:

SMART Bag^® MO Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator Synchronized Manual Actuation Response Technology Resuscitator

To lean more about our Smart Bag® with the innovative technology MO, click the link:

Smart Bag^®MO