Fuzzy Logic and Mechanical Ventilation of COPD Patients

Abstract Weaning from mechanical ventilation typically follows a course determined by the experience of the attending physician. However, despite the currently subjective nature of the weaning process and the many factors involved in its success, there is a wide consensus that this procedure could be automated somehow. We have developed a fuzzy logic based controller of pressure support mechanical ventilation (AJRCCM, 1999 Aug 160:2 550-6) and are now evaluating its performance in a prospective trial on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the ICU. The results indicate that our fuzzy logic algorithm is an efficient means for controlling ventilatory support, and may ultimately form the basis of an automated weaning protocol.