Realistic simulation is critical in respiratory training and device testing, but many programs face a familiar challenge: balancing performance with cost. From respiratory therapy classrooms to biomedical engineering labs, the need for accurate, repeatable, and flexible lung simulation…
When evaluating a lung simulator, especially for use in respiratory device testing or clinical training, the word “accurate” comes up a lot. But what does accuracy really mean in this context? For biomedical engineers, respiratory therapists, and educators, the accuracy of a lung simulator directly affects how effective training…
When a respiratory emergency strikes, every second counts—and every decision matters. In these high-stress moments, confidence isn’t optional. It’s the difference between hesitation and action, between uncertainty and a life-saving intervention. Confidence doesn’t come from the chaos of the moment. It’s built long before through training, preparation, and repetition.
Effective respiratory care starts with hands-on training using realistic simulation tools. Lung simulators play a crucial role in preparing healthcare providers to manage airway and ventilation challenges for patients of all ages. Because pediatric and adult patients have very different respiratory anatomies and physiology, specialized lung simulators…
Lung simulators play a critical role in advancing respiratory care, ventilator design, and clinical training. The right tool helps clinicians, researchers, and manufacturers understand how respiratory devices will perform in real-world conditions.
But what exactly makes a lung simulator “high-quality”? And how do you choose the right one for your needs?
At Michigan Instruments, we’ve spent decades helping professionals across healthcare and industry make the right choice. Here are some of the key features to look for when selecting a lung simulator.
1. Realistic Lung Behavior
A high-quality lung simulator should behave like real human lungs. That means it should be able to simulate normal breathing as well as a wide range of respiratory conditions like obstructive lung disease, restrictive lung conditions, and more.
Our lung simulators are designed to provide realistic volumes, compliance, and resistance. The ability to simulate different lung mechanics makes it possible to test how devices perform in a variety of patient scenarios, from healthy to critically ill.
2. Adjustable Settings
No two patients are the same, and neither are their lungs. One of the most important features of any lung simulator is the ability to customize lung compliance and airway resistance across a wide range of settings. This flexibility allows users to mimic hundreds of real-life conditions, giving manufacturers and clinicians valuable insight into how equipment will function in diverse situations.
Our TTL® and PneuView® systems offer a broad range of adjustability, helping you replicate both adult and infant lung mechanics with precision.
3. Real-Time Data and Feedback
For researchers and educators, being able to see what’s happening in real-time is essential.
Our PneuView® systems come equipped with software that provides real-time data collection, display, and analysis. You can graph and record pressure, volume, flow, and other important measurements as they happen, allowing for deeper insight and post-test review.
This level of detail is especially valuable when training respiratory therapists or testing new devices, helping you make informed, data-driven decisions.
4. Simulation of Spontaneous Breathing
Many respiratory therapies rely on the interaction between a device and a patient’s breathing effort. That’s why we developed the Spontaneous Breathing Lung (SBL™) module.
This add-on allows users to simulate patient-initiated breaths with adjustable rates, volumes, and inspiratory timing. With the SBL™, you can test how a device responds to and supports the patient’s breathing pattern.
5. Versatility for Different Applications
Whether you’re training healthcare students, developing new ventilator technologies, or performing product demonstrations, the lung simulator you choose should be flexible enough to support all these use cases—and more.
Michigan Instruments offers models that accommodate infant through adult, and even dual-adult, simulations. This allows users to evaluate performance across a range of scenarios without needing multiple systems.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing a lung simulator isn’t just about the specs—it’s about finding a tool that supports your mission.
At Michigan Instruments, our lung simulators are built to provide accurate, consistent, and customizable respiratory simulation for a wide range of applications.
From hands-on education to advanced device testing, our systems are designed to help you deliver better outcomes in respiratory care and innovation.
Learn more about how Michigan Instruments’ lung simulators can enhance your training, research, or product development efforts.
The number of patients that are “readmitted” to the hospital isn’t just a financial metric, it’s a powerful indicator of how well patients are recovering after discharge. For hospitals and clinics, improving patient outcomes starts with identifying potential gaps in care and equipping staff with the tools and training needed to close them.
One area that deserves special attention? Respiratory care. When patients receive the right support at the right time, during treatment and after discharge, they’re far less likely to return. Let’s explore key strategies that help reduce readmissions, including the role of simulation-based training.
1. Start with a Strong Discharge Plan
A successful recovery begins before a patient ever leaves the facility. When discharging a patient, in addition to the checklist, have a conversation. Taking the time to explain the patient’s condition, outline medications and next steps, and assess any barriers at home (like lack of transportation or support) helps ensure a smoother transition.
Coordinating with outpatient providers or home health services adds another layer of support, reducing the chances of a return visit.
2. Enhance Respiratory Support During Care
Respiratory complications are one of the leading causes of readmissions, especially for patients with chronic illnesses. Strengthening your respiratory care protocols can make a major impact. Real-time monitoring of oxygen levels, proper use of non-invasive ventilation, and timely adjustments to ventilator settings all play a role in helping patients stabilize and stay healthy after discharge.
This is where advanced testing and training tools can make a difference. Validating ventilator performance and providing staff with ongoing respiratory education ensures consistency in care—even in high-pressure situations.
3. Train Staff Using Realistic Simulation
It’s one thing to learn protocols in a textbook, it’s another to experience them in action. That’s why Michigan Instruments offers TTL® and PneuView® Lung Simulators, designed to bring clinical learning to life.
These simulators recreate realistic lung mechanics and responses to ventilation, helping medical professionals strengthen their understanding through hands-on experiences. Whether you’re teaching students in a classroom or providing continuing education to staff, these tools create “Aha Moments!” that stick—enhancing confidence, accuracy, and decision-making at the bedside.
Want to see how they work? Explore our Lung Simulators here.
4. Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Once patients leave your facility, the work isn’t over. Follow-up calls, patient surveys, and readmission data can offer valuable insights into what’s working, and what isn’t. When teams regularly analyze these outcomes, they can identify trends and adjust their approach to improve future results.
Hospitals that prioritize communication, patient education, and evidence-based care protocols consistently see better outcomes and fewer readmissions.
Supporting Recovery from the First Breath
Reducing readmission rates requires more than one solution—it’s about building a smarter, more prepared system of care. With strong respiratory protocols, better discharge planning, and hands-on training tools like lung simulators, your facility can take proactive steps toward better recovery outcomes.
At Michigan Instruments, we’re proud to support the educators and care teams working to improve patient care every day.
Learn more about our lung simulation products and how they can support your training needs.
When a patient experiences cardiac arrest, timely and effective CPR is critical to maintaining blood flow to the brain and vital organs. In both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings, resuscitation protocols are often guided by a range of clinical factors. However, one common question remains: How long should CPR be performed?
Historically, resuscitation efforts were frequently halted after a certain duration if spontaneous circulation was not achieved. But in recent years, emerging studies suggest that longer resuscitation efforts may improve outcomes in select cases.
In this blog, we’ll explore the evidence behind prolonged CPR and how mechanical CPR devices can support extended, high-quality resuscitation.
Evidence Supporting Longer Resuscitation Efforts
Recent studies have indicated that longer durations of CPR can lead to increased survival rates in patients who suffer from in-hospital cardiac arrest. One study published in The Lancet found that hospitals with longer average resuscitation times tended to have higher rates of patient survival. Another Japanese study revealed that continuing CPR for 30 minutes or more resulted in better neurological outcomes in some cases.
These findings challenge the notion that prolonged CPR efforts are unlikely to result in positive outcomes. While every resuscitation case is unique, current research indicates that sustained efforts—particularly in controlled, hospital-based environments—may be beneficial under the right circumstances.
A Case of Extended Resuscitation Using the Life-Stat Device
In one instance, Michigan Instruments’ Life-Stat® Automated CPR Device was used for nearly four hours to assist in the revival of a 56-year-old male patient found unresponsive in the snow. The patient had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6, non-reactive pupils, and did not respond to NARCAN® administration.
EMS personnel deployed the Life-Stat to deliver uninterrupted, guideline-compliant CPR while additional interventions, including active rewarming, were administered. After 3 hours and 45 minutes of continuous mechanical CPR, the patient regained consciousness and began following commands while on ventilatory support.
This case illustrates the value of mechanical CPR devices in maintaining high-quality compressions during prolonged resuscitation efforts, particularly when manual compressions are not sustainable over time.
Challenges of Manual CPR Over Time
Manual CPR requires significant physical effort and can lead to rescuer fatigue within minutes. Over time, the quality of chest compressions can decline, potentially impacting patient outcomes. In addition, long-duration resuscitations can disrupt other aspects of patient care, as healthcare professionals are required to focus on compressions instead of addressing the underlying cause of arrest.
In both pre-hospital and hospital environments, this creates a critical need for reliable, automated solutions that can maintain consistent compression quality while freeing clinicians to manage the broader aspects of patient resuscitation.
The Role of Mechanical CPR Devices in Extended Resuscitation
Michigan Instruments’ Life-Stat and Thumper® Automated CPR Devices are designed to deliver uninterrupted, guideline-compliant compressions and, in the case of the Life-Stat, controlled ventilation support. These devices can be deployed quickly and operate continuously during transport, diagnostics, and treatment. With no batteries to rely on, once the Michigan Instruments CPR devices are attached to an O’2 source, they will operate indefinitely, offering the extended CPR without fail or overheating.
By using Michigan Instruments mechanical CPR devices during extended resuscitation:
- Compression depth and rate remain consistent within AHA guidelines.
- Easier placement of CPR massager pad and more stable compressions.
- Providers experience reduced physical strain and can better focus on critical care tasks.
- CPR can continue uninterrupted for hours, improving the likelihood of favorable outcomes in prolonged cases.
Improving Outcomes with Automated CPR
In cases where extended resuscitation is clinically appropriate, the ability to maintain high-quality CPR over time is essential. Mechanical CPR devices can support these efforts by delivering consistent, hands-free compressions that are not subject to human fatigue or error.
At Michigan Instruments, we are committed to equipping healthcare providers with reliable tools that enhance patient care and support improved survival rates during cardiac arrest. Our automated CPR devices are trusted by professionals in both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings for their performance, durability, and ease of use.
Learn more about how the Life-Stat and Thumper can support your team’s resuscitation protocols and improve outcomes in time-critical situations.
Lung simulation is essential for healthcare professionals to practice respiratory care skills in a safe, controlled environment. However, even with the best equipment, challenges can arise that can disrupt training…
When you hear the word “test lung” and “lung simulator,” you may think they mean the same thing. Many people use them simultaneously. In fact, we have historically called our lung simulators “Training & Test Lungs “or TTLs – since they have several lung simulation, teaching and testing…
Cardiac emergencies can strike suddenly and without warning. Whether it’s a heart attack or a cardiac arrest, knowing how to respond in these crucial moments can save a life.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on what to do during a cardiac emergency, emphasizing quick actions and the importance of reliable medical equipment to assist in these life-threatening situations.
Step 1: Assess the Situation
When faced with a potential cardiac emergency, the first step is to assess the situation. Check for signs of cardiac arrest, such as unresponsiveness and abnormal and/or no breathing.
If the person is unresponsive and not breathing, this may indicate a cardiac arrest, which requires immediate action.
Step 2: Call for Help
Dial 911 immediately. This ensures that emergency services are on their way and can provide advanced care as quickly as possible. If you are in a healthcare setting, alert other medical professionals to the situation.
Step 3: Start Chest Compressions
Chest compressions are a critical first step in saving a life during a cardiac arrest. Place the heel of your hand on the center of the chest, just below the sternum.
Use your other hand to support it and begin compressing the chest at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Be sure to allow full chest recoil after each compression.
Step 4: Administer Defibrillation (If Available)
If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is nearby, turn it on immediately and follow the instructions provided. The AED is programmed to analyze the person’s heart rhythm and, if necessary, deliver a shock to restore normal heart activity. Continue CPR until the AED is ready to administer a shock or until emergency personnel arrive.
Step 5: Continue CPR
If an AED is not available, continue CPR until help arrives. If you are trained in advanced techniques, you may also consider performing rescue breaths, especially in cases where the person is a child or an infant.
For untrained responders, hands-only CPR (chest compressions without breaths) is still highly effective in improving survival outcomes.
Step 6: Provide Post-Resuscitation Care
Once emergency responders arrive, they will take over the care and transport the individual to the hospital for further treatment. Follow any additional instructions given by medical professionals, and ensure you remain calm throughout the process.
How Michigan Instruments Helps in Cardiac Emergencies
Cardiac emergencies demand rapid and effective interventions, and the right tools can significantly impact the outcomes. Michigan Instruments has been a leader in life-saving technology since 1964, supporting healthcare professionals and first responders with reliable and easy-to-use solutions.
Our automated CPR devices are designed to deliver precise and consistent compressions, allowing medical teams to focus on what matters most — saving lives. Whether in the field or at the hospital, Michigan Instruments empowers those on the front lines to provide optimal care in critical moments.
With over 60 years of experience, we remain committed to improving patient outcomes and supporting the heroes who respond to cardiac emergencies.
Learn more about how our advanced automated CPR devices can make a difference for your team.