The LycoVent is intended to be used in the following environment:

1. In a critical care environment where there are personnel trained in the use of a mechanical ventilator and where there is availability of sufficient patient monitoring. The LycoVent is suitable for short term mechanical ventilation of a patient suffering acute respiratory failure or a reduced level of consciousness mandating intubation and ventilation, such as head trauma. For long term ventilation we recommend the machine as a temporising measure until a more sophisticated model becomes available with an in-built humidifier.

2. In the recovery / reanimation room following a surgical procedure where the patient has not regained consciousness and requires a period of ventilation.

It has been engineered and designed to treat patients:

1. With acute respiratory failure from any aetiology.

2. Requiring a ventilator due to an inability to protect their own airway (such as from reduced Glasgow Coma Scale).

The LycoVent allows a substantive number of patients with acute respiratory failure to be treated who would otherwise tie up a more sophisticated ventilator.