The LycoVent is designed to operate in one of three modes comprising:

Volume Controlled Ventilation (VCV)

This is the standard mode where the patients breathing is fully dependent on the ventilation provided by the LycoVent.  In this mode the control software repeatedly actuates the compression paddles acting on the installed BMV to deliver a user-defined tidal volume at a user-defined respiration rate while maintaining a user-defined inspiration to expiration ratio.

Assist Controlled Ventilation (ACV)

This mode is used to assist breathing in a patient in recovery who may attempt to breathe independently. In this mode the control software continues with VCV breathing unless the LycoVent detects a spontaneous respiratory effort by the patient through a change in airways pressure of airflow. If triggered the LycoVent delivers a user-defined assist volume over a user-defined inspiration time instead of the controlled volume. If no patient breaths are detected while in ACV mode the LycoVent will operate as if in VCV mode.

Suction Mode

In this mode the LycoVent will continue to operate in VCV mode unless a pressure drop below the user-defined PEEP is detected due to the clinical application of suction to the patient breathing circuit. If triggered the LycoVent switches to pulsed compression of the BMV to maintain system pressure.  Pulsed compression is continued until the pressure increases following the removal of suction, at which time the LycoVent recommences normal VCV.