In modern medicine, ventilators have significantly improved patient survival rates by providing essential airflow when natural breathing is insufficient. These devices support people undergoing surgery, facing lung issues, suffering from pulmonary ailments, or experiencing imminent failure of bodily functions. Selecting the right miniature motors to power mechanical ventilators is crucial for reliable operation, optimal performance, and successful procedures.

Various medical ventilators exist, differentiated by the drive mechanism generating airflow. Compressor-based ventilators can directly supply air or oxygen from a compressor via lines or tanks, with bellows, vents, or regulation valves managing delivery to the patient. Some designs feature pistons driven by electric motors, compressing air without external supply lines or compressors.

Turbine-driven ventilators are increasingly popular due to their efficient design, compact packaging, and reduced footprint, allowing for smaller batteries and lower power demands. These ventilators offer pneumatic performance comparable to or exceeding that of compressor-based ventilators used in intensive care units (ICUs). They also provide portability for patient transport and use in multiple care settings. An example is anesthesia ventilators, which deliver gases to keep patients sedated during surgical procedures. These ventilators recycle air in a closed-loop system to prevent the release of harmful chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases.

Anesthesia ventilators undergo hundreds of sterilization cycles and must withstand 100% humidity, temperatures up to 135°C, and pressures ranging between 80 mbar and 2.5 bar. Internal components often operate in 100% oxygen environments or contact CFCs, making correct parts specification important.

Brushless DC (BLDC) miniature motors are ideal for powering turbine-driven ventilators. These motors reach speeds up to 60,000 rotations per minute (rpm), delivering exceptional torque and efficiency. The slotless design ensures low inertia for rapid step response, meeting patients’ dynamic airflow needs. Long-term reliability is achieved through electronic commutation and durable ball bearings, with operation possible for over 15,000 hours. Additionally, the low noise characteristics of these motors are beneficial in quiet medical environments.

Portescap offers a range of 16 mm to 22 mm Ultra EC BLDC motors to meet the power requirements of turbine-driven ventilators, supporting devices used in ICUs, transport, home care, and neonatal applications. The longevity of these motors often matches or exceeds the ventilator’s service life.

For anesthesia ventilators, specialized BLDC motors are also suitable. These motors must reliably withstand harsh environmental conditions, including regular sterilization cycles with an autoclave or hydrogen peroxide. Long-term operation in high oxygen environments can oxidize lubricant in the ball bearings, potentially causing failure. The Portescap 22ECA60 slotless BLDC motor addresses these issues, withstanding over 200 autoclave cycles and reducing heat generation through low iron losses, even at high speeds. An integrated thermistor effectively monitors and controls temperatures.

Designers creating new ventilators face various application concerns and motor options. Correct motor and ball bearing selection is crucial for device performance, patient comfort, and successful procedures. Portescap provides optimal motor technologies to meet the requirements of new ventilators, with engineers skilled in improving motor integration, turbine assembly, and overall performance. This expertise supports medical device manufacturers, designers, medical professionals, and patients.