71%

Of the time, air enters the stomach when ventilating the lungs with a manual resuscitator.9

The Solution

Sotair employs a flow blocking and pressure control valve mechanism to minimize complications associated with overventilation. The Sotair minimizes excessive pressure in the airway system without venting air by capping peak flow rates at 55 L/min.

Pressure Delivered During Manual Ventilation

Sotair limits the flow of air at 55 L/min. For an average adult, this corresponds to a maximum pressure of approximately 20 cmH2O. Air enters the stomach beyond 20 cmH2O causing gastric insufflation.

Features of the ADULT Sotair Device

  • Flow limiting valve limits the inspiratory flow to 55L/min
  • Minimizes air entry into the stomach
  • Compatible with manual resuscitators, airway and adjuncts that use standard 15/22 mm connectors
  • Hospital, emergency, and transport care use
  • Adult, single patient use

How Does Sotair Work?

When flow rates delivered with the bag exceed 55 L/min, the device activates and blocks the flow of air providing haptic, auditory, and visual feedback to the user.
hapic-img
Flow <=55L/min
Valve not activated
Air delivery
Flow >55L/min
Valve activated
No Air delivery

The ADULT Sotair Device in the British Medical Journal, Innovations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was anticipated that there will be a shortage of mechanical ventilators. An alternative may be to implement manual ventilation in these situations. 47 volunteer providers completed two, one-hour manual ventilation sessions. Providers were randomized to complete their initial session either with or without Sotair.

Sotair Performance, Closer to a Ventilator's

The study showed wide variability in tidal volume and peak pressures in the bag alone arm of the study despite prior training. Additionally, peak pressures (p>.0001) and tidal volumes (p>0.0001) were significantly improved with the Sotair device and authors concluded that extended manual ventilation may be feasible with a safety device, which may reduce barotrauma, under-ventilation and over-ventilation.10

GRANT-FUNDED CASE STUDY

Grant 1U54HL143541 (NHLBI) funded a 40-provider pilot bench evaluation of Sotair with North Providence Fire Station. Implementation of Sotair showed a 36% improvement in manual ventilation.11

Pre-Post Sotair Implementation at a Fire & EMS Service

Testimonials