Respiraatori

Respiraatori are devices or systems designed to enable or protect breathing. The term, used in several languages including Italian, encompasses clinical ventilators that support patient respiration as well as protective respirators that filter or supply air for the wearer.

Medical respirators, also called ventilators, provide controlled breaths to patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own. They can be invasive, delivering air through an artificial airway such as an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, or non-invasive, delivering breaths via facial masks or helmets. Modern ventilators regulate tidal volume, respiratory rate, inspiratory pressure, and oxygen concentration, and are used in operating theaters, emergency departments, and intensive care units. They require continuous monitoring and skilled management, and settings are adjusted to the patient’s needs.

Protective respirators are equipment worn by individuals to reduce inhalation of hazardous substances. The main categories are filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), elastomeric respirators, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). FFRs rely on filters to remove particles; elastomeric respirators use replaceable cartridges; PAPRs rely on a powered blower to deliver filtered air. Standards and certification vary by region (for example, EN 149 in Europe with FFP ratings, and NIOSH-certified N-series or P-series filters in the United States). Proper use includes fit testing, appropriate sizing, seals, and regular maintenance.

Applications span healthcare, industry, mining, and emergency response. Limitations include breathing resistance, heat buildup, and the need for training to ensure effectiveness.