Class IIGMDN 37727
Puritan Bennett 980 Ventilator
Medtronic · Model PB980 · 2010
Critical care ventilator with adaptive flow sensing, integrated proximal pressure/flow sensors, and an intuitive dual-view touchscreen GUI.
Intended use: Continuous mechanical ventilation for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients in ICU settings.
Key tips
- ·Never disable a low-pressure/circuit-disconnect alarm while troubleshooting - silence it, don't disable it.
- ·Verify the O2 supply source and pressure before assuming an internal fault.
- ·Circuit type must match the patient population (adult/pediatric/neonatal) - a mismatched circuit invalidates delivered volumes.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Exhalation valve assembly wear
HighSymptoms: Erratic expiratory volume readings, auto-PEEP alarms
Root cause: Diaphragm fatigue in exhalation block after high cycle counts
Oxygen sensor (galvanic cell) depletion
MediumSymptoms: FiO2 accuracy drift, FiO2 sensor alarm
Root cause: Electrochemical cell has finite life (~12 months in air)
Internal turbine/blower bearing noise
HighSymptoms: Audible whine, low-pressure supply errors under load
Root cause: Bearing wear on high-speed blower
Touchscreen unresponsiveness at edges
LowSymptoms: Dead zones on GUI
Root cause: Digitizer flex cable loosening
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Exhalation valve diaphragm kit
Replace during annual PM; inspect for micro-cracks.
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $250–$450R&R Moderate
Galvanic O2 sensor cell
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $90–$180R&R Easy
Inspiration bacteria filter
Change between patients or when wetted.
Class ConsumableRel. cost $10–$20R&R Easy
Blower/turbine assembly
Factory service recommended.
Class Major service partRel. cost $3,500+R&R Expert-level
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhalation valve diaphragm kit Replace during annual PM; inspect for micro-cracks. | Frequent wear item | $250–$450 | Moderate |
| Galvanic O2 sensor cell | Frequent wear item | $90–$180 | Easy |
| Inspiration bacteria filter Change between patients or when wetted. | Consumable | $10–$20 | Easy |
| Blower/turbine assembly Factory service recommended. | Major service part | $3,500+ | Expert-level |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Daily pre-use check: self-test, circuit integrity, alarm function
- ·Scheduled circuit and inspiratory filter replacement per manufacturer interval
- ·Flow and pressure sensor calibration verification
- ·Battery load test and runtime check
- ·Annual full PM and electrical safety test
Error Codes
Extracted directly from this unit's own service manual.
DEVICE ALERTVarious. Technical alarm category is described. See Table 6-3. .on page 6-17. More information for the particular technical alarm can be found in the System diagnostic log, a link to which is provided on the expanded alarm banner. Follow remedy message displayed on GUI. Table 6-5. Non-technical Alarm Summary Base message Priority Analysis message Remedy message Comments
AC POWER LOSSLow Operating on vent main battery.
LOSS OF POWERImmediate N/A N/A The ventilator power switch is on and there is insufficient power from AC and the bat- tery. There may not be a visual indicator for this alarm, but an independent audio alarm sounds for at least 120 seconds. Alarm annunciation can be reset by turning power switch to off position.
LOW BATTERYMedium Vent main battery operational time < 10 minutes. Replace or allow recharge vent main battery. Resets when battery has ≥ ten minutes of operational time remaining or when AC power is restored.
NO AIR SUPPLYLow Compressor inop- erative. Ventila- tion continues as set. Only O 2 avail- able. Check air source. Ventilator delivers 100% O 2 . Air supply pressure ≤ 17 psig. Resets if air supply pressure ≥ 35 psig is connected.
CIRCUIT DISCONNECTThe patient circuit has become dis- connected or there is a large leak in the patient circuit. Re-connect the patient circuit, or eliminate the leak. Compliance limited VT (patient data alarm) Compliance volume required to compensate delivery of a VC, VC+, or VS breath exceeds the maximum allowed for three of the last four breaths. Check patient and circuit type. Inspired volume may be less than set.
COMPRESSOR INOPERATIVEAir pressure not detected in the compressor’s accumulator. Status display indicates the compressor is inoperative. Service or replace compressor. 1PPEAK (patient data alarm) The measured airway pressure is ≥ set limit. Reduced tidal volume likely. Check the patient. Check the patient circuit. Check the endotracheal tube. 3PPEAK (patient data alarm) The peak inspiratory pressure in the patient circuit ≤ alarm set- ting.This alarm is only available when NIV is the selected ventila- tion type or when VC+ is the selected mandatory type during invasive ventilation.* Check for leaks in the p
INOPERATIVE BATTERYThe battery charge is inadequate after 6 hours of attempted charge time or the battery system is non- functional. Replace the battery or install an extended battery. INSPIRATION TOO LONG (patient data alarm) The PBW-based inspiratory time for the last two spontaneous breath exceeds the ventilator-set limit. Active only when ventilation type is invasive. Check the patient. Check the patient circuit for leaks. Check rise time % and ESENS set- tings. Table 6-6. Non-Technical Alarms and Suggested Responses (Continued) Alarm message Meaning Response Alarms Operator's Manual 6-31
PROCEDURE ERRORThe patient is attached before ven- tilator startup is complete. Safety ventilation is active. Provide alternate ventilation, if necessary. Complete ventilator startup pro- cedure.
SEVERE OCCLUSIONThe patient circuit is severely occluded. The ventilator enters occlusion status cycling. The elapsed time without ventilatory support appears. Check the patient. Obtain alternate ventilation, if necessary. Check patient circuit for bulk liquid, crimps, blocked filter. If problem persists, remove venti- lator from use and obtain service. 1VTI (patient data alarm) Delivered inspiratory volume ≥ high inspiratory volume limit Check patient and ventilator set- tings. Check for leaks, tube type/ID, and % Supp settings, and patient agitation. Ventilator transitions to exhala- tion. VO
PROX INOPERATIVEA malfunction occurred with the proximal flow sensor or the pneu- matic lines are occluded. Replace the proximal flow sensor or purge its pneumatic lines. Does not affect data from theventilator’s delivery or exhalation flow sensors. Table 6-6. Non-Technical Alarms and Suggested Responses (Continued) Alarm message Meaning Response Performance 6-34 Operator's Manual 6.5.11 CIRCUIT DISCONNECT Alarm The CIRCUIT DISCONNECT alarm indicates the patient circuit is disconnected at the ventilator or the patient side of the patient wye, or a large leak is present. The methods by which circuit disc
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Low minute ventilation alarm during volume AC
- Check circuit for disconnects, tracing from Y-piece back to ventilator.
- Review patient effort/sedation changes with clinical staff.
- Inspect cuff pressure of ETT (should be 20–30 cmH2O).
- Run a full leak test via SST; note measured compliance/leak values.
- If leak > threshold, swap exhalation diaphragm and retest.
Technical Specs
- Tidal volume range
- 20–2500 mL
- Breath rate
- 1–100 bpm
- PEEP
- 0–45 cmH2O
- Inspiratory pressure
- 5–80 cmH2O
- O2 concentration
- 21–100%
- Display
- 17-inch color touchscreen + remote alarm display
- Battery backup
- Up to 4 hours (dual battery)
- Weight
- 36 kg
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- ICU / CCU
- Emergency Department
- Operating Room (anesthesia-adjacent)
- NICU
- Respiratory Therapy department
- Patient transport
Documents & Manuals
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