New portable ventilator available in CT

WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- The latest technology for patients who depend on a ventilator to help them breathe is now available in Connecticut. 

Portable ventilators have been around for some time but the latest one is enabling patients to live an even more independent life.

Glenn Landers is now a familiar face in the hallways of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare.

"Before I couldn't get out of the room," said Landers.

A spinal chord injury has him dependent on a wheelchair.

"It goes pretty good," said Landers.

His new found freedom is thanks to the latest portable ventilator.

"It will make it a lot easier for me to go forever," said Landers.

The state of the art ventilator comes with a 12 hour battery and a spare.

"For Glenn right now, it's actually breathing for him," said Peggy Bartram of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare.

"It's the smallest that they make and at the same time, the electronics allows us to do all of the types of therapies we do with a full size ventilator," said Dr. Steve Holland of Gaylor Specialty Healthcare.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Holland says the software benefits many more patients.  

"Just that position of the lungs helps them to increase their lung capacity, helps avoid pneumonia, helps to hopefully get them off the ventilator quicker," said Dr. Holland.

Glenn can not breathe without a ventilator.

"When he breathes in, he has a certain amount of air like when we breathe in, it's programmed to give him a certain amount and so it pushes it out into him and it's timed and when the breath is done, then it comes back out," said Bartram. 
   
A speaking valve enables Landers to communicate and this new mobility has him venturing out visiting other patients on his floor.

"I crashed into one woman's door," said Landers.

"Were you going too fast," asked News 8's Jocelyn Maminta.

"I think I was," said Landers.

The ventilator can also be plugged into the car so Landers is looking forward to an ice cream run with his girlfriend Patty.
   
Dr. Holland says the makers are working to come up with a way to attach the portable ventilator to a walker device.

There could also be a back pack ventilator down the road as well.