Ventilators and NIV devices
Home ventilators and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) devices support breathing for people with neuromuscular disease, chronic lung disease, obesity hypoventilation and complex sleep-disordered breathing. MEC supplies the ResMed Astral 150 life-support ventilator, bilevel and NIV devices from ResMed, Löwenstein and Philips, and the circuits, filters, batteries and mounting accessories that keep them running — for hospitals, respiratory services and people ventilated at home.
Shop ventilators, NIV and bilevel devices, ventilator consumables or ventilator accessories.
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Types of ventilation devices
| Device type | What it does | At MEC |
|---|---|---|
| Life-support ventilator | Delivers invasive (tracheostomy) or non-invasive ventilation, including mouthpiece ventilation, with internal and external battery options for full-time or portable use. | ResMed Astral 150 |
| Bilevel (BiPAP / VPAP) | Non-invasive ventilation by mask, with a higher pressure on the breath in and a lower pressure on the breath out. S/T models add a backup breath rate. | ResMed Lumis 100 VPAP S, Lumis 150 VPAP ST, Löwenstein prisma25ST, Philips DreamStation Auto BiPAP |
| Volume-assured NIV | Bilevel ventilation that adjusts pressure support to reach a target ventilation as the patient's needs change. | ResMed Lumis 150 VPAP ST-A (iVAPS), Philips DreamStation BiPAP AVAPS |
| Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) | Treats central, mixed and complex sleep apnoea, including Cheyne-Stokes respiration, by adjusting support breath by breath. | ResMed AirCurve 10 CS PaceWave, Philips DreamStation AutoSV, Löwenstein prismaCR |
Ventilation devices are prescribed and set up by a respiratory physician or sleep and ventilation service, who chooses the mode, settings, interface and circuit. MEC supplies the equipment and consumables to that prescription — contact our team for a quote on a ventilator or NIV device.
Ventilator circuits, filters and accessories
- Circuits: match the circuit to how the ventilator is set up — a single-limb leak circuit (with a leak port or expiratory leak valve), a single-limb circuit with an active exhalation valve, or a dual-limb circuit such as the F&P 950 dual heated circuit kit. The circuit type is set on the ventilator, so only swap types on your clinician's advice.
- Filters: replace air inlet filters and bacterial/viral breathing filters at the intervals in the device manual or your facility's protocol — including the Astral inlet filter pack and Trilogy Evo foam filter.
- Power and mobility: external batteries, mobility bags, roll stands and wheelchair mounts let ventilated patients stay mobile — see ventilator accessories.
- Humidification: heated humidifiers and heated circuits for invasive ventilation are in humidification.
Important: people who depend on a ventilator need a plan for power failures and equipment faults, such as a charged external battery, a remote alarm and, where prescribed, a backup ventilator. ASV is not suitable for everyone — it is contraindicated in people with chronic symptomatic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and predominantly central sleep apnoea. Always follow your prescribing clinician's advice.
Ventilation FAQs
What is the difference between a ventilator and a BiPAP machine?
A bilevel (BiPAP) machine provides non-invasive ventilation through a mask, usually overnight. A life-support ventilator such as the Astral 150 can also ventilate through a tracheostomy or mouthpiece, has more modes and alarms, and runs on internal and external batteries for full-time or portable use.
What is non-invasive ventilation (NIV)?
NIV supports breathing through a mask rather than a tube in the airway. It is commonly used at home for neuromuscular disease, COPD with high carbon dioxide levels and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
What is the difference between BiPAP ST and ST-A?
ST (spontaneous/timed) machines add a backup breath rate if the patient doesn't breathe on their own. The ResMed Lumis 150 ST-A adds iVAPS, which adjusts pressure support to reach a target ventilation.
Setting up home ventilation for a patient, ward or respiratory service? Contact our team — we can help with devices, consumables and ongoing supply. See also cough assist and suction.