NEONATAL & PEDIATRIC VENTILATOR — HFOV + FOT

fabian® HFO

The fabian HFO ventilator (ZOLL) is the first and only neonatal mechanical ventilator to integrate the Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) for lung-recruitment monitoring. It combines high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV), conventional modes, NIV and high-flow oxygen therapy — for premature infants, newborns and children up to 30 kg.

Model: ZOLL fabian HFO

ZOLL fabian HFO neonatal ventilator
30 kgmaximum patient weight
0,9 mLneonatal sensor dead space
2,5hinternal battery life
HFOV+FOTthe first neonatal ventilator with FOT

THE TECHNOLOGY

HFOV with active inspiration and expiration + FOT monitoring

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) generates small-volume breaths at high frequencies — protecting the fragile lungs of premature infants from baro- and volutrauma. The fabian HFO delivers HFOV with active inspiration AND expiration (not just inspiration, as on other machines), for better tidal-volume control at high frequencies.

The Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) is a tool exclusive to the fabian HFO that measures lung reactance in real time during HFOV or conventional ventilation — the clinician sees directly when optimal lung recruitment is reached and can adjust pressure without resorting to blind tests.

  • HFOV with active inspiration and expiration
  • FOT (Forced Oscillation Technique) — measures lung recruitment in real time
  • Volume Guarantee — target tidal volume maintained by adjusting pressure
  • PRICO — automatic FiO₂ control to keep SpO₂ on target
  • Automatic leak compensation — essential for neonatal NIV

SMART FEATURES

Automatic personalisation for each premature infant

The premature lung needs extreme protection: tidal volumes of a few millilitres, perfect synchronisation, precise FiO₂ to avoid hypoxia and hyperoxia. The fabian HFO automates critical decisions — the clinician sets the target, the ventilator adjusts breath by breath.

HFOV

Oscillation with active inspiration + expiration

Unlike passive HFOV, the fabian HFO actively controls both inspiration and expiration — allowing higher frequencies (up to 20 Hz) with precise tidal volume. Ideal for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), persistent pulmonary hypertension and meconium aspiration syndrome.

  • Oscillation frequency up to 20 Hz
  • Active inspiration + expiration (not just passive)
  • Indicated in RDS, PPHN, meconium aspiration
  • Automatic HFOV ↔ conventional transition

FOT

Forced Oscillation Technique

A technology exclusive to the fabian HFO. FOT superimposes low-frequency forced oscillations over ventilation and measures lung reactance. The clinician sees the level of lung recruitment on the display in real time — no X-rays, no invasive tests.

  • Non-invasive lung reactance measurement
  • Works in HFOV and conventional
  • PEEP / MAP adjustment for optimal recruitment
  • The only neonatal ventilator with integrated FOT

VG + PRICO

Volume Guarantee + automatic FiO₂ control

Volume Guarantee maintains the target tidal volume by adjusting the inspiratory pressure breath by breath. PRICO (Predictive Intelligent Control of Oxygenation) automatically adjusts FiO₂ to keep SpO₂ within the target range — reducing hypo/hyperoxia and staff workload.

  • VG — target tidal volume maintained automatically
  • PRICO — FiO₂ adjusted for target SpO₂
  • Clinical studies — more effective than manual control
  • Reduces nursing workload

NIV + HFOT

Non-invasive & high-flow therapy

In addition to invasive ventilation, the fabian HFO offers NIV and HFOT modes with automatic circuit-leak compensation. Transition without changing the device between HFOV → invasive → NIV → HFOT as the newborn evolves clinically.

  • NIV with automatic leak compensation
  • HFOT — integrated high-flow oxygen therapy
  • Compatible with the Infant Flow® LP interface
  • Flow sensors available reusable and single-use

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

fabian HFO operating parameters

Patient categoriesNeonatal, infant, pediatric — up to 30 kg
Ventilation modesHFOV · IMV · SIMV · PSV · PCV · S/T · CPAP · NIV · HFOT
HFOV frequencyUp to 20 Hz, with active inspiration and expiration
Volume GuaranteeYes — target tidal volume maintained by adjusting pressure
PRICOAutomatic FiO₂ control for target SpO₂
FOT technologyYes — non-invasive lung reactance measurement
Spațiu mort senzori neonatali0,9 mL
Flow sensorsHot-wire anemometer — reusable and single-use
Expiratory valveElectromagnetic
Gas blenderIntegrated electronic
EtCO₂ monitoringIncluded
Leak compensationAutomatic — essential for neonatal NIV
Internal battery2,5 ore
ComplianceCE marked (Europe). Not FDA-cleared for the USA.

CLINICAL INDICATIONS

Where the fabian HFO makes the difference

  • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

    HFOV with FOT enables optimal recruitment of the premature infant's immature lung, reducing barotrauma.

  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN)

    HFOV combined with inhaled NO — the first-line strategy for severe PPHN.

  • Meconium aspiration syndrome

    HFOV protects the lung affected by meconium aspiration through small tidal volumes.

  • NICU & PICU

    Covers the full spectrum of ventilatory support for newborns and small children.

  • Post-extubare

    Direct transition to NIV / HFOT to reduce the need for re-intubation.

  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

    HFOV is the preferred strategy for managing the associated pulmonary hypoplasia.

DE CE fabian HFO

The reference ventilator for the NICU

The fabian HFO concentrates in a single device everything that until now required 3-4 separate machines in the NICU: HFOV, conventional ventilation, NIV and HFOT — plus FOT, a best-in-class tool for personalising lung recruitment. It reduces capital cost, simplifies training and provides perfect clinical continuity as the newborn's condition evolves.

  • The only neonatal ventilator with integrated FOT
  • HFOV with active inspiration + expiration
  • Built in Switzerland (Acutronic, a ZOLL division)
  • CE marked; used in NICUs across Europe
  • fabian HFO Light variant — without HFOV for smaller budgets

Interested in the fabian HFO?

Hellimed provides technical consulting, clinical demonstrations and training for the fabian HFO — for NICU, PICU and neonatal transport. We help you compare it with the fabian nCPAP Evolution and the fabian Therapy Evolution.

Request a quote for the fabian HFO