ICU ventilators are critical medical equipment that provide respiratory support for patients who are unable to breathe on their own. These machines can deliver various modes of ventilation, such as pressure support and high-flow oxygen, depending on the patient's needs. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICU ventilators have become even more crucial in saving the lives of patients with severe respiratory symptoms.

One of the key challenges in ICU ventilation is balancing the need for adequate oxygenation and ventilation with the risk of lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation. To address this, new technologies have been developed, such as lung-protective ventilation modes and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. These technologies aim to reduce the risk of lung injury while still providing adequate respiratory support to the patient.

Another challenge in ICU ventilation is the shortage of ventilators in low-income countries. To address this, organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Rescue Committee have developed programs to provide low-cost ventilators and training to healthcare providers in resource-limited settings.