Figure 1.

PtcCO₂ and SpO₂ tracings of patients numbers 3, 4, 7, and 8 who disconnected from the ventilator during the meal. Patient number 7 ate the meal in two parts and patient number 8 in three parts, with connection to the ventilator during the intervening rest periods. Patient numbers 3 and 4 also disconnected from the ventilator during activities other than eating, namely, for phone communications (patient number 3) and for a coffee break and watching television in patient number 4. Disconnections are shaded in gray. PtcCO₂: transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide; SpO₂: peripheral capillary oxygen saturation.