The capability to breath spontaneously irrespectively of any ventilation phase is also called the "open breathing system" and leads to increased patient comfort. The patient is never locked out, fighting against the ventilator is virtually not possible, the patient can cough and clear his airways at any time. This increase of patient comfort enables to reduce the amount sedation in many cases.
The experienced clinical advantages led to the application of the same technique in pressure controlled ventilation with BIPAP (PCV+) which can also be used in combination with pressure support (ASB).
With AutoFlow (1995) Dräger expanded these application of the "open breathing system" even to Volume Controlled ventilation modes. AutoFlow can be used as an adjunction to any Volume oriented mode like IPPV, SIMV and MMV.
