How does a respiratory ventilator work and explain its different settings?

Ventilators attach to an endotracheal tube which is a tube placed directly into your trachea (wind pipe). The machine then forces air into the lungs and allows for natural exhalation. The settings are your rate (Usually 8-12/min) PEEP (positive end expiratory pressure) TD or tidal volume (amount of air being pushed) FiO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) and most newer ones have sigh functions. Most people sigh a few times an hour without realizing it and this setting will add a sigh at time intervals.