A specially-designed ventilator is credited with saving the life of Tyler Blake, a lifelong Cystic Fibrosis patient. The device, known as the RTX ventilator, has never before been used in the US and has only been approved for Blake's use. It assists patients with their own respiration.

Dr. Joseph Cronin, director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis program at Children's, expects that FDA approval allowing widespread use of the ventilator will come soon.

Blake's condition saw dramatic improvement because of the ventilator. He is now physically eligible for a total lung transplant.

Blake says he is grateful to the hospital and the FDA for the use of the RTX ventilator and is looking forward to going home. © Copyright 2009, WBFO