We are working on a version of this which does not require any electronics: https://twitter.com/zackbloom/status/1242156904782139395?s=2...
It uses fluid dynamics rather than a sensor system, simplifying manufacture at scale.
It uses fluid dynamics rather than a sensor system, simplifying manufacture at scale.
- Consider the failure-modes of the device. (If inspiration pressure set screw is not mechanically fixed and fails open, you will irrevocably damage the individuals lungs and likely kill them. Similarly, exhalation pressure drop could collapse alveoli and suffocate them). Could also put pressure relief/vacuum break valves on the device, but hard to do accurately and cheaply at small pressure ranges.
- Fail indication. Need indicators in the field to understand whether device is functioning as designed or not. Particularly with high PEEP settings, visual indications of respiration are pretty much non-existent and no way to tell if pressures are causing barotrauma.
- You may want to include guidelines for proper air supply intended for this device as well. Modern ventilation systems have fail-over and redundancy for all critical aspects (electricity, oxygen source, pressure regulation, etc) for respiration. This may be done at the device (taking feeds from multiple continuous supplies) or in the oxygen supply system (multiple compressors connected to a header system, high volume compressed oxygen tank etc).
Seems like a worthwhile risk to take on a patient that is going to die within minutes of going off a ventilator that is needed for a patient with a better chance of survival.
Unfortunately, that's a common scenario playing out in Italy right now.
Is PIP adjustable? Is PEEP adjustable? Is Tidal Volume adjustable? What sort of pressure regulation is required at the input?
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hcuu-55q2a3_-LmBwg0uBdgM...
Asking because a friend at one of the Uni's here in Melbourne, Australia is part of the team that looks after the Uni CNC machines (5 axis) and their 3D printers.
The design in the twitter above looks like pretty much exactly what their 5-axis CNC machines can do. And they were already discussing potentially doing something with the 3d printers.
So, might be a good fit to put them in contact with you? :)