COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 virus can cause a wide range of symptoms, anywhere from no symptoms to severe respiratory illness. For those that have the more severe symptoms a ventilator has been one of the most commonly used devices. Due to the high demand for ventilators, many different companies and groups have stepped up to create options for ventilators and other medical devices. While it is great that these companies have taken on the task to help, many of these options can be $5,000 - $15,000 leaving healthcare systems unable to obtain the quantity they may need due to a stretched budget.

Because of this, the need for a low cost ventilator has increased. While there are some options out there, many of these use an Ambu bag to assist the patient with breathing, this can cause damage to a their lungs.

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We encourage everyone to do more research to learn more about COVID-19 and how to make sure you stay safe right now. For more information, click below to go to the CDC website for COVID-19.

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Our Goal

With the world being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a shortage of medical supplies and devices. The Covid-19 virus impacts people’s respiratory systems and ventilators have been used to help treat those infected. Due to the large amount of people who have been infected with this virus, it has been difficult to get every patient the lifesaving devices they need. As four engineers with the drive to help those in need, we saw an area that we might be able to use our skills to help. We set out with the goal to create a low cost ventilator that is made with readily available parts so that hospitals and care centers can provide lifesaving care to those infected. We have designed our ventilator to be able to be rapidly manufactured and portable. We hope that our ventilators can ensure no one is denied the help they need due to a lack of these devices.

Requirements given by the Department of Defense

Expectations:

· This is an impossible task.

· Traditional FDA approved ventilators are complex pieces of machinery.

· Innovating a design and a functioning prototype over a 2-week period

of time is a near impossible task. It is unlikely that an ideal system can be

developed that meets all the desired specifications and requirements.

· However, it IS possible to get close!

Impossible Specifications:

In order of **descending **importance, the ideal desired specifications of a Do-It-Yourself mechanical ventilator are:

1. Able to be assembled and operated by low-skill levels

2. Assembled from readily available, consumer off-the-shelf parts and capabilities (Home 3D printers acceptable)

3. Have an optional secondary power source

4. Capable of functioning for at least 48 hours.

5. Needs to accommodate a standard 22 mm size hose that is 5 feet long

6. Have a connection method to allow an adjustable 02 source to be connected

7. Capable of providing a Respiratory Rate of 12-40 breaths per minute

8. Capable of providing 5-24 cm H2O of PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure)

9. Capable of Delivering Tidal Volumes of at least 500cc (range 160-1500cc) with every breath

10. Capable of limiting the Peak Inspiratory Pressure to 18-40 cm H2O

11. Has a method to humidify the air being delivered (in line Passive humidifiers or alternative)

12. Powered using 120V or lower (12 V car battery)

13. Inspiratory Time of 0.4 seconds

14. Gauges or instruments to visualize delivered values and settings

15. Provide ability to control Flow during inspiration, but if fixed: able to deliver 60 L/min

16.Pressure Support—a breath triggers either a set pressure or volume of air: and maintains a continuous PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure)

COVID-19 Pandemic

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Our Goal

Requirements given by the Department of Defense

Vent Four All

Our Design