Emergency Pandemic Ventilator 2020

The following material is the outcome of an experimental design project undertaken by researchers at the University of Calgary. The materials contain a theoretical approach to solving design problems. No testing has been to done to determine the safety or effectiveness of the proposed device in patient care

United through the Pandemic Ventilator Design Team Slack workspace, a team of almost 100 members has gathered to create a simple ventilator plan that can be assembled from readily available, commercial off-the-shelf materials with minimal modification.  This ventilator concept is intended for use as a last resort in a catastrophically overloaded healthcare system or in a location lacking adequate resources, where the alternative is denial of ventilation due to lack of equipment and a significant probability of death.

The following material is the outcome of an experimental design project initiated by researchers at the University of Calgary. The materials contain a theoretical approach to solving design problems. No testing has been done to determine the safety or effectiveness of the proposed device in patient care.

Some recent updates:

Concept

The negative pressure ventilator is comprised of three modules (Fig. 4):

Chamber

Surrounds the patient to allow lung expansion in a negative pressure environment.

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Pressure Sink

Provides the pressure reduction as needed.

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Control System

Determines the degree, duration, and frequency of the patient’s exposure to negative pressure.

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concept

Fig. 4: Concept emergency negative-pressure ventilation system

Pressure sink (1) - in this example a central blower serves multiple patients. Ideally located away from patient (or even outside building) to reduce noise.

Redundancy and generator backup if possible. Negative pressure level set at blower and/or via bleed valve (2). Patients in jacket-type chambers (3) may be intubated (4) if necessary, to prevent airway collapse.

Valves (5) to pressure sink and room air open and close mechanically or electronically to control respiratory cycle timing and pressure.

Note that patients will be breathing (and exhaling into) room air, so contamination issues may need to be addressed. If blower exhaust is directed somewhere appropriate, the same ducting could also be used to provide removal of exhaled air.