Could this be a low cost, viable STOP GAP to help with the shortage of ventilators?

Here is an on going and long discussion regarding how the DIY community can help.

https://engineering.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=263efee65a04cf9ee8555288d&id=47a1f52c6d&e=b4256f5f31

Hope its useful,

K

We have now setup a dedicated domain for the Automated BVM at http://automatedbvm.net

There are few more details on the machine and the CAD renders of what the actual prototype will look like.

Not as pretty as the original concept, but workable.

Also the inside of the machine is shown with working mechanics and minimal components as planned.

We had the Acetal arrive today, so will be milling the plates out tomorrow

UK Gov has published the official emergency ventilator spec:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876167/RMVS001_v3.1.pdf

MK

And another one:

https://www.facebook.com/official.arduino/videos/vb.156088694417458/528640714351023/?type=3&theater

"OxyGEN is an open hardware project to build an emergency mechanism that automates an AMBU type manual ventilator in extreme shortage situations such as the one caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) in some parts of the world."

https://oxygen.protofy.xyz/

I see more stuff is popping up on Twitter, which may interest some.

Someone posted this old (2010) research paper: https://web.mit.edu/2.75/projects/DMD_2010_Al_Husseini.pdf

Here's a great YouTube video that deep dives into reuse of CPAP machines for a DIY ventilator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n57u1NvXBgw

And here is a "living" specification document (i.e. it changes frequently) for BVM: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FNPwrQjB1qW1330s5-S_-VB0vDHajMWKieJRjINCNeE/edit

"People have mentioned laws and patents - regulations can be changed over night - patents can be suspended for military purposes to why not in medical emergency."

Here's a maker community respirator project being put forward for health testing next Monday.

Arduino Respirator Prototype

"Here's a pretty remarkable prototype of an Arduino-controlled respirator made by the Spanish maker community, which will be tested by the Ministry of Health next Monday. "

https://www.facebook.com/official.arduino/videos/vb.156088694417458/2557115014604392/?type=3&theater

Have you seen this one ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FJKtqy-qmM

Looks much cheaper and simpler than classic ventilator - a sort of "plastic lung" - advantages are it doesn't need humidifier , precise pressure control etc etc. Scope for damage is probably much less. No need for sterile supplies .

I reckon you could build emergency version using bottom of a wheelie bin, (or similar) , suction would be harder - vacuum cleaner would work but very noisy and no good at 24/7 running. If it comes to the crunch human powered bellows pump would do.

People have mentioned laws and patents - regulations can be changed over night - patents can be suspended for military purposes to why not in medical emergency.

MK

It may only have been medically approved for resuscitation or for temporary ventilation use and not for life support ventilation use though ? So there may still be some issues there, but presumably less than when starting out from scratch.

Ironically though, in basic work first aid, you are taught to do mouth-to-mouth where there are no 'safety features'.

I saw an article recently about ventilator valves being copied and 3D printed to assist with shortages in Italy, saving lives, however it looks like the lawyers are now involved:

https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/3d-printed-valves-covid-19-italy/

I would be curious to learn whether positive air pressure is the only method that works or could negative pressure machines, such as this one work too in the covid-19 case: Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation (BCV) | BiPAP and Tracheostomy Alternative

How many presses can that bag sustain before it breaks? I would look into how mechanical ventilators operate to get ideas on how to build a system from scratch. Also it's important to be aware that this industry is highly regulated because if the machine fails people die. Of course a flawed machine might be better than no machine at all, but still laws could make the implementation of non-regulated, non-proved, low-budget mechanical ventilators difficult.