Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff

Medical Ventilator Design

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dietert1:
We have a working 3D printer that could have printed hundreds of parts during February and March. It didn't and probably it won't. I think the reasons have been mentioned already.
Global enterprises will sell clean water and fresh air if you let them and they will use their money to create by lobby work/corruption a legal situation that protects that business, disregarding any social or ecological toll. And it's everywhere. On German TV they showed a couple who said they recently bought an icecream machine for € 50 000 (!) and didn't know how to continue now that their place is closed.
I am a freelancer in the medical sector and received several inquiries about our monitoring solutions. In the end i'm left with doubts. How come those professors and most experienced experts with lot's of academical resources and government money are unable to provide a solution on their own? Are they just trying to waste my time?

Regards, Dieter

Gandalf_Sr:
So, instead of stuff like:

If you have money, I can help or
Americans (in general) are incapable of self help

How about some practical ideas for how to make a ventilator?  As has been been said, all we need is:

1. An air pump that can be controlled - I prefer a brushless DC motor, I have many that are used for RC models.
2. Sensors that measure PaCO2, TcCO2, SpO2, FiO2 in addition to flow and pressure
3. A microcontroller that can connect all the parts together (with some interface circuitry)
4. Code that controls it all

I can cover 2 & 3 (although I'd like suggestions for sensors) and I can write code.  Some input on 1 would be useful.

profdc9:
What if you just started with a conventional air compressor and tank, perhaps one that is quieter than the usually noisy type that is used to inflate tires, and then a computer controlled pressure regulator valve?  I supposed a simple version of this could be a solenoid valve with a diaphragm and pressure sensor.  The control of pressure would be coarse.

KaneTW:
The spec was already posted: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-ventilator-supply-specification/rapidly-manufactured-ventilator-system-specification. Even just the pneumatic system is a headache and a half.

Ground_Loop:

--- Quote from: poorchava on March 30, 2020, 08:22:20 am ---AFAIK ventilators (same as other medical equipment) are so expensive not because they are expensive to manufacture. It's to recoup the astronomical costs of safety and regulatory compliance testing.

Of course the price is also driven by the 'because we can' factor.

My dad has been working in radiotherapy field for ~30 years. I recall him telling some stories, about how Varian wanted >200€ for a replacement lightbulb for an accelerator, which they were forced to buy, because otherwise the xxx k€ machine would lose certification o.O.

--- End quote ---
Manufacturers are also covering the costs of liability insurance and litigation risk.

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