Prototype of an affordable pressure-controlled emergency mechanical ventilator for COVID-19

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2004.00310
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Authors: A. Pereira; Luís Felipe Dias ...; P. Fonte; Pedro Póvoa; Telmo G. Santos; Alberto Martinho; Ângela Nogueira N...; António Bugalho; António Gabriel-S...; Gonçalo Gaspar Be...; João Goês; João Martins; João P. Oliveira; J. P. Santos; L. Gil; Miguel Onofre Dom...; Orlando Cunha; Pedro Pinheiro de...; Tiago A. Rodrigues; Valdemar R. Duarte; Antero Abrunhosa; António Grilo; João Agostinho Na...; M. Pimenta
• Keywords: Economic shortage; Expiration; Respirator; Mechanical ventilator; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

We present a viable prototype of simple mechanical ventilator intended as last resort to ventilate COVID-19 patients. The implements the pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation mode (PC-CMV) with settable breathing rates, inspiration/expiration time ratios and FiO2 modulation. Although safe, design aims minimize use technical components those used are common in industry, so its construction may be possible times logistical shortage or disruption areas reduced access materials at moderate cost, affordable lower income countries. Most device can manufactured by modest means plans provided.