Design of an Emergency Use Medical Ventilator

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Date
2020-12-09
Authors
Chalmers, Heath
Landicho, Denis
Li, Gary
Markovic, Luka
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Abstract

The objective of this project is to design a low-cost, easily-manufacturable ventilator for use in developing countries with no medical device regulations. This project has been implemented in order to ease the strain on the healthcare systems in developing countries, that is in large part due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The successful implementation of this project would result in adequate emergency use medical ventilators in hospitals that will prevent healthcare workers from rationing ventilators among patients. The final ventilator design consists of an actuated piston-cylinder that drives pressurized air into the patient’s lungs. A flow circuit analysis has been performed to ensure the device meets the mechanical requirements of a ventilator, while an Arduino electrical control system has been implemented to enable adjustable ventilator settings while in use. The final design operates with controllable inspiratory and expiratory pressures, respiratory rates, and I:E (inspiration:expiration) ratios according to client specifications. Furthermore, in addition to manual mode ventilation, the device can also operate in assisted mode in which the patient triggers the respiration cycle while the ventilator supplements the patient’s natural respiration. In order to ensure a cost-efficient and easily manufacturable design, the major components of the ventilator, including the piston-cylinder, directional valves, and sensor, filter, and humidifier housings can be 3D printed. Components of the design which cannot be 3D printed are easily accessible in hardware shops or electrical hobby stores. The combination of 3D printed parts and easy-to-access materials results in a final cost of $266.55 which is under the defined budget of $300. As a result, the proposed ventilator design not only meets the requirements for safe ventilation but also provides an intuitive, easily manufacturable, cost-efficient alternative to regulated ventilators. The completion of this report marks the end of the defined project scope; however, further recommendations have been made by the design team to improve ventilator functionality. The primary recommendation is to construct a prototype of the design and perform testing to verify the specifications in this report. Furthermore, increasing the budget slightly would facilitate the upgrade of several design features such as a more intricate LCD screen for ease-of-use, heated tubing to control air temperature, and a backup battery system to ensure device functionality in case of power loss. Finally, in order to improve the longevity of the design and increase production, high-volume manufacturing techniques such as injection moldings should be considered in the manufacturing plan.

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Mechanical Engineering
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