1st prototype running! Easily manufactured, low-cost ventilator prototype for COVID-19 patients

We assembled all the parts today and successfully ran prototype #1 of the 3D model ventilator design we posted this morning. We are currently doing some quantitative testing (measuring peak and RMS torque usage, voltage headroom, thermal rise, design margin, etc.) and hope to have an enhanced design shortly. Stay tuned!

*PLEASE NOTE* This design has not been sufficiently tested and even once it has been, the machine is meant to be used only by highly trained medical operators in emergency situations. Building and using one of these machines without proper training could cause serious harm or death. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BUILD AND USE THIS MACHINE ON YOUR OWN.

[sandydali]

This is very impressive. This the kind of innovation and thinking that will keep this country running.

[juanpablomarcial]

they gonna blowup lungs
with that pressure

[garethmorgan]

Really inspiring guys. Humanity at it's best :-)

[mareknetzel]

This is so uplifting to see how we can turn from being profit oriented to humanity oriented in the times of crisis and use our potential make a difference. You guys are great!

[PyxtonStudios]

The cage that holds the bag should be movable on the Z axis using a stepper motor to allow the machine to control the volume according to the patient's needs. Just half of the cage should be movable with the bag attached to the bottom part.

However, that's a great design!

[nevillecreativitymentor]

Fantastic work ... getting it up and running. I guess your next step would be adding a Uno type of computer and control the speed In and Out etc ...
I am fairly sure you guys would have thought about this ...but I did not see it on the crank arm ... by adding a few extra holes on the crank arm with a quick connect disconnect you could change the stroke length mechanically, the turnbuckle push rod could compensate for fine tuning the length and adding a speed controller could give you precise and fully controllable stroke length and speed.

I have designed the mentioned idea on sketchup ... well ...i too was designing a similar crank based concept ! :) ..but no means of getting it done ...so oops there.

[aomanchutube]

I'm thinking that some of these linkages could be 3d printed. Also that sections of the ventilator could be one piece plastic casts. Separating the regulators from the other sections might help in a "divide and conquer" type of way.

[kistuszek]

Can be substituted via tensile stress bearing structure, no joints no rods no sleves just a rope.

[Kesh]

This is amazing. Thanks for working on this and especially making this opensource. How do you plan to channel out expiratory air?

[agmiddles]

Does it have sensors for airflow / pressure, etc.? If this is on a raspberry pi then you could monitor the necessary measurements and adjust the rate including a pause on the cycle if necessary. Keep up the work.

[vinaybhaskarchandratre]

Do think that the ambu bag is strong enough to work 24/7 ?

[DanKolis]

Is your ongoing work going to be synched on reddit or here or not at all. Seems there is utility to straddle both slightly probably, utube video etc easily inderstood. Check there when you are able to. Regards Dan

[willafayescalicas]

Inherent to this design is that when you increase the rate you increase the pressure also...that is dangerous.

[rdavit]

Outstanding! Do you have a parts list/cad files in .dxf format that can be shared? Many hobbyists with CNC mills, 3D printers can help.

[VinodKumar-xckx]

Don't you have to sense the negative pressure when the patient tries to breath in and then pump the air? Is that part coming up? I am trying to find an appropriate air flow sensor. If someone knows one, Please comment.

[ziadomeish]

his poor lungs will explode during this huge volume pressure

[mainaTheMaker]

your model is hard to archive I:E ratio which sometimes goes even up-to 1:4 but yours currently is 1:1
you must change your model to make a vent else you can make an air pump

[svs]

If ventilators can be made with simple mechanisms like these at very cheap price,
Then why existing ones are still in market

[garyoreilly]

Is the full design of this going to be open sourced? I cant see where to download STL files, specs for motor, dimensiosn etc..

[satxsatxsatx]

what what is max RPM so I can look for a cheap gear motor?