Cost-effective and power-efficient portable turbine-based emergency ventilator

Abstract

Ventilators have always been common in medical scenarios but are very expensive to procure or develop. One of the main reasons for these is the components that are being used are expensive and require precise instrumentation, research, and development. This paper attempts to mitigate that problem by proposing a novel way to rapidly develop a portable ventilator that uses common 3D printing technology and off-the-shelf components. This turbine and valve-based ventilator feature most of the modes that are commonly used by healthcare professionals. A unique servo-based pressure release mechanism has been designed that makes the system around 36 times more efficient than solenoid-based systems. Reliability and efficiency have been increased further through the use of a novel positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) valve that does not contain any electromechanical component. Effective algorithms such as feed-forward and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers were used alongside the unique ‘Sensor data filtration methodology’. The system also provides an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) via an android application that can be installed on any readily found tabs while the firmware manages the breathing detection algorithm using a flow meter and pressure sensor. This modular and portable ventilator also features a replaceable battery and holds the ability to run on solar power. This energy-efficient low-noise system can run for 5 to 6 h at a stretch without needing to be connected to the main’s supply.

Keywords

• Biomedical
• Emergency
• Ventilator
• Turbine-based
• Open-source
• Low cost