Portable (and Ultra-Low-Cost) Ventilators Could Save Lives in Rural Areas and During Disasters
MIT students are developing a very-low-cost portable ventilator that could save hundreds of lives during emergencies and in rural areas, where hospitals often lack high-tech medical technologies.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, hospitals were overwhelmed and understaffed. As hallways were flooded with patients, many of whom had life-threatening injuries and illnesses, the lack of proper supplies became apparent.
Especially alarming was the shortage of ventilators, many of which failed when the power went out. Doctors and nurses were forced to give air by manually pumping machines for hours and days—sometimes resulting in the death of patients. In an effort to alleviate these fatal situations, students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing a small, portable ventilator that could be distributed cheaply to hospitals and rural areas.
The new system aims for simplicity, low cost and ease of maintenance. Consisting of a case that encloses a manual pump, it has only three control knobs—one each to adjust volume, speed and number of breaths. A battery powers the ventilator, which would be extremely useful in disaster situations. While many modern ventilators can cost as much as $30,000, the new portable device could be produced for only about $100. Because manual pumps are already widely available throughout the world, the technology could quickly be implemented.
Despite its simplicity and low cost, the machine is as functional as larger ventilators. For example, it detects and prevents over-pressurizing of the lungs, a life-threatening complication that often occurs with manual ventilation. The scientists predict that the new device could replace larger machines in 98 percent of cases.
A recent study found that, during a pandemic, the United States might need more than 700,000 mechanical ventilators—a startling statistic, since we currently only have 100,000. By transforming manual pumps into mechanical ventilators, the health care industry could cheaply prepare for the worst.
"These manual devices are available everywhere," states Abdul Mohsen Al Husseini, a graduate student in mechanical engineering and one of the students who developed the system. "Our approach is to adapt them, since they're already there."
Other researchers included Amelia Servi of MIT and Dr. Jussi Saukkonen of Boston University Medical Center
Source: Smarter Technology
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