A Multiple Emergency Ventilator as Backup Solution in Pandemic: A Specifically Designed and Dimensioned Device

A Multiple Emergency Ventilator as Backup Solution in Pandemic: A Specifically Designed and Dimensioned Device

<italic>Goal:</italic> To provide a Multiple Emergency Ventilator (MEV) as backup in case of shortage of ICU ventilators and for use in camp hospitals. <italic>Methods:</italic> MEV provides the same oxygen mixture and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) to 10 patients. These spe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Giuseppe Baselli, Gianfranco Fiore, Francesco Casella, Simone Cinquemani, Roberto Vigano, Antonio Pesenti, Alberto Zanella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2022-01-01
Series:IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Subjects:
COVID-19 pandemic
ICU mechanical ventilation
pressure-controlled and volume-guaranteed ventilation
assisted ventilation
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9716846/
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Summary:<italic>Goal:</italic> To provide a Multiple Emergency Ventilator (MEV) as backup in case of shortage of ICU ventilators and for use in camp hospitals. <italic>Methods:</italic> MEV provides the same oxygen mixture and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) to 10 patients. These specifications were fixed: i) gas supply and plugs to double-limb intubation sets compatible to existing systems; ii) fluid-dynamics with no pressure drop and almost complete patients&#x2019; uncoupling; iii) individual monitoring of inspiratory and expiratory pressures and flows and control of their timing; iv) easy stocking, transport, installation with self-supporting pipes. <italic>Results:</italic> A Bell-Jar System (BJS) design permitted to safely fix PIP based on Archimedes&#x2019; law. The main distribution line was based on 2&#x201D; stainless steel pipes assuring the required mechanical properties and over-dimensioned for fluidics. The Windkessel of the BJS and pipeline dead-volumes is 75.65 L and in the worst case of the instantaneous demand of 5 L by 10 patients (0.5 L each) shows an adiabatic PIP drop limited to &#x2013;6.18%, confirming the needed uncoupling. Consequently, patients&#x2019; asynchrony is permitted as needed by pressure-controlled volume-guaranteed and assisted-ventilation. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> Although MEV is proposed as a backup system, its features may cover the whole set of ventilation modes required by ICU ventilation.
ISSN:2644-1276

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