Innovative COVID-19 Ventilator Design with Significant Improvement of Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure

Abstract

This paper deals with the constructive design of an innovative and low-cost mechanical ventilator to aid respiration for acute COVID19 patients by improving the Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (PEEP). The rise in mortality due to COVID19 pandemic is unprecedented and this is mainly due to severe deterioration of the respiratory system including inflammation of lung and respiratory tract leading to acute respiratory distress. Although ventilators are mostly used in the continuum of care as solution to this challenge, their design requires some specific considerations, sophisticated electronics and software systems that are often outside of the financial wherewithal of the world’s most vulnerable. These ventilators are often high-end and technological advanced devices that although convenient, come at high cost and may be out of the financial reach of the world’s most vulnerable to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. This paper provides the design for a simplified, relatively affordable, and specifically targeted devices to help deal with the COVID-19 effects on the respiratory tract. The design of a low-cost novel mechanical ventilator is considered in this paper. The components of the fabrication and design as well as the steps taken to actualize the artefact are discussed. The SMALLWOOD design does not require any electronic components and can be deployed in the most deprived areas in the world where access to electricity is nonexistent. Keywords: COVID19, Ventilator, Respiratory Tract, Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (PEEP)