One respirator for ventilation of two patients. Polish scientists present their solution to shortage of ventilators
Researchers from the Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences created a device that helps to ventilate two patients simultaneously by a single respirator. Equipment production has started due to the current epidemic situation.
The Ventil device was designed by a team led by prof. Marek Darowski. The apparatus has successfully passed many years of clinical tests conducted in the intensive care unit conditions.
How it works
There are two options:
- Originally, Ventil apparatus was developed for independent ventilation of both lungs of patients in a state of acute respiratory failure. In a situation when one lung is pathologically altered the conventional ventilation is not enough. In such cases two respirators are manually synchronized for one patient. The Ventil device solves this problem.
- However, in the current epidemic situation, Ventil can be used as device for independent ventilation of two patients, when only one medical ventilator is available.
Ventil production
The PAS Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering cooperates with the Łukasiewicz Research Network – the Institute of Medical Technology and Equipment, which is to produce Ventil devices. The first series of 100 devices should be manufactured within three weeks. Then the devices will be sent for clinical tests in designated hospitals.
The project is financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Source of information and photo: Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences
