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Scientists test the Ventil device on animals

Two patients connected to one ventilator – it's possible thanks to the Ventil device, which for the last month has been tested on pair of pigs. If trials with animals prove successful, the ventilator splitter can be used in humans. This is extremely important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Ventil device was developed a few years ago by a team led by Prof. Marek Darowski from the PAS Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering. The apparatus was originally designed to be used on a single patient to ventilate each of their lungs independently (especially when one lung is significantly more damaged than the other). It has passed clinical trials at intensive care units in this regard and is successfully used by patients from the hospital of the Medical University of Lublin.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, another useful function of this apparatus came to the forefront. Ventil plugged into a ventilator can also be used to service two patients at the same time.

Studies on pairs of pigs

In medicine, before a new device or drug can be safely used in humans, first animal trials are carried out. In the case of Ventil, pigs were selected for trials.

The project has started a month ago at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), the Department of Large Animal Diseases with the Clinic of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine. This center is nationally and internationally renowned for its achievements in the field of translational medicine (i.e. applying findings from veterinary sciences to enhance human health and well-being).

Scientists put pairs of animals (under general anesthesia) on a respirator plugged to the Ventil device. Then, they assess the safety and efficiency of such ventilation. They also determine whether the pathogens penetrate between the airways of the apparatus and the respiratory systems of pigs.

The project is jointly carried by researchers from:
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences – under the leadership of Professors Zdzisław Gajewski and Romuald Zabielski,
• PAS Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering – under the direction of Professors Adam Liebert and Piotr Ładyżyński.

Animals from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences are the first living organisms connected in pairs to the Ventil apparatus. "Moreover, we tested Ventil in conjunction with anesthesia machines and ventilators. In our research, the most important thing is to check how the Ventil splitter performs in healthcare environment and check its safety" explains Prof. Romuald Zabielski, vice president of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Clinical trials, certification, registration


The clinical tests of the Ventil apparatus are carried out by 4 medical centers in the country: the Independent Public Clinical Hospital in Lublin, the University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, the Provincial Specialist Hospital and the University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn.

It is worth adding that the Ventil device has already obtained the CE certificate allowing it to be placed on the EU market. The application for registration also went to the Office for Registration of Medical Products and Medical Devices.

Cooperation with Łukasiewicz Research Network

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has ordered the first series of Ventil devices in March. The production is carried out by the Institute of Medical Technology and Apparatus in Zabrze (part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network). The first batch of 100 Ventil devices is ready. Another 100 items will be produced by June. The launch of Ventil is planned for May – informs the Łukasiewicz Research Network.

Source of information: Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Łukasiewicz Research Network
Photo and video: SGGW