As COVID-19 continues to push unprecedented challenges on medical communities, one of the most pressing threats for hospital staff across the country is a dwindling supply of ventilators.
Now, an interdisciplinary team of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty is taking on the challenge by way of a fabricated, open-source ventilator design.
Led on the Vanderbilt side by engineers Kevin Galloway, research assistant professor of mechanical engineering and director of making at the Wond’ry, and Robert Webster, Richard A. Schroeder Professor of Mechanical Engineering, the team is currently on “version two” of the ventilator prototype and hopes to soon move into the final prototype phase before manufacturing.
“Maker communities around the globe are stepping up to address the pressing medical challenges presented by COVID-19, such as the need for personal protection equipment like face masks,” said Galloway. “In conversation with Bob Webster and colleagues at the Medical Center, we discussed how we can leverage our expertise to tackle this one issue which resonated most strongly for us.”
After an initial conversation with VUMC physician Duke Herrell discussing the threat posed by a lack of respiratory support equipment, Webster reached out to Galloway about a design he had already been toying with in his home garage as well as a process to figure out the signature difficulty in making a ventilator: replicating the precise force of the hand involved in squeezing a manual bag.
In the first prototype, Galloway wrapped nylon webbing around an Ambu bag and attached it to the crank arm of a windshield wiper motor to apply the repetitive squeezing force. While the design worked, they still needed a cleaner design where the amount of squeeze (known as tidal volume) could be controlled more precisely.
Inspired by the Scotch Yoke Mechanism, Galloway built his second (and latest) prototype in under three hours using the same motor, drawer glides, and plywood — materials and tools that could be found almost anywhere in the world — while Webster and his colleagues added sensors and controls to the design to improve the safety and tune the “in-and-out” ratio to match normal breathing.
“This was the result of a lot of conversations with doctors where it became clear that a pressure sensor with an alarm on it for too-high or too-low pressure was essential to the design,” noted Webster. “This is something we would not have known without having many Vanderbilt physicians involved in the project including Fabien Maldonado, Erin Gillespie, Matthew Bacchetta, Michael Lester, Arna Banerjee, Craig Rooks, Ph.D. student Max Emerson, who did the design of the sensor, and postdoctoral fellow Joshua Gafford, who designed the controls.”
The near-term goal for the team is to take the feedback from the ongoing ventilator tests with VUMC doctors and incorporate it into “version three,” which they feel will be extremely close to a design that the doctors would feel comfortable using on a patient in an emergency.
According to Webster, they are getting ready to be able to quickly produce about 100 ventilators in the next week – should the need arise.
The long-term goal? “Make the design publicly available so that anyone can replicate it,” said Galloway.
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When will the production method and schematic diagram of simple ventilator be released
When there is no need for the ventilators. This is pure propaganda of the university
A nice initial Engineering Breadboard prototype.
I hope they have created the Risk Management Plan, listed all safety issues found from research of all sources, databases, and the competitors equipment safety instructions, created the Customer Requirements Database, initial House of Quality is complete, and validated the Customer Requirements, and System Requirements Specifications (system, hardware, and software) already.
All plans reviewed and approved for Development, Design, Reliability, Configuration Management, Quality Assurance, Verification & Validation, Software, Procurement, Production, Testing, and Quality Control.
Next is the Initial Design review of all output by expert customers and independent experienced engineers.
Then on to design the Engineering Model after repeating and refining everything as well as creating Fault Tree Analysis, Failure Mode Effect analyses for system, hardware, and software and incorporate all the design changes and validate them, and reliability plan and demonstration initiated.
Then comprehensive Design Review again.
Then the Pre-Pilot Run Model repeating and refining everything using production parts and methods but engineers building. Design Review again.
Then the actual Production Pilot Run using production processes and personnel and then clinical trials, and compliance testing.
Then final Design Review.
Then file 510k with FDA and filings with other regulatory bodies, and receive consent to distribute.
Then Production Release with all production processes and supply chain activated. Continuous monitoring of fielded units for data analysis, trending, safety oversight, and CAPA process.
So another two days and they’ll be satisfying all the needed vents worldwide 😉
Oh, almost forgot …
I assume they have done all the design activities under FDA GMPs and ISO compliances including all the required documented processes, training, and validated systems, successful independent audits, and methods. Because to do otherwise would endanger lives and be foolish. Right?
thank you for inspiring us… we are working on a similar device too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly6TvQ2lU4o
I have a wood shop please send or post the plans and a place where to get these to , [email protected] here is what I been making. https://www.facebook.com/American-Woodcrafters-169811776374495/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEeX8nxsMRo vent covid
Please check my complete prototype ventilator and let me know what you think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ixo3932g-M
Guys , did you give the bellow an inlet?
Check out this one , Here is one simple one from canada that has a lot of the features required ,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TprOgkN1Dk
I just built a proof of concept with a stand mixer and a string in 8 minutes.. I’m hoping people are able to get your product but if they can’t maybe they could at least use my setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImDZMMp8GNQ&t=260s
https://youtu.be/RVOna8jlPG0
.
I have an idea that possibly has potential to add to what you are experiencing. But I cannot send the model this way.
There is another project open source from Portugal:
https://www.projectopenair.org/en/
everyone shows you how to solve the self inflating balloon part but nobody shows in detail how to attach safely to lungs…
While aerospace engineers enjoy landing two side boosters simultaneously – biomedical engineers brag about an Ambu-bag squeezer. No, you can’t use it as a ventilator.
@Joshua Let me know your opinion about Ambu-bag ventilators after you take these VENT CRASH COURSES: https://vimeo.com/407426475
@Joshua An entire army of engineers in top engineering schools worldwide are busy making self birthing Ambu bags. If they had spent that time for making masks – thousand of lives could have been saved by now.
@Tigran Khalapyan Thanks! I assume you’re also posting these links to Tesla, MIT, Medtronic, Rice University, University of Minnesota, Oxford University, Smith and Nephew, Dyson, General Motors, Ford, and the plethora of other prestigious companies/institutions who are also developing low cost/open source/mass-produced ventilators to combat this crisis? I’d hate to see you spend all of your time and energy on us.
@Joshua https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/08/doctors-say-ventilators-overused-for-covid-19/
@Tigran Khalapyan Thanks for the links!
Would you want to be ventilated or someone you know be ventilated with this device?
But what about barotrauma?
Where is the link of the source sketch?
Open-source
my startup company are currently working to nacionalize Medtronic PB-560 model in Brazil, it’s a very hard work because many uC and sensor are obsoletes. If someone wants to help us and share some ideas, please tell me in whatsapp: +55 43 99605-2337 or fernando[a]orion-gaming.com
Just public relations!
it is a very good development. However, the professional ventilator is far different from this one. But this is good for first aid purpose. There are lot of parameters that have to be monitored while applying ventilator. Ventilators are operated in several modes, one of them is patient triggered. Other one is ventilator triggered. Need to monitor the temperature of the oxygen going in the patient lung. Percentage of oxygen is also very important.
There are many ventilators on youtube, but one has to be very careful in applying on critical patients. However this could be useful for patients on transit in ambulance etc. etc… but surely not for those who are in very critical conditions
@Jamil Aslam I just built a proof of concept with a stand mixer and a string in 8 minutes.. I’m hoping people are able to get something more custom made but if they can’t, maybe they could at least use my setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImDZMMp8GNQ&t=260s
The “Real Engineering” youtube channel did a very good critique of this kind of ventilator. Understanding the needs of the medical staff is super important for engineers looking to help by mass producing low cost ventilators.
Is there an update on the design??? Have you guys run it 24 hours a day during the last 7 days? Any suggestions on upgrades??
https://vandyvents.com/
We’ve had one running for 3 days straight with no issues.
What about barotrauma? Mechanical ventilating is not all about just pumping air… You need to sense when to pump it , and how much to pump it…
An even “Redder Neck” idea:
Buy a foot operated inflator/pump and clear hosepipe from your hardware store; ventilator masks from the drugstore; use a geared motor (eg wiper motor or similar) and mount an eccentric disk onto its shaft to operate the pump.
I’ll try building one this week and post it…
These people are not going to give no copy of nothing they don’t even reply back to the text messages
Stop spreading BS!!!
There is much more to a ventilator than an air pump!
https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Educate yourself on the subject before you waste time (at best) or kill some (at worst)
Joshua you think destroying patents lungs is better than the disease?
Not a single health professional would ever use this contraption.
Ever heard of Hippocrates oath?
Feel free to call your doctor and ask about your well intentioned but still lethal machine.
Just because you call it a ventilator doesn’t mean it is one.
Hi Ro, we agree that there is so much more to a ventilator than what is being replicated here. A device such as this is only intended to be used as an absolute last-resort, when there is an absence of clinically-approved ventilators and the only other option is death for the patient. Feel free to visit https://vandyvents.com/objectives/ if you’d like to read a bit more on our objectives and design rationale.
Where is the design. The air bag seems an important part in all these diy designs
CrazyHQ https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
we attempting to make it in india… any more info available?
Fabulous, ingeniously simple, well-explained
timely design! Thank you for your efforts and for sharing this video.
So where’s the link to the design?
Miles Ellis https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
i can develop but now only sit home and play game i dont like this life.
thay i thing use car windshield wiping like a mechanism. endless loop
from turkey wrote , need 1 car window motor, and i understand i think everyting can we found secondhand parts from car. i developing benzin engine modelling ventilator more affective more preasure. i need only developer ardiuno i can try but some parts cannot found now because something forbidden now turkey because corone sharing
Amazing people at work
Everything is simple enough. But these bag valve designs assumes theres a bag valve available. If we are making these for emergency deployment, itll mean we have exhausted all other safer approved methods of ventilation, then we need to assume the situation is way beyond walking up to the the hospitals pharmacy and buying a bag valve and building the rest.
Any ideas that considers the non availability of anything medically approved?
Sharath Vasishta nothing about the ventilator is simple unless you want to kill people with it
https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Can you guys give a simple step by step so us that work with wood can help build some to help other in need
carmen arroyo https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Great Idea. Now build ten stations along a wall. Use one motor running a long shaft (in bearing blocks) at a standard motor speed behind the stations. At each “ventilator” position there would be a cam on the shaft to control the speed and volume of each breath. Cuts out all electronics and suitable for rural installations.
Steven Andrews now watch this genius:
https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Another idea which is being tested at Arizona Hospital https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelHJNxPgGE
Hell yeah fukin yeah
I have an idea for multi use ventilation up to 4 or even 8 people. The technology part is difficult to monitor. I am wondering where I could go to have someone design and implement this idea. I am in Ontario Canada. There is a bit more I don’t know about ventilators other than the basic air flow.
david gorham https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
When you need something somtimes you just have to make it yourself. Now it will take the FDA 20 years of research before they approve the Vanderbuilt Ventilator. By that time we will be dealing with COVID 87.
svenmega10022 https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Can we get a detailed list of parts for us more DYI home engineers?
Kevin Martin https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
https://vandyvents.com/
x2
Everyone keeps working on plans for positive pressure devices which are potentially more dangerous to use. A negative pressure device is inherently safer and easier to construct and use. Here’s one example of a DIY project with high promise.
Cuirass Ventilator the DIY way
https://youtu.be/pvrUQCMa3a8
I have blue prints for machine
Hi, I would like to understand and reassemble . Please share design/schematics or email me [email protected]
Great design. My wife works for a large medical hospital. I have basic woodworking and other skills. I would also like to get the schematics. E-mail is [email protected]
Brian Rois-Mendez https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
what is needed here is this type of old tech.
tomgauntlestrange https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Wel gedaan manne!
Let’s go.
Great work! We are all in this together. Please view my ventilator design made with common industrial grade components. I want to release the docs into the public domain for rapid duplication. My design can use an Ambu or utilize a simple pump that I designed if Ambu bags are not available. https://youtu.be/VEIEGHsTmxs
thanks from somaliland
Every one is blowing and squeezing this air bulb with different methods. If this is the ventilator then what is expensive in this?? This corona virus makes everyone out of his mind. And the soap people, the sanatizer people, mask people started looting the innocent civilians. The evil humanity will be the sponsor of the dooms day.
https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Healthcare in USA is for profit.
need a diy ambu bag
the ambu bag part is impossible to find 2 month delay Amazon and ebay
I can build one if you can get the basic plans. And what if I made a hundred could I sell them?
Samuel Floyd no you can not build any and here is why: https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Where are the schematics I Want to build one
jacob ross https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Specs and detailed instructions here https://vandyvents.com
So many amazing versions of the cheaper ventilators so less time..
see the one made out of plumbing fittings here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiTVQ9mWhnY
Hi all, we have created a website to document our progress and provide detailed, step-by-step manufacturing and assembly instructions for both hardware and electronics/software. We are updating it frequently as the design evolves. You can check it out here: https://vandyvents.com/
Good design . Very good people with a heart of Gold
Shiraz Khader https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
I’d use an induction motor with a VFD for lifespan issues.
Membrane556 https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
How to make please [email protected]
If anyone is curious or wants more details, they made the design available. Here’s their GitHub:
https://gitlab.com/Urbicum/ventilaid
I see a lot of smart people using LInux !!!
What I I just taped my dogs nose to my CPAP hose?
Great! I think I see a pool noodle that pressed into the valve bag. Contact rice University they have a similar Gizmo. You guys do diy like I do
Где этот хвастливый Маск? Он обещал наладить производство ИВЛ.
The simpler the better
philip dias nothing is simple about ventilator https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Need to make them with variable speed and NO intermitint steps.
Just provide the air bag to people. If the want to live they will find the strength to keep squeezing it on their own.
Why bother with the air bag? If they really want to live they will just breathe. Survival of the fittest, right?
Savage! LoL
Please update design status and parts list.
Found the following PDF instructions:
https://vandyvents.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Vent-Drawings-Fab-Specs.pdf
We’re interested in this for a developing nation that may feel the crunch of the Covid19 shortly. How soon can you provide the BOM and schematics? Amazing that you’re doing this. Thank you
Blobs From The Moon Never. Here is why: https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
The Elderly average 2-3wks in ventilation, this frontloads the need for ventilators, they need to be quiet & the diaphram durable for months a flash.
Use the medtronic open sourced ventilator. The BVM isn’t very good
Thanh Tran https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Thanh Tran what’s BVM?
God bless
Good work
So lets give out the schematics of what we all need please.
I just built a proof of concept with a stand mixer and a string in 8 minutes.. I’m hoping people are able to get that machine product but if they can’t maybe they could at least use my setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImDZMMp8GNQ&t=260s
there is another in
https://www.projectopenair.org/en/
4homemail https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
@John McCallum watch
this looks terrible lol, plz let highschool students do this. oh wait nvm no school, we’re screwed
Blue prints vent
I’ve seen a lot of these over the past few days but this is still the best design: https://youtu.be/xdZtMgpxnPI
May I ask why you think it’s best?
garbage
Most corona virus disease patients need CPAP + O2. (Google that). Not an artificial lung, don’t they? (Can somebody who knows for sure reply) My idea: Grab a large air pump to make a positive flow for multiple patients and distribute into a hospital with a hose. There is O2 enough as hospitals have a large concentrator. They just need a possitive air distribution and maybe ajust the pressure per patient if possible.
Ape from the kitchen of Enki and Enlil. are you a doctor or just another armchair expert on subject you never heard of a month ago?
@Fox Trot CPAP is useless for COVID . Please see COVID ventilation strategies . Reccomendation by WHO is to use same strategy as ARDS
That’s quite right.. the invasive ventilation (intubation) is only necessary when the condition is so advanced that the patient is no longer able to breathe unassisted.. in which case the prognosis is extremely poor anyway.. CPAP plus O2 at an early stage will buy valuable time… For the bodies natural defense.
how to make this please my email: [email protected]
This thing, an invention? get real more ons!, it is clear that these mental midgets have no place here, how stupid do you have to be to think of this crap? elevator door jammed by a ventilator bag. i wouldn’t trust a hand broom with these group of shills.
” Leverage all the expertise at … to get things done in such a short amount of time”.. are you actually serious or is this an April fool’s lol.. Do these geniuses not have access to the internet.. You could possibly ventilate a fish tank with that .. not much else.
Are these Guys for real!
Send plans to the USA ASAP!!!
GM is over thinking this!!!!
GARY HILSON https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
@GARY HILSON
You’re full of shit. Your post describes China perfectly.
China is lying while people are dying.
@BigShiggy america is based on profit and not just the Human condition. tHump doesn’t want to use command authority because his friends like the Pillow Guy will be upset and won’t make a Profit!!!!
GM ? GM is only building a few hundred complicated Ventec Life Systems ventilators in April. “GM plans to eventually make 10,000 powered ventilators per month, but will start with “hundreds” in April, according to Ventec.” Ford and GE Healthcare says it expects to be able to build 1,500 of them by the end of April, 12,000 by the end of May, and 50,000 by July, eventually reaching a rate of 30,000 per month. Tesla is also looking at how to build ventilators through Medtronic, buying some from China already to distribute.
My friend has just been put in an induced coma with Covid19 he is sedated face down. He’s is only 31. The machine these guys are building would just kill a patient. He has a tube down his throat. The end of the tube inflates to make a seal.
Please stop trying to build this stupid ventilator stay home grow up. At least read what is required.
jojiran please watch this https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
If you can understand the content of that video you will call all DIY “ventilators” stupid and potentially dangerous.
Prone positioning is recommended for COVID but please dont call the equipment stupid
They copied the idea from bunch of high school kids few years back. Shame on these guys. They know these are not usable in corona patients.
@Rob Shuttleworth // Useless even in desperate times.
its called desperate times
Hello from Argentina, I am a professor of professional practice at the Dalmacio Velez Sarsfield Superior Normal School. We need plans to be able to collaborate in said project. Thank you so much
Together we can change the world!
My email address is guilleverini @ gmail.com
PS: “Sometimes we feel that what we do is just a drop in the sea, but the sea would be less if it lacked a drop.” Phrase attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, founder of the congregation of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in 1950, and Nobel Peace Prize (1910-1997)
Guillermo Verini https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Yes we can, engineer minds can change the world. Be Well!
Need schematic + Parts list I am ready
Daniel Stein https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
we can build it in India if we are provided with schematics being an electrical engineer and have friends from multiple disciples of engineering it would be great if you can mail the plans to [email protected]
Time to get my arduino out
Please adapt the windshield wiper motor to this design. It is simpler and adjustable. https://youtu.be/eelHJNxPgGE
Daniel Kruger by the time you understand the futility of the “circle of life” the kids are already here.
Again , you live with the consequences of your much earlier actions (or lack there of)
🙂
@Ro K lol
I guess you are right. Everyone does eventually die, why do people conduct such a futile exercise as having kids. They all die eventually anyway.
Daniel Kruger Very good!
Now imagine someone told you the hill is not steep at all so you did not think there is any point in grabbing the first few trees and kept on rolling.
Now try to remember physics lessons and that thing called acceleration.
Now calculate the speed at half way down point. Then calculate the force on your hands as you try to decelerate your body from the speed you are going at to zero.
If you think that is at all possible, you watch too many cartoons.
@Ro K A very steep hill with rocks and small trees. You may get hurt more before you die or you might grab a hold of a small tree and stop your fall.
Daniel Kruger Please do come up with a better one illustrating the situation we are in.
Also please include me on the details of the blueprints/schematics, thanks and best wishes,
Chai Aysola
Aircraft Dealer
Pilot, 3rd Class
Medical School & USMLE Tutor, UCLA B.S. 06’
Tennis Coach, 4.0 Singles Player
Email: [email protected]
every university is saying they are doing one, but none is being used in hospital, FDA did not relax their qualification parameters, so FDA should come forward to appreciate open source society and help them infact to realise a producible model.
@MiUbi Systems Go watch the link posted by Ro K. It explains everything.
@James Crud agreed with due regards, better their efforts are made use, if this is the state in developed nations with world class medical facilities, imagine about nations like india where only 1 vent is available for 4000 ‘infected people’ , anything which helps is ok
FDA isn’t going to allow plywood contraptions to be hooked up to critical patients. This pieces of unreliable junk will just end up killing people.
This needs to be seen by more people
the winshield wiper motor is brilliant. id use the motor of a fan from a microwave or bathrrom becasue more ppl have them than have cars.
It is a stupid, stupid idea, here is why: https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
@Daniel Kruger yes but i want practicality that any houslehold can make.
Neither of those have gear reduction.
I’ve a home made ventilator also, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvoyV9RNvaw
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2020
Good Afternoon
My wife and I are inventors and we have patents regarding the use of a resuscitation bag (ambu bag) for manual and mechanical resuscitation of the lungs and chest compressions if the patient needs to be resuscitated.
Our patented device can be used to aid care takers and patients who are not intubated but still need assistant in breathing.
The device can be designed for patients who are intubated.
We are familiar with the concept and we have communicated in the past with some large companies years ago but they were not interested at that time.
This is a new day and the time is now. We are here to safe lives.
We need a company that is will to sit down with us and make this happen.
We have the patents and a system that will work. All we need is the right manufacturing company so that our device can be presented and manufactured on a large scale for the medical community and those who are certified in CPR.
If Vanderbilt Representatives or others are seriously interested contact us through our email.
Email; [email protected]
Was that an actual set of lungs? Wouldn’t a normal balloon suffice?
Arthur Davison no
https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
Arthur Davison 😅 its essentially a lung shaped ballon. They use them for training…
I am a biomedical engineer in CT and I would like to get a copy of the schematics so we can start building it in our facility. My email address is [email protected]
Midhun R you need much more than that -> https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
I just built a proof of concept with a stand mixer and a string in 8 minutes.. I’m hoping people are able to get something more custom made but if they can’t maybe they could at least use my setup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImDZMMp8GNQ&t=260s
fadrium the machine that damages patients lungs is not better than no machine at all.
look at my very simplistic face shield
Hey guys what are those respiration pumps called?
@edmond ying Thanks, i’ve been able to source these mpr bags locally now.
mpr bags
@Psyxix Thank you, i’m gonna try to aquire one of those and see if i can build one of those machines
Ambu Bags 🙂
May god bless you all and give you strength to build these as much as possible
Great work. Please share the design.
this one is more simpler,
take a look at this design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelHJNxPgGE
Brilliant. Engineers can solve this problem. Simplicity is the key.
RJ3220 https://youtu.be/7vLPefHYWpY
This not usable in corona patients. These are entertainers.
Nice effort, but your mechanical parts it too complicated and need many parts, take a look at this design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eelHJNxPgGE