The coronavirus pandemic is raging on and medical supplies are still needed around the world to deal with this pandemic. Ventilators have been in short supply, auto manufacturers and 3D printing companies are helping any way they can. Now a 3D printable oscillating ventilator project has been developed by Helpful Engineering. The fundraising project is based off of the fluidic oscillator design from a 1965 U.S. Army ventilator. The lead developers on the project are Warren Koch and Zack Bloom.
Koch has organized a fundraiser on GoFundMe, for the ‘Highly-Manufacturable Ventilators’ that could allow for up to 100,000 to be produced per week. The design runs entirely on compressed air, and are much more scalable than some of the others being produced.
Koch explains the design concept behind the ARMEE (Automatic Respiration Management Exclusively for Emergencies):
Our leading model is based off of a 1965 US Army prototype which has been tested on animals and has preliminary test data. In its most basic form, it is just two pieces of plastic sealed together, shaped to direct a stream of air into a patient’s lungs until a target pressure is reached – at which point it will switch (oscillate) to exhalation. (Repeating again when a minimum pressure – “PEEP” – is reached). The device is extremely simple, has no moving parts, and runs entirely on pressurized air. Perfect for mass production and rapid distribution worldwide.
Due to the simplicity of this model, that uses no electronics and runs purely off of pressurized air, it would be especially useful for underdeveloped countries. It is as simple as calibrating three screw settings for PIP, PEEP, and the inhale to exhale ratio. Once they are set, the device is completely autonomous and the only thing that can be modified is the intake pressure, which determines the force that the oxygen is delivered.
The ARMEE is just one piece of a ventilator system, but it’s the most important piece and the one in shortest supply. The oscillator is the component that controls the switch between inhaling, exhaling and determining the timing.
Additional funding is needed for the ARMEE project along with any engineering input, please visit www.HelpfulEngineering.org channel #project-oscillating-ventilator ** to provide assistance.
Koch highlighted the type of assistance needed:
We especially need volunteers with 3D Printers (SLA, SLS, Polyjet, Injection-Mold) or Machining/Milling tools. (FDM welcome to try, but we don’t expect that will be smooth enough). Especially need access to compressed air, (low) pressure sensors, flow meters/spirometers, and test lungs – though those may all be buildable using DIY materials and lots of patience.
To date, the GoFundMe campaign has only raised $748 toward the goal of $5,000. Any additional money raised will be spent on manufacturing or additional 3D printable ventilator projects. Full details of the project can be found here.
