Urgent need for mechanical ventilators worldwide

Hello I'm new on the forum but I have used arduino for some simple projects the last few years.

Is there a effort to supply the world with open source life saving plans to make it possible to make a arduino based mechanical ventilator?

The forecast is there will not be enough mechanical ventilators (breathing machines) available worldwide. I think there are possibilities with arduino but I don't have enough knowledge myself. This is a chance to do something beautiful for sick people worldwide, save lives and show the amazing things people can do with arduino.

Please let me know how to get this project off the ground

From their datasheet footnotes:

SAFETY-CRITICAL, MILITARY, AND AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS DISCLAIMER: Atmel products are not designed for and will not be used in connection with any applications where
the failure of such products would reasonably be expected to result in significant personal injury or death (“Safety-Critical Applications”) without an Atmel officer's specific written
consent. Safety-Critical Applications include, without limitation, life support devices and systems, equipment or systems for the operation of nuclear facilities and weapons systems.
Atmel products are not designed nor intended for use in military or aerospace applications or environments unless specifically designated by Atmel as military-grade. Atmel products are
not designed nor intended for use in automotive applications unless specifically designated by Atmel as automotive-grade.

... besides the little detail that you need degree in medicine and mechatronics to even get enough knowlede to get the project started. And that little pocket money ...

So arduino would take legal steps if someone makes this?

Probably not.

But the manufacturer of the MCU chip used in Arduino will not accept any responsibility for chip failure leading to injury or loss of life, and specifically forbids use of their chips in devices where failure could lead to injury or loss of life.

Any such consequences, or any consequences due to other mechanical or electrical failures in the machine you make would be entirely your responsibility.

When you do a simple google search for "mechanical ventilator arduino" there is a pdf of a project from some people at MIT.

For its proof of concept (thats legal right??) its using a arduino. Any ideas for another microchip that is legal to use in life support devices?

Pocket money I have

In principle, a mechanical ventilator does not require a microchip. You are putting the cart before the horse.

jremington:
In principle, a mechanical ventilator does not require a microchip. You are putting the cart before the horse.

I just want the cart to go from A to B.. i dont care about the horse.

3dcad:
I just want the cart to go from A to B.. i dont care about the horse.

You need to feed the horse. The problem will not be the ventilator but having enough oxygen bottles to feed them with or even just to give to those who are able to breathe on their own but need extra O2.

Also constucting the ventilator itself is likely to be a bigger challenge than controlling it.

It is very interesting that on this forum, a common question goes something like this:

I want to build a robot. Which Arduino should I choose?

Give your head a good shake.

There is zero chance of getting approval for a home made ventilator.

If we are talking about 3rd world countries, they cannot even expect the power distribution system will work.

Ventilators require oxygen as part of their design, should the DIYer first concentrate on this first ? NOT!

ardly:
You need to feed the horse. The problem will not be the ventilator but having enough oxygen bottles to feed them with or even just to give to those who are able to breathe on their own but need extra O2.

Also constucting the ventilator itself is likely to be a bigger challenge than controlling it.

Maybe welding oxygen.. i will first read some more about this

...and oxygen handling is tricky and dangerous.

TheMemberFormerlyKnownAsAWOL:
...and oxygen handling is tricky and dangerous.

People breathing oxygen only consume about 1/3 of it. The other 2/3 accumulate in their clothing, bedding, and the wider room. If the patient decides to have a cigarette fires can start very easily. Just putting on an oil based ointment or cream can result in spontaneous combustion.

Flames from things burning in oxygen will be over 1000C. Patients noses, throats and lungs will of course contain high levels of oxygen and so will burn.

3dcad:
Maybe welding oxygen.. i will first read some more about this

Go talk to your local gas distributor, (Not the propane type!) and ask about the difference between welding oxygen and medical oxygen!

Paul

3dcad:
Maybe welding oxygen.. i will first read some more about this

Do you really want to breath welding oxygen - think about it;
Firstly how clean is the inside of the cylinder.
Secondly does the compressor introduce contaminants as the tank is filled.
Thirdly how pure is the oxygen before being compressed.

Some recent discussions in theatre wondered where all the old "Bird" (pneumatic) ventilators went, and the observation that the most reliable ventilator for an infant being a mother with a bag!

Paul__B:
Some recent discussions in theatre wondered where all the old "Bird" (pneumatic) ventilators went, and the observation that the most reliable ventilator for an infant being a mother with a bag!

I found some on eBay. $250 gets you one that is "for parts or not working", but $400 gets one "from a working environment".

BirdMk7.GIF

The OP's heart is in the right place but amatuers manufacturing safe working ventilators in any quantity is a non-starter.
If there are any quantity of these old pneumatic ventilators around then perhaps skilled technicians could cannibalise and refurbish them.

The mother, baby, bag idea is a good one, but how long would that need to be kept up for, a week or more?
In any case at the moment healthy children under 9 don't seem to be at any risk.

BirdMk7.GIF

blh64:
From their datasheet footnotes:

Please get the current data sheets.
MicroChip changed all the rules.

ardly:
In any case at the moment healthy children under 9 don't seem to be at any risk.

So.. my body might be at risk but my mind still has a few years of safety.

"Please let me know how to get this project off the ground"

Best to get a university degree in mechanical/electrical engineering with a focus on medical equipment.