Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. says it has assembled an emergency ventilator inspired by the open-source MIT design to aid in the fight against COVID-19. MPS is applying its expertise in power management and motor controls toward a solution that can safely and easily automate a manual resuscitator when a full ICU ventilator may not be available.
“We want to contribute our expertise and resources to help combat the pandemic,” said Michael Hsing, CEO and founder of MPS. “Our team has worked nonstop to create a working prototype in less than 8 days and now we are working with medical experts to ready the device. But we need help to scale the production as quickly as possible.”
MPS’s low-cost automated Bag Valve Mask (BVM) resuscitator mechanizes the human squeezing of the bag. BVMs are readily available in hospitals and ambulances, and in this design, the BVM can be easily accessed and removed if manual intervention is required. Battery backup and a power-loss alarm increase reliability. The low-cost design can be built quickly with a minimal number of simple, off-the-shelf components. The hope is that this collaborative effort will offer extremely needed resources to the medical community and people suffering from COVID-19. MPS is seeking manufacturing partners and component suppliers to quickly scale up the production quantities in a short amount of time.
Status Update 4/10/2020
Reviewed design and performance using a lung simulator test machine with guidance from a doctor. Tested tidal volume and motor torque limits
Updating arm design to increase volume delivery under max conditions of lung stiffness and pressure requirments
Verifying peak motor requirements
Next steps:
Update arm design
Integrate the arm position homing/startup routine, limit switch has been installed
Locate/procure additional fittings/tubing to optimize the airflow and pressure measurement circuit in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations
Clean up wiring/aesthetic of the system (integrate e-stop to both power circuits, move knobs and display to the nicer integrated control panel, etc)
Implement additional alarm functionality
Calibrate and test pressure sensor with pressure display and alarms
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., 79 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose, CA 95119, 408-826-0600, F: 408-826-0601, Ventilator@monolithicpower.com, www.monolithicpower.com/en/mps-open-source-ventilator
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