Team develops 150$ ventilator that is the size of a cereal box

A team at the University of Minnesota is working on a simple and inexpensive mechanical ventilator that is the size of a cereal box – the Coventor. The objective is that the device can be produced quickly and “allows those patients who would otherwise not have an opportunity to survive, to survive. It gives people a chance.”, said Dr. Stephen Richardson. Richard created the first homemade version of the device, after hearing about the potential worldwide shortage of ventilators caused by Covid19. He then quickly assemble a team to work on the finished product.

Unlike common, commercially available ventilator, this device does not require pressurized oxygen or air supply. The design is very simple and consists of a frame and mechanical component, that stabilize and compress a conventional manual ventilation bag. The device is design to work with external compressed oxygen but can also compress ambient air if oxygen is unavailable. The frame can be produced with metal, 3D-printed, or made with modified consumer goods. The entire device can be made for around 150$

The team has already been successful with testing in animal models. They have partnered with local industry leaders and are gathering all the components necessary to assemble thousands of ventilators per week.

More information: https://med.umn.edu/covid19Ventilator

Adapted from: https://www.medgadget.com/2020/03/university-of-minnesota-develops-simpl...
https://www.medgadget.com/2020/03/university-of-minnesota-develops-simpl...

https://youtu.be/gw5LPx6LCjc