Low Cost Smart Ventilator with Pulmonary Monitoring

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many casualties and the spread of the virus has brought the world in a lockdown state causing a global scale panic. It has hit hard especially in the developing countries and the growing number of patients has incited a worldwide shortage of ventilators.

Project Title

Low Cost Smart Ventilator with Pulmonary Monitoring

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many casualties and the spread of the virus has brought the world in a lockdown state causing a global scale panic. It has hit hard especially in the developing countries and the growing number of patients has incited a worldwide shortage of ventilators. Although many scientists around the world have maneuvered a Low Cost Solution to the dilemma, our project aims to improve and add various features to the Low cost smart ventilator.

Our project “Low Cost Smart Ventilator with Pulmonary Monitoring” is an alternative approach to high technological and advanced ventilators. The following ventilator offers a unique feature that monitors the pressure of the lungs and displays the reading on a graph. Moreover, an active alarm system is integrated that will alert the clinician if the patient’s lung pressure goes abnormal. The following ventilator also offers an IOT feature that will upload the pulmonary monitored data onto a webpage that can be accessed via mobile phone. This will allow doctors to see the pulmonary condition of the patient from anyplace where internet is available. Our Ventilator also offers portability which can be a vital aspect. The user can operate the ventilator not only in hospitals but in ambulances, homes, and clinics.

Project Objectives

1. A Smart and cost effective solution required to overcome the Shortage of Ventilators during the pandemic.
2. Many developing countries do not manufacture ventilators but import them from developed countries. A Time and Resource Saving Solution.
3. Low of Cost solution required for people, clinics and hospitals who are unable to afford expensive and advanced ventilators.
4. Underdeveloped areas of country such as Baluchistan do not have enough resources. Moreover, maintenance of advance ventilators requires company representatives which takes time and money. Easy-to-Built and maintain Solution is in order.
5. A Ventilator that monitors lung pressure is required for patients so that a doctor may be able to assess the situation.
6. The Ventilator should be built with compenents that are readily available so that manufacturing may become less rigours.

Project Implementation Method

Arduino UNO Microcontroller will suffice as the brain of the ventilator. We can use a Raspberry Pi module for better User interface and other features, but the objective is to keep the cost at minimum. The Air Supply will be provided by an Ambu Bag that will be actuated by a motor.

• The Coding Phase

There are 3 major input parameters that we need to integrate with the microcontroller. One is the Inspiration to Expiration (I: E) rate, 2nd is the Respiratory Frequency (Fr) and the 3rd is the (Vt) Volume Provided. For each Parameter there will be a Knob attached which will be handled by a Clinician. He will set the 3 input parameters according to the Patient's physical conditions. We will display the 3 parameters onto a 16x4 LCD Screen so that the clinician may be able to identify the parameters. Next is the integration of a pressure sensor which shall be attached to the expiratory limb of the ventilator.  The Pressure Sensor will read the data in volts and by a formula, we can depict the cmH20 value of the lung. The data will be recorded and will be displayed on a Graph, respectively. By a Wi-Fi Module, we will display the graph reading onto a mobile screen. This will allow us to see the readings from our homes.

• Pushing Mechanism

Once the Coding is completed, Mechanical Part is to be constructed. The Pushing Mechanism will be done by a Motor that will actuate the BVM Bag according to the settings provided by the clinician. The Rotation of the Motor will determine how much Volume of Air is to be provided and How fast it needs to Provide the Patient. The 3 parameters set by the Clinician will judge the dynamics of the system.

• Remaining Circuit and The Body

Lastly, the remaining circuit and the body of the ventilator is to be constructed. Body is to separate the main equipment and any outer environmental object that may cause interference.

Benefits of the Project

The following Low Cost Smart Ventilator provides numerous beneficial factors.

• This Project provides smart and cost effective alternative method for high technological and advanced ventilators that are exceedingly expansive whose cost goes up to 50 lac Rs.
• Built from cost effective material that are readily available anywhere.
• Saves import time, money, and resources. Best alternative for the developing countries that have low resources or cannot afford highly advanced ventilators.
• Alternative to an advanced ventilator. This will help to overcome the shortage of ventilators due to corona virus pandemic.  
• Includes Smart features such as Pulmonary Monitoring, Overpressure/under pressure Alarm system and LCD Screen display of input parameters.
• Portability features lets one take the ventilator anywhere. It can easily be installed in homes, hospitals, ambulances etc.
• IOT feature allows the Pulmonary monitored readings to be transferred to a mobile application. This allows for any Doctor to see the lung condition form his application regardless of his presence near the patient. Even if the Doctor is living abroad, he would still be able to see the readings and deliver his remark. Patients family members can also keep track of the patient’s well-being.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Arduino UNO is a durable and an adaptable Microcontroller which can easily process analog data. We could use a Raspberry Pi Module instead of an Arduino UNO but since heavy processing is not implicated and the price would increase as sustainably as well. Moving on to the next step, we will integrate 3 potentiometers with the Arduino so that the clinician may be able to provide the 3 input values naming Vt, Fr, I: E. Pressure Sensor will also be integrated with the Arduino and the placement of the Sensor will be at the expiratory limb. The Data recorded from the pressure sensor will be passed through an equation to formulate the pressure of the lungs and depicting it on a graph. The Pressure sensor used here is an MPX100AP which ranges from 0 kPa to 100kPa. Next step is to use ESP8266 Module to send the processed data to the Blynk Application. From there. One can easily access the reading of the patient. The Mechanical Part is the compression Mechanism. A BVM Bag is to be actuated by a Servo Motor.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Medical

Other Industries

Education , Medical , Health

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Internet of Things (IoT)

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Decent Work and Economic Growth

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com