OxyGEN: Open-Source AMBU Respirator (opens in new tab)

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108 pointseloycoto6y ago13 comments

13 comments

I’m not sure about the exact mechanics, but we are being advised to minimize ‘bagging’ (ie using the ambu-bag to help patients breath before they are intubated) as much as possible. We worry about the markedly increased risk of aersolization of the virus by ambu-bags. So, I’d be sure that isn’t an issue with this device before pushing it out too broadly.

erobbins6y ago

I'm impressed. Maybe those guys in Italy who 3d printed the valves can 3d print some of these components. I'm guessing the doctors there would be willing to try anything at this point.

m0zg6y ago

Seems like this can be produced much faster on a CNC. 3D printing of large parts is extremely slow.

That said, I'm not even sure this is useful at all in practice, since I'm not a doctor. This needs to work on an intubated patient, and be able to maintain a sanitary environment, neither of which it'll probably be able to do to the extent required by health and safety regulations. But I'd love to be proven wrong by someone more knowledgeable in this case.

JshWright6y ago

The other issue is that an ambu-bag doesn't work the same way a ventilator does, and can't provide the functionality that a critically ill respiratory patient would need. It can shove air into the lungs, but it can't manage pressures during the other phases of ventilation (which are equally, or even more, important).

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erobbins6y ago

> This needs to work on an intubated patient, and be able to maintain a sanitary environment, neither of which it'll probably be able to do to the extent required by health and safety regulations.

I totally agree with you... but in the case where there are no respirators available at all, I'd rather have a 10% chance of secondary infection or contamination than just die.

I don't see a device like this as being a replacement for a $50k computer controlled machine, but as a stopgap in desperate emergencies.

2 more replies

bassman90006y ago

SEAT (VAG), Spanish car maker, making use of this.

https://twitter.com/tierraymadera/status/1241662339528773632...

https://twitter.com/jcarlosnorte/status/1241708833476575233?...

curtpw6y ago

Not a ventilator. No intubation = not a ventilator. Great work, but these guys should really avoid using the term "ventilator" given current circumstances; it just muddies the water around a very important issue (ventilator shortages).

betimsl6y ago

Sure. When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, then this works.

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13 comments

joshgel6y ago

erobbins6y ago

I'm impressed. Maybe those guys in Italy who 3d printed the valves can 3d print some of these components. I'm guessing the doctors there would be willing to try anything at this point.

m0zg6y ago

Seems like this can be produced much faster on a CNC. 3D printing of large parts is extremely slow.

JshWright6y ago

1 more reply

erobbins6y ago

> This needs to work on an intubated patient, and be able to maintain a sanitary environment, neither of which it'll probably be able to do to the extent required by health and safety regulations.

I totally agree with you... but in the case where there are no respirators available at all, I'd rather have a 10% chance of secondary infection or contamination than just die.

I don't see a device like this as being a replacement for a $50k computer controlled machine, but as a stopgap in desperate emergencies.

2 more replies

bassman90006y ago

SEAT (VAG), Spanish car maker, making use of this.

https://twitter.com/tierraymadera/status/1241662339528773632...

https://twitter.com/jcarlosnorte/status/1241708833476575233?...

curtpw6y ago

betimsl6y ago

Sure. When the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, then this works.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse