Masi: A mechanical ventilator based on a manual resuscitator with telemedicine capabilities for patients with ARDS during the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract

In this article, we introduce a portable and low-cost ventilator that could be rapidly manufactured, to meet the increasing demand of ventilators worldwide produced by COVID-19 pandemic. These ventilators should be rapidly deployable and with functional capabilities to manage COVID-19 patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our implementation offers robustness, safety and functionality absent in existing solutions to the ventilator shortage (i.e., telemonitoring, easy-to-disinfect, modularity) by maintaining simplicity. The design makes use of a manual resuscitator as the core respiration component activated by a compression mechanism which consist of two electronically controlled paddles. The quality measurements obtained after testing on a calibrated artificial lung demonstrate repeatability and accuracy exceeding human capabilities of manual ventilation. The complete design files are provided in the supplementary materials to facilitate ventilator production even in resource-limited settings. The implementation of this mechanical ventilator could eliminate device rationing or splitting to serve multiple patients on ICUs.

Biological evaluation of a mechanical ventilator that operates by controlling an automated manual resuscitator. A descriptive study in swine

“…Hemodynamic conditions were monitored periodically COVID-19 in Peru (March 6th, 2020) [3], a status of National Public Health Emergency was declared [4] based on the lack of preparedness which included medical devices used at Intensive Care Units (ICU) such as mechanical ventilators. To alleviate this need, a multidisciplinary professional group designed and developed Masi (meaning friend or partner in the Quechua language), a mechanical ventilator for the COVID-19 emergency as the rst mechanical ventilator to be mass-produced in Peru [5] .…”

“…Thus, performance and electrical safety of Masi were validated using international standards and approved technical tests at the engineering laboratory level [5]. Consequently, this paper describes the methodology to use a mechanical ventilator (Masi), and assess the physiological parameters before, during, and after the invasive intubation on a swine model.…”

“…Hemodynamic conditions were monitored periodically COVID-19 in Peru (March 6th, 2020) [3], a status of National Public Health Emergency was declared [4] based on the lack of preparedness which included medical devices used at Intensive Care Units (ICU) such as mechanical ventilators. To alleviate this need, a multidisciplinary professional group designed and developed Masi (meaning friend or partner in the Quechua language), a mechanical ventilator for the COVID-19 emergency as the rst mechanical ventilator to be mass-produced in Peru [5] .Masi is an automated ventilator that works in three different operating modes based on the mandatory ventilation controlled by either volume (PC-CMV) or pressure (VC-CMV), and support ventilation under positive pressure (PSV). Additionally, the device senses and regulates inspiration and expiration parameters, respiratory rate, oxygen ow, among others.…”

“…In this regard, swine models for respiratory translational studies have been validated by similarities found from diverse clinical points of view, i.e anatomical, histological, and microbiological proximities [10,11]. Therefore, pigs are a relevant model for preclinical studies of mechanical ventilators [12,13].Thus, performance and electrical safety of Masi were validated using international standards and approved technical tests at the engineering laboratory level [5]. Consequently, this paper describes the methodology to use a mechanical ventilator (Masi), and assess the physiological parameters before, during, and after the invasive intubation on a swine model.…”

Performance of the Masi Peruvian ventilator at high altitude

“…Its design makes use of a manual resuscitator as core driver to insufflate air into the patient airways via a mask and includes basic alarms indicating high or low pressure or volume to notify the healthcare provider when desired parameters are not being met or if there is a significant problem with the system. Additionally, control and monitoring of oxygen concentration is provided and this device can be used as invasive and non-invasive ventilator types, both mandatory and spontaneous [1]. Masi technical specifications are shown in table I.…”