An adjustable split ventilator for emergency use in COVID-19 patients

Press/Media: Press / Media

Period10 Apr 2020 → 23 Jun 2020

Media coverage

2

Media coverage

  • TitleIrish researchers develop split ventilator for use on two Covid-19 patients at once
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletThe Irish Times
    Media typePrint
    Country/TerritoryIreland
    Date10/04/20
    DescriptionA team based in Galway has developed an adjustable split ventilator which can be used on two Covid-19 patients in intensive care at the one time.

    As scaling up of ventilator production around the world in response to shortages caused by the pandemic is expected to take time, split ventilators are being developed in an attempt to ease acute pressures on ICU units treating the most seriously-ill patients.

    The new device was developed by clinicians and members of the med tech sector in Galway. Based at NUIG, what became known as “The Inspire Team” designed a new system to support clinicians to safely split ventilation between two patients.

    It is an important advance over others because it allows one to control key ventilatory parameters for each patient separately, “which is really important for a severe lung disease like Covid-19, and it monitors each patient separately”.
    Producer/AuthorKevin O'Sullivan
    PersonsAtif Shahzad
  • TitleGalway team finds way to treat two Covid-19 patients with one ventilator
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletSiliconRepublic
    Media typeWeb
    Date10/04/20
    DescriptionWith ventilators in short supply across the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals and healthcare facilities are searching for ways to meet demand.

    Now, clinicians and members of the medtech sector, as part of the Inspire team at NUI Galway, have revealed a new ventilator system that allows for two Covid-19 patients to be treated using just one ventilator. When both patients are connected, the new system maintains the ability to individualise the breath size and pressure levels required by each.

    The amount delivered to each patient is verified through a tablet device connected to the ventilator which, the Inspire team said, can give more confidence to the clinicians through individual patient monitoring.
    Producer/AuthorColm Gorey
    PersonsAtif Shahzad

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitlePCR Spotlight: One respirator for more than one patient
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletPCRonline
    Media typeWeb
    Date23/06/20
    DescriptionDuring the COVID crisis when facilities have been overwhelmed, the avaibility of beds and respirators has been an major challenge. In this discussion with William Wijns, John Laffey and Atif Shahzad explain in detail how their shared ventilation system works.

    There have been reports that it is possible to connect more than one patient to a single respirator, even though there are important risks to ventilator sharing. Despite the risks, ventilator sharing may be a necessity in a certain cases. This is why they came up with solutions to safely and effectively control each patient's ventilatory settings.
    PersonsAtif Shahzad, William Wijns, John G Laffey