A novel inline PEEP valve design for differential multi-ventilation.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Ventilator sharing is a crisis strategy to increase capacity but lacks individual patient pressure adjustments.
• Existing ventilator sharing designs require inline Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) valves, which are not readily available.
• A novel approach involves converting standard bag-valve-mask PEEP valves into inline PEEP valves using a 3D-printed component.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, performance, and safety of a method for creating an inline PEEP valve.
• To develop a cost-effective and accessible solution for enhancing ventilator sharing systems.

Main Methods:

• A 3D-printed collar was designed and fabricated to modify a standard PEEP valve.
• The collar covers the exhaust ports, redirecting exhaled gases back to the ventilator.
• Bench testing was conducted to evaluate the performance and safety of the modified valve.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed collar was simple to print and assemble with the standard PEEP valve.
• Bench testing demonstrated the successful creation of differential pressures in simulated expiratory limbs.
• The inline PEEP valve design showed no leakage to the atmosphere at pressures exceeding 60 cm of H2O.

Conclusions:

• The novel inline PEEP valve design is a promising solution for safer ventilator sharing.
• This innovation can improve the ability to adjust individual patient pressures in shared ventilation systems.
• The study highlights the potential of 3D printing for creating critical medical device components.