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NISHASH: A reasonable cost-effective mechanical ventilator for COVID affected patients in Bangladesh

Md Hafizul Imran1, Rifat Bin Mahi1, Rony Saha1

  • 1Department of Software Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Heliyon
|May 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A low-cost mechanical ventilator, "NISHASH," was developed to address the critical shortage of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. This accessible medical device provides automated oxygen delivery for respiratory support, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Device Design
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a global shortage of medical equipment, particularly ventilators.
  • Developing countries like Bangladesh faced severe challenges in providing adequate ventilator support due to high costs and limited availability.
  • Respiratory complications from COVID-19 necessitated urgent solutions for mechanical ventilation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and develop an affordable, automated mechanical ventilator named "NISHASH."
  • To address the critical shortage of ventilators in Bangladesh and similar resource-limited regions.
  • To create an easily buildable and portable ventilator system.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a prototype mechanical ventilator using electromechanical instruments.
  • Implementation of an automated digital feedback system for precise oxygen flow control.
  • Design focused on lightweight, portable, and user-friendly operation with multiple selection modes.

Main Results:

  • A functional prototype of the "NISHASH" mechanical ventilator was successfully developed.
  • The ventilator system offers automated oxygen delivery tailored to patient requirements.
  • The estimated cost of the ventilator is under $90, utilizing globally available components.

Conclusions:

  • The "NISHASH" mechanical ventilator presents a viable, low-cost solution to address ventilator scarcity during pandemics.
  • This innovation can significantly improve respiratory care accessibility in resource-constrained healthcare settings.
  • The project demonstrates the feasibility of developing essential medical equipment affordably and efficiently.

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