Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Ex Vivo Porcine Experimental Model for Studying and Teaching Lung Mechanics
Published on: April 19, 2024
Collaborative Use of Lung Mechanics Simulation for Testing and Iterative Design for Three Emergency Use Ventilation
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (R.M.F., D.M.G.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; Simulation Center (D.M.G.), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA; and Center for Immersive and Simulation-based Learning (D.M.G.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA.
Summary Statement:
We describe our collaboration with engineering, clinical, and simulation colleagues to use a lung simulator (IngMar Medical ASL 5000) to aid in the development of 3 open-source ventilation devices for patients with COVID-19.Twenty-nine test conditions were created by programming software lung models of varying disease severity in the ASL 5000 to test basic functionality, safety features, and compliance with regulatory requirements for emergency use authorization for the 3 projects' prototypes. More than 200 simulations were performed, with the design team present to enable rapid troubleshooting and design iteration in real time.Working with 3 separate simultaneous ventilation device projects allowed us to rapidly learn from each, improving our ability to successfully collaborate with the different design/build teams.This project illustrates the role of simulation in facilitating collaborative innovation in health care, both in emergency and everyday settings that extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:

