Design and development of an affordable multi-mode small animal ventilator

Small animal experiments are essential in biomedical research, particularly for preclinical investigations. These experiments frequently require mechanical ventilation, but the market offers expensive and functionally limited ventilators. To address this, we developed a cost-effective multi-mode ventilator using commercially available components. Our ventilator utilizes a microcontroller as the primary processing unit, receiving settings from a computer interface. The microcontroller synchronizes five valves to control inspiration and expiration of breathing cycles while managing airflow via piston pumps to generate the required tidal volume. This ensures precise breath regulation in terms of controlling the desired pressure-volume schematic in small animal respiratory systems. Positive end-expiratory pressure is manually adjustable. The system emulates conventional profiles like Volume Control Ventilation and Pressure Control Ventilation, while offering customizable inspiration and expiration patterns (sinusoidal, linear, and exponential). Operating specifications include tidal volumes of 1-15 ml and respiratory rates up to 120 breaths per minute. This versatile system provides customizable ventilation profiles with precise inspiration-expiration cycle synchronization, enabling tailored experimental conditions. Its cost-effectiveness makes it accessible to a broader range of researchers. This system marks a significant advancement in small animal research by offering precise and flexible ventilation strategies that enhance experimental accuracy and contribute to improved research outcomes.