Prototyping of a Cost Effective and

Portable Ventilator
Muhammad Jawad Ghafoor, Mustafa Naseem, Fahad I1yas, Muhammad Suleman Sarfaraz,
Muhammad Irfan Ali, Ahsan Ejaz
Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology University

6th Floor, Arfa Software Technology Park, Ferozepur Road, Lahore

bsee 13021@itu.edu.pk, mustafa.naseem@itu.edu.pk, bsee 13051@itu.edu.pk. bsee 13002@itu.edu.pk,
bsee13048@itu.edu.pk, bsee13048@itu.edu.pk

Abstract__ Scripture under sight is defining the robustness and functionalities of ventilator which is not only easily
transferable as well as it is very low cost and economics friendly. It is designed under the basic idea of being
incorporated in huge human catastrophes in poorly resources enriched environments. Ventilator under the proposed
design was being developed with wooden pieces with a weight of6 kg and has a volume of14 x 7 x 9 inches. It functions
without human operator as it delivers breaths through the compression of an orthodox bag-valve mask. It satisfies its
energy needs from an electric motor having battery power of 12 volts DC. Different functions need to be performed for
the purpose of ventilation i.e. pressure and required number of breathes per minute is managed by an easy to use input
board comprising of buttons. In addition to that it also contains an alarm oflow battery indication system as well as an
assist control. This proposed design of ventilator is made up of a cost of$150, but on a massive production it will result
into cost benefits and it will be available at a price of $100. This piece of prototype is cost effective as well as energy
efficient as far as the present technology in ventilators is concerned. It can be declared as a viable option based upon
the above characteristics.

Keywords: Ventilation machine; cost effective; power saving; movable and automatically

I. INTRODUCTION Developed countries have such well-organized

Failure of respiratory system and respiratory diseases
caused by different kind of injuries is a source of great
stress in both the worlds of advanced and
technologically improvised countries as well as
backward and semi advanced countries. Bone of
contention in the form of Asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease are a continuous source of pain and
stress for the representatives ofthese countries. It is the
generic perception that these catastrophes are
widespread because ofthe imitation of smoke, usage of
hazardous gases on massive level and successive use of
natural resources for the sake of mending energy needs
[l].The diseases mentioned above requires mechanical
ventilation in case of failure of lungs. This prototype
will help a patient to inhale and exhale so the exchange
of carbon dioxide and oxygen could be possible and the
patient have the artificial respiration to survive [2].
Ventilators those are already in use in most of
pri vileged hospitals are high in cost. Poor countries are
seem unable to render such services and reason is very
much clear; the high costs of acquiring and utilizing
them. Thus their maintenance is also a costly affair of
business. Another dilemma related to such kind of
developing countries is saturation of basic resources to
urban areas only. In distant and deprived areas such
kind of facilities are still missing, and as a result there
is lag of such ventilators in these outlying areas. Based
upon these circumstances it is empirical to have such a
low cost and efficient ventilators.
mechanism on massive amount but they also have
some limitations. Although they have ventilators
facilities all across the boundaries for regular needs but
they seem to be failed in case of human catastrophe.
Reason behind this is, developed countries has
forbidden the stock keeping and manufacturing for
massive causalities based upon the costs associated
with it. While condition in under developed countries
like Pakistan is worse. Intensity ofthis matter could be
assessed by the importance given by the superior courts
of Pakistan as they have issued instructions to the
responsible Authorities of the administration to
increase the number of ventilators in the hospital to
save precious lives of people [3]. One result of such
shortage was seen in Lahore; where eight infants died
of pneumonia due to unavailability of ventilators in the
hospital [4]. Which clearly shows that there is a
shortage of ventilators in hospitals of Pakistan. As
discussed earlier major reason of this shortage is the
high cost of currently available ventilators in the
market. Therefore such prototypes will release the cost
associated problems in developed countries.
A. Prior Art
Market is already witnessing number of ventilators
which are efficient and portable in nature. But where
those ventilators are very effective, they are also very
costly. On the other hand the BVM ventilator are
cheapest and their price is also lowest. One of the

978-1-5090-3310-2117/$31.00 m017 IEEE

greatest drawback ofBVM ventilator is that it requires
continuous compressions which are being provided by
human hands due to which this type of breathing is very
tiring process for the person performing compressions
to the bag. Moreover portable electronic ventilators are
also available in market, these ventilators have good
performance but they are costly. High cost of the
ventilator is a major hurdle in the unavailability of
ventilators in the market. Demand of these ventilators
is high. So there exist a large difference between the
availability and demand of ventilators in under
developed countries. So, there is a room for a low cost
but equally effective portable ventilation machine [5].
On the basis of this low cost advantage, expectations
are resulted into a bulk of orders. An estimated
comparison of the different types of ventilators
currently available in the market is gIven on a
cost/performance matric in figure 1[6].
2) Aspects of mechanical effectiveness:
Mechanical aspects of the ventilator are as
follow
• It should be a portable device.
• It must contain operational capabilities of
functioning as standalone device.
• It should have an effective predefined
mechanical, electrical and software systems.
• Spare parts should be easily available and
have the capability of easily repairable.
• It must require nominal power to function.
• It should have rechargeable battery which
gives it most prominent aspect of portability.
3) Economic aspects: One economic aspect of
this device is that it should be low cost.
• It must be highly economical (i.e. cost should
be <$200).

4) Important aspects of User interface: Its user

interface should be user friendly.
• Its parts must be of standard connection.
10,000 • It should have alarm for indicating low battery

-
life.

..
Electric
(Portable)
Based upon all these design requirements using the
~ 1,000
technique of rapid prototyping a rapid prototype was
C3
v Pneumatk developed using papers and cardboards etc.
(portable)
100 Our Target
laerdal
Ambu®
10
Manual Resuscitators

Performance
Fig. I Cost to pertonnance matric

So our target was to design a low cost portable

ventilator whose performance is also better than the
conventional BVM.

B. Functional Requirements of the Device

For the given circumstances, requirements that could
be essential for the functioning of the movable
ventilator are proposed as following points [7].

1) Medically based advantages and credentials:

Requirements of the ventilator on medical
basis are as follow [8]: Fig. 2 A Fast Prototype

• Dead-space must be limited. II. Design of the Device

• Proximity of infection should be controlled.
• It should be capable of humidity exchange.
• It should have a user-specified number of
breaths per minute.
• It should contain assist control function.
• It should give the option of maximum
pressure limitation option.
• It should have PEEP (positive end- expiratory
pressure).
A. Technique ofAir Delivery
Air deli very system 0 f ventilator works mainly on two
strategies. One strategy functions upon the constant
pressure source for continuously deli very of air.
Whereas the second strategy supplies uninterrupted air
by compressing an air reservoir. For the prototype
being under the light second strategy of delivering of
air was being adopted. Reason being this was no need
of continuous operation of a positively charged
pressure source for the process of inhaling. It results
into lower requirements of energy and power.
This proposed prototype is identical as it is made up of making the structure heavier which would be
an inexpensive Bag Valve Mask (BVM). Whereas all constraint in making the ventilator portable.
other ventilators available in the market are designed
with credentials of customary mechanical components.
It is the most conventional and simplest form of
portable ventilator technology. This is the basic cause
of this prototype to be that much simple and price
efficient that it is being used by most of the hospitals
and ambulances. BVM's are very cheap as compared
to other technologies which serves as a plus point for
this technology and make sure the availability in those
countries which lack resources or are poverty streaking
countries. Presence of an air tank and a system of
stopcock makes it a complete package to meet the
needs of basic ventilation machine.
BVM has already being incorporated in different
medical facilities. But they had a negative aspect of
continuous operator's engagement. It results normally
into fatigue when it comes to operations for long Fig. 3 Scissors like structure
durations. Thus it confines the performing abilities in
negative sense to occasional and transitory relieving 2) Single arm concept: Tn this concept lower arm
tasks only. Tn addition to that an untrained operator of the scissor was removed and two wooden
could be an evident threat to the patient's life. It can blocks for support were fixed under the BVM.
hurt its lungs by over or under compression ofthe bag. This single arm was connected to the axle of
Considering this aspect of BVMs, this prototype is the motor via fish wire. When the motor
designed to actuate the BVM. It not only facilitate the rotated it moved the iron arm with it which
function desired as well as it reduces the cost of resulted in better compression of the BVM as
required systematic ventilators being produced. the lower part of it was fixed. Iron arm pressed
the BVM only trom upper part as lower part
B. Compression Mechanism need to be fixed. The single arm mechanism
Basic method of stimulating a BVM is the use of was found to be more space efficient, weight
pumping of air with the movement of hands on a bag efficient and have a lower power requirement
made for the purpose cited above. This activity than the scissor like structure, and was
requires additional space in order to use linear therefore the method of choice.
actuation mechanism. For the purpose of squeezing
maximum benefits trom compression, cylindrical
BVM were introduced. But those were produced by
taking into consideration the comer stone of manual
operating techniques. Therefore they are produced with
such rough and hard materials which produce traction
to some extend as well as provide safety, and grip as
well as help in order to avoid slippages.
Tn order to minimize or eradicate the anomalies
associated with surface with high tension and low
slippage, the two main candidates for actuation were
using two arms and a single arm made of iron.

1) Scissors like structure: Double arm concept

utilizes two iron arms. In this method two
arms were used in a scissor like structure to
press the BVM. Bag was placed between the
two arms and those arms were connected to
the DC gear motor via fish wire due to which
two arms moved just like a scissor and in
result of this the bag was pressed. While this
idea seemed initially feasible, preliminary
experiments revealed that this structure
requires significantly higher force and was
heating up the motor. Additionally, it was
Fig. 4 Single Arm Structure
TTT. Prototype Design
A. Principle/ introductory design of the prototype
Single arm concept was the comer method for BVM
compression, as the very first design was inducted with
the basic concept of extracting records of required
amount of energy and force. It was done in order to
anticipate the operational requirements ofthe machine.
Assembly of the machines is based upon four wooden
pieces which are jointed together with the usage of
nails and wooden glue. These are attached with the
foundering wooden piece. Material is easily cut and
joinable. One hole was made on vertical sheet and
another hole of higher diameter was made on the
opposite sheet. These two holes were made to place in
it. Both ends of the BVM were placed in these two
holes. Wooden blocks were placed under the BVM
which provided it support from the lower end. Top of
the structure was remained open for testing and
viewing the components.
B. Basic experiment of the Prototype
In order to unleash the performing standards of the
machine, very first experiment was conducted. Insights
were extracted from the prototype's single arm
mechanism. An analog air pressure sensor was used to
measure the output air pressure from the BVM. Motion
ofthe motor was changed according to required values
of pressure sensor. On the bases of these experiments
it was concluded that maximum amount of power
required for functioning of the machine were 24 watts,
and maximum torque was 0.75 newton meter. The
maximum volume delivered per stroke was
approximately 700mL. So this is adequate for most
clinical situations.
Fig. 5 I sl prototype design
C. Firstly Improvised design of Prototype
Based upon the basic correcting elements and insights
drawn from the first model of the machine,
improvements were taken into account as moving
components were indulged in the enclosure. Enclosure
dimensions were increased in order to entertain the
motion of the iron arm in an easy to manage manner.
In addition to that special arrangements for the
microcontroller, battery and motor were made. The
enclosure's upper part was made oftransparent acrylic,
and holes from the side of the unit to embed the LCD
and buttons. Blocks constructed for the purpose of
support were also pushed more under the Ambu. A
potentiometer was also attached with the LCD, to
increase or decrease the brightness of the LCD for
different environmental conditions (shadow or
sunlight).
Fig. 6 2 nd Prototype
IV. Controllmplementation
A. Control design
Three modes of operation were used to run the
ventilator. These three modes were infant, child and
adult modes. Speed and pressure of each ofthem were
different because respiratory requirements for different
age groups are different. These requirements are
described in the form oftable below.
TABLEl
RESPIRATION RATES OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS [9]
Age Group Breaths per Minute
(BPM)
6 months 30-40
10 years 17-23
Adults 12-18
Mode of operation could be triggered by only pressing
the desired mode button. If someone wants to use the
infant mode he will have to additionally change the
Ambu Bag also. Because these bags are different for
adults and infants.
B. Microcontroller
We used Arduino Mega as a controller. The Arduino
Mega is a microcontroller board based on
the ATmegal280. It has 54 digital input/output pins.
Out of these 54 pins 14 pins can be used as PWM
outputs. Besides these 16 analog inputs,
4 UARTs (hardware serial ports). A 16 MHz crystal
oscillator is also embedded on the board. A USB
connection is available for its connection to computer
for communication. Power jack is there to provide
power via DC source. An in-circuit serial programming
(ICSP) header, and a reset button are also available
[10]. This piece of machine has all the elements
mandatory to the functioning of a microcontroller. It
provides the facility of connecting with a system
through a cable or a power supplied facility backed by
an AC-to-DC adapter. It can be used for recharging of
the machine as well as for the purpose of recharging of
it.
C. Motor
In the initial experiments we tried to use a stepper
motor. But that motor was unable to provide the
required torque (0.75Nm) to operate the single arm of
the ventilator. So we switched to a DC gear motor that
was operating on 12 Volts DC voltage. This motor at
full load was taking only 1.8 Amperes current.
D. Motor Driver
The motor driver consists oftwo H-Bridge circuits are
foundering stones of a motor driver for the machine.
Function of these motor circuits is to direct the current
in opposite sides through the motor of the machines.
This process solely depends on the different sets of
switches which are energized for the stated purpose. A
pin termed as PWM is used to address the speed ofthe
motor. Supply of current is done from a battery of the
machine, so the principal concern is to limit to that
extend which current is needed to be provided and the
capacity building of the chip and the battery.
We choose L298 for the purpose of operating the motor
at desired rate. Because this module allows us easily
and independently control two motors of up to 2A each
in both directions.
E. User Interface
Power on/off button along with three buttons for mode
selection are provided. These buttons are labelled
properly for their functions. A LCD in installed at the
front panel of the ventilator. Mode of the ventilator is
continuously displayed on the LCD.
Fig. 7 Interface with buttons and LCD
F Measures and inclusions ofsafety and protection
In order to make sure that the patient is secure from any
kind of injury caused by the machine, pressure being
produced by the airway is monitored with an analog
pressure sensor with is attached with the output of the
bag. Beside this an alarm is connected for battery low
indication. If the battery is low below the threshold
value it triggers the alarm alerting the responsible
personals to check and monitor the patients by their
selves.
G. Power Delivery
For initial testing a constant 12 volts were applied from
the power supply. On prototypes a 12 volts LiPo
battery was used. A DC adapter was also provided so
that the ventilator can be directly operated from the
main power supply (220 volts).
V. Analysis and Testing
A. Testing of battery
As the prototype is believed to be operational with a
battery, so testing of battery was an important element.
It was done upon a test lung, it was provided with the
continuous power until the battery voltage is dropped
at dead level and operations of the device is no more
possible. The device was set at maximum volume and
BPM rate (35 breaths/minute). Two hours and fifteen
minutes as the time period at which the battery was
exhausted.
VI. Conclusion
Functional model of the machine was constructed. It
was testified upon an artificial lung. Model mechanism
was operated by the medical representative responsible
for breath rate and tidal volume, inclusively an
assistance controlled arm and a low battery alarm. This
machine requires lessor amount of power, running for
2.15 hours on one battery charge. It is portable,
weighing 6 kg and measuring 14 x 7 x 9 inches. It
shows the status on a LCD. Improvements in its
functionalities are in the pipeline. These provisions will
be based upon the results of the outcome incurred by
the tests and experiments of the prototype.
Investigations are also proposed in order to examine
the outcomes resulted by using different motor.
Further induction of features is also proposed including
a PEEP valve, a humidity exchanger and a blow-off
valve. BVMs are easily accessible in the market,
therefore induction of them is also having a positive
charge for further proceedings. Work on various areas
of resulting outcomes is also proposed including
methods to confine the deaths to its lowest rate, lessor
weight and extended life of the battery. Further testing
will be done for more effective usage of alarms. It will
be used for indication of loss of power, loss of
breathing circuit integrity and low respiration
rate. On the Final stage, tests will be enforced for the
sake of testing of ventilator on a lung model to come
up the standards set for ventilator to make the product
able to compete with the market
 ACKNOWLDGEMENTS
Threads of construction and infrastructure of core idea
of this device was a semester project in lTV course
Design-Lab. Special gratitude is due towards Mustafa
Naseem and Dr. Mujeeb-V-Rahman of the Electrical
Department for uninterrupted help and facilitation
during this endeavor. Special thanks are due to Dr.
Adnan Masood for his kind help related to medical
perspecti ve of ventilator and manual ventilation being
provided currently in the hospitals of Lahore. Weare
also thankful to Talha Rahmani for his worthy
assistance in instrumentation experiments. We would
also like to thank Amjad Engineering Works against the
compact models for this project.
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