FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Medical equipment data

Problem being addressed

Lack of respirators in the developing world, and it seems the developed world.

Detailed description of the solution

After further research which is happening in this Google doc and this helpful engineering Slack channel

Consider taking the widely used 1950s Both Respirator design, give it an appropriate technology makeover and release it under an open-source licence

Quantity Material Source Cost ($) Total ($)
1 Car Battery Amazon.com / local / repurposed 70.00 70.00
2 Battery charger Amazon.com / local / repurposed 23. 46
3 Sheets 8 x 4 ply local/ repurposed 25 75
1 Linear actuator Amazon.com 25 25
1 10l bucket Amazon.com 5 5
1 Dustbin Amazon.com 25 25
1 vacuum cleaner pipe Amazon.com 5 5
1 Used lorry or tractor inner tube Amazon.com 2 2
1 Box screws Amazon.com 2 2
1 Blocks of wood local/ repurposed 2 2
1 Gaffer tape Amazon.com /local 5 5
Total Cost ~$262

Designed by

  • Case designed by: Edward Both https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Both_respirator
  • Pump design under development, the initial idea is to use a car window motor or linear actuator (where available) to move an upturned bucket up and down at the surface of a dustbin of water.
  • Manufacturer: Makerspaces, DIY
  • Manufacturer location: Almost anywhere

When and where it was tested/implemented

Widely used in the 1940s and 1950's. Can be easily constructed from readily available materials. Less effective than modern mechanical ventilation techniques, but also less invasive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_ventilation

Funding Source

Unknown at this point. Philanthropists? Crowdfunding? Get in touch

References

Peer-reviewed publication

Other internally generated reports

Externally generated reports

History of the Iron lung

IP and copyright

GPL

Approval by regulatory bodies or standards boards

None at present, unless some odd legacy thing allows their use


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