Individualized System for Augmenting Ventilator Efficacy (iSAVE): A Rapidly deployable system to expand ventilator capacity

Shriya Srinivasan; Khalil Ramadi; Franceso Vicario; Declan Gwynne; Alison Hayward; Robert Langer; Joseph Frassica; Rebecca Baron; Giovanni Traverso

In the first test, we decreased the compliance of one of the lungs (blue) (C: 50 mL/cm H2O to 15 mL/cm H2O), simulating the parameters characteristic of ARDS ( Figure 1E ). Flow was quickly diverted, resulting in a disproportionate volume being delivered to the healthy lung (C: 50 mL/cmH2O). The PEEP valve released excess volume during the period of titration, preventing overdistention of the healthy lung. The desired volume of 400 mL/lung was restored by titrating the flow control valve. We then started with two lungs simulating ARDS (C = 20 mL/cm H2O, R = 5 cm H2O/L/s) and increased the compliance of one lung (C: 15 mL/cm H2O to 50 mL/cm H2O black), which created a shift in the volumes delivered. Adjustment of the flow control valve restored the desired flow to both lungs ( Figure 1F ) in less than 13 breaths.