Low-Cost Arduino-Based Ventilator

I really like this as DIY - I also found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okg7uq_HrhQ - explaining how the virus eventually kills by causing failure of the lungs. After explaining the functional parts he goes on to explain what seem like some interesting things to consider when designing a ventilator with respect to how they were used during the SARS outbreak. e.g. tidal forces causing iteration and more inflammation, which then cuts off more air flow. So thinking about how you maintain a constant air pressure instead of more pushing force... at least the explanation made sense intuitively but I'm not a doctor and don't know if this video or your Ventilator are safe - but I do like the DIY aspect of it and figure thinking about or sharing ideas can't be bad...

There has to be some middle ground risk between rolling in random but well intentioned pieces of equipment vs rejecting them because they haven't followed a conventional months long vetting and review.

I wonder what kind of expert rapid requirements review and qualification process could be created?

The comparable risk if the system is overwhelmed is life losses in triage or outright using using medical personnel as human ventilators - causing fatigue and mistakes too.

Understatement of the year, it's probably more dangerous to use these at home than just using simple oxygen and someone to help you remember to breathe for a few days. If you're to the point that you need a ventilator for covid-19, you're also going to need a ton of meds and attention from trained medical staff. I could see a CPAP machine being useful for lighter cases just to help out, but even then I'm not a doctor.

Some things are good to DIY, but not this, we need HN to stop allowing these dangerous posts.

Actually, Resmed and Philips can probably reflash firmware on almost all there basic CPAP machines manufactured within past few years, thereby making them into BiPAP type devices. BiPAPs are sort of "in between" a CPAP and a ventilator.

This would actually be a good public service if they would do for free and provide to hospitals, etc. for emergency use.

I take issue with this claim regarding CPAPs/APAPs There are many doctors who support making CPAP machines purchasable without prescriptions. The story line that they need to remain prescriptions only is, not surprisingly, funding/pushed by sleep clinics and the machine industry players because ... you guessed it ... profit.

I started using an APAP (Resmed10 autoset) about 2 years ago. My sleep study (overnight onsight at clinic) said I needed CPAP for sure and they slapped one on me in the middle of the night to "titrate" it just right for me. After got my machine, they were useless to adjust it. I did bare amount of research and found everything I needed to really adjust settings to work for me over couple months. I don't even take 30 minute nap without it now. Godsend.

I've also snagged the same model machine off ebay with only 30 hours on it (VERY hard to come by because the machine manufacturers are diligent and aggressive in getting them off resale market because of their status as prescribed medical equipment). Anyway, put my brother on said ebay machine, spent week or so of monitoring results and titrating his settings and he has been happy camper since. He had worse apnea than me, but alas no medical coverage at that time.

Of course, ventilators are in different class. That said, keeping CPAPs as prescription only medical devices is a scam and many lives could be extended and saved if could buy without script.