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VULCAN: DIY Hack-a-Vent Innovation Challenge:
Over the next 2 weeks, this Innovation Challenge seeks to pool brilliant minds and expertise to develop a low-cost, non-FDA approved, mechanical ventilation support system that can be rapidly produced at local levels with widely available resources.

Click here to submit.

The top 3 submissions will be selected by a panel of experts and may be offered an opportunity to produce a functioning prototype. Are you up to this challenge?

Description
With the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the US and world face a realistic threat of overwhelming the medical system, and more specifically, running out of available ventilators.

With SARS-CoV-2 viruses (to include the Coronavirus), the primary area of the body impacted is the pulmonary system.  In certain individuals, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) develops and rapidly leads to a critical need for mechanical ventilation/breathing support.

We are entering a time period, however, where “ventilators are like gold,” and we anticipate a potential for a widespread lack of ventilators to support critical care requirements across the nation and the world.

Due to the epidemiology of the disease, time is of the essence.

Over the next 2-weeks, this Innovation Challenge seeks to pool the brilliant minds and expertise of our Nation to develop a low-cost, non-FDA approved, mechanical ventilation support system that can be rapidly produced at local levels with widely available resources.

YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO DEVELOP AND SUBMIT YOUR IDEA.  (PROTOTYPE DESIGNS AND PHOTOS ARE ALSO WELCOME.)

The top 3 submissions will be selected by a panel of experts and MAY be offered an opportunity to produce a functioning prototype by 30 March.

ARE YOU UP TO THIS IMPOSSIBLE CHALLENGE?

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” — W. Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

(See below for further information.)
Submission Instructions

Challenge Overview and Terms:

• All submitted ideas and designs will be voluntary, Open Source, and eventually may be made publicly available for the benefit of others.
• These submissions will not be FDA-approved.
• These submissions are a part of a Challenge and not for clinical use at this time.
• The Top 3 submissions will be selected as winners by a panel of highly qualified Subject Matter Experts
• Selection as a “winner” does not necessarily reflect the endorsement, approval, agreement, thoughts or commitments of the US Government, the Department of Defense and/or any other Government organization.

Specification Dream Sheet:

Expectations:

• This is an impossible task.
• Traditional FDA approved ventilators are complex pieces of machinery.
• Innovating a design and a functioning prototype over a 2-week period
  of time is a near impossible task. It is unlikely that an ideal system can be
  developed that meets all the desired specifications and requirements.
• However, it IS possible to get close!

Impossible Specifications: In order of **descending **importance, the ideal desired specifications of a Do-It-Yourself mechanical ventilator are:

• Total Cost of all parts <$300
• Able to be assembled and operated by low-skill levels
• Assembled from readily available, consumer off-the-shelf parts and capabilities (Home 3D printers acceptable)
• Capable of functioning for at least 48 hours
• Needs to accommodate a standard 22 mm size hose that is 5 feet long (Hose design not necessary)
• Have a connection method to allow an adjustable O2 source to be connected
• Capable of providing a Respiratory Rate of 12-40 breaths per minute
• Capable of Providing 5-24 cm H20 of PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure)
• Capable of Delivering Tidal Volumes of at least 500cc (range 160-1500cc) with every breath
• Capable of limiting the Peak Inspiratory Pressure to 18-40 cm H20
• Has a method to humidify the air being delivered (in line Passive humidifiers or alternative)
• Powered using 120V or lower (12 V car battery)
• Inspiratory Time of 0.4 seconds
• Gauges or instruments to visualize delivered values and settings
• Super Long shots:
  1. Provide ability to control Flow during inspiration, but if fixed: able to deliver 60L/min
  2. Pressure Support—a breath triggers either a set pressure or volume of
     air; and maintains a continuous PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure)
  3. Expired air scrubbing–method of absorbing or filtering the expired air