Technology
Well Established Working Principles Enhanced by Advanced Technologies
Ventilator Supply - Landscape Analysis
It is an immense challenge to boost the production volume of medical ventilators. The manufacturers themselves are not organized and equipped to handle the volume needed (current annual global production is 40-50k units and the need for ventilators is potentially several millions worldwide).
The medical component supply base has a similar situation.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are many adhoc goodwill projects that are based on open source information and 3D printing that enable people to make cheap ventilators. There are a number of issues with these ventilators (see video below) and, since these projects are based on goodwill, there is limited or no organization and vision behind them to scale to volumes that can have a significant impact. (e.g. there are not many 3D printers in Africa)
Proven Technology and Supply Chain Driven Design Approach
Use of Proven Technology
Medical Ventilators have been around for many decades already but have become more and more advanced over time to the point that they are now sophisticated machines that require a substantial training process to operate and have price tags that make them out of reach of majority of the world population.
The AirNow ventilator uses well proven ventilator technology combined with a smart controller system that enables more sophisticated protocols while keeping the machine simple and affordable.
Supply Chain driven Design
The main challenge in producing large numbers of ventilators are supply of components. Hence AirNow secures its production capacity by using components that are not challenged by production volume.
For many components we use substitutes from non-medical industries to avoid canabilization of supply chain of other ventilator producers.
By carefully selecting suitable components we unlock supply potential that fits requirements to face the volume challenges of pandemics.
Combining High- and Low Technology to Optimize Functionality and Mitigate Risk
The right balance of advanced technology such as wireless communication for remote monitoring combined with low technology methods of remote controlling methods and protocols ensure the safest and most robust implementation of tele-medicine that is fail-safe in most situations while there are work-arounds for those situations that lack the most basic infrastructure for electricity and data communication.
Pragmatic Challenges
The video below is a must-watch (only 15 min) for anybody who wanting to educate themselves quickly on the topic of COVID-19 ventilation.
An excellent explanation by Brian McManus, (who previously worked at Medtronics - one of the largest ventilator manufacturers), outlining the current problem with ventilators, open source projects and lack of availability of qualified medical staff.
McManus explains what minimal features and functions a ventilator has to have and why well intended open source products can potentially do more harm than good.