scholarly journals Low-cost, easy-to-build noninvasive pressure support ventilator for under-resourced regions: open source hardware description, performance and feasibility testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 2000846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onintza Garmendia ◽  
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Lazaro ◽  
Jorge Otero ◽  
Phuong Phan ◽  
Alexandrina Stoyanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Bench Test ◽  
Mechanical Ventilators ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Hardware Description ◽  
Commercial Device ◽  
Open Source Hardware

AimCurrent pricing of commercial mechanical ventilators in low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) markedly restricts their availability, and consequently a considerable number of patients with acute/chronic respiratory failure cannot be adequately treated. Our aim was to design and test an affordable and easy-to-build noninvasive bilevel pressure ventilator to allow a reduction in the serious shortage of ventilators in LMICs.MethodsThe ventilator was built using off-the-shelf materials available via e-commerce and was based on a high-pressure blower, two pressure transducers and an Arduino Nano controller with a digital display (total retail cost <75 USD), with construction details provided open source for free replication. The ventilator was evaluated, and compared with a commercially available device (Lumis 150 ventilator; Resmed, San Diego, CA, USA): 1) in the bench setting using an actively breathing patient simulator mimicking a range of obstructive/restrictive diseases; and b) in 12 healthy volunteers wearing high airway resistance and thoracic/abdominal bands to mimic obstructive/restrictive patients.ResultsThe designed ventilator provided inspiratory/expiratory pressures up to 20/10 cmH2O, respectively, with no faulty triggering or cycling; both in the bench test and in volunteers. The breathing difficulty score rated (1–10 scale) by the loaded breathing subjects was significantly (p<0.005) decreased from 5.45±1.68 without support to 2.83±1.66 when using the prototype ventilator, which showed no difference with the commercial device (2.80±1.48; p=1.000).ConclusionThe low-cost, easy-to-build noninvasive ventilator performs similarly to a high-quality commercial device, with its open-source hardware description, which will allow for free replication and use in LMICs, facilitating application of this life-saving therapy to patients who otherwise could not be treated.

scholarly journals Neurosurgical digital teaching in low-middle income countries: beyond the frontiers of traditional education

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. E17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Nicolosi ◽  
Zefferino Rossini ◽  
Ismail Zaed ◽  
Angelos G. Kolias ◽  
Maurizio Fornari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Scientific Validity ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Standard Education ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Learning Programs

OBJECTIVENeurosurgical training is usually based on traditional sources of education, such as papers, books, direct surgical experience, and cadaveric hands-on courses. In low-middle income countries, standard education programs are often unavailable, mainly owing to the lack of human and economic resources. Introducing digital platforms in these settings could be an alternative solution for bridging the gap between Western and poor countries in neurosurgical knowledge.METHODSThe authors identified from the Internet the main digital platforms that could easily be adopted in low-middle income countries. They selected free/low-cost mobile content with high educational impact.RESULTSThe platforms that were identified as fulfilling the characteristics described above are WFNS Young Neurosurgeons Forum Stream, Brainbook, NeuroMind, UpSurgeOn, The Neurosurgical Atlas, Touch surgery, The 100 UCLA Subjects in Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Survival Guide, EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) Academy, Neurosurgical.TV, 3D Neuroanatomy, The Rhoton Collection, and Hinari. These platforms consist of webinars, 3D interactive neuroanatomy and neurosurgery content, videos, and e-learning programs supported by neurosurgical associations or journals.CONCLUSIONSDigital education is an emerging tool for contributing to the spread of information in the neurosurgical community. The continuous improvement in the quality of content will rapidly increase the scientific validity of digital programs. In conclusion, the fast and easy access to digital resources could contribute to promote neurosurgical education in countries with limited facilities.

scholarly journals Computer Numerically Controlled Drawing Robot Based on Computer-Aided Design

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antor Mahamudul Hashan ◽  
Abdullah Haidari ◽  
Srishti Saha ◽  
Titas Paul
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Numerical Control ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Complex Circuits ◽  
Open Source Hardware ◽  
Aided Design

Due to the rapid development of technology, the use of numerically controlled machines in the industry is increasing. The main idea behind this paper is computer-aided design (CAD) based low-cost computer numerical control 2D drawing robot that can accurately draw complex circuits, diagrams, logos, etc. The system is created using open-source hardware and software, which makes it available at a low cost. The open-source LibreCAD application has been used for computer-aided design. Geometric data of a CAD model is converted to coordinate points using the python-based F-Engrave application. This system uses the Arduino UNO board as a signal generator of the universal g-code sender without compromising the performance. The proposed drawing robot is designed as a low-cost robot for educational purposes and aims to increase the student's interest in robotics and computer-aided design (CAD) skills to the next level. The drawing robot structure has been developed, and it meets the requirements of low cost with satisfactory experimental results.

scholarly journals micrIO: an open-source autosampler and fraction collector for automated microfluidic input–output

Lab on a Chip ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Longwell ◽  
Polly M. Fordyce
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Fraction Collector ◽  
Open Source Hardware ◽  
Multiwell Plates

MicrIO is a low-cost, open-source hardware and software solution for automated sample input/output, bridging the gap between microfluidic devices and standard multiwell plates.

scholarly journals A LOW-COST OPEN SOURCE HARDWARE IN CONTROL EDUCATION. CASE STUDY: ARDUINO-FEEDBACK MS-150

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (29) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Reguera ◽  
D. García ◽  
M. Domínguez ◽  
M.A. Prada ◽  
S. Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Control Education ◽  
Open Source Hardware
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