Control Systems

Lead: Jonah Shapiro Members: Gordon Zhang, Rachel Blair, Patrick Wilkie

1. Why did you come up with this design?

   • A functioning control system is a vital component of any ventilator. Creating a generalized control system that works with multiple ventilator paradigms is an important stepping stone in the development of open ventilator systems.

2. How does this design work?

   • The control system runs on an Arduino microcontroller, using a simple interface of dials to allow the clinician to tune ventilation parameters. The microcontroller uses relays to actuate solenoid valves to trigger and cycle respiration.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this design?

   • Using low cost, ubiquitous microcontrollers and components allow the control system to be easily assembled and repaired. It also aids in technology dissemination, as these components are available in most locations with short lead times.

4. How tough do you think it would be to secure the necessary certifications from Health Canada?

   • Receiving certification for the control system may be a difficult task, as there are stringent requirements on medical device software. It will require a large engineering effort to get to the point where the control system is essentially and completely safe.
     

5. Why did you join the team? 

   • Jonah

     • I joined the team out of a desire to use my time and abilities to make a meaningful impact on the world. The COVID-19 crisis has created unprecedented problems and I’d like to do my part to help create open and accessible healthcare solutions.

   • Patrick

     • The beauty of open-source collaboration is: each contribution helps the collective efforts to snowball in impact. I joined the team to contribute my technical skills in electronics and coding, and my network of connections in Vancouver, to reduce the suffering caused by COVID19 and the strain on Canada’s medical system.