Ventilators could be adapted to help two COVID-19 patients at once


Date:
August 24, 2020
Source:
Imperial College London
Summary:
New research has shown how ventilators could be adapted to help
two patients simultaneously in the event of a shortage.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
As the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic approached, governments
feared there would not be enough ventilators -- machines that 'breathe'
for patients when they cannot do so themselves -- to help all those who
needed one.


==========================================================================
Now, researchers from King's College London and Imperial College London
have developed a theoretical model for how one ventilator could be used
to treat two patients. They say that, although splitting ventilators
can be inherently dangerous, their model shows how some of the issues
can be mitigated by using variable resistances and one-way valves.

Usually, ventilators are specifically programmed to each patient, as each patient requires individualised pressures and volumes of airflow. This new research, published in Royal Society Open Science, develops an approach
by which one ventilator could in theory help two patients with varying
lung problems at the same time -- and that that the airflow (tidal volume) delivered to one patient could be manipulated independently of the other.

To do this, the researchers developed a theoretical model, based on an electrical circuit analogy, and used it to test various configurations
for connecting a single ventilator to two patients. They found that
providing tailored ventilation to different patients from one ventilator
is theoretically possible when variable resistances and one-way valves are added into the inhalation and exhalation paths of the ventilator circuit.

The researchers say that the theoretical model could be used by other researchers to evaluate other potential solutions.

Study co-author Dr Peter Vincent of Imperial's Department of Aeronautics
said: "Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the approach could potentially
be useful in a range of other extreme scenarios, such as coping with
acute disaster surge capacity limitations or in a military battle
field context." Co-author Dr Steven Williams, from King's College
London's School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, said:
"We show that our proposed modified splitter can help by allowing one particular ventilation parameter -- tidal volume -- to be adjusted."
The team point out that there are a range of significant issues associated
with ventilator splitting, and that the practice is only ever to be
considered in the most extreme circumstances because it poses serious
risks. However, they say that should the need arise for split ventilation,
then their method could be considered a 'last resort' solution.

Dr Vincent added: "Our team is now keen to get feedback from the
international community and begin bench testing the approach."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Imperial_College_London. Original
written by Caroline Brogan. Note: Content may be edited for style
and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jose' A. Soli's-Lemus, Edward Costar, Denis Doorly, Eric
C. Kerrigan,
Caroline H. Kennedy, Frances Tait, Steven Niederer, Peter
E. Vincent, Steven E. Williams. A simulated single ventilator/dual
patient ventilation strategy for acute respiratory distress syndrome
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Royal Society Open Science, 2020;
7 (8): 200585 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200585 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200824110118.htm

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