Code Life Ventilator Challenge: Prototypes Are Being Tested
In March, given the magnitude of the COVID-19 crisis, we created the Code Life Ventilator Challenge, a two-week sprint among the engineering and scientific communities to gather the best ideas from around the world to design emergency ventilators.
The submitted prototypes had to meet a series of technical criteria in addition to being inexpensive, simple, easy to use and locally built. Their functionality also had to be easy to test.
Out of the hundreds of submissions received, nine concepts were selected for the intensive round of testing we are currently in. Here are the semi-finalist teams:
- YGK Modular Ventilator
- Haply
- IFRP Brazil
- BreathHere
- Breeze
- Fanshawe-Toyota-RT
- MonVent
- Lung Carburetor
- FlowO2
The testing phase is a crucial step that is taking a little longer than expected.
According to the schedule originally released, the three finalist groups were to be announced on April 15. However, in order to complete all the necessary tests and to ensure the safety of the patients who will benefit from the devices, we need to postpone the announcement of the finalists by a few days.
While the situation is urgent, the proposed solution should not be taken lightly. Thank you for your understanding. In the meantime, here is a brief explanation from Reza Farivar, organizer of the Code Life Ventilator Challenge, and Chia-Lei Lily Guan, Inhalotherapist. Video by Great Things Studios.
