Costa Rica Manufactures Non-Invasive Ventilators for Covid-19 Patients

The first non-invasive ventilation model with a built-in isolation mask, is now prepared by doctors and engineers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), which will allow treating patients with Covid-19.

The innovation has successfully passed all preclinical tests and verified safety parameters.

Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that has been able to manage the Covid-19 crisis.

Besides developing their own Covid-19 screening tests, developing curative treatment against Covid-19, and identifying genetic six sequences, Costa Rica is now creating non-invasive and cost-effective ventilators for their patients.

Two prototypes were created and successfully tested

Two different prototypes of assisted ventilators for people sick with Coronavirus were created at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and have already been successfully tested.

A mobile prototype and a fixed prototype for hospital use.

Both prototypes were tested with robotic models and other high-tech resources at the Health Simulation Center of the UCR School of Nursing to verify that these devices are safe, practical and that they meet their ventilation capacity.

One of the devices is electric and the other pneumatic, which means, it works with a compressed gas engine.

The device is called Fluxus Mask and is now seeking financial support and final authorization from the Ministry of Health for its mass production.

Fluxus Mask Benefits

• It does not depend on electrical energy to function.
• Intubation of the patient is not required (it is not invasive).
• The sick person’s isolation mask will reduce the risk of contagion.
• Low production cost: A traditional respirator costs around $10,000 or more because of the high demand the current pandemic has created, the Fluxus mask costs up to five times less ($2,000).

The first tests of the portable mechanical ventilator built by a team of specialists from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) were carried out to meet all the requirements for its eventual use in the La Caja hospital centers and to be a resource for the treatment of patients with coronavirus.

The first test of the operation of the apparatus was carried out on April 30 in pigs and it was verified that the volume of air supplied by the ventilator was correct and that this device did not fail during the procedure. It was performed with pigs, since these animals have a lung capacity similar to that of humans.

Validation is pending regarding the ability of the fan to respond when resistance to air passage. This is done to simulate a patient with pulmonary fibrosis or asthma. In this case, the ventilator must increase the pressure necessary to overcome obstructive pathologies.

Approval of the Fluxus Mask

The clinical simulation test was performed in the presence of teachers from the Nursing School and a respiratory therapist, to guarantee the dependability of the procedure. The test was important to ensure that the correct route was followed or modifications were needed.

The test helped to confirm that that both devices are completely safe as well as to make recommendations to incorporate as many improvements as possible.

More respirators for Costa Rica

Costa Rica will have 311 respirators that were purchased at the start of the pandemic and have not reached the country, due to a high global demand.