Phase 1 - Neonatal Ventilator Testing

In the developing world, currently around 10% of newborns need some form of respiratory assistance.  About 1% need extended treatment on ventilators, whether that be for a few days or a few weeks.  Currently, nurses and families are sqeezing bags with their hands (which causes variations in pressure, timing, and obviously leads to fatigue).  Families have tried to keep their children alive for days on end pumping 24/7, (some have traded between family members to pump for as much as a month without stopping).  

In order to bring better treatment options to developing countries, John Krupa, a local philanthropist, began to work with Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah to develop a way to make this possible.

Subsequently, a group of students at Brigham Young University (BYU) have worked with two local neonatologists (Erick Gerday and Ken Richardson at UVRMC Provo) to develop a low-cost neonatal ventilator for use in the developing world.   

Currently, the students have met all of the criteria specified by the neonatologists, and more funding is needed to assist with the testing and verification of the device.  

As soon as all testing and verification is complete, funds will also be needed for mass production of the ventilator. The unit is ready and waiting to save lives, but we cannot do this on our own!

Sincerely, 

Spencer Ferguson - Team Leader


Check out the links below to see the latest news articles!

BYU News Article on Neonatal Ventilator

Gizmodo - Neonatal Ventilator