Ventilator output splitting interface 'ACRA': Description and evaluation in lung simulators and in an experimental ARDS animal model.

ABSTRACT: The current COVID-19 pandemic has led the world to an unprecedented global shortage of ventilators, and its sharing has been proposed as an alternative to meet the surge. This study outlines the performance of a preformed novel interface called 'ACRA', designed to split ventilator outflow into two breathing systems. The 'ACRA' interface was built using medical use approved components. It consists of four unidirectional valves, two adjustable flow-restrictor valves placed on the inspiratory limbs of each unit, and one adjustable PEEP valve placed on the expiratory limb of the unit that would require a greater PEEP. The interface was interposed between a ventilator and two lung units (phase I), two breathing simulators (phase II) and two live pigs with heterogeneous lung conditions (phase II

SUBMITTER: Otero PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8386869 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature