The VillageVent
Arduino-based Ventilator Prototype
Media Coverage
AM 640 Radio Interview
Global News
Newmarket Today
The Story
On March 13, 2020, all public school students in Ontario, Canada went on March Break. It was soon obvious that we would not be returning to school after one week.
Since I now had lots of time on my hands, and LOTS of parts in my workshop, I set to design a working ventilator prototype. It's called the VillageVent because it can be built in a remote village using parts and materials that are easily obtainable for very little money. I estimate this ventilator can be built for less than $50US.
The primary constraint for this project was that I had to build it using materials I could find in my house/workshop. We were all on quarantine in the province. No trips to the hardware store!
The core components of this project are an Arduino Nano and a windshield wiper motor. The motors are cheap, have very high torque and run on 12 volts which offers lots of options for powering the ventilator such as:
A car battery
An old computer power supply
A DC wall adapter etc.
The project took about 9 days of full time work. My wife, a physician, brought home an old manual respirator and I was able to test it in the machine. I was very please to see the design worked!
Full build instructions are at: https://www.hackster.io/imseakin/village-vent-emergency-ventilator-5cc9e2
I consider this project a way to inspire my students and others to look at the world and find ways to solve problems using their skills and creativity.
AM 640 Radio Interview
Global News
Newmarket Today
The Story
On March 13, 2020, all public school students in Ontario, Canada went on March Break. It was soon obvious that we would not be returning to school after one week.
Since I now had lots of time on my hands, and LOTS of parts in my workshop, I set to design a working ventilator prototype. It's called the VillageVent because it can be built in a remote village using parts and materials that are easily obtainable for very little money. I estimate this ventilator can be built for less than $50US.
The primary constraint for this project was that I had to build it using materials I could find in my house/workshop. We were all on quarantine in the province. No trips to the hardware store!
The core components of this project are an Arduino Nano and a windshield wiper motor. The motors are cheap, have very high torque and run on 12 volts which offers lots of options for powering the ventilator such as:
A car battery
An old computer power supply
A DC wall adapter etc.
The project took about 9 days of full time work. My wife, a physician, brought home an old manual respirator and I was able to test it in the machine. I was very please to see the design worked!
Full build instructions are at: https://www.hackster.io/imseakin/village-vent-emergency-ventilator-5cc9e2
I consider this project a way to inspire my students and others to look at the world and find ways to solve problems using their skills and creativity.