Introduction

The proposed invention was born as a solution to the high oxygen demand associated with ventilatory support therapies in the COVID-19 era. The system includes an electric ventilator that maintains a closed circuit under pressure in which non-invasive continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP) is carried out. During the circulation, the exhaled gas is purified of the CO2 produced and added with oxygen, and then it is again supplied to the patient for inspiration.

Technical features

The CPAP hospital ventilation system currently operates with high oxygen flows using the medical gas network infrastructure present inside the hospitals. This configuration limits its application in emergency contexts: first of all, most of the oxygen is wasted by dispersding it in the environment, furthermore the aerosol with a high viral load produced by the patient is diffused in the hospital environment, the system must be permanently connected to the medical gas supply network and, ultimately the noise produced is critical for the patient. The proposed solution solves all the problems exposed: it is operated only by electricity without any connection to the hospital gas network, works in a closed circuit, consumes only the amount of oxygen used by the patient, and does not generate contaminated aerosols and is extremely silent.

Possible Applications

• CPAP provision in ordinary wards, sub-intensive care and intensive care;
• Autonomous system usable in emergency settings, like on ambulances;
• Can also be used for home therapy.

Advantages

• Negligible oxygen consumption and does not generate contaminated aerosols;
• The system is autonomous from the hospital medical gas network;
• Provides high percentages of oxygen to the patient (FiO2) even with the sole use of an oxygen concentrator.