COVID-19 response - artificial lung ventilator project

The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge that Lithuanian and the whole world is facing. Due to this threat, most organizations are taking the corresponding action that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus. Pointing out that the virus potential longer-term effects people health, Teltonika is inviting to unite and fight against this pandemic by searching for effective solutions. Our aim is to develop and launch the mass production of ventilators that would be available to all healthcare facilities. We are inviting You to join us by writing a letter to pagalba@teltonika.lt

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  The beginning of medical research

  Our research and developing team together with a technical Support specialist already done a primary user manual dedicated to the first medical researches with an artificial lung ventilator. The first medical test will be arranged in Vilniaus Santariskiu Clinics as soon as all required documents and contracts will be assigned. Furthermore, we finished a massive production preparation process for the upcoming 100 units. More information about product preorders You can get by contacting us info@teltonika-telemedic.lt.

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  Certification process

  We are continuously working on the artificial lung ventilator certification process which is now divided into three main parts. The first certification part is focused on major ISO requirements that cover: particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance, lung ventilators for medical use, and biocompatibility evaluation of breathing gas pathways in healthcare applications. Moreover, ISO certification also stands for medical researches in specialized clinics. The second part is based on IEC group certification and covers any electro-mechanical and basic electronic component safety in a lung ventilator. The third certification part is responsible for sustainable ventilator production and development. This part is also combined with the acquired company quality management system. To get certification for artificial lung ventilator we have to achieve 47 major process parts. This week is dedicated to certification organization research. If You know more about special medical equipment certification, please contact us at pagalba@teltonika.lt.

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  First prototype pilot bench assembly

  After a successful first ventilator prototype representation, we are moving forward and continue assembling the last 9 devices. Additionally we already finished and tested invasive and noninvasive connection to the patient’s lung methods. Due to increased artificial lung ventilator demand, we are taking corresponding actions and opening the dedicated Teltonika Telemedic support line. From now on every question associated with artificial lung ventilators can be asked directly to info@teltonika-telemedic.lt
  Furthermore, we are shifting to the new project phase and initiating the certification process. Without this part of the project, we will be not able to use our artificial lung ventilators in any medical institution. We also begin our training materials preparation that will help to ensure a quality transition to our lung ventilator usage. More about this project stage can be found in the gallery below.

  

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  The first DPV 100 model stand

  We are very excited to announce that after a long week our engineer team already has done the first DPV 100 prototype system. In the gallery below you can see a short video and a few photos about the latest ventilator version. Next week we are going to test the main functions and whole system stability. Furthermore we on the way to update our ventilators' body that will be suitable with a dedicated screen. We also add functionality that supports any type of graphical Android interface, so we have an option to use various resolutions screens for a better representation of the whole user interface. Also, the first DPV 100 prototype was based on the special body that allows easy cleaning of the system and replacing any type of component without complicated disassembly. Next week will be dedicated to preparing the second iteration programming code, so soon will add more video updates that will demonstrate the DPV 100 working principles.

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  Updates user interface and new additional functions

  We are continuously working on air mechanical component integration with the main PCB and prototype testing phase. While mechanics and electronics engineers team is taking care of the main ventilator model our embedded programmers are analyzing medical experts' observation and implementing new functions. In the picture gallery below You can check the new ventilator look and read more about additional functions. Due to the updated touch screen, users will be able to easily monitor important pulmonary ventilation parameters and change modes according to the patient’s needs. The upgraded version has VT_min and VT_max lung volume representing which indicated the normal volume of air displaced between normal inhalation and exhalation when extra effort is not applied. Normally health adult average tidal volume is around 500ml.per one breath cycle and our functionality helps to monitor minimal and maximum tidal volume values over a dedicated period. Also, a new fraction of inspired oxygen representation gives an ability to analyze oxygen mixture over time. The extended DPV100 flyer is now available to download in the gallery below.

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  First product flyer and big step ahead

  We are glad to share that this week was successful for our team. First of all, we would like to inform that we already ordered all the necessary parts dedicated to the prototype iteration. Moreover, our manufacturer already deployed 10 new PCBs which will be the main base for upcoming lung ventilators. Next week we are planning to make deep tests about ventilator working stability. Due to received inquiries about this lung ventilator project we also presenting the first flyer. Right now it is the base version and each week we will make updates about new additionals functions.

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  Visit of the president of the Republic of Lithuania and first PCB

  On April 17 we had a visit of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda. During the visit, we presented pulmonary ventilator manufacturing and developing workflow and discussed how modern assembly lines could help Lithuania to stand in the great economic position while facing similar pandemics. According to the President, Teltonika presented exclusive flexibility and became a great example of how modern business could adapt to market needs. Later, our project implementer presented first manufactured PCB which is responsible for air mechanical components control and user interface. We also received first special ordered mechanical components that will soon suit into the prototype. Next week we are planning to combine important parts collectively and start testing communication between PCB and dedicated components. Another part of the team is now working on emergency power supply development. Currently, we decided to use a 10Ah battery which will take of the autonomous device working up to 4 hours. But battery life-time is also associated with selected breath conditions and diaphragm resistance so device working time could be from 2 till 4 hours. Our quality assurance team presented two separate stands models. First, one will be used to compare our prototype airflow parameters with well-known data form benchmark device. Another quality assurance stand will take care of PCB working characteristics. In our photo gallery, we are sharing moments of the visit with the President and the first PCB prototype.

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  Prototype development and first visualization

  Last week was dedicated to the first pulmonary ventilator prototype development. Our supply chain managers made hundreds of phone calls to various companies that are producing medical equipment parts. It is important that ventilator parts have to be certified according to ISO 80601 and ensure high sensitivity with minimal body structure. This is why those parts are really rare today. However, Teltonika supply managers receive help from the General Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania. We got really important medical equipment manufacturers' contacts. Together we made an order dedicated to the first prototype. Next to it, on April 18-19 we are expecting to prepare PCB orientated into ordered air mechanical components. The upcoming week we are going to finalize important main ventilator turbine code and start testing breath intake and air exhale algorithms. After we will receive the air system components we will connect all parts into one system together with the main PCB board. We are sharing the latest photos about the first ventilator prototype body and user interface.

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  Main PCB ordering and primary ventilator construction

  After an intense working week, we are glad to inform you that the primary PCB and ventilator prototype sketches are finished. Due to the effective work of our companies supply managers, we immediately order the first PCB sample and expecting to receive it in the next week. At the end of this paragraph, we add a photo field where You can find a ventilator’s block diagram. The main scheme is divided into four main sections, where each of them has a specific role. The first part is responsible for natural and constant air intake which is combining with concentrated oxygen in the part two. The natural air combined with a corresponding quantity of oxygen goes throw the third part responsible for human’s breathing. In the back end, the last block is filtrating air outcome and controlling intake valves depending on the current breathing conditions. We are continuously working on important air mechanical parts like air valves, oxygen, pressure sensors research. Due to the high, those parts demand it is hard to get it fast. Next week we are planning to test ordered PCB and adapt the current programming code to the main system.

  

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  Main circuit board and test tool development

  By evaluating additional recommendations from medical experts, we started developing the main printed circuit board prototype and programming of the main features . First PCB porotype consists of more than 25 sensors dedicated to vital patient lung condition monitoring and controlling. Depending on the sophisticated ventilator structure, our programmers’ team already developing the main code structure based on intelligent algorithms. Such algorithms will prevent the lungs from serious damages like “Barotrauma” or “Pneumonia”. Furthermore, quality assurance tools are being developed and applied to the main system. The purpose of these tools are to simulate a natural patient’s lung ventilation process, while dedicated sensors are measuring the main ventilator sensors' accuracy, airflow, pressure, etc. Our supply managers’ team is continuously working on key components search. If you know more or know the companies who may supply air valves, pressure sensors, the flow meters, please let us know or write directly at pagalba@teltonika.lt

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  Component search and development of testing methods

  As moving further with pulmonary ventilator development , we have involved our process management team to take care of medical ISO standards, which are an important part of ventilator operation. Our teams dedicated to the pulmonary ventilator project introduced first results, which cover the uninterruptible power circuit model and professional user interface. The special power circuit is oriented not only to the power surge protection but also to work with an external battery that will protect the patient if external power is lost. The professional user interface will take a major role in the patient's condition monitoring and give a chance to easily operate over different ventilation modes. We already get in touch with various organizations that consulted us on ventilator quality assurance questions and helped us to define key points in testing methodology of the ventilator. The current progress lets us to start organizing a supply chain and evaluation of suppliers’ capacity and compatibility with the requirements. In parallel our RnD team is developing a printed circuit board prototype which is expected on April 10th.

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  Concept development

  After gaining knowledge from more than a thousand pages of medical literature and after spent hundreds of hours on a phone calls with medical experts we prepared the first list of main components dedicated to pulmonary ventilator. The main list consists of more than 500 components that will suit our main ventilator criteria. Due to a shortage of special parts needed for ventilators, we have made a team of five experienced supply managers who will be organizing and coordinating the continues flow of the required components. After discussions with experienced pulmonologists we set up primary ventilation functions: Volume Controlled (VC), Pressure Controlled (PC), Assist Control (AC), Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV), Continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV). Furthermore we assigned dedicated project tasks as follows: Teltonika | SAS - responsible for core ventilator base development, Teltonika | Vehicle Telematics – developing tools dedicated to ventilator quality assurance and testing, Teltonika | Networks – will be responsible for user experience and remote management.