RESCIUS-project: Responding to the ventilator surge capacity problem raised in the COVID-19 crisis setting by designing Individualized Shared Ventilation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, shared ventilation was discussed as a possible solution for ventilator capacity problems. The major obstacle with this splitted ventilator circuit, is the need to pair patients with similar lung characteristics. Individualized Shared Ventilation (ISV) tackles this problem with an adapted ventilator circuit, which allows for individualization of tidal volumes, PEEP and oxygen fraction, crucial in the proper management of ventilated patients. A proof of concept in bench and in vivo were already published. In this multidisciplinary RESCIUS project we will develop an optimized 3D-printed ISV flow restrictor. Safety and feasibility will be tested in a large animal study and first in human clinical trial conform regulatory requirements. This de-risking strategy will lead to a value proposition consisting of a licensing deal with ventilator manufacturers. Ultimately, this frugal innovation will tackle future capacity problems and open new perspectives for resource-deprived low-income countries.