ME4200 DESIGN / RESEARCH PROJECT

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

Group No. 6
Project Title Development of a positive pressure ventilator
Submission Date

Background
Positive-pressure ventilation is used when a patient's spontaneous ventilation is inadequate to
maintain life. Positive-pressure ventilators supply air or a mixture of air and oxygen under
possitive pressure to the patient's trachea (the airway) through an endotracheal (flexible
plastic tube that is put in the mouth or nose and then down into the trachea.). The positive
pressure causes the gas to flow into the lungs with less effort and also prevent the undesirable
contracting in alveoli (The alveoli are tiny air sacs within the lungs where the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.).
Especially for premature infants it is necessary to maintain good ventilation at a controlled
oxygen percentage. Presently such devices cost around four to five million rupees and
therefore they are not available even in main hospitals. Presently infants are given air and
oxygen supply through headboxes, face masks, and nasal prongs without proper control over
the pressure, mixing ratio, and flow rate. There is currently a need in the local hospitals for a
positive-pressure ventilation device which is able to control pressure, mixing ratio, and flow
rate automatically.
1: Trachea
2: Pulmonary artery
3: Pulmonary vein
4: Alveolar duct
5: Alveoli
6: Cardiac notch
7: Bronchioles
8: Tertiary bronchi

Figure 01: Anatomy of Lungs 9: Secondary bronchi

10: Primary bronchi
11: Larynx
Objectives
• Design a positive pressure ventilation device with the following capabilities:
o Mix oxygen and air to a given ratio as determined by a physician.
o Ability to set the flow rate of the mixture up to a limit of 15 litres per minute.
o Supply the mixture at a pressure of 3 to 5 water centimetres.
o Give warning if actual flow rate or pressure is outside set limits. The machine
should also stop flow if these values can cause harm to the patient.
o Has the ability to record the operating parameters over time.
• The device should be portable enough to be carried in an ambulance.

Methodology
• Conduct a survey on problems related with ventilation, existing devices and identify
the drawbacks.
• Collect the possible solutions and identify the best or feasible frame for the device.
• Analyze the flow and pressure variations using conventional methods and using CFD
methods.
• Design the device.
• Construct the device with appropriate materials and suitable manufacturing process.
• Test the device in laboratory conditions.
• Test the device on patients.

Expected Outcomes
• Introduce a low cost, portable and reliable positive pressure ventilation device for use
in hospitals in Sri Lanka.

Advisor’s Name Dr. Hans Gray

Signature
Date 22/07/2009