Irish manufacturer, Combilift, best known for producing space-saving forklifts and other handling solutions, has drawn on its engineering and software expertise to create a new product called the Combi-ventilate.
This new tool is a splitter device which can turn one ventilator into multiple ventilators.
The invention was designed to address the current medical requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic by a team of mechatronic and software engineers over a period of 5 weeks. The unit is currently undergoing laboratory tests in Beaumont hospital.
Key features
The Combi-ventilate uses standard pipes and fittings for ease of assembly. Individual patient filters prevent cross-contamination and each patient has a dedicated screen which allows medical professionals to monitor the vital signs of each individual.
It also has automatically adjustable flow control valves which allow the health service professional control the tidal volume to each patient electronically without having to make manual adjustments.
Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder, said: “Certain countries and cities are struggling to get enough ventilators and many governments and health authorities are encouraging manufacturers to come up with a solution, as did the HSE in Ireland.”
“Instead of actually developing ventilators we analysed what is really required, as we do in our usual business models. We have made Combi-Ventilate under the same ethos and with the same objective as we do with all our the Combilift products – which is all about doing more with less.”
Device launch
At the launch of the device, a number of key figures in both the innovation and medical device industries gave their thoughts on this new device.
Heather Humphreys, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, said: “Combilift have had huge success all over the world because their number one priority is finding solutions. That’s why it should be no surprise to see them stepping up to the plate in our national and global effort to defeat COVID-19.”
“Their hallmark as a company is innovation and adaptability, and this splitter device is testament to that. I would like to commend them on their wonderful achievement and wish them every success as they bring the product to market.”
Adding to this, Ronnie McDermott, National Medical Device Equipment Advisor, HSE said:
“The Combi-Ventilate in addition to the normal concept of splitting a ventilator has added in monitoring and controls for each patient so that provides the clinician with assurances in using the system.”
“It will be very useful in the developing world countries who may not have the luxury to go out and purchase many ventilators. Splitting a ventilator is now a viable solution.”
Image and video source: Combilift Facebook
