Ventilators out of Car Parts?
By Simran Duggi
When you turn on the television or open up the news feed on your phone it is likely that you will see articles like “CORONAVIRUS: 100 NEW DEATHS” or “MASSIVE VENTILATOR SHORTAGES.” The coronavirus is a respiratory disease caused by the COVID-19 virus, and it is spread through the droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. During this time, the infected may experience flu-like symptoms (sore throat, cough, muscle aches, & fever). However, those over 60 or people with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and heart disease are much more likely to become severely ill, requiring hospitalization. Although some with milder symptoms are battling the virus at home, others make their way to hospitals in the need for ventilators if they have difficulty breathing. The coronavirus causes pneumonia and inflammation of the alveolar sacs in the lungs, which makes it extremely hard for someone to breathe. With all the patients flooding hospitals on top of the shortage of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds, there is a major shortage of respiratory therapists and ventilators.
This shortage has led to many doctors, hospitals, and major technology companies to take action. Many doctors have found innovative ways to use a single ventilator for more than one person. Along with this, large tech companies like Tesla, General Motors, and Ford are working hard to mass produce ventilators and supply hospitals that are short of them. Tesla, a major electric car company, designed their own ventilators by utilizing existing parts from Tesla Model 3s. On Sunday April 5th, they released a video on YouTube showing their progress on the development of their ventilators. The Tesla’s infotainment system and central screen was used to control the device while a suspension tank was used as an oxygen mixing compartment. Tesla also explained that using parts they were familiar with allowed them to speed the manufacturing process. However, the ventilators won’t be able to be used in hospitals immediately as they need FDA approval.
Tesla even donated bi-level positive airway pressure machines (BiPAPs), similar to ventilators to various hospitals across the United States. What’s interesting about this is the unity that the COVID-19 virus is bringing in the world. Many companies, celebrities, and just the general population are coming together to hopefully make an impact and stall the virus. The production of masks, ventilators, and the idea of social distancing is significantly helping to slow the rate of the spread of the virus. Still while many hospitals are short on proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), healthcare workers continue to push through and fight to help patients overcome the virus.
REFERENCES
Burns, M. (2020, April 6). Tesla shows how it’s building ventilators with car parts. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/05/tesla-shows-how-its-building-ventilators-with-car-parts/
Stobbe, M. (2020, April 9). Some Doctors Move Away From Ventilators for COVID Patients. Retrieved from https://time.com/5818547/ventilators-coronavirus/
Miller, F. G. (2020, April 15). Why I Support Age-Related Rationing of Ventilators for Covid-19 Patients. Retrieved from https://www.thehastingscenter.org/why-i-support-age-related-rationing-of-ventilators-for-covid-19-patients/
O’Kane, S. (2020, April 15). How GM and Ford switched out pickup trucks for breathing machines. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/15/21222219/general-motors-ventec-ventilators-ford-tesla-coronavirus-covid-19
