There are two major types of medical ventilators:

- invasive

- noninvasive

The type of ventilator to be used depends on the condition of the patient. Each type has both positive and negative side effects. 


Types of Medical Ventilators for COVID-19

Ventilators supply air/oxygen mixture to coronavirus patients suffering from various levels of lung damage due to COVID-19. Existing ventilators vary in their designs and uses.

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Medical devices encompass essentially all health care products that do not mainly use chemical (pharmaceutical) or biological (vaccines) approaches to diagnose, monitor, and treat patients with COVID-19. Examples include medical imaging, implants, bionics/artificial organs, and biomedical sensors.

- Medical Ventilators for COVID-19

- Medical Ventilator Alternatives for COVID-19

- Biosenors for COVID-19

- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19

- CT imaging for COVID-19

- Prophylactic Dressings for COVID-19

- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Devices for COVID-19

Medical Devices for COVID-19

Khan NA, Akhtar J. Respiratory and ventilator management of COVID-19. J Pak Med Assoc. 2020;70(Suppl 3)(5):S60-S63. doi:10.5455/JPMA.23

(link not available)

Respiratory and ventilator management of COVID-19

Medical Ventilators for COVID-19

Due to ventilator shortages across the nation, biomedical engineers have been developing more efficient designs for medical ventilators and investigating alternative solutions to deliver oxygen to COVID-19 patients experiencing respiratory failure.

- Ventilator Splitting Design Proposals

- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)


Medical Ventilator Alternatives for COVID-19

Biosensors for COVID-19

According to the CDC, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used every day by healthcare personnel (HCP) to protect themselves, patients, and others when providing care. PPE helps protect HCP from many hazards encountered in healthcare facilities. However, the sudden surge in cases has lead to a spike in the demand for PPEs, leading to shortages all around the world.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19

Imaging tests cannot be used as the only reliable diagnostic tool to detect infection due to its lack of sensitivity. However, it can be useful in medical settings with limited resources where the virus is prevalent.

- Chest Radiograph
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography

Radiographics Test / CT Imaging for COVID-19

The weight of the head is held up by the head; however COVID-19 patients placed in a prone position may experience pressure ulcers resulting from prolonged exposure/contact of the surface with the skin. Prophylactic dressing is a multi-layered silicone foam dressing which can be applied to the resting surface to relieve the stress and strain of the body weight on the soft tissue. This reduces the chances of a pressure ulcer especially for COVID-19 patients with low mobility. 

Prophylactic Dressings

- Journal of Pakistan Medical Association

- Lancet Respir Med

- Anaesthesia (Journal of Association of Anaesthetists)

- ACS Nano

- Radiology

- International Wound Journal

- World Health Organization

- JAMA Health Forum

Medical Devices for COVID-19 References by Journal/Organization

CPAP devices deliver positive pressure in each cycle of respiration. The pressure facilitates the alveoli to remain open during exhalation, which is very helpful for oxygenation and easy breathing. The device is properly suited for the initial treatment patients having mild respiratory problems. 

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