Mechanical Ventilator Control System Using Low-Cost Pressure Sensors

The increasingly active cases of people with the COVID- 19 viruses have reached a very worrying level in most countries globally. The availability of ventilators in hospitals is one factor that increases the number of deaths in Indonesia. In this study, we present a control system on a mechanical ventilator using an inexpensive pressure sensor to control pressure, flow rate, and volume during the process of inspiration and expiration. The implemented method uses the venturi meter concept by comparing two air pressure sensors flowed by the Ambu bag. The control system on this ventilator uses a microcontroller and MPX5050DP sensor. The system tries to maintain the PEEP value of 5 cmH2O, and the feedback obtained ranges from 2.7-5.16 cmH2O. At the same time, the expected flowrate value of 55 L/min can be maintained at a value of 53.9 - 59.5 L/min. The tidal volume, which functions as a limiter for inspiration and expiration, is set at a value of 400 ml; the feedback given by the sensor varies between 416 ml - 436 ml. Nevertheless, on the other hand, this system needs to be developed further because there are problems with sensor precision.