MAMBU: A Bolivian Case of Response to Artificial Ventilators Shortage

COVID-19 pathology is characterized by a variety of symptoms, from respiratory to cardiac and even neuronal affections. However, from all of these manifestations, lungs’ affection remains a focus of attention due to being considered as the main cause of death. Respiratory failure is treated using different strategies, but a very common practice is to provide respiratory support through artificial ventilation to patients. Unfortunately, due to the shortage of devices capable to offer such functionality, many patients are left unattended given that public healthcare systems’ resources are not enough - the Bolivian healthcare system was not the exception. This paper reports the approach followed to develop MAMBU which stands for Mechatronic Ambulatory Medical Breathing Unit, an automation system for AMBU-based ventilation designed to face the shortage of ventilation devices in Bolivia. A MAMBU device can be manufactured and assembled in a short amount of time, with a low cost and easy transportation. Furthermore, it includes control schemes to manage the respiratory frequency, I:E ratio, PEEP, and FiO2. The device was validated through instrumental testing and in-vivo procedures following Bolivian current regulations. The results obtained show that the device is safe for human usage as well as relatively reliable (around 7% of error).