Tech Companies Keep Fighting COVID-19

VentLife Creates a Low-Cost Ventilators Initiative

VentLife was created to research, prototype, develop, and provide low-cost, clinically effective ventilators. The non-profit has developed a novel mechanical ventilator specifically targeted to meet the needs of COVID-19 patients. With input from over a dozen medical doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs, the device has been designed to work effectively at a low cost. One of the group’s members has created a ventilator prototype in less than one week – using parts purchased at Home Depot. (Image source: VentLife)

Automated Guided Vehicles in Demand During Outbreak

According to Fact.MR, automated guided vehicles are being launched in hospitals to care for COVID-19 patients, thus reducing risk of disease transmission among healthcare workers. Towards this purpose, prototypes of automated guided vehicles have been designed to deliver food, drugs and medical supplies to afflicted patients. Seeing their high utility, many medical facilities are now contracting AGV manufacturers to produce these vehicles en masse. (Image source: Aethon)

Tolomatic Develops Open-Source, Low-Cost Ventilator Actuation for COVID-19 Patients

In an effort to support the global need for medical ventilators, Minnesota-based Tolomatic has dedicated a team of engineers to develop an emergency ventilator concept system using electric linear actuators.

Tolomatic’s solution is a new type of ventilator that operates using an electric linear actuator. These prototypes automate a non-invasive, positive-pressure resuscitator (also self-inflating bag, bag valve mask or AMBU bag/Artificial Manual Breathing Unit). The device is used primarily in emergency situations when traditional ventilators are not available. (Image source: Tolomatic)

North Carolina Students Join with Manufacturers to Create Shields

Faculty members from the University of North Carolina Charlotte have teamed up with local high school students and manufacturers to produce recyclable protective shields designed to extend the life of the disposable face masks used by health care workers combating COVID-19.

What started as a homegrown effort using a host of 3D printers producing about 250 shields per week quickly escalated. Since March 30, the group, known as Charlotte MEDI, has been working with manufacturers like Texlon Plastic Corp. and Caro-Poly to create shields via injection molding that allow for a more aggressive production timeline. The injection molder can make four shields per minute, up to 10,000 per day. (Image source: Charlotte MEDI)

Safe Sleep Cabins Give Healthcare Workers a Safe Haven to Rest

Spartan Shielding, a full-service shielding company, has created a modular isolation chamber for medical staff or patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Designed by the company’s inhouse team of architects, engineers, and construction experts, the isolation rooms can be configured to any size and used in hospitals or in any facility needing to separate and treat individuals, or simply give staff a safe haven to rest. Cabins can be set up with a negative air or positive air configuration. (Image source Spartan Shielding)

Kryon Helps Companies Adapt to COVID-19 with Free Full-Cycle Automation Package

Kryon, a company involved with robotic process automation, process discovery, and AI solutions, will provide a free Full-Cycle Automation package to any companies working to overcome business challenges caused by COVID-19.

These packages will remotely integrate Process Discovery Robots, Attended Automation Robots and Unattended Automation Robots into business processes. Companies are invited to complete this form before April 15 to confirm eligibility and receive access. (Image source: Kyron)

Interlink Quadruples Production of Sensor Components for Ventilators

Interlink Electronics has quadrupled its output of components used in the making of lifesaving equipment in support of the relief effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes Interlink’s patented Ring Sensor, a touch-operated, wheel-shaped sensor used in noninvasive ventilators that assist patients experiencing respiratory distress. The sensors are designed to withstand quick deep cleanings. (Image source: Interlink Electronics)

Origin Shifts from Making 3D Printers to Medical Devices

Origin has completed clinical trials and validation with Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for Covid-19 test swabs and is ramping up to produce millions of the test swabs in the coming weeks. Origin will be collaborating with Harvard as well as other 3D printing companies, academia, and medical enterprises. The company has shifted its resources from being a 3D printer manufacturer to becoming a medical device manufacturer to address the massive shortage of COVID-19 test kit supplies. The company is also working on efforts to print PPE. (Image source: Origin)

Repair Company Offers Free Videos to Help Manufacturers Maintain Equipment

PSI Repair Services, a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, will provide free videos to manufacturers on how to maintain their critical manufacturing equipment during the COVID-19 shutdown. The state of Michigan granted PSI an exception to the COVID-19 shutdown because it serves many essential manufacturers that deliver critical products and services to the American public. (Image source: PSI Repair Services)

KOGANEI Increases Production of Ventilator Flow Control Valves

With the recent announcement that Medtronic has made the design of its Puritan Bennett 560 ventilator available to all manufacturers, the need for ventilator components is rising dramatically. In response, KOGANEI International America is ramping up production of its products used in ventilators. KOGANEI has increased its manufacturing of KFPV Proportional Flow Control Valves, since they are a critical component in medical ventilators. (Image source: KOGANEI)