Respiratory Flowmeter and Monitoring System for COVID-19

Overview: The lungs are a key avenue of attack for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Respiratory problems are primary symptoms of COVID-19, the resulting disease, both for “mild” cases and for cases that lead to hospitalization and potentially death. A consequence of the unfolding pandemic has thus been shortages in the supply of mechanical ventilators and associated components used to manage extreme cases of respiratory failure. We have developed an inexpensive respiratory flowmeter system that is based on readily available commercial components. The system is designed for use in conjunction with non-invasive ventilator systems, such as the COVID-19 Helmet developed by Sea-Long Medical Systems, LLC, but is modular and can be used in other systems. The system comprises one or more flow and pressure sensors and a central station that can be used to remotely monitor up to 20 patients. The system reports flow, pressure and clinically relevant metrics including respiratory rate, tidal volume, Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and the ratio of inspiratory time to expiratory time (I:E).

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NSF

This project is supported by Princeton University, including generous support by the Provost's Office, and by NSF grants OAC-1836650, PHY-2031509 and IOS-1845137. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or Princeton University.