The Problem

50% of ICU patients need a ventilator. In many developing countries like the Philippines, there is only 1 ventilator per 10 ICU beds which may result to unwanted increase in mortality rates. The prohibitive cost of acquiring a ventilator plus the inaccessibility of spare parts when a ventilator breaks down poses a challenge for small hospitals to acquire more units..

The Solution

Developed by a team of critical care specialists, biomedical engineers, software specialist and biomed technicians, Ginhawa (ReliefVent) is a ventilator that can be used for both children and adults. It is projected to cost 40% lower than other portable ventilators in the market.

Target Market

Hospitals, clinics, ambulance services.

Features:
It is compact, portable, and can be AC or DC powered. It has embedded software for self-diagnostic cloud-based data analytic, with protocols for operations and trouble-shooting.

Status and Needs:

The product is relatively lightweight (8kg) unit and mainly powered by compressed air. It can do controlled ventilation, assist-control ventilation, and synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation. It contains an internal differential pressure transducer for detecting patient inspiratory efforts and refinement of the internal oxygen blender and humidifier, which is uncommon to most of the commercially-available ventilators. Benchtesting using Michigan Instruments Pneuview Test Lung and animal (dog) studies testing were done, proving its safety and efficacy. It is currently undergoing human trials.

The proponent is currently seeking a manufacturing company that will add to its value engineering both for the software and hardware, and a partner for its commercialization.

Contact Person

Abundio Balgos, MD, MHA, FPCP, FPCCP
Professor, UP College of Medicine
University of the Philippines Manila
bundsmd@gmail.com