Ilonggos develop ventilators

Researchers Lemuel Ben Belasoto, Hector Jaime Ledesma, Charles Marc Louise Novo, and Ernest Florenz Quitalig have successfully fabricated and run experiments on the first phase prototype of a bag valve mask (BVM)-based ventilator.

A bag valve mask (BVM), sometimes known by the proprietary name Ambu bag or generically as a manual resuscitator or “self-inflating bag”, is a hand-held device commonly used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or not breathing adequately.

The project was funded by the Central Philippine University (CPU) with the approval of President Teodoro Robles, with technical support of Engr. Jeriel Militar of Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers-Panay; Dr Richard De Leon of Iloilo Science and Technology University Research Hub; and Dr. Dave Gelito, III, Dr. Ronnie Samoro, Dr. Anjuli May Jaen, Mr. John Dignadice, III and Engr. Jacobs Lacson of West Visayas State University Medical Center.

The results will accompany a proposal for further development and testing which will be submitted to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6.

Ventilators have been key in managing severe COVID-19 cases.