Ventilators
CSIR L.I.F.E. - Acting swiftly to touch lives through innovation
The digital design and production of a local ventilator to support the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic took place in under 3 months, and saw the CSIR take the lead in this collaborative effort to swiftly touch lives through innovation.
Under the auspices of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the CSIR worked closely with a number of local partners to develop the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device that uses an innovative design to provide a mild level of oxygenated air pressure to keep the airways open and, thus, assist with breathing. Through this project, a total of 18 000 ventilators were produced supplying oxygen to Covid-19 patients showing respiratory distress.
Under the project name, ‘CSIR L.I.F.E.’ (Lung Inspiratory Flow Enabler), the innovative system uses standard, hospital-grade oxygen supply, and features easy-to-use, on-device flow gages to adjust Fraction of Inspired Oxygen in steps of 10% oxygenation.
The development forms part of government’s National Ventilator Project (NVP), and is supported by the Solidarity Fund. “While ensuring that we achieve this in a short period of time, we had to ensure that we follow a rigorous, documented product lifecycle methodology that would ensure scalable manufacturing, as well as compliance and licensing under the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and guidelines of the World Health Organization,” says Ajith Gopal, Executive Manager of CSIR Future Production: Manufacturing.
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CSIR L.I.F.E. - Acting swiftly to touch lives through innovation
The digital design and production of a local ventilator to support the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic took place in under 3 months, and saw the CSIR take the lead in this collaborative effort to swiftly touch lives through innovation.
Under the auspices of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), the CSIR worked closely with a number of local partners to develop the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device that uses an innovative design to provide a mild level of oxygenated air pressure to keep the airways open and, thus, assist with breathing. Through this project, a total of 18 000 ventilators were produced supplying oxygen to Covid-19 patients showing respiratory distress.
Under the project name, ‘CSIR L.I.F.E.’ (Lung Inspiratory Flow Enabler), the innovative system uses standard, hospital-grade oxygen supply, and features easy-to-use, on-device flow gages to adjust Fraction of Inspired Oxygen in steps of 10% oxygenation.
The development forms part of government’s National Ventilator Project (NVP), and is supported by the Solidarity Fund. “While ensuring that we achieve this in a short period of time, we had to ensure that we follow a rigorous, documented product lifecycle methodology that would ensure scalable manufacturing, as well as compliance and licensing under the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and guidelines of the World Health Organization,” says Ajith Gopal, Executive Manager of CSIR Future Production: Manufacturing.
The device was wholly designed and produced in South Africa by the CSIR and local manufacturing and industry partners such as Siemens, Simera, Akacia, Gabler, Umoya and the University of Cape Town (UCT), with others soon to join.
Siemens provided the necessary software support for the product lifecycle management, as well as software to facilitate rapid production scaling. “This way, we remain true to the role of the CSIR – which is to perform research, development and innovation that is cutting edge and fosters industrial development,” Gopal explains.
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Bosscha leads the industrial robotics research group, where the focus is on product development and conducting research in the fields of industrial robotics and industrial automation, developing new algorithms for robot control, perception, application of machine learning techniques, as well as planning and developing robotic systems for industrial purposes.
Coetzee leads the future production systems research group and has a keen interest in digital transformation for various applications. Currently, the group is focusing on investigating how emerging 4IR technologies and digital platforms can advance manufacturing and provide a competitive advantage for industry. The future production systems group is also driving the Learning Factory, Smart Factory, Blockchain and Plant Simulation platforms to support the local industry.
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FAQ
Q: Where does one get hold of ventilators and replacement patient circuits?
A: Ventilators and patient circuits have been donated to both public and private hospitals. Hospitals can contact the National Department of Health for distribution of more ventilators and patient circuits.
Q: Does the CSIR offer any help, support and/or training on the use of the ventilators?
A: Manuals are supplied with each CSIR LIFE Ventilator.
The CSIR contracted QualiHealth to provide support to hospitals. For any queries, please call the following numbers:
- Medical Queries: 071 194 4129
- Technical Queries: 071 585 2120
WhatsApp:
We have tried to make information easily accessible.
By sending “Hi” to 071 585 2120 via WhatsApp, you will receive access to:
- Manuals
- Training Videos
- Patient Leaflets
Q: What were the minimum requirements for ventilators?
A: The minimum requirements were:
- Full time supervision by qualified healthcare professional; and
- Oxygen supply up to 400kPa.
Q: How can the CSIR support medical device manufacturers?
A: The CSIR has the capabilities, experience and expertise to support the industry in various ways:
- New product development;
- Regulatory compliance and support;
- Production design and manufacturing support;
- Plant optimisation;
- Advanced materials development; and
- Product design and concept development.
Q: What are the CSIR’s plans for the ventilators?
A: We are in the process of commercialising the ventilator; and interested parties can contact the CSIR for more information.