RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the possibility of severe ventilator shortages in the near future. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop an acute shortage ventilator. METHODS: The ventilator was designed to mechanically compress a self-inflating bag resuscitator, using a modified ventilator patient circuit, which is controlled by a microcontroller and an optional laptop. It was designed to operate in both volume-controlled mode and pressure-controlled assist modes. We tested the ventilator in 4 modes using an artificial lung while measuring the volume, flow, and pressure delivered over time by the ventilator. RESULTS: The ventilator was successful in reaching the desired tidal volume and respiratory rates specified in national emergency use resuscitator system guidelines. The ventilator responded to simulated spontaneous breathing. CONCLUSIONS: The key design goals were achieved. We developed a simple device with high performance for short-term use, made primarily from common hospital parts and generally available nonmedical components to avoid any compatibility or safety issues with the patient, and at low cost, with a unit cost per ventilator is less than $400 US excluding the patient circuit parts, that can be easily manufactured.
RESUMO
The text has emphasized the need for a timely dental consult early in the process of the head and neck cancer patient's treatment. Nonrestorable diseased teeth should be removed before radiation and chemotherapy. The primary survey of the patient should include an examination of the oral cavity, noting the state of the dentition and periodontal tissues. Complications commonly seen in patient's undergoing radiotherapy,such as xerostomia, mucositis, and trismus, may be reduced and, therefore,improve the patient's quality of life. Optimizing the patient's oral health benefits the patient's postsurgical and postirradiation course. The dental health care professional can serve an important role in the overall outcome of the patient's care.
