[Pre-clinical validation of a turbine-based ventilator for invasive ventilation-The ACUTE-19 ventilator].

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 pandemic pressure on healthcare systems can exhaust ventilator resources, especially where resources are restricted. Our objective was a rapid preclinical evaluation of a newly developed turbine-based ventilator, named the ACUTE-19, for invasive ventilation.

Methods: Validation consisted of (a) testing tidal volume delivery in 11 simulated models, with various resistances and compliances; (b) comparison with a commercial ventilator (VIVO-50) adapting the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-recommendations for rapidly manufactured ventilators; and (c) testing in a sheep before and after inducing acute respiratory distress syndrome by saline lavage.

Results: Differences in tidal volume in the simulated models were marginally different (largest difference 33 ml [95% CI 31 to 36];  < .001). Plateau pressure was not different (-0.3 cmHO [95% CI -0.9 to 0.3];  = .409), and positive end-expiratory pressure was marginally different (0.3 cmHO [95% CI 0.2 to 0.3];  < .001) between the ACUTE-19 and the commercial ventilator. Bland-Altman analyses showed good agreement (mean bias -0.29 [limits of agreement 0.82 to -1.42], and mean bias 0.56 [limits of agreement 1.94 to -0.81], at a plateau pressure of 15 and 30 cmHO, respectively). The ACUTE-19 achieved optimal oxygenation and ventilation before and after acute respiratory distress syndrome induction.

Conclusions: The ACUTE-19 performed accurately in simulated and animal models yielding a comparable performance with a VIVO-50 commercial device. The ACUTE-19 can provide the basis for the development of a future affordable commercial ventilator.