- 2021
The explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic in late winter 2020 revealed a desperate shortage of ventilators to treat a growing number of patients impacted by the disease. In response, a group of Seattle-based volunteer clinicians, designers, engineers, and philanthropists formed the World Ventilator Foundation to design and develop a low-cost emergency-response ventilator. The WorldVent is a streamlined mechanical ICU pandemic ventilator that performs the same life-saving function as highly technical ICU ventilators at a fraction of the cost. It is lightweight, has a highly intuitive controller, and can be rapidly and easily produced. It was designed to operate in a range of medical facilities from hospitals, field hospitals, and even austere environments with limited medical personnel and infrastructure.
Designed by: WorldVent Volunteer Team for World Ventilator Foundation