After only 5 weeks of development, the first low-cost devices are ready and available to provide an additional solution to the worldwide need for respiratory equipment. The FRD-e is an initiative of the Dutch company Stogger, intensivist Hugo Touw of the Radboudumc and app building company Cosmicnode. The initiators created the device in order to help hospitals all over the world in need of additional, easy-to-use and low-cost ventilation equipment. A breathing balloon is already positioned above a bed of every intensive care patient. What has been added is a device that can take over the manual use by a nurse or doctor for 24 hours a day. The device can also be used with an app as seen in this video showing how the FRD-e ventilator works.
Initially, the device was developed as an open source “do-it-yourself” package: named the VentilatorPAL by FreeBreathing. However, due to the high demand for certified equipment, a professional version has been developed together with the NTS Group: named the FRD-e. The essential part is the ventilation balloon that is already positioned at every ICU bed, making the use of this machine very accessible, intuitive and effective.The respirators are made in The Netherlands, patients in need can be ventilated automatically and lives can be saved.
The FRD-e is also easy to control with the use of an app allowing doctors and nurses to set up the pace and power of the ventilation. Because it is so easy-to-use those parts of the world where limited ventilation devices are available can really benefit. In addition, it can also be used in ambulances and operating rooms. When their website went live a few weeks ago, numerous parties from multiple countries showed interest. The product is especially popular in countries outside Europe due to its low cost and easy use.
The device has been developed in an exceptionally short time frame but be assured, the quality of product is up to industry standards. Many professionals have contributed with the sole purpose of developing a device that can save lives. Research at the University of Twente, led by lung physiologist Prof. dr. Dr. de Jong, confirmed that FRD-e complies with the requirements for use on patients with severe respiratory problems suffering from COVID-19 symptoms. This timely device brings a glimmer of hope, especially to nations that are in need of cost defective solutions to manage coronavirus-related medical device shortages during this pandemic.
