History of ventilator devices -- Ventilator splitters: requirements and feasibility -- SARS CoV-2 transmission and innovative protective barriers -- What is a bridge ventilator and why is it needed? -- Fundamental requirements for a bridge ventilator -- Categorization for emergency ventilators amid COVID-19 pandemic -- Mechanics of resuscitation bag -- How to compress a bag: an overview of mechanical and pneumatic methods -- Choosing the right motor: considerations and concerns -- Re-purposing positive airway pressure machines (CPAP and BiPAP) for ventilators -- The role of non-invasive ventilation to treat COVID-19 induced lung disease -- Categorization of non-invasive ventilators amid the COVID-19 pandemic -- An appraisal of FDA-approved emergency ventilator designs -- DIY: A detailed guide to build your own bridge ventilator -- Regulatory considerations for ventilator production -- Post-regulatory concerns: liability, risk mitigation, and more.

The surge in COVID-19 cases leading to hospitalizations around the world quickly depleted hospital resources and reserves, forcing physicians to make extremely difficult life-or-death decisions on ventilator allocation between patients. Leaders in academia and industry have developed numerous ventilator support systems using both consumer- and industry-grade hardware to sustain life and to provide intermediate respiratory relief for hospitalized patients. This book is the first of its kind to discuss the respiratory pathophysiology underlying COVID-19, explain ventilator mechanics, provide and evaluate a repository of innovative ventilator support devices conceived amid the pandemic, and explain both hardware and software components necessary to develop an inexpensive ventilator support device. This book serves both as a historical record of the collaborative and innovative response to the anticipated ventilator shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a guide for physicians, engineers, and DIY'ers interested in developing inexpensive transitory ventilator support devices. Provides a qualitative appraisal of numerous transitory ventilator devices developed and/or used during the COVID-19 pandemic including non-invasive ventilation; Explores the mechanics, considerations, and concerns of emergency ventilator components; Provides a detailed framework for beginners and experts alike to develop their own emergency ventilation systems.