COVOX: Providing oxygen during the COVID-19 health emergency

• Published in: HardwareX Vol. 13; p. e00383
• Main Authors: Rubio, Joaquina, Rojas, Christiam, Sanchez, Midori, Gómez-Alzate, Daniela, Córdova, Mauricio, Montoya, Verónica, Castaneda, Benjamin, Chang, Javier, Pérez-Buitrago, Sandra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2023; The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19 pandemic; Critical care; Hardware; Hypoxemia; Oxygen Concentrator; Respiratory insufficiency; Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Critical care; Oxygen Concentrator; COVID-19 pandemic; Respiratory insufficiency; Hypoxemia
• ISSN: 2468-0672; 2468-0672
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2022.e00383

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We introduce an autonomous oxygen concentrator that was designed in Peru to fight the oxygen shortage produced worldwide as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oxygen concentrators represent a suitable and favorable option for administering this gas at the patient’s bedside in developing countries, especially when cylinders and tubed systems are unavailable or when access to them is restricted by lack of accessories, inadequate power supply, or shortage of qualified personnel. Our system uses a pressure swing adsorption technique to provide oxygen to patients at a flow rate of up to 15 l/min ± 1,5 l/min and a concentration of 93 % ± 3 %, offering robustness, safety and functionality. The quality measurements obtained from the validation process demonstrate repeatability and accuracy. The complete design files are provided in the source file repository to facilitate oxygen concentrator production in low and middle income countries, where access to oxygen is still a major problem even after the pandemic. Oxygen is part of the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines and is perhaps the only medicine that has no substitute. This device can provide a reliable supply of oxygen for critically ill patients and improve their chances of survival.