Open-Source COVID-19 Pulmonary Ventilator
The non-invasive, open-source ventilator is easy to build and is low-cost if there are no ventilators available and no patient is sedated or intubated while the patient needs to be ventil…
Know the mission before touching a wire.
Understand what you are making, prepare the right tools, and make the workbench safe.
Project details
Open-Source COVID-19 Pulmonary Ventilator is a arduino project. The non-invasive, open-source ventilator is easy to build and is low-cost if there are no ventilators available and no patient is sedated or intubated while the patient needs to be ventil…
- Source pages
- 627-630
- Named parts
- 6
- Build goal
- Working, tested prototype
Tools you need
- Digital multimeter
- Wire stripper and side cutters
- Soldering iron with a fine tip
- Current-limited bench supply
- Computer with a data-capable USB cable
Use eye protection, good lighting, and a clean insulated surface throughout the build.
Safety precautions
- Disconnect every power source before changing a connection.
- Check component polarity, pinout, and supply voltage twice.
- Use a current limit for the first power-up.
- This project may involve hazardous voltage. Work only with qualified supervision and proper isolation.
Gather, identify, and understand every part.
Use the standardized inventory, then open What's this? to learn each part's role, advantages, limitations, handling, and specifications.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Arduino UNO , Arduino 4 Relay Shield
A programmable controller that reads inputs, makes decisions, and drives the project's outputs.
What it does hereIt is the control centre and must use the documented board, pin map, supply, and logic level.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Reprogrammable and reusable
- Large learning ecosystem
- Complex behaviour remains changeable
Limitations
- GPIO voltage and current are limited
- Some pins affect boot or communication
- Loads normally need a driver
Handling
- Disconnect power before rewiring
- Avoid static discharge
- Never power motors, relays, or pumps directly from GPIO
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for Arduino UNO , Arduino 4 Relay Shield; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm operating voltage, logic level, pinout, memory, USB interface, and maximum GPIO current.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Digital Servo MG995 , LM2596S Module
An output component turns an electrical control signal into light, sound, motion, switching, or displayed information.
What it does hereIt presents the circuit result or acts on the physical world.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Makes system state visible
- Can be tested separately
- Supports clear troubleshooting
Limitations
- Loads may exceed controller current
- Polarity or driver direction can matter
- Inductive loads create voltage spikes
Handling
- Use the documented driver stage
- Check polarity and load current
- Add flyback protection for inductive loads
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for Digital Servo MG995 , LM2596S Module; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm voltage, current, polarity, interface, driver requirements, and duty cycle.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
k linear Multi-turn Potentiometer
A named project component whose exact role is defined by the source circuit and build guide.
What it does hereIt performs a documented electrical, control, interface, or construction function in this project.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Selected for this project
- Can be checked independently
- Supports modular troubleshooting
Limitations
- Substitutes may differ
- Generic names can hide variants
- Pinouts and ratings vary
Handling
- Compare the received part with the source
- Keep it labelled
- Do not force connectors or adjusters
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for k linear Multi-turn Potentiometer; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm dimensions, ratings, connection method, polarity, and environmental limits.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Digilent 60W PCle 12V 5A Power Supply
A power component supplies, converts, stores, or regulates energy for the project.
What it does hereIt must provide the documented voltage, polarity, isolation, and sufficient current safely.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Stable power improves reliability
- Current limiting protects first tests
- Regulation reduces resets and noise
Limitations
- Wrong polarity can cause immediate damage
- Underrated parts overheat
- Mains circuits require qualified supervision
Handling
- Measure output before connection
- Use a fuse or current limit
- Insulate exposed conductors
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for Digilent 60W PCle 12V 5A Power Supply; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm input/output voltage, current, polarity, connector, isolation, and thermal rating.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Switch button 220V
A named project component whose exact role is defined by the source circuit and build guide.
What it does hereIt performs a documented electrical, control, interface, or construction function in this project.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Selected for this project
- Can be checked independently
- Supports modular troubleshooting
Limitations
- Substitutes may differ
- Generic names can hide variants
- Pinouts and ratings vary
Handling
- Compare the received part with the source
- Keep it labelled
- Do not force connectors or adjusters
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for Switch button 220V; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm dimensions, ratings, connection method, polarity, and environmental limits.
What's this?Image, role, pros, cons, handling & specifications
Snorke Full Face , Solenoid Valve, 2 ways
An output component turns an electrical control signal into light, sound, motion, switching, or displayed information.
What it does hereIt presents the circuit result or acts on the physical world.
Buy / compare this part ↗Advantages
- Makes system state visible
- Can be tested separately
- Supports clear troubleshooting
Limitations
- Loads may exceed controller current
- Polarity or driver direction can matter
- Inductive loads create voltage spikes
Handling
- Use the documented driver stage
- Check polarity and load current
- Add flyback protection for inductive loads
Specifications to verify
- Use the exact model, value, package, and rating listed for Snorke Full Face , Solenoid Valve, 2 ways; similar-looking parts are not always interchangeable.
- Confirm voltage, current, polarity, interface, driver requirements, and duty cycle.
Connect one verified path at a time.
Explore the named components and standardized signal flow, then use Source Check to verify exact physical pins, values, and topology before applying power.
Trace this circuit.
Open-Source COVID-19 Pulmonary Ventilator: interactive parts, standardized terminals, responsive anchored wires, student explanations, and the original circuit reference in one shared system.
Trace before wiring
Follow power, ground, inputs, processing, and outputs in that order. Never guess a pin from package shape alone.
Connect with power off
Make short, labelled connections and share a common ground only where the schematic requires it.
Inspect every joint
Check continuity, polarity, adjacent shorts, and loose connections before the first power-up.
Open all source diagrams and build views 2 visuals
Confirm the hardware-only control path.
This project does not include firmware in the source. The circuit itself provides the required behaviour.
How to connect
- Match every controller label to the circuit view and source pin map.
- Join grounds before signal wires when separate low-voltage supplies are used.
- Keep motors, relays, pumps, and other loads on a suitable driver and external supply.
Common mistakes
Reversed VCC/GND, board-label versus GPIO-number confusion, missing common ground, and charge-only USB cables.
Troubleshoot
Disconnect loads, continuity-test one path at a time, then test with a current limit.
Software preparation
No IDE, board package, library, or firmware upload is required for this project.
If you add a programmable controller as an extension, document its pin map separately.
How to upload code
The original design is implemented entirely in hardware, so proceed after verifying the circuit and supply.
Software Specifications
Arduino Compiler, C Programming
Through the use of nasal and face masks, non-invasive ventilation is made possible by delivering controlled amounts of compressed air into the lungs. This helps the body fight infection and recover when the lungs are failing from disease. During the height of the coronavirus outbreak, and based on research conducted in Italy, I turned a Decathlon snorkel mask into an emergency ventilator for patients suffering from COVID-19, in order to reduce the lack of ventilators. Because of their low cost and ease of adaptation, these masks are used throughout the world.
Assemble, deploy, test, and troubleshoot.
Use the complete source notes in build order, then pass the final checks before calling the project finished.
Build in functional stages
- Power and regulation
- Controller or processing stage
- Inputs and sensors
- Outputs and loads
- Enclosure and strain relief
Power up safely
- Inspect unpowered continuity first
- Apply the lowest safe current limit
- Measure supply rails before signals
- Add one load at a time
- Record expected and actual results
Work from simple to complex
- Confirm power, ground, polarity, and orientation
- Compare each pin with the source
- Test inputs separately from outputs
- Replace only one variable at a time
- Power off before every correction
Follow the documented instructions.
These notes come from this project's source and remain in their original order.
Project overview
Project build noteThe non-invasive, open-source ventilator is easy to build and is low-cost if there are no ventilators available and no patient is sedated or intubated while the patient needs to be ventilated. This project was inspired by a challenge I accepted from my former teacher and friend Serafim Pires. He presented a Spanish project to me and asked me to create a project to help fight the worldwide economic crisis. Circuit Diagram of COVID-19 Pulmonary Ventilator
This functional prototype was built on the basis of two existing technologies, after conducting several researches and tests on the topic of non-invasive ventilation. All tests were successful and the functional test lasted in excess of 20 days without any interruption.
Components Required
Project build noteArduino UNO , Arduino 4 Relay Shield Digital Servo MG995 , LM2596S Module 10k linear Multi-turn Potentiometer Digilent 60W PCle 12V 5A Power Supply 5mm LED Red , 5mm LED Green , Alphanumeric LCD 20*4 Switch button 220V Snorke Full Face , Solenoid Valve, 2 ways
WARNING
Project build noteThis prototype does not have official validation, nor will I accept any responsibility with it. Furthermore, this equipment is intended to save lives in an extreme peak situation and will be used as a last resort by trained medical personnel. In Portugal, the Portuguese authorities may approve the duplication of the non-profit project in bulk.
You built Open-Source COVID-19 Pulmonary Ventilator.
You followed the full workflow from understanding the mission to testing the finished project. That is a real engineering achievement - well done.
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