Uruguayan scientists create ventilator they say is easy to build and patent-free

Record ID: 1468819

  • Title: Uruguayan scientists create ventilator they say is easy to build and patent-free
  • Date: 10th April 2020
  • Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (APRIL 9, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VENTILATOR PROTOTYPE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAYAN COMPUTER SCIENTISTS, MARCIO LA ROSA, SAYING: "I saw this model on the internet and it seemed pretty simple. It was something we could make here in the workshop. I asked Roberto (Roberto Canessa, his colleague) and he agreed to move forward. So, we decided to get started." VENTILATOR PROTOTYPE VARIOUS OF MAN OPERATING VENTILATOR PROTOTYPE VARIOUS OF VENTILATOR PROTOTYPE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAYAN DOCTOR, RAUL MANNISE, SAYING: "Within our means here in Uruguay, I think it (the ventilator) complies with the functions required by any intensivist caring for a patient. We gave it the finishing touches two nights ago to keep pressure not too high inside the lung. And it worked. We pulled it off." VARIOUS OF MAN IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF VENTILATOR (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) URUGUAYAN COMPUTER SCIENTISTS, AMERICA PATETA, SAYING: "We were definitely pleased with our work. It is really fulfilling to have contributed, even if it is a small contribution. We hope they (the ventilators) will not be used. If they do need to be used, hopefully we can make a positive contribution." VARIOUS OF MAN OPERATING VENTILATOR PROTOTYPE
  • Embargoed: 24th April 2020 15:16
  • Keywords: COVID-19 Uruguay coronavirus health ventilators
  • Location: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
  • City: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
  • Country: Uruguay
  • Reuters ID: LVA001C8WQ0CN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: : Uruguayan computer scientists say have developed an affordable, easy and patent-free mechanical respirator, which could help ease pressure on hospitals stretched thin by the influx of patients suffering from symptoms of the new coronavirus.
    Marcio La Rosa, a member of the design team, said the production of the respirator is cheap and can be made with components widely available in Uruguay.
    Their invention, called the "charrúa" ventilator, can be manufactured by any person or company, due to its patent-free schemes.
    Ventilators provide the needed oxygen for patients experiencing severe respiratory issues and the "charrúa" ventilator is no different, according to its creators.
    The team of scientists is still working on refining the device, but they have already developed a prototype that is being tested on animals.
    (Production: Alejandro Obaldia)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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