BYU graduates, students create compact, low-cost ventilator

PROVO, Utah — A group of BYU graduates and students have created a compact and low-cost ventilator that has now been approved for use during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Compared to other ventilators, this ventilator is smaller, it’s lighter weight, it’s more sustainable with its internal pump and internal battery,” said NeoNatal Rescue co-founder Kindall Palmer.

The ventilator started out as a project 8 years ago to help premature babies in third-world countries.

With a little tweaking, the AdultLife Ventilator can be produced quickly and cheaply.

There have been shortages because of “companies having custom parts and not being able to quickly produce thousands of them in several months. Our ventilator is locally made, with parts that are easily obtainable,” said NeoNatal Rescue co-founder Erica Palmer.

The Palmers are BYU grads. Fellow graduates and graduate students are helping with the project.

“We’ve been working with respiratory therapists at the hospital and other doctors and every single time we go, they say, ‘we need this ventilator built yesterday,’” said AdultLife team member Andy Armstrong.

The FDA gave them emergency approval to use the compact ventilator during the pandemic.

They are starting by building 500 a month. They’ll work up to several thousand a month.

It’s being produced in Springville with the help of ATL Technology.

They are also working with the World Health Organization, Department of Defense, FEMA and various hospital chains.

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How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Don’t touch your face.
• Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
• If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
• Get a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

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