SG-INSPIRE VENTILATOR, AN INNOVATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP

Country: Singapore

Development of the SG-Inspire (SinGapore Invasive/non-invasive support for effective respiration) innovative ventilator to pre-empt shortage for severe COVID-19 cases.

A group of innovative Singapore clinicians has developed a portable, low-cost ventilator that can be used for pandemics. Known as the SG-Inspire (Singapore invasive/non-invasive support for effective respiration), the project was initiated to avoid or mitigate the need to randomly select patients for ventilators.

SG-Inspire is a cost-effective, user-friendly ventilator which allows healthcare professionals, even those in resource-limited settings, to operate with ease. It has a user-friendly interface and uses built-in sensors and control software to provide assisted breathing support depending on each patient’s medical needs.

The SG-Inspire also has unique key features that are not found in conventional ventilators. For instance, it uses ambient air with the option of low-pressure medical oxygen. This makes it suited for situations in which high-pressure medical oxygen may not be easily available. It can also be operated remotely, reducing the need for healthcare professionals to enter a patient’s room and mitigating risks of viral transmission. Designed using readily available components with short production lead time, the SG-Inspire can be scaled up and mass-produced swiftly as and when needed. It can also be stockpiled for emergency situations at a lower cost compared to conventional ventilators, making it ideal for resource-limited healthcare settings in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Contact: MTO@singhealth.com.sg