Combilift Steps Up With Combi-Ventilate

Irish manufacturer Combilift, best known for its range of space-saving forklifts and other handling solutions, has drawn on its expertise in engineering and software design to develop the Combi-Ventilate, a splitter device which turns one ventilator into multiple ventilation stations.

Designed to address the requirements of medical professionals in the current COVID-19 emergency, the Combi-Ventilate was developed by a team of mechatronic and software engineers with a unit currently undergoing laboratory tests with Ger Curley, Professor of Anaesthesia & Critical Care at Royal College of Surgeon’s in Beaumont Hospital.

The Combi-Ventilate uses standard pipes and fittings for easy assembly and its individual patient filters prevent cross contamination. Each patient has a dedicated screen that allows medical professionals to individually monitor their vital information. This includes live values, data on patient history and statistics and adjustable alarm settings. Features include non-return valves, HEPA filters, flow sensors and an automatic flow control valve. Any abnormalities that occur are detected and will only trigger that specific patient’s alarm.

The Combi-Ventilate has automatically adjustable flow control valves that allow the health service professional to control the tidal volume to each patient electronically without having to make manual adjustments.

Shown in photo, at the launch of the Combilift-Ventilate, left to right, Antonio Patacho, Combilift engineer; Martin McVicar, Co-Founder & CEO, Combilift; Dr. Michael Power, National Clinical Lead, Critical Care Programme, Irish Health Service; and Christopher Carragher, Combilift engineer