The Ventilator Project

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is running out of life saving ventilators. The Ventilator Project was founded as a non-profit in March, 2020 to disrupt the ventilator industry. By re-defining accessible and affordable ventilatory care, we will both meet the immediate need and provide a sustainable long-term solution. Our team of engineers has completed 4 design iterations, leading us to "AIRA", our ICU grade ventilator. AIRA can save countless lives in 3 key ways: scalability, affordability, and ease of use. Scalability means that more patients can receive care. Affordability means that more hospitals, regardless of funding, will have access to supplies. Ease of use means that respiratory therapists will be able to support more patients at one time. To further scalability, AIRA was designed with a supply-chain first approach using components sourced outside the already struggling medical supply chain. We are determined to change the medical technology industry.

The 2020 coronavirus caused an easily transmissible upper respiratory disease called COVID-19. As the disease spread, so did the immediate need for ventilatory care. A predicted shortage meant that 600K patients in the US and 13M around the world could be left without the care they needed.

In the past ten years, we have seen SARS, MERS, H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19. As we continue urbanization, the communicability of diseases will further increase. Respiratory diseases being the most likely to become pandemics due to the likelihood of aerosolized transmission. So much of the world has few, if any, ventilators in their countries.

There are two key factors contributing to the problem that relate to our solution: affordable ventilator production and fast ventilator distribution.

Current ICU grade ventilators cost between $20K-$50K which presents a problem for underfunded hospitals around the world. Newport Medical Instruments, created an inexpensive and mass-producible ventilator for the national stockpile back in 2006. However, in 2012, Covidien acquired them for $100M. Their designs were shelved and never saw the light of day. Similar acquisitions are common in the industry. Major manufacturers are struggling to manufacture enough ventilators due to the over leveraged medical supply chain and financial incentives.

AIRA is an ICU grade ventilator that helps people breathe by moving air in and out of the lungs. AIRA is built to be easily scalable and uses materials that are sourced from outside the biomedical supply chain. AIRA has achieved all three necessary modes of control – pressure control, volume control, and pressure support. We use computational techniques to model fluid dynamics in the prototype, optimizing airflow and ensuring the lifetime quality of each unit. We have manufacturing design criteria locked down, and are working with our manufacturing and sourcing partners to source sensors and flow valves.

The target population are hospital leaders from nonprofit, private sector and public sector hospital systems across the world. Current ICU grade ventilators cost between $20K-$50K. That presents a problem for underfunded hospitals in the US and around the world. AIRA, will be sold at a $5K price point. Looking beyond this pandemic, beyond 2020, we will enable hospitals, regardless of funding, to have the supplies to treat their patients.

Access and affordability are not the only problems. COVID-19 also increased the burden on hospital staff, especially respiratory therapists. In the US, there are only 150K respiratory therapists trained to operate the complicated ICU ventilators currently used. With that in mind, we made AIRA intuitive. The easier it is to use the more patients one respiratory therapist can treat.

In the past ten years, we have seen SARS, MERS, H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19. As we continue urbanization, the communicability of diseases will further increase. Respiratory diseases being the most likely to become pandemics due to the likelihood of aerosolized transmission. So much of the world has few, if any, ventilators in their countries. We are targeting underserved communities to help ensure preparedness for current/future pandemics by integrating into hospitals and government stockpiles.  

Newport Medical Instruments created an inexpensive and mass-producible ventilator for the national stockpile back in 2006. However, in 2012, as soon as the design was completed, Covidien acquired them for $100M. Their designs were shelved and never saw the light of day. Similar acquisitions are common in the industry.

With this knowledge, Tyler, our founder, sought to protect the mission. He founded The Ventilator Project as a nonprofit to remove the profit incentive for purchasing its intellectual property and protect the potential for sustainable change.

It is apparent that the medical device space drastically needs disruption. The industry’s focus is profit-driven rather than customer-driven. What makes our solution unique is our customer-first mentality. This mentality is implemented in three key areas of our product design: scalability, affordability, and ease of use.

Scalability:

As COVID-19 spreads, the medical supply chain became over leveraged and under supplied. Thus, AIRA is designed to not rely on the traditional medical supply chain allowing us to be efficient and scalable, no matter the volume of demand.

Affordability: 

Current ICU grade ventilators cost between $20K-$50K, a problem for underfunded hospitals around the world. Therefore, AIRA will be sold at $5K. 

Ease of Use:

In the US, there are only 150K respiratory therapists trained to operate the complicated ICU ventilators currently used. With that in mind, we made AIRA intuitive. The easier it is to use, the more patients one respiratory therapist can treat.

AIRA is a prototype ICU grade ventilator that has achieved all three necessary modes of control.

Pressure control ventilation: Allows the practitioner to control ventilatory pressure throughout the cycle in order to generate the pressure necessary to expand the collapsed alveoli. 

Volume control ventilation: Defines the volume administered to the patient (tidal volume Vt as the control variable). Airway pressure results from the compliance of the lungs and the inhaled volume. 

Pressure support ventilation: A flow-cycled modality in which, as in A/C ventilation, every breath is assisted and the positive pressure is automatically terminated at the end of inspiration.

Our solution utilizes the principles of medical ICU ventilator - down regulates pressure and controls the air wave form for the patient. However our ventilator is designed as a simplified version to be more affordable and scalable. It provides all the same basic level of care without all the bells and whistles. Our 4 prototypes are in final testing for FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Activities: Selling low cost ICU grade ventilators that are great for stockpile and storage

Outputs: Low income and impoverished areas will have an easier time purchasing this critical care equipment

Short-term Outcomes: Fewer deaths from coronavirus.

Long-term Outcomes: Significant increases in the coverage and availability of ventilators around the world, increasing the effectiveness of a global response to future pandemics

We are in the prototyping stage and as such are not yet serving anyone. In one year we will have 50,000 ventilators in the market serving the population. In 5 years we will be able to scale and deliver 500,000 ventilators to the world for stockpile and use.

In the next year we will stave off the worst of the pandemic saving lives that would otherwise be lost to COVID-19. As we move past this pandemic, we will get our product into the markets that cannot otherwise afford a ventilator. Not only will these efforts provide critical global protection from future pandemics, we will be supporting millions of lives saved day-to-day that otherwise would be lost.

Financial:

Next year: In order to fundraise at scale and from larger donors we need to finalize our 501c3 status. In order to receive 501c3 status as a company manufacturing ventilators we will need to prove we are able to run the non-profit in a manner compliant with the public support test and commercialize doctrine. 

Next 5 years: We need to develop a model for fundraising and build out a long term strategy for recurring donor capital and grant funding.

Legal:

Next year: We need emergency approval for any country in which we want to sell ventilators.

Next 5 years: In order to continue selling ventilators we need a permanent certification approval for each country we want to deliver ventilators to.

Market:

Next year: A significant number of players entering the market may make it difficult to differentiate the part of the problem we are trying to solve.

Financial:

Next year: We are bringing on advisors and mentors (hopefully some from MIT Solve) to support the structuring of this non-profit in a way that can do the most good possible. 

Next 5 years: We anticipate blending a variety of revenue sources, grants, public impact bonds, passive revenue (from licensing), program revenue (from selling ventilators), and public donor support to fund this company. 

Legal:

Next year: Obtain FDA Emergency Use Authorization (next 4 weeks), and comparable CE mark authorizations for short term sales. By obtaining the USA certifications first we can leverage the credibility of the FDA to sell into many countries around the world, as many countries will permit the FDA authorization to supersede the requirement for their local certification.

Next 5 years: In order to scale this solution globally for a long time we will need to invest heavily in regulatory proficiency. We will obtain FDA Approval through 510K, CE mark for sale in Europe and similar certifications as applicable for countries around the world. We will need to pursue certifications in as many countries as possible to ensure that we can scale this solution to the globe.

N/A

254 total volunteers 

42 on-site / 212 off-site

84 full-time (>40 hrs/week) / 170 part-time (<40 hrs/week)

For founder Tyler Mantel, a Boston based entrepreneur, the issue hit home. The thought of his 65 year old dad, a diabetic, cancer survivor, being left without care was heartbreaking. Tyler knew he needed to act. As a Purdue University graduate with degrees in mechanical and chemical engineering and a former CEO of a robotics company, Tyler’s motivation was matched by his capability.

Tyler has a record of bringing an innovative mind to big problems. In 2018, he founded Watchtower Robotics with a mission to save water and protect the environment. Taking his experience from Schlumberger and the startup world, he is determined to disrupt the medical technology industry. He quickly assembled a founding team of experts in the fields of sales, ventilator engineering, sales, and marketing.

In just a few weeks, The Ventilator Project was founded and mobilized over 250 volunteers with diverse backgrounds ranging from The White House, Cornell University, Google, and even the San Francisco 49ers. We have 60+ engineers, 10+ doctors, 50+ business professionals including a team of lawyers at Latham & Watkins and FDA approval experts. 

Tyler united a group of strangers to create what he refers to as “The Ventilator Project family.” Many drove from across the country, planning to lend a hand for a weekend. Three months later, despite being short on clothes and living in donated housing, they still find themselves working tirelessly for The Ventilator Project and our mission to help the world breathe. 

• MassRobotics - donated office space
• Latham & Watkins - law firm
• Intertek Engineering Services - FDA testing facility
• Leggitt Strategies - FDA Consultant
• Automation Tooling Systems Inc. - develop test equipment
• Visual Knowledge Share Ltd.- donated manufacturing platform
• Wayfair - corporate donor
• MassChallenge - sponsorship
• Soft Robotics - donated volunteers
• ClearMotion - donated volunteers
• Mitre - donated volunteers
• Chip Ganassi Racing - R&D support
• Premier Manufacturing - sheet metal for AIRA
• NEFF Automation - automation components supplier and sources
• Harpoon Brewery - sponsorship
• Hawke Commercial Filmmaking - donated pitch video
• East Coast Office Installations - donated office furniture
• Alchemy Imagineering - donated labor
• Thatch - donated housing for out of state volunteers
• Mann Lake LTD - donated components
• 50+ additional manufacturing partners ready to ramp up once manufacturing begins

The Ventilator Project is a nonprofit organization focused on alleviating the current shortage of ventilators due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team has been working to develop a revolutionary low-cost basic ICU grade ventilator that can be widely available to all communities and hospitals across the world. Our mission is to offer a lasting cost-effective solution to counteract respiratory illnesses not just during these trying times. All excess revenues will be directed towards continuing our mission by providing vital equipment and essential education to communities in need.

The Ventilator Project has an embedded social enterprise model. 

Phase 1 - Prototype and Pilot

• Monetary Donations: Crowdfunding to support R&D efforts and basic operational costs
• In-Kind-Donations: In the early phases we plan to leverage donated facilities, housing, volunteer time, free company partnerships, trial platform services due to our non-profit structure and COVID related causes. 

Phase 2 - Growth

• Grants: Corporate, Government and Foundation to support operations and manufacturing
• Program Revenue: selling ventilators to hospitals and governments
• Passive income: We will have income streams from manufacturing and distribution agreements for countries and regions outside the US where direct sales are difficult.

Phase 3 - Scale 

Similar funding from the sources highlighted above, however we plan to start covering more of our operational expenses such as rent and hope to convert our volunteers to paid employees in this phase if not earlier. We also believe we can adjust our pricing model and optimize our COGS to allow revenue generated from communities that can afford it to help support donation or subsidizing ventilators in those that cannot to further our impact and continue to support our mission.

MIT Solve's mission to solve world challenges directly aligns with the values embedded within our organization. TVP is addressing the current ventilator shortage, which is an issue that impacts people from all walks of life globally. It's an issue that cannot be solved without the proper network, funding, and mentors. All of the needed resources to tackle this global challenge lie within the MIT Solve ecosystem and community. 

If The Ventilator Project's solution is selected, our team will be more equipped to get life-saving ventilators into the hands of the people who desperately need them. By combining forces, we will have the chance to transform an industry that has been overthrown by price markups and greed into one that is based on social impact and the greater good of humanity. 

As a non-profit organization there are certain fundraising nuances and limitations that have impacted TVP's ability to raise outside capital. This is one area where MIT Solve's expert advice and mentorship opportunities would help alleviate some of the early stage difficulties that we face. Leveraging the experience of MIT Solve members, we can learn the proper way to utilize social impact bonds and other social impact instruments to help bring in the funding we need to execute our roll-out plan effectively. 

TVP understands the impact that experienced board members/advisors can have on the overall success and trajectory of our business. We are seeking support and partnership in areas that will help us bring high quality ventilators to the end-user, assist us in establishing our business within export markets, and aid in advancing TVP's strategic positioning within the medical device industry. 

TVP would like to partner with MIT Faculty, Solve Members, and other Covid-19 emergency response organizations that could have symbiotic relationships with our mission. 

Some of the Solve Members that we believe could make a great addition to our team in an Advisor/Board Member capacity include, but are not limited to, the following:

Bruna Braga - Bruna's experience building out CGI in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa can help us make important connections in these regions. These areas are of extreme importance to TVP's impact right now as they are the areas projected to be most impacted by the ventilator shortage over the next couple of months. 

Casey van der Stricht- Casey's background in social impact financing instruments can help us better understand our fundraising options. Her experience sourcing, structuring, and placing social impact bonds could be an effective solution and valuable asset to our team.

Noel Shaskan- Noel's understanding of the healthcare industry and healthcare technology can help TVP's team in bringing the best mass producible ventilator to market. Her connections within the industry would also be useful in establishing strategic healthcare partnerships. 

That said, based on the research we have done on MIT's Faculty and Solve Members, there are countless ways in which collaborations/partnerships would be helpful in bringing our vision to life. The scarcity of ventilators in the world is an emergency that is forcing medical professionals to make life-or-death decisions about who they will help breathe. Together we can fix that.

Over the past 3 months we have raised $92,000, of which 70% has been through crowd-donations, primarily through our website TheVentilatorProject.org/Donate. We are expanding fundraising efforts with a new campaign to Donate-A-Ventilator where a donor for $5,000 can a ventilator to be donated with a named plaque and special edition red banner. This initiative is also something we are replicating with prominent alumni chapters to donate $10,000 towards two ventilators on behalf of the community. Donated ventilators will be hand delivered to the US hospitals most in need, in an effort to help save save lives during this time of crisis. The way our team will use The People's Prize to advance our solution is by using it to expedite ventilator production, pre-order components and help donate or alleviate the cost of ventilators to support communities / regions in need.