Raspberry Pi Zero to power ventilators

[Bradley Prior]

Raspberry Pi Zero to power ventilators

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is increasing production of the Raspberry Pi Zero so it can be used to build ventilators during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, reports Tom’s Hardware.

According to CEO and Founder of Raspberry Pi, Eben Upton, 192,000 Pi Zero and Zero W computers were produced in the first quarter of this year, but they plan to increase this number to 250,000.

 

[gregmcc]

The zero's are almost impossible to find due to stock issues. Been like that since their release.

 

[K3NS31]

The zero's are almost impossible to find due to stock issues. Been like that since their release.

Not true. Been readily available since they brought out the WH model. (so, 2 years at least). Just check pishop.co.za for example. They always have plenty of stock.

 

[gregmcc]

Thanks, better order while they have in stock.

 

[K3NS31]

LOL was thinking the same thing. There'll be no stock for a few months, but when this all blows over they'll have enhanced their production capacity.

 

[j4ck455]

I'm not so sure that any RPi can be used for safety critical applications like ventilators.

Wifi would also have to be disabled (no RF, no EMI).

Thanks, better order while they have in stock.

LOL was thinking the same thing. There'll be no stock for a few months, but when this all blows over they'll have enhanced their production capacity.

Are you intending to order for a ventilator prototype or for some other purpose before all the stock is used up for ventilators?

 

[K3NS31]

I'm not so sure that any RPi can be used for safety critical applications like ventilators.

Wifi would also have to be disabled (no RF, no EMI).


Are you intending to order for a ventilator prototype or for some other purpose before all the stock is used up for ventilators?

well, I don't think Pishop's stock in hand will be used for ventilators. If I do order it'll be like 2 units anyway.
That said, as you mentioned about EMI, they may be planning to make the non-wifi Zero for ventilators. I wonder... pretty sure the Tesla prototype ventilator has Bluetooth enabled. So maybe it's not such an issue.

Besides, all the patients and Docs are walking / lying around with their phones anyway.
Interesting question, though.

 

[j4ck455]

well, I don't think Pishop's stock in hand will be used for ventilators. If I do order it'll be like 2 units anyway.
That said, as you mentioned about EMI, they may be planning to make the non-wifi Zero for ventilators. I wonder... pretty sure the Tesla prototype ventilator has Bluetooth enabled. So maybe it's not such an issue.

Besides, all the patients and Docs are walking / lying around with their phones anyway.
Interesting question, though.

For an initial prototype (proof of concept) that is never going to be actively used in a hospital environment, you would want to have one/more network interface/s enabled for debugging.

In a real hospital environment you would have to make sure that the device as a whole is sufficiently shielded and cannot affect surrounding equipment, as well as is not able to be affected by sources of EMI (like cellphones). This is where medical certification comes into play, you will not get device certification if this requirement is not addressed.

ICU wards are usually access controlled and tend to be strict as to what devices the patients are allowed to use, even if all the medical equipment is EMI shielded, the assumption is that EMI is still a risk and since people can die in ICU if equipment fails, the staff are not going to take chances and be held responsible for preventable equipment failures.

 

[K3NS31]

Interesting

 

[K3NS31]

@j4ck455 Thought you may find this interesting article in light of our previous discussion. These guys seem to be quite happy to put an untested Pi4 based system into their wards. They don't say which parts of the hospital tho - presumably not ICU. And according to the article the system is wifi based. And it's a high-end hospital too (Mount Sinai), not some low-budget, let's skirt safety standards place.

 

[j4ck455]

@j4ck455 Thought you may find this interesting article in light of our previous discussion. These guys seem to be quite happy to put an untested Pi4 based system into their wards. They don't say which parts of the hospital tho - presumably not ICU. And according to the article the system is wifi based. And it's a high-end hospital too (Mount Sinai), not some low-budget, let's skirt safety standards place.

It's a trial though and definitely only due to COVID-19, from what I can tell the RPi is being used with a USB connected oxygen/pulse meter.