Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic showed how important it is for the world to have scalable, low-cost ventilator solutions. This is especially true in low-resource environments where standard ventilators are either not available or too expensive because of high costs, complexity, and supply chain problems. Objective: To develop and validate a low-cost, mechanically-driven ventilator using a bag-valve-mask system, suitable for emergencies and resource-limited healthcare settings. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa Iraq from January to April 2025. Methodology: A 12V direct current motor drives a mechanical arm to compress and release a bag-valve-mask, simulating commercial ventilator function. An Arduino Uno with pressure (HX710B) and oxygen flow (OCS-3F) sensors provides automation and feedback in pressure-controlled ventilation mode recommended by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Key subsystems include a dual motor driver shield, liquid crystal display keypad, buzzer alerts, and a delivery system with bacterial/viral filter and simulated lung for testing. Results: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency-approved test scenarios used to check performance changed the lung compliance, airway resistance, oxygen concentration, respiratory rate, and positive end-expiratory pressure. All plateau pressures were within 2% of the goal, which is what the rules say they should be. The findings showed that quicker pressure sensors are needed to make measurements more accurate during quick cycles, and more reliable positive end-expiratory pressure valves are needed to cut down on leaks. Conclusion: The experiment shows that a low-cost and reliable ventilator may fill the gap between manual ventilation and fully-equipped intensive care unit systems. With small changes to its sensing and valve control, the device could allow for advanced breathing modes like pressure-regulated volume control. This would make it much more useful in emergencies and when resources are limited.