Week 14 - Computers, Technology, the MacGyver Way

The MacGyver Way to saving lives

During the first few waves of the Covid-19 Pandemic, hospitals around the world were scrambling to secure enough medical supplies and equipment to treat their patients. Due to supply chain issues, hoarding and insufficient pandemic mitigation responses, the lack of ventilators to assist breathing was key to reducing mortality rates.

In this case, the resourcefulness of hardware engineers, software developers and medical professional have come together to design low-cost portable ventilators. From using 3D printers that replace expensive industrial molds, to testing the effectiveness of the device using widely available sensors.  Collecting feedback from healthcare professionals, allow hackers to iterate their product so these make shift face-shields and ventilators are accessible to patients of different ages,sex and sizes.
 


References:

https://www.startribune.com/university-of-minnesota-is-going-full-on-macgyver-against-covid-19/569000032/

https://news.mit.edu/2010/itw-ventilator-0715

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