Ukrainian startup to 3D print parts for ventilators used for COVID-19 patients

Ukrainian startup Revel Laboratory is developing a model to 3D-print valves for ventilators used to support the novel coronavirus patients, who are physically unable to breathe.

The company was inspired by their counterparts in Italy, Isinnova startup that produces valves that allow connecting two patients to a ventilator at the same time.

Now that COVID-19 started spreading throughout Ukraine, Revel Laboratory is hoping to produce such life-saving machine parts for local hospitals.

“We try to help as much as we can,” the company’s co-founders Davyd Stavnitser and Ivan Chebotaev told the Kyiv Post.

The governments of countries hit by the coronavirus pandemic see a shortage of ventilators all over the world, while their lasting production struggles to meet the demand.

There are about 600 ventilators in Ukraine and the local officials say that the supply is sufficient. However, if Ukraine faces an outbreak nearly as close as the one in Italy, where over 41,000 people got COVID-19 infection and 3,400 of whom died, the country might need more of those machines.

Ukraine remains among the European countries with the smallest number of coronavirus cases, however, the infection’s spread has been ramping up lately. The country now has 26 confirmed cases, three of which were fatal, while one patient recovered.

Globally, COVID-19 has been registered in over 255,000 people and killed over 10,500.

Stavnitser and Chebotaev founded Revel Laboratory in early 2020 in Odesa, a Black Sea port city of 1 million people, located about 500 kilometers south from Kyiv.

The company has small production that involves six 3D printers and specializes in gadget prototyping, 3D modeling and 3D printing.

When they found out that the local authorities have established a headquarters to fight the coronavirus, the company thought they could be useful in that battle.

Revel Laboratory decided to follow the steps of Italian 3D printing start-up Isinnova, whose ventilator valve manufacturing has already saved lives. The valves they produce allow connecting two patients to one ventilator at the same time.

Revel Laboratory contacted Isinnova, who shared their knowledge and experience.

Now they are developing a model for a valve and say they will share it with everyone so that 3D-printing companies all over Ukraine can produce the pieces.

They say that the company will be able to print about 12 valves per day. According to the company’s estimates, the production of one piece will cost about Hr 50-70 ($2-3).

“The production of this part is quite inexpensive, but can come to rescue in case of supply problems in hospitals,” the co-founders say. “We want to be on standby in such a situation.”

Another option the startup is now considering is to modernize bag valve masks, a hand-held device, which is a cheaper alternative to ventilators. The device requires doctors to stay by the patient’s side and press the bag to provide ventilation.

Revel Laboratory is trying to develop a technology that would automate this process.

“If this happens – it means that there will be a very cheap and simple alternative to ventilators,” they said.