Medical ventilators

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Medical ventilator is a machine used in a hospital or similar setting to help a person breathe. They are used with severely ill patients who are sedated or in a coma. They are typically constructed of various sub-assemblies, such as a pump, and control electronics (which control breath frequency and volume, based on measurements and settings). When one sub-assembly fails, others may still be good. It is possible to connect working sub-assemblies from two compatible broken machines to make one working machine.

Some manufacturers use Digital rights management controls, to control whether they will allow a repaired device to operate. Unlocking the DRM may also require internet access, making repair difficult in emergencies, or where internet access is difficult.

Consumer-impact summary

• Loss of life, since fewer ventilators were available at a time of extreme need.
• Increased cost of medical care (ventilators sitting idle awaiting repair, increased cost of repair).
• Increased e-waste.

Incidents

Beginning of Covid-19 pandemic (2020)

The Covid-19 pandemic created a sudden widespread demand for ventilators. Many healthcare facilities had repaired machines that were just waiting for a technician to come and unlock the DRM. Suddenly they all needed those machines working.

Old content, to integrate.

During the COVID crisis, manufacturers like General Electric, Dräger, Steris, locked down the supply of spare parts, software and repair manuals behind expensive certifications for technicians, and threaten

https://www.businessinsider.com/ventilator-manufacturers-dont-let-hospitals-fix-coronavirus-right-to-repair-2020-5?op=1

https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-medical-device-maker-threatens-ifixit-over-ventilator-repair-project/

https://pirg.org/media-center/new-senate-right-to-repair-bill-to-reduce-barriers-to-fixing-medical-equipment-including-ventilators/

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/312560-deadly-drm-right-to-repair-a-life-or-death-problem-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

https://www.vice.com/en/article/ventilator-companies-finally-make-the-life-saving-devices-easier-to-repair/

https://scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1816&context=shlr