During the COVID-19 pandemic, ventilators played a critical role in treating severe cases of the illness. Ventilators are machines that help patients breathe when they cannot do so on their own. Because COVID-19 led to severe respiratory issues, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), many patients required mechanical ventilation.
Beyond COVID-19, ARDS can stem from various causes, including sepsis, pneumonia, trauma, near-drowning, and severe pancreatitis, to name a few. These conditions can lead to lung inflammation, fluid buildup, and impaired oxygen exchange, resulting in ARDS.
Beyond the context of the pandemic, ARDS accounts for 10% of ICU admissions, with a staggering mortality rate exceeding 40% for those necessitating ventilator support. Thus, over a million individuals succumb to ARDS annually, even in the absence of COVID. Recognizing the pressing need to improve traditional ventilators, the team at VentSafe set out to develop a solution that would address their inefficiencies and shortcomings.
At its core, VentSafe is driven by a mission to revolutionize respiratory care through innovation and excellence. With a team of experts developing cutting-edge ventilation devices, the company set its sights on patient well-being and medical efficacy.
With years of experience as a trauma surgeon and critical care doctor, VentSafe founder Sean Degmetich was well aware of the limitations of existing ventilator technology, but his firsthand experience in the ICU at UCLA Harbor during the pandemic solidified his resolve to find a solution.
Degmetich sought out like-minded individuals who shared his vision for innovation. Collaborating with co-founders and scientists, he embarked on a journey to develop a solution that would revolutionize the field of mechanical ventilation. Drawing upon insights from their collective experiences in medicine and engineering, they set out to push the boundaries of what’s possible in respiratory care.
With the initial concept in place, Degmetich and his team submitted a grant to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) so they could conduct animal studies to validate their new technology. As VentSafe continued to push the boundaries of mechanical ventilation, positive feedback from key stakeholders served as a testament to the importance of their work. In particular, validation from the NIH provided crucial recognition of VentSafe’s potential to make a meaningful impact in the field of critical care medicine. This validation not only bolstered confidence within the team but also affirmed the importance of their mission to transform respiratory care for patients around the world.
Dedicated to innovation in mechanical ventilation, Sean Degmetich and his team at VentSafe are taking a crucial step forward in addressing respiratory care inefficiencies. With a commitment to excellence and a vision for revolutionizing critical care medicine, VentSafe will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on the lives of patients worldwide.
