VOICED : Costa Rica corre a fabricar respiradores para atender pandemia

Costa Rica is rapidly developing its own ventilators to address potential COVID-19 case surges. Two state universities, including the Instituto Tecnológico, are close to approving prototypes. The ventilators use pneumatic pistons and special adapters to assist patients' breathing. The University of Costa Rica has advanced prototypes ready for production, developed by a multidisciplinary team. The ventilators feature intelligent systems to adjust breathing frequency, crucial as the Costa Rican Social Security seeks more respirators for public hospitals.

What is the primary reason Costa Rica is rushing to produce its own ventilators?

• To replace outdated hospital equipment

• To prepare for a potential increase in COVID-19 cases

• To conduct research on ventilator technology

• To export them to other countries

Which institutions are involved in the ventilator prototype development in Costa Rica?

• International organizations

• Private companies

• Non-governmental organizations

• Two state universities

What is the main function of the pneumatic system in the ventilators?

• To regulate the temperature of the room

• To control the air pressure delivered to the patient

• To monitor the patient's heart rate

• To administer medication to the patient

What is a key feature of the ventilator's 'brain' developed by the University of Costa Rica?

• It can diagnose diseases

• It can operate without electricity

• It can adjust the frequency and volume of breaths

• It can translate languages

Who are part of the multidisciplinary team working on the ventilator prototypes?

• Economists and statisticians

• Doctors and nurses

• Physicists, engineers, and designers

• Only engineers