Partners of the »DIHAM« (I breathe) respirator, among them the Technology Park Ljubljana, were brought together by the coronavirus epidemic endangering lives of people around the world.

Partners came together with the aim of developing a respirator prototype for saving lives which could be completely self-sufficiently produced in Slovenia with Slovenian components and Slovenian knowledge. They managed to take this initiative from total chaos to a functioning prototype with pro bono effort. On this path they developed a culture of cooperation, self-sacrifice, agility and aid.

 

What is the prototype?

It is a so-called pressure-regulated turbine respirator (without an inflatable bag), intended for the most critical patients with severely damaged lungs who can no longer breathe on their own and need medically adjusted doses of a mixture of air and oxygen. The device is designed to work in a hospital environment as well as in mobile hospitals or even independently. With this device partners wanted to help the country with its core mission, protection of the citizens.

Key partners of the project are:

• Ljubljana Technology Park – community of leading technology companies
• EKWB – construction and production of liquid cooling systems for high performance computers
• Lotrič Metrology – metrology and testing of measuring, medical and laboratory devices
• Institute Zavod 404 – developing creators, not only users of technology
• BPMC – strategic knowledge and industrial engineering
• Domel – electric motors, direct current motors, electronic commutator motors and components

Together with partners from the profe– doctors at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana (UMCL) and the HUB for respirators (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Slovenia).

We are also thankful to all other development groups, support structures and individuals for the support, assistance and cooperation. We have achieved our goal and Slovenia is self-sufficient in this area.