  Presented here is the design of the Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM), a
novel mechanical ventilator designed for rapid mass production in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic to address the urgent shortage of intensive therapy
ventilators in many countries, and the growing difficulty in procuring these
devices through normal supply chains across borders. This ventilator is an
electro-mechanical equivalent of the old and reliable Manley Ventilator, and is
able to operate in both pressure-controlled and pressure-supported ventilation
modes. MVM is optimized for the COVID-19 emergency, thanks to the collaboration
with medical doctors in the front line. MVM is designed for large-scale
production in a short amount of time and at a limited cost, as it relays on
off-the-shelf components, readily available worldwide. Operation of the MVM
requires only a source of compressed oxygen (or compressed medical air) and
electrical power. Initial tests of a prototype device with a breathing
simulator are also presented. Further tests and developments are underway. At
this stage the MVM is not yet a certified medical device but certification is
in progress.
