By: Fay Castronova
Photos: Emma Thompson
While dealing with the stress and worry behind a global pandemic is undeniably difficult, it is always important to focus on the good things that people are doing, the innovative and creative ways that communities are coming together to help one another. A local company, Legacy, has recently developed the prototype for what they are calling The Venspirator. The Venspirator provides safe, non-electric, and natural breathing assistance. It protects patients from additional infections and contamination. It also helps protect against COVID-19.
Who is Legacy?
Legacy is a local innovation company that focuses on technologies in pressure, temperature, and flow. Their main goal is to solve complex issues with simple and elegant solutions. With innovative products like the GovReg Pressure Regulators for bars and restaurants, designed to pour the perfect glass of draught beer. Legacy plans to contribute to Idaho’s already strong beer culture by putting GovReg in every bar and restaurant in Boise, and eventually of Idaho. Legacy also has technology for indoor farming and wants to contribute to Idaho’s tradition of agriculture. They have just begun working on the project with the University of Idaho. However, their main focus at this time is The Venspirator.
Legacy lives by its mission statement: To create and deliver elegant step-change solutions to everyday problems that give clients a competitive advantage and commercial success while leaving a positive and enduring impact on society and the environment.
Their goal is to “leave a mark that contributes to making a difference after we’re gone,” says Kim Reeves, Legacy Co-Founder.
Legacy strives to bring their four main values–simplicity, persistence, service, and unity–to the Treasure Valley and beyond.
Co-founders, Kim Reeves, and Jeff Dalton relocated from Silicon Valley. Kim Reeves, the CEO, has had various experiences in entrepreneurial work throughout her years. Educated at Emory University and the University of South Florida, she’s had success in vastly different industries: banking, architecture, and technology. She believes in the philosophies“disruption for a better way,” “have clients come to you,” and a flat “economic contribution” corporate structure.
Jeff Dalton is an inventor, writer, strategic planner, and co-founder of Legacy. His talents include discovering the elusive-obvious, rapid prototyping, and successful commercialization. His everyday mantra is, “don’t believe everything you think.” Jeff studied at West Virginia University, Université de Caen Normandie, and Frostburg State College. He has numerous patents, achievements, and awards.
The Venspirator
The Venspirator is a six-part breathing device that can attach to most sealed face masks. The Venspirator doesn’t require any electricity or batteries. It can work with the pressure of an oxygen source, like a bulk tank or a wearable cylinder. The oxygen flow is adjustable and is controlled by GovReg, Legacy’s pressure regulation technology. The Venspirator has twenty-three utility patents in the US and globally and still pending on ten more! Venspirator IP includes Venturi oxygen/air mixing, force-multiplier natural breathing assistance, and filter technology.
It was created specifically for COVID-19 patients but it also can be used for COPD, sleep apnea, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory illnesses. It protects military and first responders from airborne disease, chemical weapons, and smoke; and enhances performance for military, first responders, and athletes by boosting oxygen and purifying each inhaled breath of airborne contaminants and respiratory irritants. The Venspirator will be a great help for in-home care and self-treatment.
Meet the Rest of the Team:
Jordan Clifford: R&D / IT
Paige Wiscombe: Project Management
Amanda Morissette: Marketing
Jake Carignan: Utility
Kendall Byers: Administration
Legacy plans to continue working on The Vensiprator to bring it to market and save lives. What’s needed as of now is $45,000 to start making and testing medical-grade prototypes with the Idaho State University and University of Idaho.
For more information, visit them online at legacy.us.