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Vancouver Based Think-Tank Startup Produces Ventilator Prototype in Six Days, Plans to Build 1 Million Ventilators in 90 Days
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Vancouver Based Think-Tank of Doctors, Respiratory Therapists, Financiers and Engineers Produces Ventilator Prototype in Six Days
Group Urges Quick Review by Health Canada, Estimates Production By April 7th
Vancouver, BC, March 31, 2020--(T-Net)--Amid the escalating COVID-19 health crisis, a Vancouver/Calgary-based group of medical professionals, engineers and entrepreneurs have developed what they believe is a solution to a critical shortage of ventilators - the development of a prototype that may hold the key to saving lives in the weeks and months ahead.
The Emergency Ventilator Project is comprised of two dozen individuals who are working together to spearhead the development and manufacturing of a new ventilator design, for one common purpose; to do everything they can to save lives.
The Project is now in the process of crowd-sourcing partners such as engineering firms, manufacturers, assemblers and suppliers - to meet their goal of manufacturing one million ventilators over a 90-day period.
However, they first require the immediate assistance of Health Canada.
The typical process of getting medical equipment into the hands of medical professional requires CDA approval, during these rushed and uncertain times, the group is hoping that in these emergency circumstances that some type of fast track approval can be attained or bypassed.
The group have submitted a doctor and respiratory therapist reviewed prototype of the Pantheon Ventilator last week (on Wednesday, March 25th) and hope for a quick review and approval process, so they can move ahead with manufacturing as soon as possible.
"Many of my friends and colleagues recently began discussing what we might do to address some of the challenges associated with COVID-19, not the least of which is a critical shortage of ventilators," said Corbin Lowe, whose background is largely in scaling start-up companies.
"We engaged innovative engineering firms and health care professionals, started the process of reviewing concepts that had already been developed, and arrived at a ventilator design that is basic in nature, with the required functions but will very much serve its intended purpose. Because they would be produced without all the bells and whistles of a standard ventilator but would have the critical functions needed for COVID-19 patients they can be produced at a quickly and without complex manufacturing equipment. Our only goal is to get thousands of units in the hands of medical professionals, as soon as possible."
The manufacturing process will involve utilizing smaller assembly plants that are already set up for medical grade equipment manufacturing. Twelve-person assembly lines would allow for social distancing - and the model would be replicated in identified sites across Canada.
While most people who get COVID-19 may only face mild symptoms, the sickest may end up in intensive care units where ventilators can be critical to their survival and recovery.
"If doctors and nurses are to give patients a fighting chance, we want to do everything possible to give them the tools they require," concluded Lowe.
For more information about the company formed to pioneer the Emergency Ventilator Project visit: www.ocalink.com.
Read more about the OCA Initiative here: https://ocalink.com/the-oca-initiative/
About OCALINK
We're an organization created for Covid-19 Assistance. We're linking hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers together to build 1 million ventilators in 90 days.
Contact:
Laura Ballance
LBMG
Laura@LBMG.ca
604-771-5176
Joshua Kilner
LBMG
kkilner@lbmg.ca
778-989-1469