James Fisher and Sons, a renowned offshore gas and oil services firm, has reportedly stated that it is ready to manufacture 2,000 ventilators per week to help the ongoing UK-wide efforts to manufacture tens of thousands of ventilators for the treatment of coronavirus patients.
The company stated that it already submitted its non-invasive InVicto system’s base model to the United Kingdom’s MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) for further testing. If MHRA approves this system, the company is capable of manufacturing about 2,000 per week.
However, these ventilators are not developed for intensive care use, but can be utilized to lessen the increasing pressure on ICU beds by offering breathing support in care homes or pre-clinical stage temporary wards.
James Fisher and Sons generally maintains and helps subsea and offshore gas and oil operations and has worked on producing breathing aids for divers.
The Chief Executive of James Fisher and Sons, Eoghan O’Lionaird stated that the company’s massive experience in breathing gas reclaim systems in the offshore diving market, provides it with an exceptional perspective of how best to offer oxygen to patients, efficiently, effectively, and safely.
O’Lionaird further added that the company’s new InVicto ventilator does that work effectively, not only helping save lives but also preserving important oxygen reserves during a time where global supplies are below considerable strain.
James Fisher is among the latest companies in the list of companies to respond to Boris Johnson’s call to companies to quickly design and manufacture new ventilators.
Apart from James Fisher, Babcock, a defense contract company, stated that it would produce 10,000 ventilators, while Dyson has also received an order from the UK government to produce 10,000 such machines. However, both devices need to pass strict MHRA tests prior to the initiation of their medical use.
Additionally, Ventilator Challenge UK, a consortium consisting of over a dozen engineering companies has received an order to manufacture 15,000 ventilators.
Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/07/cumbrian-oil-services-firm-ready-to-make-2000-ventilators-a-week