New breathing aid for Covid-19 patients to be mass-produced for NHS hospitals

Aspeciallydesignedbreathing aid that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care and can be quickly massproduced has been approved for use in UK hospitals.

The new device was created by adapting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) apparatus, which has been widely used in Italy and China to help Covid-19 patients with serious lung infections to breathe more easily when oxygen alone is not enough.

Developed by engineers and clinicians at University College London and Mercedesamg, the device has been recommended for NHS use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Clinical trials are set to begin immediately ahead of a rapid roll-out across the country in preparation for the predicted surge in Covid-19 hospital admissions.

Reports from Italy suggest around half of patients given CPAP have not needed invasive mechanical ventilation.

CPAP machines are routinely used by the NHS to support patients with breathing difficulties in hospital or at home but are in short supply.

They work by pushing an airoxygen mix into the mouth and nose at a continuous rate, keeping airways open and increasing the amount of oxygen entering the lungs.

Invasive ventilators require sedation and connection to a tube in the patient’s windpipe.

“These devices will help to save lives by ensuring that ventilators, a limited resource, are used only for the most severely ill,” said Professor Mervyn Singer, critical care consultant at University College London Hospitals (UCLH).

“While they will be tested at UCLH first, we hope they will make a real difference to hospitals across the UK by reducing demand on intensive care staff and beds, as well as helping patients recover without the need for more invasive ventilation.”