HHS is funding development of a portable ventilator for $13.8 million to supply low-cost, user-friendly, and flexible ventilators to use in a pandemic or other public health emergencies. Philips Respironics www.usa.philips.com of Murrysville Pennsylvania received the three year contract.
The project will be overseen by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) www.phe.gov/about/barda/Pages/default.aspx within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response www.hhs.gov/about/foa/osleadership/aspr.html.
“An affordable portable ventilator will help us meet the needs of critically ill patients during a public health emergency, whether due to a naturally occurring pandemic or an act of bioterrorism,” said BARDA Director Robin Robinson, PhD.
In a severe influenza pandemic and perhaps in other public health emergencies, a large number of severely ill patients might require mechanical ventilation. The number of people needing ventilation could possibly overwhelm the capacity of the healthcare system both in the number of ventilators available and the staff trained to operate them.
The new ventilator under development will use next generation advanced technology to reduce the size and cost of the ventilator and be required to be used with everyone from infants to the elderly. The ventilator will be designed so that doctors, nurses, other health professionals will be able to operate the ventilator without special training. It will also be designed to be manufactured quickly in case there is a surge in the number of patients needing ventilators during emergencies.
To make the new ventilator suitable for stockpiling, the portable equipment must be low-cost. Ventilators with all the required features currently cost from $6,000 to $30,000 per unit. Under an agreement, Philips Healthcare will develop the next generation ventilator that the federal government would be able to stockpile. The contact includes an option to purchase 10,000 completely kitted, initial production ventilators for $32.8 million.
In addition, to aiding in public health emergencies, the next generation ventilator may also help in routine care. The modernized features, agility, and ease of use can help patients in the field or help to provide advanced treatments in the hospital.