Dyson, known for its innovative technology, has designed a ventilator for assist the UK National Health Service (NHS) and the company is primed to produce 15,000 units in the coming weeks. This is to help the health service meet the demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The new ventilator is called CoVent. The prototype was developed in just ten days. This came after Dyson was among the manufacturers contacted by Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister, to assist with the supply of ventilators and to meet a target of 30,000 units.
The machine is battery-powered and it can be deployed in different settings, such as field hospitals and for when patients are being transported by ambulance.
Commenting on the new, Mark Smith, Partner, Innovation Incentives at Ayming UK, explains to Digital Journal how this development ties into innovation more broadly during the coronavirus crisis.
According to Smith: “The speed at which Dyson has been able to develop this ventilator is impressive. Dyson has always been an R&D intensive company, meaning it already had the resources for a speedy design and roll out process.”
He adds that: “Although these are exceptional circumstances, it really goes to show how having a streamlined R&D operation can deliver tangible results, and ahead of competitors. ”
Furthermore, Smith explains that other companies are expected to provide other products of value in relation to the current situation: “We’ll continue to see innovative new products and services generated by the changing demands of the current landscape. In the case of ventilators, you can be sure that they will be better and cheaper to produce by the end of this.”
There have been some concerns expressed about the ventilators, in terms of the devices not having been tested and evaluate for clinical use, according to The Daily Telegraph.
