exovent iron lung concept offers alternative to Covid-19 ventilators

Dubbed exovent, the Negative Pressure Ventilator (NPV) is said to be non-invasive, so patients won’t need to have their windpipes intubated. Instead, they can remain conscious, take medication and nutrition by mouth, and talk on the phone. It can be used on a normal ward, keeping patients out of intensive care.

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Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group is said to be exploring the technical aspects of the scheme ahead of rapid production and roll-out of NPV, which is supported by WMG at the University of Warwick, Imperial NHS Trust and The Royal National Throat Nose and Ear hospital. Two intensive care units have agreed to trial the prototype ventilator support devices.

December 1956: improving iron lungs

With only a small number of moving parts, the components are available in the UK and are not required by other manufacturers currently commissioned by the government to build conventional Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilators (IPPV). More types of ventilator can then be built simultaneously, with the aim of 5,000 exovents being produced per week. The team said more options can be provided to clinicians choosing the most appropriate device for each patient.