The Formula One team Mercedes is assisting with developing a breathing aid that could help stabilize patients with respiratory symptoms from coronavirus.
Along with engineers and clinicians at University College London, Mercedes is working to complete a device — known as continuous positive airway pressure — that will send oxygen to the lungs of patients in need of more than an oxygen mask, but less severe than full ventilation.
The UCL clinicians turned to Formula One to speed up the process that “could take years down to a matter of day,” Tim Baker, a professor of UCL’s mechanical engineering department, told the Associated Press Monday.
In what Formula One has dubbed “Project Pitlane,” six technology teams are working together to produce the CPAP machines, including Red Bull, Haas, McLaren, Renault, Williams, and Racing Point.
100 devices are being sent to the UCL hospital for clinical trials with the potential for a “quick roll-out” to medical centers across Britain.
The group joins a host of other tech companies, including Dyson, who are racing to develop medical devices to help patients who display severe respiratory symptoms related to coronavirus.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.