Petronas announced that it will develop and produce a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) prototype to aid COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. The company aims to utilise the machine to lessen the dependency on ventilators for treatment in local medical facilities.
The CPAP was originally developed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) team in collaboration with the University College London (UCL). It is also the product of Project Pitlane, a collective effort of seven F1 teams and their respective technology arms, assisting the UK government to manufacture medical devices.
We are working towards developing a CPAP protoype for COVID-19 patients. Originally developed by our partner @MercedesAMGF1 and UCL, the machines would lessen the dependency on ventilators. #BecauseWeCare #WeWishYouWell #StaySafe #StayHealthy #SebabSayang pic.twitter.com/fp3N5vD1Is
— PETRONAS (@Petronas) April 6, 2020
The breathing aid was produced within a rapid timeframe, where it took less than 100 hours from the initial meeting to production of the first device, according to Mercedes-AMG’s F1 team. It functions by pushing an air-oxygen mix into the mouth and nose at a continuous rate, thus keeping airways open and increasing the amount of oxygen entering the lungs.
The machine has been recommended for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and also approved by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). One hundred devices are to be delivered for clinical trials, with rapid distribution to hospitals around the country ahead of the predicted surge in Covid-19 hospital admissions.
With assistance from the F1 team, Petronas is hopeful to roll-out the CPAP prototype locally during these trying times. However, the company did not specify an expected date of production or release for now.
Petronas are one of many companies around the globe that are helping to fight COVID-19 and save lives. Do check out our earlier feature article if you want to find out the other brands who are also contributing to the cause.
(Source: Petronas Facebook, Twitter / Mercedes-AMG F1)
