British defence firm accelerates production of ventilators

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has reached an agreement with UK manufacturer Portsmouth Aviation.

The deal will accelerate production of negative pressure ventilation assistance devices by sharing knowledge and prototypes it developed in partnership with the exovent consortium of academics and medics who initially identified the potential for the application of the technology in the global battle against Covid-19.

The firm say the non-invasive exovent prototype negative pressure ventilation assistance device was developed to provide additional treatment options for patient with respiratory conditions in a critical care environment, including those with COVID-19, with the benefit of offering greater patient comfort as they don’t need to be asleep or have an artificial airway in place.

“Having taken the product to the pre-production stage, Marshall will now pass over all of its background knowledge, data, design and engineering drawings, along with a working prototype of the device, to the team at Portsmouth Aviation with a view to them developing their own device and take into high volume production.”

MADG Chief Executive Gary Moynehan explains:

“We were approached early in the pandemic by the exovent team to support them in the development of a new, non-invasive negative pressure ventilator to provide alternative treatment options for Covid-19 patients.

“Recognising the benefits that exovent could deliver, we offered to provide our engineering expertise to the support the design and rapid prototyping of the first unit which enabled medics to get their hands on a working device in just four weeks.

“Using their feedback from the prototype we were able to mature the product and build four pre-production units that have since gone through much of the stringent testing necessary for application in a medical setting.

“We are now delighted to be able to hand the project over to Portsmouth Aviation and are optimistic that their own engineering and manufacturing expertise they will be able to deliver a cost effective product that will ultimately prove invaluable in the treatment of patients with a broad range of respiratory issues.”

Simon Escott, Managing Director of Portsmouth Aviation said:

“We’re extremely grateful to Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (MADG) for the extensive work they’ve undertaken to produce these four pre-production units. Portsmouth Aviation is delighted to join this exciting, innovative and potentially globally lifesaving solution at a key point in its development and to take it though to manufacture.

We welcome the opportunity to be part of something that will soon provide significant support to our valued NHS and help in the fight against COVID-19 and other respiratory conditions. We’re looking forward to becoming an integral partner in this venture and working closely with all involved.”