Zoll Medical Corp. announced that it is increasing its manufacturing capacity to 10,000 ventilators per month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chelsmford, Mass.–based Zoll reached out to its supply base, which is mostly stationed in the U.S., to enlist its support as it ramps up its ventilator production nearly 25-fold compared to recent production […]
Respiratory
University of Minnesota researcher touts makeshift $150 ventilator to treat coronavirus
The University of Minnesota is touting makeshift ventilators made from $150 in parts as potential solutions amid the shortage of equipment at healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to a report in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, researchers tested the prototype on a pig, keeping the animal breathing for an hour and confirming the possibility of […]
5 companies on the front lines of the coronavirus fight
Nancy Crotti, Managing Editor and Danielle Kirsh, Senior Editor Amid the stock market roller-coaster ride that began last month, medtech companies that make devices and diagnostic tests vital to fighting COVID-19 may ultimately fare better than others, but it’s hard to tell until the virus peaks and people get back to work. At midafternoon today, […]
Smiths Medical ramps up ventilator production
Smiths Medical announced that it is increasing the production of its Parapac Plus ventilator to meet increased demand in the United Kingdom and across Europe. The company’s Luton, England site is where production will be ramped up over the next two weeks, according to a news release. Smiths is also working with contract manufacturers in […]
Honeywell, 3M to ramp up N95 face masks production
Both Honeywell (NYSE:HON) and 3M (NYSE:MMM) will produce millions of additional N95 respirators to protect U.S. health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Honeywell (Charlotte, N.C.) said yesterday that it will expand operations at its Smithfield, R.I. eye protection products plant so that the plant can also manufacture millions of N95 masks. Honeywell said it will immediately […]
Trump says mere threat of using Defense Production Act is enough to fight coronavirus
President Donald Trump may have signed an executive order last week that invoked the decades-old Defense Production Act, but so far he isn’t using it to boost needed medical supplies to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Trump argued during a press briefing yesterday that the mere threat of using the Korean-War-era law was enough to get […]
How are U.S.-based ventilator companies doing?
The U.S. is one of many countries facing new restrictions, quarantines and, due to high demand, shortages of important medical equipment to help combat the coronavirus pandemic. As hospitals and healthcare facilities report the need for more equipment, and with the government potentially invoking a statute that could ramp up protective equipment manufacturing even more, […]
Masimo acquires TNI Medical
Non-invasive monitoring technology developer Masimo (NSDQ:MASI) announced that it plans to acquire German ventilation company TNI Medical for an undisclosed amount. Irvine, Calif.-based Masimo pulled the trigger on the acquisition after it disclosed an investment in August 2019 that included an exclusive option to purchase Würzburg, Germany-based TNI. Masimo expects to close the deal in the […]
7 ways the coronavirus is affecting medtech
Medtech companies face some tough times as the deadly coronavirus pandemic gains steam. But could this be the medical device industry’s Dunkirk, too? Just days ago, MassMEDIC president Brian Johnson made a call-out on LinkedIn for people to send ideas about how Massachusetts medical device companies could help fight COVID-19. He drew an analogy to […]
Major U.S. manufacturers answering call for ventilator needs
U.S. manufacturers — inside and outside medtech — are offering help amid shortages of ventilators, respirator masks and more needed to combat coronavirus. News broke this week that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York is reportedly experiencing shortages of masks and other protective equipment, and it is not alone in that regard. Last […]
Trump invokes Defense Production Act against coronavirus
President Trump announced today that he is invoking the Defense Production Act — a Korean War–era law that enables extraordinary government actions to boost needed supplies — “just in case we need it” to fight the coronavirus pandemic. There have been stories of healthcare providers across the United States facing shortages of everything from ventilators […]