Lungpacer Medical announced last week that it received FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for use of its diaphragm pacing therapy system (DPTS) in some COVID-19 cases.
The Vancouver, Canada–based company designed its DPTS to assist in weaning patients who are determined by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of weaning failure.
In a letter sent to the company, the FDA said that patients at a high risk of weaning failure include coronavirus patients who require ventilation, along with other patients being mechanically ventilated for other high-risk conditions, such as post-cardiac and post-thoracic surgical procedures.
The FDA confirmed that the Lungpacer DPTS may be effective in treating COVID-19 patients by helping to wean them off ventilators.
“This amazing honor provides a unique opportunity to help improve outcomes for many patients affected by this global health crisis,” Lungpacer CEO Doug Evans said in a news release.