IMI to manufacture low-cost ventilators for COVID-19 patients

a prototype of the Ventura CPAP device solution that IMI will produce in the Philippines

Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) seeks to bring down the cost of nursing coronavirus (COVID-19)-afflicted patients back to health by manufacturing alternative ventilators and other breathing aid solutions in the Philippines.

This is in support of the Philippine government’s call for the local sourcing and manufacturing of COVID-19 solutions, IMI said in a press statement on Tuesday.

Together with its UK-based subsidiary Surface Technology International Limited (STI Ltd.), IMI has organized a series of virtual consultative and information-sharing sessions with medical experts, health practitioners and concerned government agencies to explore non-invasive alternative ventilatory strategies using the Ventura Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device solution.

CPAP is a form of low-cost ventilator that applies mild air pressure continuously to support patients with breathing difficulties. The proposed solution is a non-profit initiative based on an existing off-patent CPAP system that has been modified to optimize oxygen consumption.

The Ventura CPAP system is approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK. Its design is licensed from the University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains under special conditions particularly for use in COVID-19 cases.

The proponents in the UK have granted a license to IMI to manufacture the product in the Philippines.

IMI is working with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (IBEHT) of DLSU University in localizing the manufacturing of the system. However, IMI has yet to announce a timeline on how soon these medical devices could be launched in the Philippines.

UCLH reported that the use of the Ventura CPAP system has had a 60-70 percent success of sustaining COVID-19 patients needing intubation. The patients eventually went on to full recovery.

IMI, which has manufacturing hubs in 10 countries, is a leading global technology and manufacturing solutions company in the world. It specializes in electronics for long product life cycle segments such as automotive, industrial electronics and the aerospace market. It provides engineering, manufacturing, and support and fulfillment capabilities to diverse industries globally.