COVID-19 pandemic: NASA builds prototype fans

In an attempt to help the infected coronavirus, NASA has announced that it has successfully developed a prototype ventilator for treating coronavirus patients. For this, NASA has developed VITAL or locally accessible ventilation intervention technology.

Currently, NASA’s VITAL is in the prototype stage and still needs FDA approval. If approved, it will release traditional severe case ventilators from COVID-19. The achievement is laudable, as NASA has built the fan prototype in just 37 days.

“We specialize in spacecraft, not medical device manufacturing. But excellent engineering, rigorous testing, and rapid prototyping are some of our specialties,” said NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory director Michael Watkins in a blog post.

What is NASA VITAL?

Going into detail, NASA’s newly developed VITAL device is not an altered BiPAP and CPAP, which are traditionally used to treat sleep apnea. Instead, it is designed to be used invasively. At the same time, it won’t last as long as the traditional fan.

NASA explains that, like all ventilators, VITAL requires that patients be sedated and that an oxygen tube be inserted into their airways to breathe. Plus, it wouldn’t replace today’s hospital ventilators, which are designed and built to last for years together and to address a broader range of medical problems.

“Instead, VITAL is intended to last three to four months and is specifically designed for COVID-19 patients,” NASA said in the blog post. It should be noted that NASA will only design the fan. Therefore, the VITAL device is designed to use parts currently available to potential manufacturers, but not compete with the existing supply chain of currently manufactured fans.

Will NASA VITAL help?

Considering the shortage of workers with most industries blocked, it would be impossible in the short term from a regulatory rating perspective. The new production lines would generate the additional production only if the supply industry also doubled. This is why the NASA team is using non-traditional components to find a way to get around the limitations.

NASA’s VITAL device would certainly help combat the deadly virus as it spreads through more states. Now that the fan is designed, it needs FDA approval, after which it would need production lines. Hopefully, soon, this vital device will get where it’s needed most.