Two of the UK’s most prestigious institutions, University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals (UCLH), have joined forces with Formula One to develop life-saving breathing aids for the National Health Service (NHS). The collaboration comes at a critical time as the NHS faces unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project, known as UCL-Ventura, involves a team of engineers, doctors, and designers who are working together to create a new breathing aid device that can help patients with severe respiratory problems. The device is based on a design used in Italy and China, which has been shown to be effective in treating patients with COVID-19.

Formula One teams, including Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, have also joined the effort by providing their expertise in rapid prototyping and manufacturing. These teams are known for their innovative technology and precision engineering, making them valuable partners in this critical project.

The UCL-Ventura device is designed to be a bridge between an oxygen mask and a ventilator, helping patients who are struggling to breathe but do not require intensive care. By providing a continuous positive airway pressure, the device can prevent the need for invasive ventilation, freeing up ventilators for more critical cases.

The team behind UCL-Ventura has been working around the clock to develop and test the device, with the aim of quickly scaling up production to meet the high demand in hospitals across the UK. The collaboration between UCL, UCLH, and Formula One exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in times of crisis.

Professor Mervyn Singer, a critical care expert at UCLH, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “The UCL-Ventura is a real game-changer. It’s light, robust and non-invasive, and crucially it’s simple. It’s already been used in Italy and now some NHS trusts around the UK will be adding it.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain healthcare systems around the world, initiatives like UCL-Ventura demonstrate the incredible potential for collaboration and innovation to save lives. By harnessing the expertise of leading institutions like UCL and UCLH, as well as the technological prowess of Formula One teams, we can ensure that frontline healthcare workers have the tools they need to provide the best possible care to patients in need.