NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is typically busy with building spacecraft. But due to the increasing shortage of ventilators in hospitals, in the last month, the engineering lab has shifted in high gears to make the best use of its scientific capacity to develop the life-saving medical machines.
In just 37 days, the team of engineers has managed to build a ventilator tailored for COVID-19 patients, which has already “passed a critical test” last week and is now waiting for a fast-tracked approval from the FDA.
According to NASA, the device, called VITAL (Ventilator Intervention Technology Accessible Locally), is easier to build and to maintain than a traditional one, as there are far fewer parts, and it can also be modified for use in field hospitals.
The team feels confident that the ventilator will soon be able to save lives struck by the coronavirus both in the US and across the world.
