UK Government Orders 15,000 ESO 2 Ventilators

The UK Government recently announced that they had ordered 15,000 Penlon ESO 2 Emergency Ventilators, the first newly adapted device in the Ventilator Challenge to receive regulatory approval.

The ESO 2 received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in hospitals on 15th April 2020, following extensive testing to ensure that they are safe and effective.

The ESO 2 is a newly adapted ventilator design, utilising components from Penlon’s existing successful anaesthesia product range that meets the Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System (RMVS) specification. It is a fully integrated mechanical ventilator designed to provide support to critically ill patients with a range of functions including volume and pressure controlled ventilation.

Following the ESO 2’s approval by the MHRA, the UK Government confirmed an order for 15,000 units. Over the next week, hundreds of ESO 2s will be built, with production scaled up further in the coming weeks.

The Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said:

The approval of Penlon’s device underlines the significant progress being made in the Ventilator Challenge. I pay tribute to the incredible ingenuity and commitment of our manufacturing industry, coming together as part of the national effort to protect the NHS and save lives.

Last month the UK Prime Minister called on British manufacturing to help step up ventilator supplies to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic. Following this, a number of the UK’s leading technology and engineering firms have partnered with specialist manufacturers to build existing, modified or newly designed ventilators.

Penlon has been working with the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, which includes various major UK based manufacturing companies.

Penlon ESO 2 Emergency Ventilators have already been delivered to, and are ready for use in the NHS Nightingale Hospitals in London and Bristol. The NHS will be distributing additional ESO 2 Emergency Ventilators to more hospitals in the coming weeks.