Virgin Orbit’s bridge ventilators have received FDA approval. Photo: Virgin Orbit

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Emergency Use Authorization for “bridge” ventilators built by Virgin Orbit. The company said in an April 22 release that it expects to begin delivering ventilators to hospitals within the next few days. Virgin Orbit is currently manufacturing the ventilators at a rate of about 100 per week. 

The “bridge ventilator” is a simple mechanical device designed to automate common manual resuscitators, which are also known as bag valve masks. They are intended to treat COVID-19 patients with moderate hypoxic and/or hypercarbic respiratory failure, and free up critical resources for the most ill. Virgin Orbit has been working with the Bridge Ventilator Consortium (BVC) on this project, and had designed the ventilators in late March.  

“Our team is so grateful to have the opportunity to channel our energies in a way that can hopefully make a difference in this crisis,” said Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart. “Additionally, we are experiencing a great sharing of ideas and capabilities internationally. As dark a time as this is, it’s also a moment of extreme motivation and collaboration unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.”