Mercedes High-Performance Powertrains and the University College of London have worked together to develop machines known as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) which have been given approval to be used by the NHS.
The Silver-Arrows and the six other Formula 1 teams based in the UK have been collaborating on ‘Project Pitlane’ in order to find ways to help combat the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Engineers from both the UCL and Mercedes HPP have been collaborating at the UCL’s engineering hub, MechSpace to reverse engineer a device which can be easily produced has now been given approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
According to the UCL use of a CPAP machine in Italy and China has shown it has helped patients who develop serious lung problems breathe more easily whilst suffering with Covid-19.
CPAP machines are commonly used to treat sleep apnea by delivering a constant and steady stream of oxygen.
Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, said: “The Formula One community has shown an impressive response to the call for support, coming together in the ‘Project Pitlane’ collective to support the national need at this time across a number of different projects.
“We have been proud to put our resources at the service of UCL to deliver the CPAP project to the highest standards and in the fastest possible timeframe.”
Professor Tim Baker (UCL Mechanical Engineering) added: “Given the urgent need, we are thankful that we were able to reduce a process that could take years down to a matter of days.
“From being given the brief, we worked all hours of the day, disassembling and analysing an off-patent device. Using computer simulations, we improved the device further to create a state-of-the-art version suited to mass production.
“We were privileged to be able to call on the capability of Formula One – a collaboration made possible by the close links between UCL Mechanical Engineering and HPP.”
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