Fitbit unveils a low-cost COVID-19 ventilator that's 'easy to use'
The maker of health tracking devices which is being acquired by Alphabet's Google got special approval to make the emergency ventilator.
Fitbit announced the launch of a low-cost emergency ventilator for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press release, the maker of fitness trackers – which is being acquired by Alphabet's Google – said it received an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to develop and bring the ventilator to market. The device is designed to be used only when there isn't a traditional ventilator available.
Dubbed the Fitbit Flow, the tech stock said it's a high-quality, cheap and easy to use emergency ventilator. Oregon Health & Science University emergency medicine clinicians taking care of pandemic patients consulted with Fitbit during the development of the device.
"COVID-19 has challenged all of us to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity, and use everything at our disposal to more rapidly develop products that support patients and the healthcare systems caring for them," said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit in a press release. "We saw an opportunity to rally our expertise in advanced sensor development, manufacturing, and our global supply chain to address the critical and ongoing need for ventilators and help make a difference in the global fight against this virus."
While the number of COVID-19 cases has been slowing as social distancing is flattening the curve, hospitals are still in need of ventilators. That's particularly true if there is a surge in cases during the fall or into the winter. Fitbit pointed to the New England Journal of Medicine, which argues that there are still not enough ventilators to care for COVID-19 patients in the coming months. Fitbitiss leveraging its infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to produce large volumes of these ventilators, which it aims to deploy to healthcare systems in need across the world.
Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Donna Fuscaldo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), and Fitbit. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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