Bahrain International Circuit engineers design ventilator breathing aid

• BIC working with Ministry of Health in Bahrain to increase capacity of ventilator equipment which can be used for COVID-19 patients.
• Following regulatory approval of prototype from Ministry of Health, first order of 100 machines under production at BIC facility.
• BIC to offer design blueprints free of charge to organizations around the world, as part of global effort to increase capacity of ventilators.

In support of national efforts spearheaded by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has designed breathing apparatus for non-ICU patients in need of respiratory assistance.

The device, suitable for patients who require ventilation support but are not in a critical condition, was designed and built from scratch by BIC engineers in cooperation with the Respiratory Therapy Department, Medical Equipment Department and Intensive Care doctors at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC).

BIC has designed two different machines, both of which meet the criteria set out by SMC. The first machine was created by design team lead and BIC mechanical engineer, Kamel Al-Taan, with the other led by Tareq AlTajer.

The breathing aids have been tested at SMC in conjunction with the BIC team led by BIC Chief Operating Officer Fayez Ramzy Fayez, with the endorsement of BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa. Following these extensive tests, the machines have been approved for use by Bahrain’s Ministry of Health.

The devices were designed in just under two weeks thanks to the dedication and ingenuity of BIC’s engineers and work is underway to develop the first 100 machines which are already under production in a dedicated facility at the circuit.

The BIC has also announced that it will make the blueprint designs freely available to organizations around the world seeking to find similar solutions.

Fayez Ramzy Fayez, Chief Operating Officer at the BIC, said:

“At a time of global crisis, we have been seeking ways in which the BIC can support the fight against COVID-19. Our engineers have met that challenge by designing a ventilator system specifically to support those suffering from COVID-19. As this is a global effort, we are happy to make these designs available to other organizations around the world who are seeking to find similar solutions.”