The African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” means that it takes an entire community of different people, young and old, working together for children to grow in a safe and healthy environment.
A ‘village’ of innovative companies responded to the government’s call for support to help COVID-19 patients. It includes academics, household name Mercedes Formula One and Oxford Optronix, a small Oxford-based business that designs, develops and manufactures sophisticated instrumentation for the life sciences.
They have created a breathing aid, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and accompanying bedside continuous oxygen monitor, that is helping to keep patients out of intensive care. Oxford Optonix, located within Milton Park's Science and Technology Cluster near Didcot, manufactured the 2,000 oxygen monitors, Flo-OxTM in just over a week of intense, manic production.
Flo-OxTM is a bedside monitoring system that continuously measures the oxygen concentration being delivered to the patient. Crucially, the system has built in alarms to ensure that oxygen is delivered within set limits.
Andy Opeid, Founder and CEO, said: "Everyone at Oxford Optronix was involved to create in five days a device that would normally take two years! Oxford Optronix received a waiver from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and reconfigured its premises at Milton Park for volume production. The team grew from 15 to 40 and was able to take over neighbouring business space with the support of Milton Park's owners MEPC which enabled us to work two shifts, from 6am to midnight, to deliver the 2,000 units on time."
Oxford Optronix’s rapid response is an example of how companies within the Oxfordshire economy are strong and adaptable. Many enterprising and innovative life science companies that have established a base in Oxford are making a contribution to the national and international response to the Coronovirus pandemic.
Find out more about the Flo-OxTM
Read about the role that this breathing aid will play in helping COVID-19 patients.