10,000 breathing aids have been manufactured for use in the UK and are now being used in over 130 NHS hopsitals. The designs were licensed at no cost to support the humanitarian, global fight against COVID-19. UCL-Venturas are now being manufactured and distributed across the world, with use in hospitals in over 30 countries.
This project is a collaboration between UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering, UCL Mechanical Engineering, University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
About us
Find out more about our CPAP device, the clinical impact it will have in helping COVID-19 patients to breathe, the engineering process behind it and find regular updates on our project's progress.
Accessing the UCL Ventura for the NHS
The Department of Health has ordered up to 10,000 UCL Ventura CPAPs. If you are a healthcare professional in the UK, find out more about obtaining devices for your NHS hospital. This will be of no add
Accessing UCL Ventura designs for international use
Our humanitarian intention is to distribute and share the UCL Ventura device to help public health efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic emergency. Find out how to access it for free internationally.
Engineering deep-dive
This breathing aid was produced by engineers within a rapid timeframe – it took fewer than 100 hours from the initial meeting to production of the first device. Find out more about our engineering pro
Coverage of our story
Our team's development of CPAP breathing aids has received global coverage. Find out more about our story by reading, watching and listening to some of this coverage.
Our international progress
Over 1900 teams from 105 countries downloaded the designs, and we are now supporting them with local manufacture. From Peru to Pakistan, teams worldwide are now producing UCL-Ventura devices.
CPAP Greatest Needs Overseas fund
There is an urgent need for more breathing aids internationally. Fund us to cover the basic, not-for-profit costs of materials, manufacture and delivery.
UCL Ventura team wins prestigious engineering award
Our team has received an award from the Royal Academy of Engineering for exceptional services during a pandemic.
View all Covid-19 News
UCL Ventura CPAP devices manufactured and approved in Cuba
A team of Cuban researchers has successfully manufactured non-invasive breathing devices for COVID-19 patients, based on the Ventura designs.
12 Jan 2022
UCL-Ventura team behind CPAP breathing aid wins prestigious Alex Moulton award
The UCL-Ventura team who developed a CPAP breathing aid used to save the lives of COVID-19 patients around the world have received a prestigious award from the Institution of Engineering Designers.
03 Nov 2021
UCL-Ventura CPAPs manufactured in Pakistan donated to countries in need
Hundreds of UCL-Ventura CPAP devices manufactured by the Alsons Group in Pakistan are now helping save lives in neighbouring countries.
29 Jun 2021
Got a question?
Accessing devices for NHS hospitals (UK) - more information here
Accessing devices for international use - CPAPcovid19@ucl.ac.uk
Accessing designs and manufacturing instructions - downloads available here
Additional questions and technical support - ihecovid19response@ucl.ac.uk
Communications and media inquiries - healthcare-eng@ucl.ac.uk
