Doctors take the lead on developing coronavirus equipment

Clinicians, like Dr Con Kolivas, a retired anaesthetist and software engineer, are using their industry and government networks to build CPAP and oxygen delivery systems
Dr Con Kolivas
Dr Con Kolivas. Photo: ABC

Doctors are taking coronavirus solutions into their own hands, coming together with manufacturers to help address PPE shortfalls and repurpose equipment specially for the crisis.

Among the prototypes being designed is an oxygen hood tailored for COVID-19 use.

More affordable CPAP and oxygen concentrators, that could provide some hope for patients considered not suitable for ICU admission, are also in the works.

Dr Con Kolivas, a retired anaesthetist and software engineer, said the ideas started flowing after a group of Australian clinicians discussed ventilator shortages in Italy.