Philips to launch two-in-one V680 critical care ventilator

Philips has announced the launch of its new V680 ventilator for hospital respiratory care, which offers both invasive and non-invasive ventilation functions.

The two-in-one critical care ventilator aims to achieve smoother transitions between ventilation and natural breathing, thus enhancing patient care and minimising ventilator-associated infection rates.

Developed in partnership with physicians, the ventilator can adjust quickly to the changing needs of patients, speed the time to non-invasive ventilation and ultimately reduce hospital stays and associated costs.

Philips will launch the device in a number of European markets in early 2015, with a US launch to follow at a later date when the system receives the necessary regulatory clearance.

Arne Cohrs, sales and marketing director for therapeutic care, patient care and clinical informatics at Philips Healthcare, said: "The V680 ventilator has been developed in partnership with physicians, leading to customised technology that can be simply and quickly adjusted to respond to patient needs."

Earlier this month, the company was selected as the primary provider of automated external defibrillators to UK schools by the Department for Education, with an initial provision of 500 HeartStart FRx units to be made available soon.