Low-Cost Ventilator Gets FDA Emergency Authorization

The FDA has authorized a low-cost ventilator alternative for emergency use, paving the way for distribution to hospitals to help fight the coronavirus, the developers of the device said Wednesday.

The device, called the Coventor, is the first-of-its-kind to be approved under the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization, the University of Minnesota said in a statement. Boston Scientific Corp. and Medtronic LLC provided design input throughout the FDA process, the university said.

Ventilators are used to help deliver oxygen to patients suffering from respiratory-related issues associated with Covid-19. The Coventor, compact in size and inexpensive to manufacture, ...