- Some wealthy Americans are trying to buy personal ventilators in case hospital systems fail in the coronavirus crisis, $4.
- Demand for ventilators, which are a key part of treating severe cases of the dies ease COVID-19, has surged globally.
- President Trump announced on Wednesday that "thousands and thousands" of machines have been ordered.
- But manufacturers are facing a backlog just to keep up with demand, the NYT reported.
- One company which produces personal-sized ventilators said it will not take individual orders, despite the requests from wealthy buyers, $4.
- $4.
A manufacturer of ventilators which can treat patients with COVID-19 said he wealth buyers have asked to buy their own machines from him, $4.
$4 as governments race to equip their hospitals for anticipated demand in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Ventilators assist patients who lose lung function - a key complication of severe COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Chris Kiple is CEO of Ventec, a Seattle-based manufacturer that is one of many companies racing to satisfy global demand. He told the Times: "I can tell you with a 100 percent confidence that every single manufacturer is facing a backlog right now."
On Wednesday, President Trump told reporters the government was ordering "thousands and thousands" of ventilators to boost the national supply. But the US is facing a potential shortage of the life-saving equipment, $4.
Experts predicted that 70% of Americans could be infected with COVID-19 if no treatment is found, $4. The pandemic threatens to stretch the US hospital system to its limit, $4.
The rich would-be buyers approaching Ventec - whom Kiple did not name - wanted the machines as a fallback if the US hospital system failed, the Times reported.
One of the key features of one of Ventec's models, the VOCSN, is that it is a portable device that can be operated by one person, rather than needing a team of medical staff.
Mark Suhoo, marketing and communications VP at Ventec, said in an emailed statement to Business Insider: "A typical ICU ventilator requires three primary operators: a critical care doctor, respiratory therapist, and a nurse and additional devices."
"VOCSN combines all of 5 of these devices into a single, portable device that is easy to use, thus reducing the space, staff and supplies needed to manage patients on a ventilator."
At present, however, Kiple said that at present the company has decided not to accept individual orders, $4.