Casgliadau Arlein

Welsh designed and made CPAP respirator built in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic in Wales took hold, and hospitals came under pressure with seriously ill patients having breathing difficulties, Dr Rhys Thomas (an army veteran) came up with a brilliant idea for a simple ventilator. Having seen combat conditions and the need for a quick response to critical injury, he addressed the shortage of ventilators by trying to design a ‘simple’ breathing aid. He was put in touch with engineering firm C.R. Clarke & Co in Betws and their design team came up with a prototype within days. After rigorous testing and trialling they produced a working design. Much of the production models went overseas to Bangladesh, although they were used in Wales too. They cost hundreds to produce as opposed to thousands for standard ventilators.