Celestica is Working with its Customers to Speed Production of Critical Healthcare Devices To Combat COVID-19

  • Celestica  |
  • 2020-04-17
HealthTech COVID-19 Manufacturing

Content last updated, October 26, 2020.

As the efforts against COVID-19 rages on, stories of ingenuity, innovation and inspiration are playing out against the backdrop of a global challenge unlike any in modern history.

Healthcare workers and first responders are on the frontlines – putting their health at risk while treating patients. Hospitals in many regions are full and there is a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, face shields and gowns, as well as devices such as ventilators and other pieces of ICU equipment desperately needed to treat patients.

Fortunately, companies from around the globe - including Celestica - are taking decisive action to address these needs.

A trusted partner and enabler
Since the emergence of the pandemic in early 2020, Celestica has played a leadership role in the battle against COVID-19 – partnering with our customers, the healthcare sector’s leading OEMS, to meet the growing need for high-quality medical equipment on the front lines. Every day, we work with our customers to meet the needs of healthcare professionals in practical and innovative ways:

  • We participate in active, ongoing discussions with medical device companies as they work to add capacity and infrastructure to meet the demand for ventilators and other critical medical devices and equipment to help in the care of COVID-19 patients.
  • We have engaged with Valencia's Polytechnic University (UPV) in the development of a new mechanical ventilator that consists of a controlled electrical-mechanical device that maintains the respiratory cycle of critical patients. Recently, the ventilator design was approved by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products and manufacturing has begun for the ventilator.
  • We have tripled production of a portable ultrasound device doctors use to quickly perform lung scans of patients exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Our teams are working tirelessly to deliver subassemblies for the scanner units to our customer so they can meet the ongoing demands for this device across the globe.
  • We are ramping to meet increasing demands for printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) and subassemblies for blood analyzer devices used in the testing process for COVID-19.
  • Based on our proven track record for rapid launch and high quality, we were selected by Canadian Medical Device Company StarFish Medical Inc. to build 7,500 ventilators — part of the Canadian Emergency Ventilators project encompassed in the Canadian Government’s efforts to mobilize industry to fight COVID-19.
  • We were chosen by AirBoss Defense Group (ADG), a world leader in the supply of survivability solutions for the defense and first responder industries, to produce critical components for air purifier respirator systems used in frontline COVID-19 efforts. In addition to manufacturing, Celestica will provide innovative supply chain solutions and value-added engineering for this product.  
  • We are collaborating with Medtronic, one of the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies, to produce subassemblies for Medtronic Puritan Bennett™ 980 (PB980) ventilators. Primarily designed for critically ill patients in high acuity settings, these ventilators play a crucial role in the management of patients with severe respiratory illness, such as COVID-19, who require assistance breathing.

The Experience and Expertise OEMs Trust
With more than 25 years of experience working in highly regulated industries with strict quality standards, our customers trust that our healthtech team understands the stringent requirements and quality levels that must be followed to bring lifesaving devices to market.

In addition to our global network of FDA, QSR and ISO 13485 compliant sites, Celestica also has established, proven processes in place that enable our customers to strike the necessary balance between achieving high quality and getting life-saving products to market faster. Our factories remain open to support companies that are ramping up production for essential products such as medical devices and diagnostic tools to help in the battle against COVID-19.

Every day, our global customers place their trust in us to help them deliver critical products to healthcare providers and patients in need. We’re proud to support them, as well as other organizations, as we work together to overcome today’s challenges.

At Celestica, we embrace the power of many. We know we are stronger when we work alongside our allies in pursuit of a singular goal – and we are confident that together, we will navigate the way forward.

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