Medtronic will double its global ventilator production to support the needs of patients and health systems amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The medical device company has increased production by more than 40 percent to date.
Currently, Medtronic has more than 250 employees dedicated to ventilator manufacturing and aims to double that number.
Medtronic's Puritan Bennett 980 and Puritan Bennett ventilators are designed for critically ill patients in high acuity settings.
Ventilators help patients' lungs rest and recover by supplying oxygen and replicating the actions of breathing. They are critical in the management of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19.
"Medtronic recognizes the demand for ventilators in this environment has far outstripped supply," said Bob White, executive vice president and president of the Minimally Invasive Therapies Group at Medtronic.
"No single company will be able to fill the current demands of global healthcare systems. However, with all manufacturers increasing their production and through partnerships with governments, hospitals and global health organizations, Medtronic is committed to getting more ventilators into the market and to the right locations in the world to help doctors and patients dealing with COVID-19."