DEEP RIVER – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is working on building an easy-to-use ventilator using off-the-shelf, accessible parts available from within Canada.

The initiative, led by a group of companies including CNL, could ease the nation’s ventilator shortage as Canada grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project mirrors one undertaken in Italy.

The plan is to have a design ready to turn over to domestic manufacturers by the end of April.

The initiative will still conform to Health Canada’s strict regulations, but the process is being fast-tracked to address all the related technical, legal and regulatory challenges.

“It’s another case of applying CNL’s expertise as problem-solvers working at what is in essence, the largest laboratory in Canada,” the company released in a statement.

Helping develop the prototype ventilator is no stretch for a company that has medical isotopes used in diagnostic procedures and cancer treatments. Additionally, CNL has donated personal protection equipment supplies and loaned out its inventory of 3D printers for the manufacture of related supplies.