Cerebra team members (from left): CCO Patrick Crampton, CEO Dawson Reimer, scientific founder Dr. Magdy Younes, senior engineer & director of operations Tony Bugeja, co-founder and executive chair Earl Gardiner. Photo courtesy of Cerebra Health
The inspiration for Younes’ original design grew out of his work in a number of the city’s ICU wards. He noticed many patients struggled after being placed on a ventilator because their lungs were being controlled by two competing operating systems — the ventilator and their own brain. Since Younes couldn’t simply adapt existing technology, he had no choice but to come up with his own design. The Winnipeg Ventilator uses what’s referred to as proportional assist ventilation, which essentially just amplifies whatever a patient’s own muscles are doing. “I wanted to help improve this interaction between the patient and the ventilator and develop a control system that was analogous to power steering so that the patient can control the ventilator. Basically, if he wants a big breath, he can get a big breath. If he wants a small breath, he gets a small breath,” he says. As for coming up with a name for his device, Younes says it was something of a no-brainer. “What’s fancier than Winnipeg?” the Egyptian-born doctor asks, laughing. “I love Winnipeg, man. I’ve been here for 40 years and I just love it. Winnipeg has been very good to me.” Production of the newest version of the Winnipeg Ventilator was expected to ramp up in October. Reimer says the federal government would like to have them “immediately.” He adds that while there have been a few hiccups in terms of component shortages, it hasn’t been a major issue to date. Cerebra’s core business — in-home sleep studies and sleep technologies — has experienced something of a slowdown due to pandemic restrictions in place in Winnipeg. However, the increased demand for its ventilators allowed it to redeploy some staff and avoid any layoffs. Reimer says he expects the company’s sleep diagnostic business to experience a boost, since a number of sleep labs have recently shut down and wait times at those that remain open have increased significantly. Cerebra has also seen an increase in international sales of some of its sleep devices since the pandemic struck, he adds. “It hasn’t made us rich but there’s certainly lots of opportunity.” ■ “We’re not happy when we see our numbers rise any more than anyone else is, but it’s happening all over the world and we’re glad to be part of the solution. Truth be told, we all hope they get purchased and never need to be used.”
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