Healthcare providers across the UK have relied on the Philips Respironics V60 and Philips Respironics V60 Plus for many years as trusted non-invasive ventilation (NIV) platforms in ICU, emergency departments and respiratory wards. However, following a National Patient Safety Alert from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), these devices were mandated for permanent removal from service due to the risk of unexpected shutdown leading to complete loss of ventilation. The alert was for action by all hospitals and other healthcare providers using the affected ventilators.
For clinicians and procurement teams seeking robust, future-ready alternatives, CLS Surgical can help. The Panther 5 range of next-generation ventilators, available through CLS Surgical, is the ideal alternative, working similarly to the Philips V60 range to make the transition simple, but with a range of improvements that address the issues and limitations highlighted in previous devices. Read on to find out more about the V60 recall, the implications this has in a clinical setting and why the Panther ventilator range is the ideal replacement.
What is the Philips V60 ventilator?
The Philips Respironics V60 and V60 Plus were widely used hospital ventilators designed mainly for non-invasive ventilation (NIV). These ventilators are microprocessor-controlled, hospital-grade ventilatory support systems primarily designed for non-invasive ventilation (NIV), with invasive capability where clinically indicated. They deliver positive pressure ventilation through a range of modes including CPAP, S/T, PCV, and AVAPS, utilising Philips’ Auto-Trak adaptive triggering and cycling algorithm to optimise patient–ventilator synchrony and compensate for leaks.
The V60 Plus expands upon the V60 platform by integrating High Flow Therapy (HFT), enabling humidified high-flow oxygen delivery with seamless transition between NIV and HFNC within a single device. Intended for use in acute care environments, such as ICU, ED, and respiratory units, these systems support adult and paediatric patients with acute or chronic respiratory insufficiency, COPD exacerbations, hypoxemic or hypercapnic respiratory failure, and weaning scenarios, and are operated by trained respiratory therapists, critical care physicians, and acute care nursing teams.
Why were the Philips V60 and V60 Plus ventilators recalled?
In May 2023, the UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued a National Patient Safety Alert mandating that all V60 and V60 Plus ventilators be permanently removed from service due to an unacceptable risk of unexpected shutdowns leading to complete loss of ventilation. Electrical faults identified in these devices can lead to a loss of ventilation, occasionally without sounding a warning alarm. This failure mode poses a significant threat of hypoxia and serious adverse patient outcomes if undetected and could even result in fatalities if a patient is without ventilation for a sustained period.
In 2022, Philips placed both the V60 and V60 plus ventilators in their “end-of-life” phase, and the devices are no longer in production. As a result, Philips was reliant on the current stockpile of components to act as replacement parts while stocks lasted.
The MHRA have now concluded that there is no satisfactory permanent correction available and that the benefits no longer outweigh the risks, with all affected units to be withdrawn from use and replaced by 30 September 2023. For hospitals, this created an urgent need for compliant, safe, and clinically equivalent (or superior) replacement ventilators.
For clinicians and procurement teams seeking robust alternatives, the Panther ventilator range available through CLS Surgical represents a strong modern replacement for the retired V60 platform. The Panther 5 and Panther 5N systems are next-generation ventilators designed to meet the demands of critical care, high dependency units (HDU) and respiratory support units, providing a broad spectrum of ventilation modalities while addressing some of the limitations highlighted in legacy devices.
The ideal Philips V60 replacement: Panther ventilators
For organisations and medical professionals seeking a high-performance alternative to the V60, the Panther 5 and Panther 5N offer a modern, ICU-capable solution.
Available through CLS Surgical, the Panther range is designed to meet the demands of acute respiratory care environments where V60 ventilators were previously deployed. The Panther is the future of ICU ventilation, offering an all-in-one solution for clinicians.
The Panther range of non-invasive and invasive ventilators supports patients from neonates through to adults, making a clinician’s life easier by enabling multiple therapies in one product. They offer premium-level ventilation designed for the sickest of patients. Combining a state-of-the-art blower with a patented proportional flow valve and specialised algorithms, Panther Ventilators deliver higher pressure, more flow, and precise breaths to the patient.
Panther 5
The Panther 5 offers 3 devices in one easy-to-use product. It offers O2 therapy, non-invasive (NIV) and invasive, making life easier for clinicians as it enables multiple therapies in a single solution. This allows for a seamless transition from intubation to NIV, reduced need for several ventilator types and makes it the ideal product for ICU environments where flexibility is critical. Advanced NIV compatible with vented masks, non-vented masks and helmets, offering versatility of use. It also has integrated synchrony tools that ease patient management and streamline clinical workflow.
Key features include:
- Patented Smart trigger technology
- A choice of lung protective software
- Advanced patient synchrony tools
- A range of lung recruitment manoeuvres
- Three devices in one: invasive, non-invasive and HFOT
- Single or dual limb NIV
- Use with any mask, even vented, and use any circuit
- Low cost of ownership
Best suited for:
- Intensive Care Units (ICU) where both invasive and non-invasive ventilation are required
- Facilities that need a single platform for full ventilatory support
- Patients progressing from intubated ventilation to non-invasive support
- Comprehensive adult/paediatric ventilation programmes
Unique benefits
- Full ventilation mode set: Includes invasive ventilation modalities such as assist/control, PRVC, SIMV and PSV, in addition to robust NIV modes.
- Ideal transitional support: Seamlessly switches from invasive to non-invasive modes without changing hardware, reducing workflow interruptions and equipment changes.
- Broad clinical reach: Excellent choice for units with fluctuating acuity, e.g. mixed ICU/HDU, and cross-coverage areas.
Panther 5N
The Panther 5N is a dedicated non-invasive ventilator that can be used with a variety of circuits and masks. Supporting a wide patient demographic, including both adult and paediatric patients, it offers high performance and includes an emergency invasive mode, if required. The 5N provides optimal management of leak and triggering uses using its patented Smart Trigger technology and lead compensation algorithms.
Key features include:
- Optimise synchrony with Smart Trigger, even with high leaks
- Dual-stage blower delivers up to 350LPM flow
- HFOT as standard
- Emergency invasive ventilation as standard
- Up to 200LPM leak compensation
- Single or dual limb NIV
- Adjustable time ramp-up to set IPAP pressure
- Low cost of ownership
Best suited for:
- Emergency Departments (ED) managing acute respiratory distress
- Respiratory wards and high dependency units (HDU) with high NIV utilisation
- COPD exacerbation programmes and chronic respiratory failure pathways
- Post-extubating non-invasive support
Unique benefits
- Enhanced NIV optimisation: Tailored trigger sensitivity and advanced leak compensation deliver highly synchronous non-invasive support, particularly valuable in COPD, obesity hypoventilation and mask leak-prone scenarios.
- NIV-centric performance: Easier and more intuitive NIV parameter tuning supports rapid clinical response in acute respiratory escalations.
- Workflow efficiency: Streamlined clinician controls and user interface reduce training overhead and improve reproducibility in high-volume non-invasive settings.
Why replace the V60 with the Panther Range?
Compared with legacy NIV platforms, the Panther 5 and 5N provide:
- Modernised hardware architecture
- Advanced synchrony algorithms
- Broader ventilation mode coverage
- Integrated HFOT capability
- Reduced infrastructure dependency
- Versatility across adult, paediatric and neonatal populations
- Future-proofed performance in both ICU and ward environments
- Advanced non-invasive ventilation performance (5N)
- Invasive and non-invasive capability in one platform (5)
For services transitioning from withdrawn V60 devices, this represents not merely a like-for-like replacement, but an opportunity to upgrade respiratory capability across the pathway.
Procurement support through CLS Surgical
CLS Surgical works directly with healthcare providers to ensure smooth transition planning following the V60 withdrawal. Our team can:
- Assess clinical requirements and match ventilator configuration to service needs
- Support capital equipment procurement processes
- Provide guidance on deployment across ICU, ED and respiratory wards
- Assist with broader surgical and acute care equipment sourcing
- Provide training on all equipment and regular maintenance
For healthcare professionals seeking compliant, reliable and future-ready ventilator solutions, CLS Surgical offers both the Panther 5 and Panther 5N as part of a comprehensive portfolio of critical care equipment.
Get in touch with CLS Surgical today
As a trusted UK supplier of critical care and surgical equipment, CLS Surgical supports healthcare organisations beyond simple device supply. We source and deliver the highest-quality products and equipment that assist clinicians and enhance patient outcomes. On top of that, we provide expert guidance on selecting the right Panther ventilator for you, assist on service planning during the V60 replacement, provide training on each device, as well as ongoing support and advice.
CLS Surgical represent leading manufacturers with safety, quality, and consultative support. By working closely with clinicians, procurement teams, and manufacturers, we ensure that the products we supply meet exacting standards and support best-practice patient care.
If you want help replacing Philips V60 ventilators in your organisation, get in touch with our team today to discuss your ventilator requirements and discuss how the Panther range can support for respiratory services. Fill in our online enquiry form, call us on 0151 733 1900 or email customerservice@cls-surgical.com.