COVID-19: IIT Ropar develops device to minimize lung damage

NEW DELHI: Researchers at India Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar have developed a device ‘Jivan Vayu’ which can be used as a substitute for a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. A first of its kind, this device can function even in the absence of electric power, a statement from the institute said.

“This was the need of the hour during the present Covid pandemic when power supply is the key concern for saving lives of those on medical equipment such as ventilators and oxygen concentrators”, said Khushboo Rakha, assistant professor, metallurgical and materials engineering, IIT Ropar.

CPAP is a treatment method where devices and machines are used for patients having breathing problems during sleep called sleep apnea.

CPAP is a treatment method where devices and machines are used for patients having breathing problems during sleep called sleep apnea.

The IITs have thrown all their research weight behind the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. IIT Delhi developed one of the earliest COVID-19 tests; IIT Kanpur designed a world-class ventilator from scratch and in under a year; and IIT Gandhinagar created a handbook on setting up campus COVID-19 centres that can also help the surrounding community.

COVID-19, Oxygen support

The device uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open for easy breathing. The treatment, if implemented during early stages of the COVID-19 infection will reduce lung damage and allow patients to recover from the inflammatory effects, the statement further said.

Unlike other existing CPAP machines, this device is adapted to function in both oxygen generation units like O2 cylinders and oxygen pipelines in hospitals.

“It has an inbuilt viral filter at the air entertainment end which has a viral efficacy of 99.99%”, said Rakha. The viral filter ensures that the air does not bring in any pathogens from the environment. The device has been manufactured using 3D printing and has also been tested mechanically.

Rakha and her team have now collaborated with Suresh Chand, faculty incharge, at Rapid Prototyping Lab, Siemens Centre of Excellence at Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh for 3D printing of the device.

The device is ready for medical testing and mass manufacturing.

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