IIT Ropar Researchers Develop Ventilation Support For Less Critical COVID-19 Patients

Chandigarh: The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar have developed a compact and affordable ventilation support for the less critical COVID-19 patients, a statement from the institute said on July 6.

Neha Sardana, from the department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of IIT Ropar, along with Gaurav Pal Singh, a research scholar, reportedly developed the ventilation support.

The Hindustan Times reported the statement and said, the design of the a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machine is such that it is easy to operate and can be assembled with ease in remote areas like villages or at home.

The machine is made of readily available electronic and mechanical parts and a single unit can support multiple patients, provided the airflow is sufficient.

The mass production of the machine would cost around Rs 6,500 per unit, the statement said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a massive challenge to healthcare services around the globe which requires innovative and immediate solutions. This BiPAP machine in the current situation aims to deliver an economical and user-friendly respiratory support for non-critical patients and a backup resource for hospitals facing ventilation shortage,” the institute said.

BiPAP is a mode of ventilation which maintains positive pressure for air intake and a low pressure for expiration, the statement further said.

Earlier, IIT Ropar was in news for developing a prototype that can detect a person infected with COVID-19 instantly. However, the prototype is still awaiting a clinical trial. It can be used for testing people only after being approved by medical authorities.