Kerala: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute launches emergency breathing assist system

A Kerala institute has come up with an emergency breathing assist system to temporarily providing assistance when ventilator support isn't available. The patient can be stabilised using the device. The machine, which can be operated at a minimal expense, does not require the help of specially trained medical staff to operate.

Thiruvananthapuram: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has developed an emergency breathing assist machine, which could be helpful for patients as possibilities of community transmission exists in the capital city of Kerala.

Ventilator support is inevitable to save the lives of COVID-19 patients who are severely affected. As the number of COVID patients rises all over India, the country is moving towards a dangerous situation wherein the availability of ventilators to cater to all those who require support may not be possible.

SCTIMST has developed this emergency breathing assist device foreseeing the dearth of ventilators amid the pandemic struggle.

The emergency breathing assist device is not a complete alternative for a ventilator. But it could serve as a temporary mechanism to help the patient wait till he gets the ventilator support. From a few hours to a few days, the patient can be stabilised using the device.

The design of the Air Bridge is in compliance with international standards. Engineers Sarath, Vinod, and Nagesh with the Division of Artificial organs of Sree Chitra’s Biotechnology wing, and Prof Dr Thomas Koshy, Prof Dr Manikandan, doctors with the Anesthesia Department of SCTIMST, joined hands in developing the device. The team also associated with Wipro for the making.

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Using the bag valve mask ventilation technique, the machine operates automatically thereby inhaling and exhaling at regular intervals. Through this process, the Air Bridge can provide positive air pressure and ensure oxygen supply to the patient’s body.

Tidal volume, the respiration rate per minute and the inhale-exhale ratio can all be regulated on the breathing assist. While operating, the air bridge calculates and displays these data. Besides, the machine gives off warning and help alarms to alert health workers.

PEEP valve, breathing tubes and bacteria- virus filters are needed to connect the patient’s body with the Air Bridge. The device, which can be shifted from one place to another easily, is powered by a battery.

The machine, which can be operated at a minimal expense, does not require the help of specially trained medical staff to operate it. It can be done by basic health workers including nurses.

Air Bridge can be used by COVID-19 and other patients, in ambulances hospital wards and Intensive care units. Smaller hospitals which do not have oxygen plants can also operate the Air Bridge using oxygen cylinders.