Yavatmal techie makes handy ventilator, aims at mass production

NAGPUR: Ventilator has become much sought after apparatus in the pandemic. Needy patients are given life-saving artificial respiration through a ventilator. But, this system is very expensive and not suitable for use in rural and remote areas. Recognizing this problem, an engineer from Yavatmal has developed a versatile low-cost ventilator. It is also accredited by Government of India’s nodal agencies.
Akash Gaddamwar from Yavatmal and his friend Eshan Dhar from Jammu and Kashmir were working on this design even before the pandemic struck.
“After completing our engineering from IISc Bangalore, we formed a start-up Gyrodrive Machineries Ltd. We launched several innovations and won Rs 2 crore funding prize from Government of India,” said Akash. Their start-up was approached by Dr Rajeev Chauhan, assistant professor in the anaesthesiology department in the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, with the concept. They accepted the challenge and developed a handy ventilator.
The concept is simple. AMBU bag is the most common handheld tool used to deliver positive pressure ventilation to any person with insufficient or ineffective breathing. It’s common sight in medical colleges and rural hospitals across the country to see attendants or patients’ relatives operating the manual AMBU bags to save life.
The device provides mechanical support with battery back-up to this system. The device is operated by a small motor that automatically pressurizes the AMBU bag at the required rate. It ensures controlled pressure and exact amount of O2 to the patient. The device has been patented and Akash’s start up has all approvals from necessary nodal agencies.
The prototypes are in use at PGIMER Chandigarh. Now, the duo is seeking investments to start mass production of the device.
“It is handy, weighs just 6 kgs and can be transported even on a bicycle. As Covid-19 cases are now growing in rural areas, it will prove a big boon for our country,” said Akash.
“I have seen patients often relying on the manually operated AMBU bags in rural hospitals. These provide only short-term solution. Our machine has 6, 12 and 24 hours back-up options. The battery keeps charging itself if we plug the device in common household socket,” said Akash.
According to him, the machine, can be fixed in small ambulances being used to carry Covid-19 patients. It can be attached with O2 cylinder or simply can get oxygen from air and provide it to the patient.
Respiratory Control Device
* Low-cost solution for effective ventilator support
* Allows easy setting of parameters like respiration rate and tidal volume
* Inbuilt lung parameter monitoring system ensures patient safety
* Battery supported; 6, 12 and 24 hour back-up prototypes ready
* Weighs just 6 kgs, can be transported on two-wheelers, even bicycles
* Cost effective too, mass production will reduce cost
* Also approved by government’s nodal agencies
* Can be fixed in makeshift ambulances, carried to remote places