The second COVID-19 surge has resulted in half-a-million deaths with estimates of surpassing 1 million deaths by August 1st, 2021 in India. This surge has strained the healthcare system leading to hospitals running out of oxygen supply.
An approach to re-circulate exhaled oxygen during utilization would be tremendously impactful as a means of alleviating the oxygen shortage.
We performed a benchmark study to test the gas utilization on a volunteer.
| Device | Flow (LPM) |
|---|---|
| Non-rebreather Mask (prior art) | 15 |
| Rebreather | 1 |
- We found increase in work of breathing as per clinical observation and volunteer feedback but due our limited setup we are not able to quantify in absolute terms. However this was not to a level of discomfort that made the volunteer reject the device.
- We did a post exercise test (respiratory rate 20 BPM) and found that the device was able to sustain the respiratory needs of the adult volunteer.
- Extended ventilation for 6 hrs using 2LPM atmospheric air did not product any discomfort nor any clinical signs of hypercapnia. Hence we are confident that 2kg Sodalime CO2 scrubber is able to wash out CO2 in the circuit to normal breathable levels.
- We also believe that compared to the generally prevalent non-rebreather masks (such as Adlisc Oxygen mask with reservoir bag) our NIV mask can provide a higher FiO2 due to the better facial fitment.
We are confident this device would be effective with patients on non-rebreather and standard oxygen masks. The savings in oxygen could be 15 fold. A B-type cylinder that lasts for 1 hour on a non-rebreather mask could possibly be extended to 15 hours using this rebreather.
| No. | Item | Brand | Supplier | Cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collapsible bi-limb circuit with NIV Mask | Adlisc | Surgiplus | 1200 |
| 2 | Oxygen Mask with Reservoir Bag | Adlisc | Surgiplus | 107 |
| 3 | HEPA filter | Adlisc | Surgiplus | 177 |
| 4 | Intersorb 2179 Colour changing Sodalime | Intersorb | Intersurgical | 1475 |
| 5 | Non-return valves | 3D printed | 200 | |
| 6 | Sodalime container, 3/4" elbows and couplings | Plumber shop | 100 | |
| 7 | Stand | Custom made | 500 |
| Circuits, Mask and Non-rebreather | Circuits, Mask and Non-rebreather | Sodalime |
|---|---|---|
| SURGIPLUS Plot No:02, 5th Cross, Gnanaprakasam Nagar, Puducherry-605008 GSTIN/UIN: 34AAXPA8651J1Z9 Puducherry [email protected] | Starmed Health Care Pvt Ltd,36A, Rajiv Nagar, 1st Street, Pallikuppam, Chennai 600 077 Ph: 75502 20007/75502 20008 | Hospitech Agencies 94860 31584 -Numerous suppliers from Indiamart supplying Medical Sodalime |