IIT-Mandi scholars develop portable low cost ventilators

MANDI: Researchers from IIT-Mandi have created two-low cost prototype ventilators. These prototypes are built so that they can be conveniently transported to remote locations to tackle emergency situations. The ventilators will cost as low as Rs. 4,000, as estimated by Arpan Gupta, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, IIT-Mand and research scholars Lokendra Singh and Sourabh Dogra, who have developed the medical equipment. This is excluding a motor that runs the self-inflation bag and costs about Rs 25,000. The team developed these prototypes in consultation with Dr Chander Singh, Medical Officer, IIT Mandi and Dr Manjul Sharma and Dr Jasdeep from Jagriti Hospital, Mandi.

Dr Gupta said that the prototype has been designed to help cater to the Covid 19 pandemic. He said that due to its portability, it could be used easily to treat cases in rural parts of the nation, where such technology is not easily available. It can be operated manually as well as remotely by a smartphone. This will help protect the medical staff.

An artificial mechanical breathing unit bag has been with an option to control breathing rate and inlet volume of air, is attached to the ventilator.

The ventilator can also be operated on WiFi.

The present ventilator is designed for patients who are at a non-critical stage and only need some help with their respiration process.