CSIR develops cost-effective mechanical ventilator

NEW DELHI: At a time when the COVID-19 cases are increasing manifold, the Csir-central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, has developed a mechanical ventilator with indigenous technology which can be used for the treatment of coronavirus patients and those experiencing breathing difficulty.

Explaining about the product, a senior CSIR official said that portability and cost-effectivenesses are the two most important features of the product and the mechanical ventilator developed by the institute will cost around Rs 90,000-Rs 1,00,000.

Elaborating on the device, Director CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, Prof Harish Hirani said, “Its design, controllers and embedded electronics have all been customised to ensure price efficacy as well as meeting the requirements of relevant industries.”

The ventilator has undergone multiple technical and design changes after adopting critical feedbacks from different healthcare professionals. The device will be further upgraded to meet the requirements of other patients,” he said.

The mechanical ventilator was unveiled on June 3 after clinical trials at two hospitals.

Steadily the approach of the institute will be to harness Artificial Intelligence capabilities to automate the functioning of the mechanical ventilator, so that the device automatically responds to fluctuating variables of a patient, he said.

Notably, a ventilator is a device which works as an assistive oxygen supply support system when normal functioning of the lungs is disrupted owing to some infection.