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New Delhi : A Webinar on ‘The Element of Hope in the COVID Era: Oxygen’ was organised by the Indian Chest Society in association with CSIR-CMERI on June 27, 2021.
Prof. Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, was the Chief Speaker at the Virtual Event. The Webinar was attended by Expert Panellists comprising of Dr Deepak Talwar, Dr Neeraj Gupta, Dr Subhakar Kandi, and Dr Dhrubajyoti Roy, all eminent Pulmonologists and senior members of the Indian Chest Society. Dr D Behera moderated the entire Virtual Panel Discussion on behalf of the Indian Chest Society.
Prof. Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, in his address, shared that the Human Body rejects a substantial portion of Oxygen during the process of exhaling. During High Flow Oxygen Therapy, the Exhaled Oxygen can be trapped which in turn will decrease the Oxygen Load to a great extent. The CSIR-CMERI Oxygen Enrichment Unit (OEU) encompasses the functionality and goes beyond that of an Oxygen Concentrator.
Since, the MSMEs are the pillar of the Indian Economy, CSIR-CMERI has organised a series of Virtual Awareness Exercises to bring them into the fold. As part of this initiative, the technology has already been handed over to a number of MSMEs across India, who in turn will help in diffusion of the Technology. The Licensees have also very innovatively upgraded the aesthetics and ergonomics of the technology.
CSIR-CMERI is working on an Advanced Oxygen Mask technology which will provide protection against this Transmission of Viral Load. It has separate Supply and Exhaled Air passage. The Exhaled Air Passage/Channel is equipped with CO2 Scrubber and BV Filter. These innovative applications are a step towards the possibility of Recycling Oxygen from the Exhaled Air. Such Technologies are also ideal for Isolation Wards/Quarantine Zones, where there is an Air Recirculation Environment, according to a PIB release.
An Advanced OEU for Oxygenated Hospital Beds in Rural Areas is also being worked upon which will have independent Flow Rate and FiO2 controls. CSIR-CMERI is also working towards the development of 50 LPM and 100 LPM Hospital Model Oxygen Enrichment Technologies. Another Hybrid System Configuration for existing Hospitals will be able to function along with Oxygen Cylinders and Oxygen Lines of the Hospitals through an in-built Intelligent Controller System to complement Cylinder Stocked Oxygen with Enriched Oxygen. These advancements will facilitate the dcentralised usage of the technology for 5-20 patients. When compared with Centralised Oxygen Generation Technologies available in the Market, the cost of the CSIR-CMERI Oxygen Technology is lesser than 50%.
Dr. Deepak Talwar, Specialist Pulmonologist and Member of the Governing Body of the Chest Society, presented his discussion over various indication of Oxygen Therapy and shared that the idea of Prof. Hirani is brilliant for ‘Make in India, Make for India’. He also shared that the studies show that in 85% of the cases, the patients do not require Oxygen and in moderate to severe cases only the Oxygen therapy is needed to maintain the saturation level of 90. He also said that the proper saturation level is 92-96% and above 96 % level may be also harmful. Dr. Neeraj Gupta, Senior Chest Specialist Physician and Member, Governing Body of the Chest Society, found the lecture of Prof. Hirani to be very encouraging.
Dr. Subhakar Kandi, Senior Chest Specialist Physician and Member, Governing Body of the Chest Society, said the CSIR-CMERI developed indigenous device is the need of the hour. He lauded Prof. Hirani for the innovative device which may be customised depending upon the requirement and needs of the patients which may be very beneficial for the patients. Dr. Kandi also spoke on the mechanism of Hypoxia and various types of Masks used for the Oxygen Therapy. He said that liquid oxygen, which have a purity of 99.5%, may be utilised for patients in ICUs whereas the devices such as that developed by CSIR-CMERI may be utilised for patients under non-critical conditions as well as during the post-hospitalisation care at home.