Mamidi Prasada Rao, an innovator from the city, has developed a mask that reduces the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from infected persons to medical personnel during the process of taking nasal or oral swab samples.
Mr. Prasada Rao said the mask comes with a droplet barrier and has elastic straps on either side in order to fasten it securely before testing. An outer portion of the mask covers the entire face, except for the mouth and nose which are covered by an inner portion that is transparent. A small hole is provided in the inner portion to allow the collection of swab samples.
“The mask is inexpensive and bio-degradable. I developed it after realising that there is a danger of the virus spreading from an infected person to medical officials as the air exhaled from the patient may also have infected droplets. Some persons cough or sneeze during the swab collection which also raises the risk of surfaces getting contaminated,” Mr. Prasada Rao said.
The droplet barrier is made of chart paper and covers the entire face from the forehead to the lower jaw, said Mr. Prasada Rao, who has applied to the Controller of Patents, Chennai, for a patent under the Patents Act, 1970 and the Patent Rules, 2003.
He has entered into an agreement with Kalam Institute of Health Technology (KIHT), located at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) in Visakhapatnam, for technology transfer.
Interested entrepreneurs can contact Mr. Prasada Rao on 8106677515.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
To get full access, please subscribe.
Already have an account ? Sign in
Show Less Plan
Subscription Benefits Include
Today's Paper
Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list.
Faster pages
Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.
Unlimited Access
Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.
Dashboard
A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.
Personalised recommendations
A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.
Briefing
We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper ,crossword, iPhone, iPad mobile applications and print. Our plans enhance your reading experience.
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
