BENGALURU:
Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (
DRDO) Bengaluru lab — Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) — has developed a Blood
Oxygen Saturation (
SpO2) supplemental oxygen delivery system for
soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas, which it said on Monday, can also be used to tackle Covid-19.
“The automatic system delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 levels and prevents the person from sinking into a state of
Hypoxia, which is fatal in most cases, if it sets in,” a DRDO statement read.
Hypoxia is a state in which the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues is inadequate to fulfill all the energy requirements of the body. “This is exactly the situation that gets replicated in a Covid-19 patient due to the virus infection and has been a leading factor in the current crisis,” the statement read.
The electronic hardware of the system is designed for functioning at extreme altitudes featuring low barometric pressures, low temperatures and humidity, the DRDO said, adding that the software safety checks incorporated into the system are critical in ensuring the functional reliability of the system in field conditions.
“The system reads SpO2 levels from a wrist-worn pulse oximeter module through wireless interface and controls a proportional solenoid valve to regulate the oxygen supply to the subject. The oxygen is delivered from a lightweight portable oxygen cylinder through nasal nares. The system is available in various sizes from one litre and one kg weight with 150 litres of oxygen supply to 10 litres & 10 kg weight with 1,500 litres of oxygen supply which can sustain for 750 minutes with a continuous flow of two liters per min (lpm),” the statement read.
Since the system is indigenously developed for operation in field conditions, it is unique with its dual qualities of being robust & cheap and is already in bulk production with the industry.
“The system is a boon in the current pandemic as it can be used in the household for moderate Covid-19 patients for oxygen flow therapy with flow controlled at two, five, seven or 10 litres per minute flow. The automatic usage has a huge advantage in the household, as the oximeter would give an alarm for lower SpO2 value. It will automatically increase/decrease oxygen flow based on SpO2 setting which can be auto adjusted. The optimal oxygen flow rate conserves the oxygen resources/ management and greatly increases the endurance,” DRDO said.
With its availability and simple to use facility by a common person, the system shall greatly reduce the workload and exposure time of doctors and paramedics to monitor the SpO2 levels of the patient, it added.