* PM-CARES Fund to procure 1,50,000 units of Oxycare System at a cost of Rs 322.5 Crores
* Comprehensive
system developed by DRDO to regulate oxygen being administrated to
patients based on the sensed values of their SpO2 levels.
* DRDO
has transferred the technology to multiple industries in India who will
be producing the Oxycare Systems for use all across India.
* Oxycare
system reduces the work load and exposure of healthcare providers by
eliminating the need of routine measurement and manual adjustments of
Oxygen flow
PM-CARES
Fund has accorded sanction for procurement of 1,50,000 units of Oxycare
System at a cost of Rs 322.5 Crore. It is a comprehensive system
developed by DRDO to regulate oxygen being administrated to patients
based on the sensed values of their SpO2 levels.
The system has been developed in two Configurations. The basic version
consists of a 10 litre Oxygen cylinder, a Pressure Regulator cum Flow
Controller, a Humidifier and a Nasal Cannula. The Oxygen flow is
regulated manually based on the SpO2 readings. The intelligent
configuration includes a system for automatic regulation of Oxygen
through a Low Pressure Regulator, Electronic Control System and an SpO2
Probe in addition to the basic version.
SpO2 Based Oxygen Control System optimises consumption of oxygen based
on the SpO2 level of the patient and effectively increases the endurance
of portable Oxygen cylinder. The threshold SpO2 value for initiating
flow from the system can be adjusted by the health staff and the SpO2
levels are continuously monitored and displayed by the system. It
reduces the work load and exposure of healthcare providers by
eliminating the need of routine measurement and manual adjustments of
Oxygen flow, thereby facilitating tele-consultation also. The automatic
system also provides suitable audio warning for various failure
scenarios including low SpO2 values and probe disconnections. These
Oxycare systems can be used at Homes, Quarantine Centres, COVID Care
Centres and Hospitals.
In addition, Non-Rebreather Masks (NRM) are integrated with the Oxycare
Systems for efficient use of oxygen which results in saving of Oxygen by
30-40%.
DRDO has transferred the technology to multiple industries in India who
will be producing the Oxycare Systems for use all across India.
The current medical protocol recommends oxygen therapy for all severe
and critical Covid-19 patients. Given the current status of oxygen
generation, transport and storage, oxygen cylinders have proved to be
effective. Considering the present COVID pandemic situation with large
number of individuals requiring oxygen therapy, sourcing only one type
of system may not be practical, as all the manufacturing plants making
the basic building blocks of the system are already running at their
maximum capacity. A mix and match of the system would prove to be a
useful arrangement in the given situation. While the capacity of
existing domestic manufacturers of carbon-manganese steel cylinders is
very limited, as an alternative, DRDO has suggested light material
portable cylinders which can easily act as substitutes for normal oxygen
cylinders.