University in Chandigarh employs 3D printing technology to construct ventilator dividers, aiming to alleviate the ventilator deficit in India
In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Chandigarh University's University Centre for Research and Development (UCRD) has been working tirelessly to find solutions that address problems caused by the virus. The UCRD has been at the forefront of research projects aimed at combating the pandemic.
Recently, the UCRD has developed ventilator splitters using 3D Printing Technology. These splitters, designed by the university's research scholars, can distribute oxygen to four patients from one ventilator. This innovative technology has the potential to quadruple the ventilator capacity of hospitals, a crucial factor in managing the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The ventilator splitters operate at 20-30% capacity and can deliver 2,000 ml of oxygen per minute. They are manufactured using Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastic derived from renewable sources.
Chandigarh University has submitted these designs for ventilator splitters to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for further testing. The DST, which has invited proposals from companies, universities, and research institutions for technologically driven solutions related to COVID-19, is currently reviewing the university's submission.
India, like many other countries, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the report by the World Health Organization, India has approximately 48,000 ventilators. However, despite a nation-wide lockdown, India has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, reaching over 3500 in the past week.
The Novel Coronavirus can cause respiratory distress, and in severe cases, it can lead to a loss of the lungs' ability to pump fresh oxygen into the bloodstream. A ventilator artificially pumps oxygen through a patient's windpipe to help them breathe. The ventilator splitters developed by Chandigarh University could prove to be a lifesaver in such critical situations.
Chandigarh University has allocated a budget of Rs. 5 Crores for the UCRD to find solutions for the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chancellor of the university, Satnam Singh Sandhu, has expressed that the university is working extensively on research projects to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Ranvijay Kumar, who has been leading the team at UCRD, has stated that designs for ventilator splitters have been submitted to DST. Once approved by medical nodal agencies, Chandigarh University is ready to start mass production of ventilator splitters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious global challenge, spreading to over 206 countries and causing more than 1.2 million cases and approximately 65,000 deaths. Innovative solutions like the ventilator splitters developed by Chandigarh University could play a significant role in managing the crisis and saving lives.
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