With the unprecedented challenges the pandemic has thrown at us in recent times, there has been a need for new innovations that can help us in controlling the spread of the deadly virus. Masks and sanitizers have become our daily essentials to remain safe every day and new innovations are being made to increase the efficiency of these products. With an aim to upgrade its medical infrastructure, Rajasthan has recently launched India’s first 3D mask and touch-free detectors for diagnosing heart and diabetes complications amongst patients at the rural centres.
A special quality 3D mask that allows reusability for years
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Assuring 99.9 per cent protection from the infections, the latest 3D mask has been developed by a private company in collaboration with experts from SMS Hospital and MNIT Jaipur. The senior neurosurgeon at the SMS Hospital stated that the complete production process, from designing to development took place in Jaipur under the leadership of doctors, along with the Aha3D company.
The director of the company informed that the 40-gram mask was manufactured using soft, reusable oxygen mask material. The mask has eleven replaceable filters and protects the wearer against toxic pathogens. It can be resued immediately after sanitisation with hot water and the filters need to be replaced after every three months. This implies that the mask can be used for years. A company launched by an MNIT alumnus provided 500 3D masks to the SMS Medical College Principal and 200 masks were given to the Jaipur police.
‘Neurotouch’ devices assuring easy access to early diagnosis amongst the rural population
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In addition to the 3D masks, the state has also got the facility of touch-free Point of Care Devices (POCDs) to detect heart and diabetes complications at its rural health centres. This is a project supported by WISH (Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare), a flagship programme of Lords Education and Health Society (LEHS).
The director of the initiative said: “I feel proud that the people of Rajasthan are getting screened for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes by ‘Neurotouch’ and for cardiac and respiratory health by ‘Dozee’. These two devices are meant to address the primary healthcare needs of the last-mile population in the state.” The latest facility would benefit people of 21 sub-centres and PHCs in 14 districts in the state. While the neurotech devices help in the diagnosis of complications related to diabetes, a person’s breathing rate, blood-oxygen saturation, heart rate and its variability and myocardial performance matrix would be monitored with ‘Dozee’.
The Associate Director of WISH informed that the state-of-the-art POCDs have been prepared in a project funded by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He further asserted that the staff at 21 health centres have been trained for using the new devices. A project director under the maternal health department of the government of Rajasthan said the time-saving devices would facilitate easy access to healthcare amongst the rural population.
Rajasthan to see more developments in its medical set-up
While the latest developments in Rajasthan’s medical set-up are commendable, the state is also looking forward towards another innovative product. A globally patented nanotechnology-based antimicrobial coating would be soon introduced in Rajasthan. The non-toxic, odourless, colour-neutral product comes with a capability to kill harmful germs in a closed space for a duration of two years. The Chief Executive Officer of the antimicrobial shield company in Malmo, Sweden said that there is no other technology that lasts longer than this.
