The JSS Academy of Higher education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, the health sciences focused deemed university, has strategized its efforts to support the global initiative for research to prevent the spread and impact of Coronavirus pandemic in three ways: 1. Technological advancements that can support/decrease the risk to life for patients and health workers; 2. Discovery of new drugs and 3. Modeling studies that can support and predict the progress of the pandemic.
JSSAHER has developed five technologies/products that will indigenously support and make available low-cost interventions/applications and be valuable to humanity. These are:
1. Isolation – ICU on wheels – an application that will enable the mobilizing of the isolation and ICU facility to remotest site of the disaster and support the golden hour of treatment in any given situation be it pandemics or disasters. With increased hospitalization costs, isolation and intensive care may become available at homes with this new advancement. The approximate cost of this set up at the present development stage is about Rs 4.00 lakhs and will get reduced in large scale manufacture.
2. The Low-cost ventilator – This Low-cost ventilator is portable, has a disposable ambu- bag and adjustable respiratory rate, and adjustable tidal volume and provides positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) which is not found in other low-cost ventilators. The cost of the ventilator is presently Rs 30,000 and can be further brought down.
3. Denti Safe – an application that will ensure the practice of dentistry safe for both patients and dentists. The Denti Safe application is scientifically developed a mobile device that can sterilize dental chairs and treatment areas in less than 20 minutes using a non-chemical intervention and relies on the specific wavelength of UV light that ensures the safety. The application is movable and can be used in multiple locations in a large dental hospital and will ensure the safety of the patient and the dentist. The approximate cost of the device is Rs 30,000 And can be reduced in the large-scale manufacture.
4. Multi-Mode Air Sanitiser – This Multimode air sanitiser has a three-step sanitization process, UV treatment at a specific wavelength to kill the virus, Ionisation that kills all microbes including virus and lastly a HEPA filter that reduces the particulate matter in the air. The cost of this air sanitizer is Rs 4500 and can come down drastically if bulk produced.
Handheld UV Surface sanitizer – This lithium-ion battery-operated device is a handy surface sanitizer that can be charged by a mobile charger uses UV radiation for sanitizing small surfaces that are frequently used by others, for example, lift buttons, Keyboards, Operating instruments etc. This personalized sanitizer can be carried by individuals in their pockets with ease. This will give the comfort of personal safety to individuals while using public places. The cost of the surface sanitizer is Rs 1250 and can be reduced further on bulk production.
These technologies that support the patient and healthcare provider safety and wellbeing will be valuable even beyond the pandemic times. JSSAHER is working on these technologies and makes them more cost-effective, robust, and highly efficient with the tireless effort of Dr S Balasubramanian, Director-Research, Dr Srinivasamurthy, Professor of Paediatrics, Dr B. Nandlal, Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr H Basavannagowdappa, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dr S Ravindra, Dean Faculty of Dentistry. The research team also a collaborator with Mr Nagendra R Setti, M/s Ideas Unlimited, Mysuru – a local biomedical device making company for technical support. The District Administration of Mysore rendered support to carry out the research during the lockdown in mobilizing the manpower and materials. They all worked together with a passion for developing newer technologies in a short span of time. These projects were fully funded by the Research Development Fund of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru.
“The Leadership of JSSAHER, especially the Blessings of the Chancellor, His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji and the guidance and encouragement of Dr.C.G.Betsurmath- Executive Secretary, Dr.B.Suresh-Pro Chancellor, Dr. Surinder Singh-Vice Chancellor and Dr.B.Manjunatha- Registrar inspired the research team of JSSAHER toward developing these biomedical devices for Combating COVID-19.JSSAHER continues to endeavor its research initiatives that are impactful to society and benefit humanity”.