TVS Group, IIT-M develop automated respiratory assist device

Chennai, May 12 () An automated respiratory assistdevice that will be useful in remote and rural areas whereventilator facilities are not available has been developedjointly by the TVS Group and IIT-Madras among others, thecity-based diversified conglomerate said on Tuesday. The device, "Sundaram Ventago", would have "a greatimpact" post COVID19 as it can make respiratory support moreaffordable and available to all, a top group company officialsaid. The device was developed by the TVS Group, the SundaramMedical Foundation and the Indian Institute of Technology,Madras with the aim of providing quality medical support at anaffordable cost particularly in remote and rural areas, therelease said. It has been designed according to internationally acceptedmedical standards and in collaboration with the Madras MedicalCollege, Kauvery Hospital and with guidance from MIT-Boston. The device provides respiratory support to patientsthrough a controlled and automated squeezing of a self-inflating bag and includes control of respiratory rate, tidalvolume, pressure parameters among others, the release said. The first batch comprising 25 pieces of device wascurrently under production at TVS Group firm Brakes India atPadi here, it said adding user training and support will beprovided through a dedicated mobile application. "TVS Group has leveraged its engineering talent and itsquality first approach to develop an affordable respiratoryassist device," Brakes India deputy managing director SriramViji said. The Sundaram Ventago is a 'Make in India' product withlocal supply chain, based on proven technology, he said. Kauvery Hospitals Executive Director S Aravindan said thecountry was importing more than 80 per cent of medicaldevices. "Cost effective ventilators like this manufactured inIndia will significantly bring down the cost", he said. IIT Madras Electrical Engineering faculty Jayaraj Josephsaid, "we are glad to partner with TVS Group in the design ofthe Sundaram Ventago project". "It offers greater precision than manual pumping, evenwith 24 plus hours of continuous use. The device is versatileand mobile", he said. VIJ VS VS