COVID-19: NIT-Durgapur builds artificial breathing device

Kolkata, Apr 13 () With a rise in demand forventilators in view of the coronavirus outbreak, the NationalInstitute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur in West Bengal hasmade a simple automated artificial breathing device, a topofficial of the institute said on Monday.

The indigenously-built Artificial Manual BreathingUnit (AMBU) has undergone a "successful clinical trial on asmall scale in the initial stage", NIT Durgapur DirectorAnupam Basu told .

After conducting further clinical trials on a biggerscale, the institute will think about referring the device tohealthcare facilities for use by patients, he said.

The clinical trials are being conducted incollaboration with professional doctors, who are consultantsto project 'Pranesh', Basu said.

"The AMBU can be called a simplified ventilator inwhich the volume of oxygen can be controlled uniformly throughautomation," he said.

The AMBU performs automated pumping of oxygen forpatients, Basu said.

He said such a device will be required even in primaryhealth care in the future. SUS CORACD ACD