Hamirpur: NIT makes O2 cylinder replacement machine

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, July 19

Students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here have developed a semi-automatic oxygen cylinder replacement machine for Covid patients at Dr Radhakrishnan Medical College and Hospital. The machine will be beneficial for Covid patients, who need four litres per minute pressure during hospitalisation.

It takes at least four persons and half-an-hour to replace the empty cylinder and restore oxygen supply. This was creating problems for the health staff and resulting in serious problems. Debasweta Banik, Deputy Commissioner, initiated the process to rope in technical help from the NIT, and Lalit Awasthi, Director, NIT, assigned the task to mechanical and electrical wings of the institute.

Rajat Anant, a student of electrical engineering, under the guidance of Dr RK Jaryal and Dr Rajesh Kumar developed the automatic machine that can replace the oxygen cylinder within five to seven minutes. Medical oxygen cylinders used in hospitals generally weigh about 40-70 kg.

The Deputy Commissionersaid the semi-automatic machine developed by the NIT would be a support for the health staff. She said carrying oxygen cylinders to wards was time consuming and any delay could pose a threat to patients.

This machine would help in providing faster services to the patients, in case the third wave of Covid-19 spreads, the Deputy Commissionersaid.

The test run of the machine was successful, and if required, more could be prepared, said Lalit Awasthi, Director, NIT.

Support to health staff

• It takes at least four persons and half an hour to replace an empty cylinder and restore oxygen supply
• The machine can replace the cylinder within 5-7 minutes.
• Oxygen cylinders used in hospitals weigh about 40-70 kg