Clearpack, PARC develop low-cost ventilator

The system is set to undergo a field test by next week. Meanwhile, the company is readying the documentation required for the formal certification of the system.

The project was led by Clearpack’s CEO, Govind Bhandari, who is a BITS Pilani alumni. Bhandari assembled his Clearpack team, along with four doctors to advise on the clinical aspects, a ventilator design veteran to advise on the technical aspects, and a medical electronics expert from Italy, among others.

Respimatic 100 is designed to fit in the capability gap between a hand powered Ambu bag and a full featured ventilator. “In many cases, a complex ventilator is either unavailable or unaffordable, while a hand powered Ambu bag falls way short of the need,” explained Bhandari.

According to the custom packaging machine specialist, it took three days for three iterations of the new respirator design. And another week for another three iterations of working prototypes. After which, the system has been undergoing stress tests since a few days.

Bhandari said, “In addition to the technical challenges, there were some unique challenges posed by the lockdown. Factories were closed, technical teams could not meet face-to-face, important components could not be sourced and so on. All these issues were tackled by our BITS Pilani alumni, who were qualified for the task at hand. We must also acknowledge the facilitation by the Greater Noida authorities, which was crucial to this project.”

The company is already working in the development of the next version of the system to cater to the demand for low-cost ventilators in the region. “The need for devices such as Respimatic 100 will continue well beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic especially in remote parts of India,” he said.

“No doubt the project will need refinement as it undergoes tests. No doubt that the certification process is arduous. No doubt there will be unexpected challenges. But that is what this team is geared up for. All in all, a great example of what large hearts, determination and collaboration can do. I would like to thank all the people associated with this project, who have made this possible,” Bhandari concluded.