Inventions that are Taking COVID-19 Head-on

With COVID-19 sweeping across the globe and the numbers increasing day by day, we have seen how challenging it has become for the healthcare professionals, medical fraternity and front-line workers to fight the pandemic. There is a greater demand for products that can help curb the spread of the pandemic. Many technology companies have been working with leading healthcare and medical authorities, policymakers and innovators from around the world to develop new ideas, redesign or upscale already existing designs and customise them for the present times.

Aerosol boxes

Aerosol boxes are designed to protect doctors and nurses from airborne transmission from the patient during the intubation process. They have become necessary during the pandemic. The transparent plastic cube covers the patient's head and shoulders with access holes. It adds a barrier between the patient and medical professionals and protects the latter from a high risk of infection.

ButterFly EduFields and T-Works adapted the design and began the manufacturing process in India. The box also comes in disposable and reusable variants.

Temperature Check

With the vaccine still in the developmental stage, preventing the spread of COVID-19 is crucial. Early detection of COVID-19 symptoms is the best tool we have in our arsenal. Scylla, a US-based AI company, upgraded its detection tool software and adapted its thermal imaging algorithms for temperature checks in a large group. The device sends an alert if it finds someone in the group having a fever. It has been well received by both public and private institutions for installation in airports, hospitals and corporate offices.

With the vaccine still in the developmental stage, preventing the spread is crucial, and early detection of COVID-19 symptoms is the best tool we have in our arsenal for the same. AI-based fever detection cameras, such as the one created by Scylla, are gaining popularity.

Drones

The pandemic saw a diversified usage of drones. In India, Marut Drones have been deploying their drones to assist the authorities in tracking and sanitising the city of Hyderabad. They have employed their drones to carry out disinfection and sanitisation of 11 districts since March. The double benefit of quick and precise action and zero human contact has made this a potential game changer.

The company has also reengineered the drones to track movement, make thermal readings and public analysis. They are also collaborating with the government and leading research organisations across the globe to design drones to be capable of delivering medicines.

Testing Kit

Researchers at IIT-Delhi developed a low-cost COVID-19 test that is probe-free and reduces the testing cost without compromising on accuracy. The first academic institution to develop a COVID-19 testing method, it has also given a non-exclusive open license to companies for commercialising the test, but with a price limit.

Approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research and Drug Controller General of India, the kit can improve the COVID-19 testing, both in terms of cost and scale.

Ventilator

Global wearable brand Fitbit developed ‘Fitbit Flow,’ a low-cost, high-quality and easy-to-use emergency ventilator to meet the increased global needs during the pandemic. Fitbit Flow also obtained an Emergency Use Authorisation from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Fitbit Flow builds on standard resuscitator bags, similar to those used by paramedics, with advanced sensors, alarms and instruments. These work together and support automated compressions and patient monitoring. This ventilator is designed to be intuitive, and it can help reduce the strain on specialised staff who operate a commercial ventilator.

Entrepreneurs and innovators across the world have responded quickly to the challenge posed by the pandemic. Every day, we have innovations and designs being developed. Key drivers of this have been the urgency of the humanitarian situation and a proactive approach to crowdsourcing ideas from leading regulatory authorities. This entrepreneurial mindset must be sustained and enhanced to create the next wave of innovation to continue the fight against COVID-19.