Coimbatore: A high-end infant ventilator developed by the city-based cvollege and a company under a scheme of Union Department of Science and Technology (DST) was unveiled today.
The ventilator, unveiled by DST Advisor and Head, Technology Development and Transfer, Dr G J Samathanam was manufactured under Instrumentation Development Programme (IDP) of DST after the success story of Inventa ICU Ventilator, commercially launched by the institutions three years ago.
A team of Inter-disciplinary professors, doctors, industry experts and research students of PSG College of Technology have worked three years to develop the technology, which would be a boon and support to the new borns having respiratory disorders, Samathanam said.
A release said the diseases of respiratory system accounted for 22 per cent of infant mortality and unfortunately the availability of infant ventilators was very less in the country.
The high cost of imported equipments and the expensive after sales service were some of the key issues, which made this facility unbaffordable in the rural area.
The technology was completely indigenous to provide a better after-sales and service and support and and Pricol Medical Systems Ltd (PMSL) would launch the product during the next financial year after clinical validation, thus making the treatment of neonatal respiratory care avaibale to a large section of the society, the release said.
Later talking to reporters, Samathanam said funds for Technology Development and Transfer division would be increased from the present 15 to 35 per cent of the total budget allocation for DST in the 12th Five year Plan.
With TDT spending nearly Rs.200 crore per annum for its research and development and also providing grants to academia and industry for developing products, funds would be more than doubled considering the demand for newer indegenous products, he said.
Stating that the collaboration with academia, industry and departments like DST could achieve newer heights in product development, Samathanam said "We should not be generic. People want novelty and product development, which is the future."
Compared to 15 per cent funding in other countries, Central Government was providing 75 per cent grants for technology transfer and developing newer products, he said.
PTI
