Rebreather for Achieving Oxygenation During Oxygen Shortage in COVID-19 Crisis

The second COVID-19 surge has resulted in half-a-million

deaths with estimates of surpassing 1 million deaths by August 1st, 2021 in India. This surge has strained the healthcare system leading to hospitals running out of oxygen supply.

An approach to re-circulate exhaled oxygen during utilization would be tremendously impactful as a means of alleviating the oxygen shortage.

We performed a benchmark study to test the gas utilization on a volunteer.

Non-rebreather Mask (prior art) Oxygen Flow- 15 LPM

Rebreather- 1 LPM

We did a post-exercise test (respiratory rate 20 BPM) and found that the device was able to sustain the respiratory needs of the adult volunteer.We found an increase in work of breathing as per clinical
observation and volunteer feedback but due to our limited setup, we are not able to quantify in absolute terms. However, this was not to a level of discomfort that made the volunteer reject the device.

Extended ventilation for 6 hrs using 2LPM atmospheric air did not produce any discomfort nor any clinical signs of hypercapnia. Hence we are confident that the 2kg Sodalime CO2 scrubber is able to wash out CO2 in the circuit to normal breathable levels.

We also believe that compared to the generally prevalent non-rebreather masks (such as Adlisc Oxygen mask with reservoir bag) our NIV mask can provide a Higher FiO2 due to the better facial fitment.

We are confident this device would be effective with patients on non-rebreather and standard oxygen masks. The savings in oxygen could be 15 fold. A B-type cylinder that lasts for 1 hour on a non-rebreather mask could possibly be extended to 15 hours using this rebreather.