NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A low-cost medical device invented by a city-based start-up has emerged the winner of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2014-15, an initiative of the Tata group and Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.

‘Saans’ is a mechanical Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device used to maintain constant pressure and air flow to keep the lungs of newborns and infants open when they have problems while breathing.

Jagadish Chaturvedi, an ENT surgeon, who is among the eight inventors comprising engineers and doctors from India and abroad, said: “In India, institutional deliveries are increasing in primary health centres in rural areas. While transporting premature babies to bigger hospitals when there is a need, it is necessary to keep the gas exchange going in the alveoli of the lungs. With this device, even the mother or a relative can keep pumping.”

Mitesh Kumar, an engineer, said the device could cost Rs. 12,000, which is “four times cheaper than the available options”