(The Gist of PIB) Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System [APRIL-2020]

(The Gist of PIB) Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System

The material titled Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System has been developed by Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India.

The material titled Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System’ is a highly efficient superabsorbent material for liquid respiratory and other body fluid solidification and disinfection.
This has been developed for the safe management of infected respiratory secretions. Acrylic Sorb can absorb liquids at least 20 times more than its dry weight and also contains a decontaminant for in situ disinfection.
Containers filled with this material will immobilize the contaminated fluid by solidifying it (gel-like), thus avoiding spillage and will also disinfect it. The canister containing the solidified waste canister can then be decomposed as all other biomedical waste by incineration.
In the developed system, suction canisters, disposable spit bags have been designed with “Acrylic Sorb” technology. They are lined inside with the AcryloSorb material. The AcryloSorb suction canisters will collect the liquid respiratory secretions from ICU patients or those with copious secretions treated in the wards.
The container will be spill-proof and can be sealed after use, making it safe and fit for disposal through the usual incineration system for biomedical wastes. Sealable and disposable AcryloSorb spit bags are provided for solidifying the sputum and saliva of ambulant patients with respiratory infections, which can then be incinerated.

Generally, in the ICU, the secretions are sucked by a suction machine into bottles or canisters, which have to be emptied when full, subjected to a decontamination process in a sluice room and discarded through the waste fluid disposal systems.
Apart from the re-contamination risk during the handling involved in these processes, there is a need for well-equipped sluice rooms with disinfection facilities, which can be an issue in less well-equipped hospitals or makeshift isolation wards during epidemics.
This technology reduces the risk for the hospital staff, the need for personnel for disinfecting and cleaning the bottles and canisters for reusing them and makes the disposal safer and easier.