(The Gist of Science Reporter) CSIR-CSIO Develops Protective Eyewear for Healthcare Professionals

[August-2020]

CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh, has come up with a technology for precision manufacturing of safety goggles for the healthcare professionals involved in treating high-viral load COVID-19 patients. The technology has been transferred to the Sark Industries, Chandigarh, for commercialisation and mass production.
The conjunctiva membrane, located inside the eyelid to lubricate the eyeballs, is the only exposed mucous membrane of the body. When the eyes are opened, the conjunctiva
membrane is also exposed, making it an important but often overlooked entrance for viruses.
The protective eyewear is ergonomically designed to provide full cover and efficient sealing of the eye area and would protect the healthcare professionals from hazardous aerosols as well as other suspended particles.
A team of CSIR-CSIO scientists, led by Dr Vinod Karar, Chief Scientist and Head, Optical Devices and Systems, has come up with the affordable and innovative precision manufacturing technique.
The goggles are designed with a flexible frame to provide a tighter sealing with the skin of the face covering the eyes and surrounding areas, and can also accommodate prescription glasses.
The structure of the goggles consists of a sturdy polycarbonate lens and adjustable elastic strap for ease of wearing and can be used in varied environmental conditions without any fogging or fatigue.

An intubation hood has been developed by CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar for doctors who require a transparent hood when carrying out treatment procedures such as intubation. Dentists can also use these during any oral examination.
The intubation hood is made of acrylic sheets and cutting can be done using laser cutters.
Design can be modified based on the special needs of different types of doctors while examining the patients. The technology has been transferred to M/s Gitanjali Awards Pvt. Ltd.

CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicological Research (CSIRIITR), Lucknow, in a tie-up with a Lucknow-based start-up has developed a microwave-based disinfection machine called ‘Optimiser’ which can make PPE kits and N95 masks reusable within 10 minutes. As many as 20 PPE kits and over 40 N95 masks can be disinfected in one go using the microwave technology within 10 min. A PPE kit and an N95 mask can be recycled and reused 20 times using the ‘Optimiser’ machine. Over 2,000 PPE kits can be disinfected in a day which will save the cost of the new safety gears.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jodhpur and Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow have validated the technology.

CSIR-National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum, has developed a sensor-based touch-free hand sanitizer dispenser which sprays on to the detected surface.
This technology has been transferred to Cabeio Technologies, an MSME start-up situated at Thiruvananthapuram. This can have wide applications in buildings, offices. and other public gathering locations.

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad has implemented its Atmospheric Water Generator Technology (AWG) to provide relief to the common man in Hyderabad city through safe remineralized drinking water during the Covid-19 pandemic. The mobile AWG can provide 500 l/day of safe remineralized.