Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad has added another product to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) portfolio to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) through the development of COVID Sample Collection Kiosk (COVSACK).
The unit was developed by DRDL in consultation with the physicians of the Employee & # 39; State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by health professionals for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. The patient to be tested enters the kiosk and a nose or mouth swab is taken by external health care professionals through the built-in gloves.
The kiosk is automatically disinfected without human intervention, leaving the process free from infection. The kiosk booth shielding screen protects the caregiver from the aerosols / drip transfer while taking the sample.
This reduces the requirements for changing personal protective equipment by health professionals.
After the patient leaves the kiosk, four nozzles mounted in the kiosk booth disinfect the empty room by spraying disinfectant mist for 70 seconds. It is further rinsed with disinfection with water and UV light. The system is ready for the next use in less than two minutes. Voice command can be given through the two-way communication system integrated with the COVSACK. It is possible to configure COVSACK for indoor or outdoor use as required by the medical professionals.
The COVSACK costs almost Rs one lakh and the identified industry based in Belgaum, Karnataka can support 10 units per day. The DRDO designed and developed two units and transferred them to ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad after successful testing.
(With inputs from PIB)
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