New and Cheaper Medical Devices Developed in Nepal!
Final Year Students of College of Biomedical Engineering and Applied Sciences have performed extensive research and come up with innovative device, which will be very useful in Nepal. Some of the works done by the students will help future research works in the field of medical devices. This is quite heartening, since no such work has been carried out in Nepal in the past. Although no external funding was available for these jobs, the college promises to carry out further research works, which will bring Nepal into the global biomedical map.
The following are the brief descriptions of the medical devices, produced by the students:
1. Photodymnamic Therapy (PDT) of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
It is a non invasive technology developed for the fastest and cheapest treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, a condition in which the joints are inflamed. The technique utilizes Infra Red (IR) Light Emitting Diode (LED) as light source which is non hazardous to human health.
2. Development of Sensor for Qualitative Detection of β-HCG using Chemiluminescence Immunoassay
Waiting for days to know about pregnancy has made people suffer and thus in the quest a technology has been developed. It utilizes chemino-luminescence (chemical that gives light), for the detection of β-HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) in blood serum. β-HCG is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. The process is cheaper, faster and sensitive, and status can be known within 20-25 days of last menstrual period of a normal cycle.
3. Development of Low Cost Neonatal Incubator
Need to substitute mother’s womb for premature new born infants led to the development of a very cheap incubator which is a closed chamber made of acrylic. The temperature, air and humidity can be maintained according to the requirement of the baby. The technology utilizes water for temperature and moisture regulation where as heating source whereas oxygen for the gas source.
4. Development of Wireless Module for Transmission of ECG Signal
A wireless technology is developed to transmit and receive ECG signal via radio frequency. Electrocardiography (ECG) is an electrical interpretation of heart activity of a person. The technology helps ECG of a person be done in one room where as its signal can be detected and analyzed in another room.
5. Human Skin Colour Sensor
Colour changes in skin during infection have led to design this technology. The technology passes light of different wavelength in the affected area and the sensors fabricated detect diseases depending on the change in colour of the skin.
6. Travel Aid for Visually Impared
A stick designed as a third eye for visually impaired person can detect the obstacle or depression within 50-60 cm distance and makes the person aware of it by producing sound alert. The technology utilizes infra-red as a light source and ultrasound as a detection tool.
7. Instrument for Intracranial Pressure Measurement
A non invasive and cost effective biomedical instrument is designed and developed to detect the intracranial pressure (internal pressure of the fluid surrounding brain). Pressure measuring sensor detects the internal pressure and gives presumption of various diseases and conditions which is displayed digitally.
8. EEG Signal Analysis
A machine has been developed to analyze the waves from human brain which can be utilized to detect the state of mind. EEG signal digitized after extraction is interfaced in computer which detects the presence and absence of drowsy state.