Three youths of modest socio-economic backgrounds have developed a new device named Oxy-Con — a non-invasive ventilator — which gives the medical practitioners’ fraternity an option to control oxygen supply administered to patients. The inventors of Oxy-Con are Nilanjan Ghosh (21), Sheikh Akram Ali (22) and Dipayan Jash (21), all final year electronics and communications students at the MCKV Institute of Engineering, a well-respected private college of West Bengal (estb. 1999).

While Nilanjan’s father, Atanu, is a manager in the biomedical department of A.M.R.I, a private hospital in Kolkata, Dipayan’s sire, Manoj Kumar is a deputy forest range officer and Akram’s father Sheikh Sahajahan Ali a farmer residing in Singur. The trio drew inspiration from Technotica 2012, the annual techno fest of MCKV staged in January last year. “My father who works in a hospital, identified the widespread need for an oxygen flow control device. So we set about finding ways to invent Oxy-Con to present at the techno fest,” says Nilanjan.

The Oxy-Con machine bagged the second prize at Technotica 2012, and the Best Applied Technology Award of the Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Kolkata. According to its inventors it can supply a controlled flow of oxygen as per each patient’s requirement. “It can be used at home, in nursing homes and hospitals for patients with chronic breathing ailments who require long-term ventilator assistance. The cost of continuous oxygen supply from unregulated cylinders is about Rs.50 per hour. By using Oxy-Con it can be reduced to Rs.17 per hour,” says Akram.

The technical properties of this high-potential invention are elaborated by Dipayan. “The ratio between inhalation and exhalation is 1:2. By shutting off supply during exhalation, Oxy-Con can save large amounts of this life-saving gas,” he explains.

Inspired by the prize money — a modest Rs.7,000 from the two techno fests — the threesome who also share a passion for cricket, football and music, are bitten by entrepreneurship. “Indian industry and the economy needs hundreds of time and money-saving inventions. By identifying need gaps and applying the knowledge we acquire in science and technology higher education, it is entirely possible to build large businesses,” says Nilanjan.

Wind beneath your wings!

Baishali Mukherjee (Kolkata)