IIT, Hyderabad (India) has launched the US9™ Respirator Mask which is claimed to be the most cost-effective N-95 equivalent mask.
According to the institute, the cost of US9™ Respirator Mask is just Rs. 13 and it comes with a filter change for repeat use.
The PM0.3 filtration rate of the mask is 98.03 per cent, while BFE is 99.70 per cent and that’s better than the standards of N-95 respirators.
US9™ Respirator Mask has been designed, developed and produced by a start-up named USafe Healthcare which is incubated by IIT, Hyderabad’s Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE). The start-up is focused on developing PPE to safeguard people against coronavirus.
The maker of the mask says it is highly durable protective product that adheres to the highest safety standards for us in the healthcare sector. “US9 is the most technically advanced and affordable respiratory safety device, arguably, available in India and offers more effective protection against the COVID-19 as compared to the other available masks of the same kind in the market,” said IIT, Hyderabad.
US9™ Respirator Mask is designed for a snug fit with complete silicone seal. The fitting tests were carried out at IIT, Hyderabad using an infrared camera.
“US9™ Respirator Mask is a perfect example of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ mantras,” commented Prof BS Murty, Director, IIT, Hyderabad.
It’s worth noting here that the filtration for the filter cartridges in this mask has been certified by SITRA. “The reusability in US9™ Respirator Mask brings down the recurring costs and reduces the bio-waste generation significantly,” explained Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary (Industries), Telangana Government.
The masks are currently being supplied to hospitals and Hyderabad. “We are now planning to make these US9 masks available pan-India,” averred Dr. Sai Laxman Bharadwaj, Co-founder and Technical Director, USafe Healthcare.
