Researchers at IIT-Madras’ Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) and Helyxon, a healthcare startup, have developed an AI-backed remote patient monitoring system for Covid-19 to keep tabs on critical parameters like temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and heart rate.

Equipped with geo-fencing tracking alerts, the OXY2 can keep a tab on the patient’s vital parameters and inform the medical staff about any aberration.

Costing between Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000 depending on configuration, the device has already found usage among 2,000 patients in public and private hospitals, and at homes, with another 5,000 devices in the pipeline.

“The device is completely self-contained, portable, wireless and can be clipped on to patient’s finger and data is streamed to a mobile phone or central monitoring system.

“The temperature is measured at the armpit and blood oxygen level, and other parameters at the finger itself. The device is reusable and has a lifetime of over a year,” said

Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC), IIT Madras.

The core technology was validated by a year-long multi-centric study at various Chennai-based medical institutions for the accuracy and performance with reference to current standards.

The scientist said that specific to Covid, the reduction of close contact with patients by doctors and nurses, savings in PPE and monitoring equipment was found to be a significant advantage by hospitals.

Based on the clinical inputs, the team engineered this device in response to demand for low cost, simple and easy to use devices for monitoring patients anywhere at hospital or home.

Commenting on the product, Mr. Vijai Shankar Raja, founder and managing director of Helyxon said, “It is more than a monitoring device.

“Based on feedback from doctors and hospital management, deployment of OXY2 reduces overall load, stress and anxiety in the healthcare system, saves hospital beds for severe cases, and increases confidence for patients at home.”