High demand for Danish O2matic robot ensuring correct amount of oxygen for patients with respiratory problems. DTU contributes to developing a new version of the robot for home use.
The O2matic robot was originally designed to be used in the treatment of patients with respiratory problems who cannot tolerate too high or too low levels of oxygen in the blood. The robot therefore automatically monitors and adjusts the blood oxygen content, which previously required supervision and manual adjustment by a nurse or a doctor up to 40 or 50 times a day.
When the coronavirus really hit Denmark a few weeks ago, it became an obvious solution to also involve the O2matic robot in the treatment of patients with covid-19.
“The coronavirus affects lung function, and these patients therefore need oxygen. By using O2matic, patients are continuously monitored to ascertain whether their oxygen uptake in the blood is stable,” explains Farzad Saber, CPO of the company O2matic.
Every second, the robot receives data from measurements of oxygen levels in the blood via a sensor. The robot can then adjust the amount of oxygen supplied. In case of major changes in the patient’s condition, the robot will send an alarm to the staff.
“The use of the robot can thus reduce the need for healthcare professionals to check on the individual patient. In connection with the treatment of covid-19, the ability to limit this contact is very important,” says Farzad Saber.
Development of version for home use
The O2matic robot has been developed in close cooperation with researchers at DTU Electrical Engineering. This cooperation has now been resumed in connection with the launch of a new version of O2matic, which is intended for use in patients’ own homes.
“There are greater requirements for safety and design when the robot isn’t being operated by healthcare professionals. We have therefore benefited from the simulation model developed by the DTU researchers, and they have also helped us by contributing valuable input for the entire electronic side,” says Farzad Saber.
Plans are to get the new robot for home use ready for the autumn, when the next wave of the coronavirus infection is expected.
Right now, however, the small company behind the oxygen robot is incredibly busy. Orders for the purchase of O2matic robots are coming in from all over the world, and as the warehouse has been emptied, the company is working flat out to get hold of components so that more robots can be built at the company’s factory in Næstved as soon as possible.