The global CPAP devices market is valued at $2797.1 million in 2020 and is expected to reach 4697.3 million by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% during 2021-2026, according to marketwatch.com
A continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), is a treatment method for patients who have sleep apnea (a potential serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts). CPAP machines use mild air pressure to keep the airways open, and are typically used by patients who have breathing problems during sleep. More specifically, what CPAP therapy helps accomplish is making sure that your airway does not collapse when you breathe while asleep.
The global CPAP devices market is valued at $2797.1 million in 2020 and is expected to reach 4697.3 million by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% during 2021-2026, according to marketwatch.com.
Cape Town-based subsea engineering expert, MMO, a Unique Group Company, has announced the successful completion of beta testing its in-house-designed Uni-Life 100, a Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation System.
Developed in conjunction with the technical expertise and production support of Unique Group, the system has been specifically created to aid African authorities in their efforts to provide mass treatment to patients across the continent who are displaying COVID-19-related symptoms.
The system utilizes Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) architecture, incorporating a compact gas blending and supply system which provides a therapeutic mixture of air and enriched oxygen, adjusted to a patient’s requirements. The system includes an inflatable, transparent vinyl hood which is placed over the patient’s head, thereby allowing them to comfortably breathe the therapeutic air. Marcus Reuter, Project sales Engineer with Unique Group’s Diving and Life Support division in Cape Town explains to Ayesha Rashid at Mediworldme how the new Uni-Life 100 supports African authorities in providing mass treatment to patients across the continent who are affected by Covid-19 related symptoms.
Can you tell us in detail about your covid-19 CPAP ventilator system?
Uni-Life 100, the Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilator System has been specifically developed by Unique Group’s Cape Town based B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) entity called Medical Marine Offshore [MMO], to support African authorities in their efforts to provide mass treatment to patients across the continent who are affected by COVID-19-related symptoms.
It utilizes Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) architecture, incorporating a compact, simple to operate gas blending and supply system which provides a therapeutic mixture of air and enriched oxygen, adjusted to a patient’s requirements. The system includes an inflatable, transparent vinyl hood which is placed over the patient’s head, thereby allowing them to comfortably breathe the therapeutic air, while ensuring that cross contamination between the patient and health-care professional is reduced to a minimum via the integrated viral filter.
The system is compact, modular and offers ease of operation. It can be easily set up and maintained. Why did you choose Africa?
The primary reason to choose Africa was to offer a robust, reliable solution that would address the shortage of ventilators in the region during a period where-in the continent was preparing in the face of a likely spike in COVID-19 cases similar to the patterns observed in South East Asia and Europe at that time. It was also in response to the South African government’s efforts to better prepare the nation with readily available and affordable CPAP solutions which is generally an acute concern, particularly within developing countries.
How is this device a step forward for you in terms of fighting COVID 19?
As the continent continues to see a surge in the number of positive cases, it has become critical that national health facilities are fully equipped to handle a growing number of COVID-19 patients, particularly those with severe respiratory side-effects. In order to effectively prepare, governments will look towards a cost-effective solution which can be mass produced in a very quick span of time and is a lightweight and modular system. The Uni-Life 100 is able to address the shortage of ventilators in the continent by allowing rapid distribution to meet the emergency requirements of COVID-19 patients, and in doing so, saving lives.
How is the device an alternative to other ventilator systems available?
Uni-Life100 is a turn-key, patient friendly device which is simple to operate and ensures that cross- contamination within facilities treating many patients in confined spaces is adequately managed due to the ability of the system to contain and filter exhaust air. From a logistics perspective, the Uni-Life 100 provides a readily available, cost effective solution which is simple to operate, and easy to distribute locally and regionally.
Describe its working?
Uni-Life 100 utilizes CPAP architecture, incorporating a compact gas blending and supply system which provides a therapeutic mixture of air and oxygen, adjusted to a patient’s requirements. The system comprises a pole mounted gas blending unit and a transparent vinyl hood, with latex or silicon neck seal, which is placed over the patient’s head. The hood makes it possible to comfortably administer an oxygen enriched gas mixture to the patient at elevated pressures and so increasing oxygen absorption by the patient. Patient hood pressure is easily monitored and adjusted at the hood fittings and an anti-asphyxiation valve is incorporated to prevent patient asphyxiation in case of gas supply failure.
The design of the Air Oxygen gas blender unit incorporates two easily adjusted air and oxygen flowmeters. The required FiO2 (Oxygen %) is easily set by adjusting the two flowmeters to a Flow Meter Settings Card provided. The system facilitates stoppages in treatment with the provision of a hood supply isolation valve and the top of the hood is easily detached and removed without needing to remove the neck seal and neck ring.
In hospitals or field hospitals, the product is designed to integrate to standard SANS 1409 air and oxygen wall plug sockets or through regulated breathing air and oxygen supplies. No electrical power is needed as the optional oxygen analyzer is battery powered. The system is supplied with 2 meters antistatic medical air and oxygen gas supply hoses and the Gas blending unit supplies the patient hood via 6 ft supply hose.
Does it have therapeutic properties?
Certainly, the architecture of the system is specifically designed to allow the patient to inhale a higher percentage of oxygen, which allows the patient’s airway and lungs to absorb greater amounts of oxygen which has a direct and positive therapeutic effect on the patient’s breathing and cardiovascular system, allowing more oxygen to be transported through the body, bolstering the immune system while relieving swelling of the airway system often associated with COVID ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).
Do you plan on launching more devices to fight covid-19 symptoms in countries like Africa?
Our products and solutions are aimed at helping communities at large when there is a need. In the present COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the Uni-Life 100 is one such product that is helping patients in Africa with severe respiratory symptoms to fight the disease. Although a product developed to meet the global pandemic demand, it will be used in the long run to treat any patient who is demonstrating symptoms of ARDS.
Our Cape Town team is continuously monitoring the conditions in the region and as the need arises, we will work to produce new devices to help battle the pandemic. Our strong engineering expertise and technical know-how of commercial diving, life support and hyperbaric oxygen treatment systems gives us an edge over our competitors in building new devices to address immediate concerns globally.
Any expansion plans in the GCC especially UAE?
One of the main advantages of the Uni-Life 100 ventilator system is that it can be mass produced in a very quick span of time. The system has garnered interest globally with a few inquiries arising from other regions including the Middle East. Our manufacturing team is fully equipped and ready to produce and supply units as soon as the need arises in the GCC or anywhere else in the world. As Unique Group has a global presence, we are well located and equipped to be able to serve and support beyond the Africa region.
Any other medical devices launching soon after this?
Our Design and Manufacturing teams are always working to develop innovative products and solutions in line with the global requirements. The development of our state-of-the-art Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Chambers (HBOT), and now, the non-invasive CPAP Ventilator is testament to our capabilities in adapting to global demands in the manufacturing of world-class medical equipment. Depending on new requirements, we will continue to strive towards developing new medical devices and provide them in regions where there is a need.
