LVPEI develops full face protective gear for Rs 50

Hyderabad, April 7 (IANS) At a time when there are many reports on shortage of personal protective equipment, the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute's Centre for Innovation (LVPEI) on Tuesday said it has developed a low-cost, easy to manufacture, indigenous 'Open Source Visor' (Full-face protective gear) at Rs 50 for their clinicians and frontline staff.The full-face protective gear is a transparent visor that is worn over the surgical mask to protect the entire face. The team led by Sandeep Vempati, Project Lead at LVPEI Center for Innovation created a prototype in four hours, made a manufacturable version of it the same day, and contacted vendors the next day.Barely 48 hours later, the design of the product that has a production cost of approximately Rs 50 was ready for use. However, according to the LVPEI, the per units cost is Rs 50 and assembly-shipping cost was not included. So far 114 people have died due to the coronavirus in India, according to the website of the Union Health Ministry. A total of 325 people have recovered since the first case was reported in the country on January 30.
--IANS bu/prs