On May 2, 2022, at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSDTA), MTEC and Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) handed over Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation (HI-PETE) to Mongkutwattana Hospital and Saint Marys Hospital to support the medical personnel against COVID-19.
Representatives of all stakeholders had joined this event, including, Dr. Nopporn Cheanklin, Executive Director of Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), Dr. Pawat Vitoorapakorn, Vice Chairman of the Board of Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited, together with Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, Mrs. Kullaprapa Navanugraha, Vice President of NSTDA, and MTEC research team.
As the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak does not subside, Thailand still relies on imported medical equipment, which requires a high budget. Furthermore, certain imported medical devices do not meet the needs of medical personel. HSRI, therefore, had addressed these problems by supporting MTEC research team to develop proper medical devices. One of the achievement is HI-PETE or Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation which possesses a negative pressure generation system and a patient isolation room with various sizes that can be chosen to suit the needs of users.
Dr. Nopporn Cheanklin, Executive Director of HSRI, said that HSRI plays a role in promoting and supporting the creation of knowledge necessary for the development of health systems, as well as implementing a heath policy based on this knowledged in various in various aspects to create a better quality of life for the people.
HSRI also places importance on the allocation of research funds that leads to real benefits and the sustainability of the health system. Research works relevant to the problems of the country are given highest importance, such as development of medical technology development, assessment of the cost-effectiveness and impact of the budget, health promotion and prevention of epidemic problems that may occur in the future. Technology and innovative solutions are necessary especially during the pandemic situation of COVID-19. As HSRI is an agency that supports research and fosters innovation that can be practically used, as well as solves problems and alleviates the crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, it had provided funding for MTEC research team to develop medical devices that are manufactured within the country, and, at the same time, possesses quality and standards comparable to those imported from abroad.
Dr. Nopporn added that the innovative HI-PETE can be used at home or in a community with limited space, e.g., no separate rooms in the residence, waiting centers, or field hospitals. It is designed to suit various context of utilization for healthcare professionals and has passed the international standards test in terms of filtration efficiency and electrical safety. HSRI is confident that this research work can be practically used in provincial-level areas across the country and can help solve the problems of the medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Julathep Kajornchaiyakul, Director of MTEC, said that HI-PETE had been developed by the Engineering Design and Computation Research Group of MTEC. It had been an extension from the ‘PETE’ Patient Isolation and Transportation Chamber. ‘HI PETE’ is a tent for isolating patients for Home Isolation designed for “green patients” who need to be isolated at home but have no separate room, or used for field hospitals to isolate or quarantine patients who are at risk of spreading respiratory infections. HI-PETE is a low-cost device, but its performance meets international standards. The tent is lightweight and easy to relocate, and its size can be adjusted to fit into the room. It also has a window for patients to communicate with the medical personnel, thus reducing the chance of infection between patients and the medical personnel.
At present, HI-PETE is available in 3 models, namely:
- The COMPACT model is a small model that is easy to relocate with fast installation. It is suitable for home isolation or field hospitals.
2. The BALLOON model has a design that resembles a balloon. The tent can be installed quickly with an air pump. It is suitable for field hospitals or wards.
3. The GRANDE model is a large model that supports the installation of medical equipment. It is suitable for use in hospitals with patients who require intensive care, such as emergency departments and wards.
All 3 models of the innovative ‘HI PETE’ Patient Isolation Chamber for Home Isolation have passed the safety standard for electrical systems of medical devices, the electromagnetic compatibility testing standards, and the ISO 14644 cleanroom standard. At present, the use of HI-PETE at Mongkutwattana Hospital and Saint Marys Hospital does not only protect medical personnel and patients, but also provides crucial information for MTEC research team to improve it further.
Dr. Pawat Vitoorapakorn, Vice Chairman of the Board of Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited, said that the company helps support field beds and related equipment to be used with HI-PETE. Previously, the company had cooperated with the Rayong Provincial Public Health by providing a field bed which can support a standard
weight of up to 250 kilograms and also delivered 2,000 beds nationwide. Also, PPT group had also provides patients with beds during isolation.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, to help lighten the burden of medical personnel, the company and its partners have helped people by donating a total of 7,000 beds, including mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets. The Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited is very proud to help alleviate the suffering of the people and medical personnel.
HI-PETE can be cleaned and disinfected. It is another innovative device that NSTDA and Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited have cooperated to help Thailand during this pandemic crisis. This undertaking also reduces dependence on foreign technology and helps Thai people to be able to access technology appropriately and equally.
Mrs. Kullaprapa Navanugraha, Vice President of NSTDA, said that NSTDA is a research organization that brings knowledge in science and technology to foster innovation and expand its use in various dimensions. During the covid-19 pandemic, NSTDA has continuously delivered innovative products and service to support the mission of medical personnel. All these innovation have been developed using NSTDA technology through close collaboration with physicians and medical personel who are important in taking care of the lives of a number of patients.
Research works will not be successful if there
is a lack of supporters or stakeholders. During the almost 3 years of the
COVID-19 outbreak, NSTDA researchers have used their knowledge and technology
expertise in various fields to develop many innovations, which HI-PETE has become another success. It was
supported by HSRI and is ready to be delivered to hospitals for practical use.
HI-PETE is also aconsidered to be a success and medically stable conforming to
the policy of the BCG economic model.
For further information please contacat PETE@mtec.or.th (Dr. Sarawut Lerspalungsanti and Mr. Pornpipat Yoosa) or Tel. 02-564-6500.
