Diversification has acquired a completely new meaning since the pandemic. Russian defense experts immediately joined the battle against the novel virus and managed to promptly re-purpose their capacities to start producing medical equipment. The result was a line of solutions to counter COVID-19 and its consequences. Below is an overview of medical innovations by Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET), a company of State Corporation Rostec.
Medical waste disposal system
The healthcare industry produces large amounts of waste, including the hazardous kind. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the world faced the problem of handling huge amounts of used masks and other PPE quickly and safely.
A Russian solution came from Rostec experts. Their disposal system subjects medical waste to vacuum heat treatment in autoclaves at around 136ºC, from which the waste goes into compactors. After the treatment, compact medical waste can be disposed of without any additional precautions.
The disposal systems consist of 21 to 75-liter sterilization chambers. Thanks to the equipment being small in size and easy to use, it may be useful not only in medical facilities but also in business centers, shopping malls, schools, kindergartens, universities and industrial facilities. It is expected that in 2021, KRET will increase its output by 66%.
Air purifiers
Tiokraft is another example of anti-epidemic equipment manufactured by KRET. It is an air purifier based on an unparalleled technology, different from similar devices due to its innovative filtering system.
The photocatalytic filter, made of porous glass coated with titanium dioxide powder, retains ultra-small particles and destroys bacteria, viruses and mold spores. It also captures phenols, formaldehydes and other harmful substances from the air.
The smallest particles the device are capable of neutralizing are as tiny as 30 nanometers. The size of the SARS-CoV-2 virion that caused the COVID-19 pandemic ranges from 50 to 200 nanometers, which means Tiokraft can reliably filter such dangerous pathogens out of the air.
The company currently offers six air purifier models. The most powerful of them can disinfect areas up to 70 sq. m. The degree of air purification provided by Tiokraft devices is high enough to use them in military and civilian facilities, from field hospitals to industrial enterprises, from medical and educational facilities to passenger aircraft and trains.
In 2020, due to the increased demand for air cleaning units, the Ramenskoye Instrument-Making Plant launched a new assembly line to roll out up to 120 Tiokraft air purifiers daily. At the end of last year, the enterprise delivered 10K such devices to customers.
Ocular tonometry
The coronavirus pandemic has spurred the demand for non-contact tonometry devices to minimize contact with the patient at medical facilities. Due to their ease of use, they can also be safely used at home.
A device to measure intraocular pressure and treat eye disorders was developed by KRET experts with the use of a new measuring technique, scleral tonometry. The technology allows for measuring intraocular pressure through the eyelid, without touching the surface of the eye. In other words, this is a non-invasive method that eliminates the risk of infection and does not require anesthesia.
The deliveries of the new device across Russia increased by 20% in 2020, with some 2,000 devices manufactured and supplied to customers.
Multimag magnetic therapy system
Research of the healing effect of magnetic waves on human body has allowed KRET experts to develop a unique device, the Multimag magnetic therapy system. The healing effect is being provided by the low-intensity magnetic field with a special structure.
The magnetic therapy system is already being used in the leading medical facilities in Russia and abroad. Multimag was included in the program for patients who recover from COVID-19. In 2020, the supply increased by 260%. Over 200 health resorts, disease prevention centers, hospitals and rehabilitation centers are using this device.
Multimag helps treat vascular and bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as movement disorders. In particular, clinical trials showed that it is 85% effective in treating arterial hypertension, joint and spine conditions.
By Yury Khripun