AIIMS Raipur Nurse Secures Patent for Device Aimed at Reducing Airborne Infections
The Indian Patent Office, New Delhi, has officially granted a utility patent for the device.
Arokiaraj U, a Senior Nursing Officer in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) Department at AIIMS Raipur, has developed a closed-system respiratory device called the Highly Oxygenated Aerosol Controlled (HOAC) Combo.
The Indian Patent Office, New Delhi, has officially granted a utility patent for the device.
The HOAC Combo is designed to reduce the risk of airborne infections during standard respiratory procedures such as nebulisation, sputum sampling, incentive spirometry, and low-flow oxygen therapy. The device aims to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.
Currently, the HOAC Combo is in the functional prototype development phase. Efforts are ongoing to secure funding for the next steps, which include pilot studies and clinical validation. These are intended to support the large-scale implementation of the device in both Indian and international healthcare settings.
The device was showcased at the India Innovation Summit 2025 held on March 18–19 at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, New Delhi. The summit was organised by the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The HOAC Combo has also been published on the ATLAS of Innovation platform, which highlights technological advancements contributing to the elimination of tuberculosis (TB).
Lt. Gen. Ashok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur, congratulated Arokiaraj, stating, "This is a significant achievement for AIIMS Raipur, and we are proud of the innovation shown by our staff."
In recognition of his contribution, AIIMS Raipur has nominated Arokiaraj for the National Florence Nightingale Award and the National Science Award 2025.
Arokiaraj thanked the medical administration, saying, "I am thankful to the Medical Superintendent, the CTVS department, and the AIIMS administration for their consistent support and guidance."
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