UMOYA
Products

OUR CHALLENGE

COVID-19 has resulted in a common scenario globally, where approximately 6% – 10% of people infected by the virus require respiratory support treatment. About two-thirds of these patients don’t recover from standard oxygen treatment alone and deteriorate to the point where they require ICU Invasive ventilator treatment.

It was clear that ICU ventilator capacity in South Africa was constrained by the availability of skilled ICU staff and traditional mechanical ventilators. Supplying additional ICU ventilators was unlikely to adequately respond to the anticipated increase in demand required to treat patients due to COVID-19. Clearly an alternative solution was required.

Our initial goal was to design standalone mechanical non-invasive ventilation solutions that could be used by general nursing staff. This has expanded to include a number of innovative respiratory solutions.

OUR SOLUTIONS

The Umoya team as developed the following solutions:

Licenced by SAHPRA for use during COVID-19

OxERA™ Device

Supplies 100%O2 via accumulator bag with adjustable PEEP.

PEEP Valves

Proudly South African adjustable peep valve 0-20cmH2O, 22mm connection.

Currently in development

Fully Mechanical Non-invasive BiPAP

Providing positive pressure support on inspiration with independently adjustable PEEP on expiration.

OxERA™ Accessories
  • Venturi valves
  • Different mask options
  • In-line nebulisers
Multiple Patient Alternative Air System

Blower and manifold for treating multiple patients with CPAP/BiPAP.

Portable Single Patient Air Delivery System

Portable Single Patient Air Delivery System

BACKGROUND

Respiratory treatment in hospitals is administered on a continuum depending on level of treatment required by the patient. Generally, the simplest form is facemask oxygen or high-flow nasal cannula which has nozzles that are place in/below the nose directing oxygen into the nostrils.

More sophisticated treatments are non invasive ventilation treatments, namely Constant Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) with critically ill patients requiring intensive care Invasive Ventilator Treatment administered by accredited Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff.

The goal is to treat hypoxia early and break the inflammatory cycle and lung damage which occurs. This gives the patient’s immune system time to fight the virus without having to also deal with hypoxia.

COVID-19 has resulted in a common scenario globally, where approximately 6% – 10% of people infected by the virus require respiratory support treatment. About two-thirds of these patients don’t recover from oxygen treatment alone and deteriorate to the point where they require ICU Invasive ventilator treatment.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Reference 12 April 2020: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/sa-government-plans-for-covid-19-to-peak-in-september-but-questions-about-data-remain-20200411

According to a presentation made to Parliament’s portfolio committee on health this week by the acting director-general of the department of health, Anban Pillay, a copy of which News24 has obtained.

SOUTH AFRICA HAS

  • Total number of ventilators = 3,216
    (1,111 Public sector & 2,105 Private sector)
  • Total Critical care hospital beds = 3,318
    (2,140 Private sector)
  • Total High care hospital beds = 2,722
    (1,082 Public Sector)
  • Total Hospital beds = 119,416
  • Peak demand for intensive care beds estimated between 4,100 to 14,700 beds
  • Estimated a total of 7,000 ventilators will be required to deal with the virus which is a shortage of 3,784.

Further estimates and assumptions

  • 70% of population contract COVID-19
  • 80% complete recovery
  • 20% hospitalized
  • 4% critical
  • Average ICU treatment duration = 14 days
  • South Africa’s population = 58.8 million
    ( ref – http://www.statssa.gov.za/?cat=15 )

PLEASE NOTE

OxERA is designed to be used on the few very sick patients who are not saturating adequately on maximum oxygen mask therapy.
It is not suitable for use where a standard oxygen mask will suffice as is the case for the majority of Covid-19 pneumonia patients requiring oxygen.
It needs to be used under the supervision and direction of a medical practitioner and requires a consistent and reliable source of oxygen.
As such, it’s home use is limited and we do not recommend purchasing an OxERA just in case one is needed.
We are working hard to ensure production keeps up with demand so there should be no delay in accessing units when needed.
Please contact your GP for advice should you think you may need escalation to an OxERA and are not currently admitted in a hospital.