K-O2
Addressing the Oxygen Crisis.
Lack of access to oxygen during medical emergencies impacts more than half a million people in low- and middle-income countries every day, with 25 countries currently reporting surges in demand—the majority in Africa. Like other medical equipment, conventional oxygen concentrators are not robust enough to withstand harsh environmental settings like dust, humidity, temperature, and power instability.
In addition, Current oxygen concentrator systems lack the flexibility to adapt to varying demand levels, resulting in the inefficient use of generators
Role
Director of Engineering, Project Lead
Year
2020-2022
Company
10XBeta
Client
Gradian Health Systems
The solution
The K-O2 Multi-Patient Oxygen Generator and Delivery System is engineered to alleviate oxygen scarcity throughout various healthcare levels and regions. This standalone unit can provide consistent oxygen therapy to up to 10 patients simultaneously, overcoming the challenges posed by power instabilities that impair the performance of most medical equipment. It ensures reliable and continuous operation in areas where consistent power supply is a challenge, offering a solution to oxygen insecurity universally.
Features
Multiple back-up systems
Integrated battery for up to 30 minutes of oxygen delivery at full flow during a power outage connection
Innovative air drying solution for humid environments
Pre-Cooling with condensate
Accurate, real-time oxygen concentration monitoring
Multi stage filtration system
Energy saving mode
Robust enclose
Innovative air drying solution for humid environments
Intuitive and infrequent maintenance procedures
Flexible distribution system
Research
Our collaboration with Gradian field operators in Africa was instrumental in delving deep into the core issues hindering the provision of a dependable oxygen supply. Insights and conclusions drawn from this extensive research influenced the system’s architecture. As a result, we developed a system tailored to mitigate the most significant challenges and make a substantial positive impact on oxygen delivery.
In the realm of technical research, the process of oxygen concentration hinges on a technology known as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). PSA is a cyclic steady-state procedure that employs pressure cycles to segregate gases of distinct molecular sizes.
In the early stages of development, we constructed a chamber with regulated temperature and humidity and set up the system within it in a manner that allowed easy access for comprehensive monitoring. Employing sensors to measure pressure, temperature, humidity, and time, our objective was to simulate and evaluate the system's efficiency under a range of conditions effectively
Development
We built the machine to specifications. Our testing protocols covered functionality, usability, electrical safety, biocompatibility, and reliability to ensure comprehensive validation of the machine’s effectiveness and safety in accordance with the intended use and regulatory standards
The development journey necessitated frequent decision-making, balancing time against cost. A critical aspect was determining the number of units to construct for parallel testing, weighed against the potential cost implications of design modifications in the event of failure. This ongoing evaluation was crucial in optimizing both the development timeline and budget.
Launch
The K-O2 was introduced to the public at the All Africa Anesthesia Congress 2022 – where Gradian acted as a sponsor. Gradian CEO Lina Sayed, COO Dave Ettl, Managing Director of Africa Kenneth Otieno, and other members of Gradian’s and 10XBETA’s engineering and clinical training teams attended to showcase and demonstrate the use of the K-O2 and other flagship products, and answer questions about anesthesia, oxygen therapy, and critical care.
