American And European Regulators Approve Shycocan, A Bengaluru-Based Firm’s Device To Kill Coronavirus

New Delhi: A Bengaluru-based organisation called De Scalene has gained US Food and Drug Administration and the European Union regulators approval for a device ‘Scalene Hypercharge Corona Canon’ or ‘Shycocan’. Shycocan is a small drum-like device that can be fixed in offices, schools malls, hotels, airports or any public places and closed areas.

It works by firing particles out in an area and once it’s in the air, the virus is neutralised which disables active transmission of the Corona family of viruses including SARS-CoV-2, the virus the causes COVID-19. It has been proven to be 99.9 per cent effective in neutralising spike protein present in the virus, as per US-FDA and EU approvals.

Chairman of the De Scalene, Dr Rajah Vijay Kumar told NDTV,

In physics, we have a principle that there are certain metals and alloys that when you oxide them, they produce protons. Then these high energy protons, are bounced off and the device floods a room or any indoor place with hundreds of electrons. Even if an infected person comes into such a place, the electrons in the air would neutralise the potency of the virus in the aerosols caused by sneezing, cough, etc. It further neutralises the viruses that stick to surfaces. Thus drastically reducing the transmission via surface- or airborne transmission.

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Dr Kumar however suggests everyone to keep wearing masks as per the WHO advisories. He said,

The individual who is a COVID-19 positive, is by no means, disinfected of the virus with Shycocan, so wearing a mask is still advised despite the presence of the device.

As per the lab tests, one device can cover about 10,000 cubic meters in terms of area, Dr Kumar said.

When it comes to the costing of Shycocan, Dr Kumar added that the licence-holders would be fixing the cost and so far, in India, about nine companies have shown interest in manufacturing it, and three companies have already entered into a licensing agreement. He added,

We are trying to ensure that the device is very affordable by most of the population and is not an expensive device. As per my estimation, each device could cost around 14,000 to 15,000 at max.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Launches Three COVID-19 Testing Facilities In Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata

The Device fills an urgent unmet need for a simple, portable, sensitive methodology to prevent mass outbreaks to safely get past indefinite social distancing, Dr Kumar said as he signed off.

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.