Medical Device Development

Addressing the climate emergency in healthcare

Globally, the healthcare sector is responsible for around 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, climate change increases the burden on health systems by driving more disease, extreme weather events, and health inequalities. Tackling this crisis means making healthcare more sustainable, reducing emissions, and preparing systems to handle climate-related health impacts.

The Problem

Reducing The Environmental Impact of Entonox®

What is Entonox®?

Entonox is a medical gas made of a 50/50 mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen, commonly used for fast-acting pain relief. Often referred to as "gas and air," it is frequently used during childbirth, in emergency care, and for minor medical procedures. Entonox is self-administered through a mask or mouthpiece, offering quick relief that wears off soon after use. It is generally safe, with mild side effects like light-headedness or nausea that typically pass quickly.

Why is Entonox® so important?

There are no reasonable alternative medicines or practices that are acceptable to patients (especially in maternity care) and for which the NHS is prepared to use and pay for.

Why is Entonox® Harmful?

The single most environmentally damaging medicine is nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which is most commonly given as a manufacturer-prepared blend with oxygen (Entonox® or 'gas-and-air'). It has 298 times the carbon impact of carbon-dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for over 100 years.

The Solution

Introducing Envirolieve®

What is It?

A novel analgesic gas delivery device which recycles exhaled (breathed out) Entonox® back to the patient during use. Envirolieve® is entirely mechanical and is actuated by the patients breath.

NOMINATED

Massively Reduced Environmental Impact

Envirolieve® reduces the quantity of Entonox used by >55%. Not only does this greatly reduce the environmental impact but the cost savings on Entonox® contribute to a rapid payback time on the device.

Easy To Use

The device has been designed with the principles of usability engineering to create a simple interface that can be explained quickly through the IFU without training required.

Highly Portable

Envirolieve® is entirely portable and about the size as medium sized picnic basket. This means that it can fit seamlessly into healthcare environments and be removed for storage between uses.

Full Compatibility

Envirolieve® can be fitted into any gas delivery system of Entonox whether it is a wall gas delivery system or cylinder.

Concept Imagery

Envirolieve® is the future of Entonox® in healthcare

Envirolieve® offers an easy solution to your carbon reduction needs that does not require installation or changing the infrastructure of your current Entonox® supply system.

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Patent Protected

The Envirolieve® Gas system is novel intellectual property and is fully patent protected by EDaS Ltd.

The Potential Impact

The Scenario:
Envirolieve® implementation at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing at University College Hospital (UCLH).
Assumptions:
6000 babies born per year in UCLH (as per their NHS website).
BOC have provided data demonstrating that each birth on average uses 1548 Litres of Entonox®.
Note:
Savings are based off the volume of Entonox® reduced, both in carbon credit equivalent of nitrous oxide and the gas costs from BOC. Subtracting the cost of single use equipment (filter, mouthpiece etc.) and excl. delivery savings.

£350,000

Annual cost savings achieved with Envirolieve® when using standard 'ED' cylinders from BOC

£110,000

Annual cost savings achieved with Envirolieve® when using piped (wall) entonox 'W' cylinders from BOC

4.64M

Litres of Entonox® saved from the atmosphere

8760

Number of hours of reduced exposure to Entonox® for midwives

This is the result of Envirolieve use in 1 single Hospital ward.