International healthcare major BOC Medical India Ltd has launched its new pre-mixed gas mixture, used for controlled pain relief during childbirth, in India. The company's national sales manager Shekhar Trivedi said the product 'Entonox' also found application in purposes of pain relief in other fields like dentistry and wound dressing.

A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, the unique feature of Entonox was that it was self-administered through a hand-held device, by which the patient always had total control over the process, Trivedi claimed.

The product would be initially launched in south India, during the ongoing conference of Indian Society for Anaestheseologists here, as a number of gynaecologists from this part of the country had come forward to recognise the genuine need for the administration of Entonox during childbirth.

This could also be used for relieving pain for injuries during any sports event, Trivedi claimed.

Saying that the homecare segment was a fast emerging segment within the healthcare industry, Trivedi said BOC Medical had also introduced home respiratory services through the new life oxygen concentrator for long-term oxygen therapy.

The equipment instantly produced medical oxygen at the flick of a switch, required no refilling unlike cylinders and ensured uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen round-the-clock, he said.

The product was particularly recommended for patients suffering from pulmonary ailments and other respiratory disorders, besides serving the vital purpose of meeting any emergency oxygen requirements at home, Trivedi said.