Damen
has announced that Air-wave.org Association, a consortium initiated by
Damen, Blue Orange Wave, Redgrasp and VFA Solutions with support from entrepreneurs,
specialists and manufacturers in the Netherlands and Spain, has developed
a protective mask useful in the protection of healthcare professionals.
Damen's
Marc Derks, along with consultant Tim Lodder, pioneered the idea described
in the following press release:
How
a re-fitted snorkel mask can save lives:
The “COVID Lifesaver Mask” and the “Air-Wave Protector”
There
is a worldwide shortage of personal protective materials for healthcare
professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two new reusable face masks
for medical staff who are caring for and treating COVID-19 patients have
been developed by teams of anaesthesiologists, universities and a consortium
of companies, all supporting on a not-for-profit basis.
These
designs may help solve the global shortage of face masks and improve safety
for healthcare professionals, especially during intubation and intensive
care procedures where the risk of infection is highest.
Both
masks use a unique 3D printed connector to link a popular snorkel mask
to a filter system.
The
COVID Lifesaver Mask uses a high-performance filter used in anaesthetic
equipment to create a low-cost, easy to use system for short duration use.
The
Air-Wave Protector solution uses an industrial fan & filter unit to
create a personal protection unit for use of longer duration.
COVID
Lifesaver Mask
Combining
a popular full-face snorkel mask with a high-performance filter used in
anaesthetic equipment and ventilators made it possible to develop a reusable
face mask for healthcare workers that is safer than the commonly used FFP2
mask. This prototype has undergone clinical testing to rule out carbon
dioxide intoxication. The anaesthetic filter used has already been validated
to have a capacity to block 99,999% of viruses and bacteria. The solution
is currently being developed further to reduce the possibility of inward
air leakage.
Air-Wave
Protector
The
Air-Wave Protector is a combination of the same snorkel mask connected
with a custom 3D printed connector to a medical-grade filter and an air
pump used in the welding industry for personal protection. The air pump
creates a positive pressure in the mask, potentially reducing air leakage
and promoting the ease of breathing. Preliminary testing indicates that
the solution provides better protection than the commonly used FFP2 masks.
Safety
and comfort
A
team of healthcare professionals tested the snorkel mask used in both solutions
and found it to work well. Glasses can be worn and the mask allows for
communication with patients and co-workers. The reusable mask can be decontaminated
by healthcare facilities using readily available cleaning methods.
Availability
The
designs of the solutions are “open-source” which means they can be freely
copied and used to support healthcare professionals worldwide. The design
of the 3D-printed connectors created by the TU Delft will be available
through “thingiverse.com”, a global website to share 3D print designs.
While
some aspects of the solutions are still in development and testing continues,
the groups have decided to share their designs and progress widely. Royal
Dutch Shell has already started printing COVID Lifesaver connectors in
its Technology Center in Amsterdam and offered its full cooperation to
contribute to the solutions that are being developed.
How
it started
The
history of the COVID Life Safer Mask and Air-Wave Protector is a unique
story of ingenuity and collaboration in times of crisis. The not-for-profit
initiative has brought together different groups (anaesthesiologists, universities,
companies and volunteers) who had similar ideas to help healthcare professionals
battle COVID-19. With amazing passion, they have come together to develop
solutions in a short period of time.
Collaboration
The
“COVID Lifesaver Mask” and “Air-Wave Protector” are being developed
by a support network, consisting of an independent group of anaesthesiologists
working in Haaglanden Medisch Centrum (HMC), The Netherlands
Delft
University of Technology
Royal
Dutch Shell
Air-wave.org,
a not-for-profit group initiated by Damen Shipyards, Blue Orange Wave,
Redgrasp and VFA Solutions with support of a large international group
of specialists and innovative companies.