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About the solution
Sabrina Paseman’s brother-in-law is a hospital worker and reported that, soon after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United stated, the hospital was quickly running out of N95 protective masks. Trying to help, Sabrina spent some days calling mask manufacturers to see where they could source more masks but ended up realizing that the supply would not be enough to cover the high demand.
So, she turned her attention to surgical masks: much more available but also less effective. Through her research, Sabrina found that ASTM level 1 surgical masks are certified to filter 95% of particles as small as 0,1 microns. However, unlike N95 masks, surgical mask do not provide a tight seal around the face, increasing the potential for infection.
Together with her friend Megan Duong, they founded Fix the Mask, a non-profit created with the purpose of making readily available surgical masks more efficient. As a result of their research, they created a brace that make masks fit tightly around the face. The brace is made out of a rubber sheet, so it can be cleaned and reused, and is meant to be placed over the masks, around the mouth and chin.
At the website, they have shared the designs of the brace so anyone can replicate it and they also started a kickstarter campaign to start manufacturing them in large scale. The team has been working together with the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and University of Iowa Carver School of Medicine to test the fit of the system, making sure it provides a tight seal, preventing particles from going through.
They have shared a Do-It-Yourself version of the brace that can be made using 3 common rubber bands which, though less efficient, greatly improves the fit of the masks.
Adapted from: https://www.fastcompany.com/90508168/this-ex-apple-designer-has-a-simple...
https://www.businessinsider.com/diy-face-mask-n95-ex-apple-engineer-surg...
More information: https://www.fixthemask.com/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/essentialbrace/essential-brace-desi...
This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.
DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com
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Portuguese student responds to pandemic crisis with open source ventilators
Covid-19
Lung ventilator
VENTILATION
CAREGIVING
Covid19
3d Printed
Treatment/Surgical device
Difficulty breathing deeply
Dry cough
Fatigue
Fever
Nasal congestion
Shortness of breath
Sinus pain or pressure
Sore throat
Improving respiratory function
To improve Treatment/Therapy
Raise awareness
General and Family Medicine
Infectious Diseases
Intensive Care Medicine
Pneumology
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435
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1
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12980
Hands-free door handle to slow the spread of the new coronavirus
Covid-19
Hand
3D-printed device
Protective Equipment
(SELF)-CARE: HYGIENE: Maintaining personal hygiene
Social interaction
Covid19
3d Printed
Strategy/Tip
Difficulty breathing deeply
Dry cough
Fatigue
Fever
Nasal congestion
Shortness of breath
Sinus pain or pressure
Sore throat
Preventing (Vaccination, Protection, Falls, Research/Mapping)
Caregiving Support
General and Family Medicine
Infectious Diseases
Pneumology
Public Health
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400
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0
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10934
Designer creates portable hook to open doors without using your hands
Covid-19
Protective Equipment
Social interaction
Covid19
Assistive Daily Life Device (to help ADL)
Strategy/Tip
Difficulty breathing deeply
Dry cough
Fatigue
Fever
Nasal congestion
Shortness of breath
Sinus pain or pressure
Sore throat
Preventing (Vaccination, Protection, Falls, Research/Mapping)
General and Family Medicine
Infectious Diseases
Intensive Care Medicine
Pneumology
Public Health
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