MUSC making protective masks with 3D printers to bolster supply during coronavirus
Medical and surgical masks are in short supply as the coronavirus pandemic continues its rampage.
Employees at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston are taking innovative steps to help solve the shortage issue.
They’ve come up with a design to make the much-needed masks with 3D printers, the hospital said in a story reported by Leslie Cantu.
A team of employees at MUSC developed the Self-Assembly Filter for Emergencies, or SAFE, Cartridge System, with the purpose of making the masks available to doctors at hospitals as well as South Carolina residents making a run to the grocery store, according to the story.
“High schools have a printer capable of making this,” MUSC vice chairman of research in the Department of Surgery Michael Yost said in the story. “Let’s make this so simple that a high schooler could do it, yet effective to protect our people.”
Joshua Kim, senior designer and program coordinator in the Department of Surgery Human Centered Design Program, said in the story that he was inspired by the NASA engineers who scrambled to save the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts.
“How can we utilize materials that people can get at a local hardware store and re-purpose those materials to make protective equipment?” Kim said in the story.
They studied a variety of protective masks, and made sure to include the design for a HEPA filter, which is part of the mask that stops particles from affecting the wearer.
They added strips of neoprene foam to create more comfort, while ensuring the mask did not come off when the person using it moves, speaks, and most importantly breathes.
Multiple prototypes were created to fit a variety of face types, and the hospital group has been in touch with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to get approval, according to the story.
While MUSC is currently making more of the masks there is one issue, the hospital doesn’t have the 3D printers needed to mass produce the safety measures. MUSC’s prototype-specific printers take four to five hours to make a single mask, and another hour is needed to finish assembly, the story said.
Because of that, the hospital is reaching out to companies that could produce the masks on a larger scale, and has even released it’s design to the public for anyone with a 3D printer to duplicate.
These masks differ from other “home-made” cloth masks, which might not stop COVID-19 infections, CNN reported.
On Wednesday, 82 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 424 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 39 counties, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
DHEC also announced Tuesday that two more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to seven in less than two weeks. State health officials described all seven as elderly, and all but one had underlying medical conditions.
DHEC expects more than 8,053 cases of coronavirus in South Carolina by May 2, according to forecast numbers released Wednesday. There will likely be more than 2,600 cases by April 2.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice “social distancing” to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, 510,108 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 22,903 people have died, while 120,983 recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, 75,233 people have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 1,070 deaths have been reported, including 280 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 2:05 PM with the headline "MUSC making protective masks with 3D printers to bolster supply during coronavirus."
