Open-faced helmet contains pathogen-bearing droplets, reduces transmission to medical specialists
The risk of infection of COVID-19 is high for medical specialists who come in contact with symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. Dentists and otolaryngologists are at particular risk, since they need direct access to the mouth, nose, and throat of patients.
The current solutions, which include wearing N95 masks and face shields, clinic room evacuation, negative pressure rooms, and special air filtration systems, are expensive, not highly effective, and not very accessible.
In Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, researchers at Cornell University discuss their design of an open-faced helmet for patient use that is connected to a medical-grade air filtration pump from the top that creates a reverse flow of air to prevent cough droplets from exiting the helmet.
To protect dentists from catching coronavirus, patients could soon be asked to wear open-faced helmets that suck up any COVID-laden droplets they cough up.
Developed by experts at New York s Cornell University, the disposable, transparent helmets are connected to a pump that creates a reverse flow of air around the head.
This ensures that any potentially infected droplets become trapped in the flow of air coming in through the mouth aperture and are unable to escape the helmet.
Alongside dentists, the concept could also be used by so-called otolaryngologists ear, nose and throat doctors who also need access to patients heads and necks.
E-Mail
IMAGE: In Physics of Fluids, researchers discuss their design of an open-faced helmet for patient use that is connected to a medical-grade air filtration pump from the top that creates a. view more
Credit: Image by Dongjie Jia
WASHINGTON, January 12, 2021 The risk of infection of COVID-19 is high for medical specialists who come in contact with symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. Dentists and otolaryngologists are at particular risk, since they need direct access to the mouth, nose, and throat of patients.
The current solutions, which include wearing N95 masks and face shields, clinic room evacuation, negative pressure rooms, and special air filtration systems, are expensive, not highly effective, and not very accessible.