How Decathlon snorkeling mask helps fight the Covid-19 epidemics.
Three use cases explained.
Clinicians, researchers, engineers worldwide are inventing fast-track solutions to face medical equipment shortages in the fight against Covid. The Decathlon snorkeling mask EasyBreath has been reported in numerous initiatives. Are you trying to figure out how and for what it can be used? Here is a review of the use cases reported so far:
- Protective gear
- Mask for CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure)
- Mask for NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation) ❗Warning❗: Medical recommendations go against this 3rd use case
❗Warning❗: the present review is probably not exhaustive. I will be happy to update it anytime: please share your initiatives, comments, questions, additional sources. Also, if you spot any mistake, please comment, I will make the necessary corrections as soon as possible.
Decathlon mask Use Case 1: Protective gear
This case addresses the shortage in FFP2/N95 respirators
By choosing a filter and manufacturing the missing adapter, Decathlon mask may serve as a protective gear. 3d-printing can be used to manufacture the adapter.
Prakash Lab COVID-19 Response Group at Stanford University is sharing on-going work on repurposing snorkel masks. The group listed the following adapters’ designs to attach N95/FFP2 equivalent filters to Decathlon EasyBreath mask:
- 3M single cartridge with adapter from Filip Kober on GrabCAD
- 3M single and double cartridge with adapter from Alfredo Redondo on Thingiverse
- RD40 cartridge with adapter from @realcharal #giletsjaunes on Thingiverse
- ISO5653 filter with adapter from COVID_LIFESAVER_MASK on Thingiverse
More solutions have been reported on LinkedIn:
- (1) Honeywell Twin A2P3 Filters (N06575001A2P3) with SolidEnergy’s adapter. STL files.
- (2) P3R filter with COVID19 CZ Initiative’s adapter. STL files.
- (3) Clear Guard Intersurgical filter with Sport Controle’s adapter. Contact.
- (4) Filter information and stl file not available yet. Contact at illycaffe, Barcelona.
- (5) Filter information and stl file not available yet. Contact at MOS Design, Barcelona.
- You can check also Pezy Group system.
❗Warning❗: check the filter’s properties before choosing one for any new protective gear system. Here is info on the FFP2/N95 respirators properties.
❗Comment❗ from an emergency doctor at the Hospital Infanta Elena in Madrid: “We are not using this system as a protective gear as we have observed the air circulation is not sufficient. After 30 min of continuous use, the CO2 concentration rises.”
Decathlon mask Use Case 2: mask for CPAP
This case addresses the shortage in masks used for CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure)
The original idea is from Dr. Renato Favero (Italy).
CPAP is a sub-intensive oxygen therapy. It can be used when the patient breathes spontaneously. The CPAP mask needs to be sealed to the face. Continuous Positive Air Pressure helps to keep the alveoli in the lungs open. The CPAP mask can be connected to the hospital wall oxygen (no electricity or machine required), or to a CPAP machine (like the small machines used in sleep apnea), or to a ventilator machine in CPAP mode. If the patient condition deteriorates, then ventilation is required.
Besides the CPAP mask, additional parts are needed in the standard CPAP circuit:
- a Boussignac valve (example)
- an oxygen flowmeter (up to 15–20L/min)
- a heat/humidity exchange filter
- a connector
To address the shortage in standard masks used for CPAP, Isinnova (Italy) designed the Charlotte valve which makes CPAP possible by using Decathlon EasyBreath mask, a filter, and a PEEP valve. STL files for the valve and reinforcing parts, as well as 3d-printing parameters are available on Isinnova website. The company Solidenergy is also sharing STL files to connect Decathlon mask for CPAP. The Erasme Hospital in Brussels supported by the company Endo Tools Therapeutics is developing a similar solution (AFP news report).
2020–04–03 Update: An international group of experts from the Innovation program led by Professor Silvana Perretta at IRCAD and IHU-Strasbourg has seemingly improved the Isinnova design. The group created a wiki where you can find the stl files for the valve and guidance for the medical use case.
The solution is being tested by clinicians in several countries.
⭐If you are a healthcare professional, you can join this Facebook group and share your experience: CPAP / Covid / snorkeling mask > FB group for healthcare professionals ⭐
Decathlon mask Use Case 3: mask for NIV
This case addresses the shortage in masks used for NIV (Non-Invasive Ventilation)
Ventilation can be invasive (patient is intubated) or non-invasive (mask sealed to the face).
❗Warnings❗:
- Ventilation requires highly trained healthcare professionals.
- The use of the Decathlon mask in this complex procedure has not been validated. (It poses several technical questions. Among them: what is the impact of the dead volume created by the mask and the connector? Is the mask-face-sealing working?)
- Adjusting the ventilation parameters for patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) requires expertise. (COPD patients are high risk patients in the Covid epidemics.
❗COVID-Warning❗:
The French medical associations SRLF SFAR SFMU GFRUP SPILF recommend to avoid as much as possible techniques with risk of aerosolization, such as non-invasive ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy, as these techniques put the healthcare professionals at risk, and privilege invasive ventilation. (Link)
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