Overpressure hood
Description
Overpressure hood: The approach is a cost-effective, quickly reproducible, protective device that uses conventional, globally available materials. The concept is intended for medical personnel in risk areas where conventional protective equipment is not available. It is still a prototype, further improvement suggestions are always welcome! The presented overpressure hood requires only a few 3D-printed parts and can be manufactured from conventional PP/PE foil with a plastic sealing device. PP is more transparent but stiffer, PE easier to process and already available as tubes. Both materials can be disinfected with alcohol. The function is relatively simple. Conventional clean compressed air is usually available in intensive care units. This is introduced into the neck cuff via a pressure reducer with a flow of approx. 12l/min. The fresh air reaches the interior of the hood via printed inlets. The spent air is discharged via an outlet valve on the upper side. Thus the wearer is constantly supplied with fresh air. The hood is sealed to the outside via the neck cuff. Due to the overpressure on the inside, no aerosols can get into the interior even in case of a leakage. Manufacturing: Used were PP tubes with a diameter of 40 cm and 15 cm. With a little more sealing work it is also possible to use conventional foil. The hood is first manufactured inside out. Cut off 85 cm PP tube with a diameter of 35cm (outer cover with chest and back protection). Remove upper corners with an edge length of 12 cm. Cut the lower 30 cm of the tube left and right. This creates the breast and back protector. Cut off 85 cm of PP tube with a diameter of 15 cm (neck cuff), insert the printed inner parts into the tube (see illustrations). Fold the tube twice and seal at 40 cm. Slide the resulting neck cuff over the outer cover so that it is positioned above the 30 cm incisions. Place a strip of newspaper inside the tube so that the hood remains open during sealing. Seal the neck cuff and the outer cover from each side. Then seal the top side opening. Remove the newspaper strip. Cut off any excess plastic foil. Now clip in the printed inner parts of the air inlets from the inside. The air inlets are to be located on the left and right. Cut open the foil over the air inlets with the scissors. One hole each should be sufficient at 12 l/min. The number of openings must be tested with the intended air supply. The more holes are opened the lower the cuff pressure. Turn the hood reverse (neck cuff on the inside). Cut the opening for the tube connection with the scissors, push the tube connection through and fix it with the outer plate. If necessary, use some glue on the outside. Clip the air outlet valve over the foil (plate inside). The opening of the valve forms a foil membrane. To do this, cut the foil at the outer edge in a quarter circle over 0.5 to 1 cm. Depending on the air flow, this opening can also be made on the opposing side.
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