COVID
BACKGROUND
We are living through unprecedented times. While many of us are doing our part during the pandemic by staying indoors and taking the proper precautions, we inherently have a privilege over the thousands of essential workers who aren’t able to do the same. In an effort to help whatever way I could, I offered my design and engineering expertise to my local hospital to produce supplies that might help with material shortages. This is an ongoing project as my services are readily available for whatever problem they might have but the designs displayed on this page are what have been produced up until now.
PAPR ADAPTER
Powered Air Purifying Respirators, also known as PAPRs, are waist mounted air filtration systems that blow clean air up to an enclosed hood that isolates the user’s head from external contaminants. One issue the hospital was experiencing was that it had a large supply of older PAPR hoods from the 2014 Ebola outbreak that could not be used. These hoods utilized an older connection interface that no longer existed. I actively worked with their clinical team to design a 3D printed adapter that screws from both sides of the hood'‘s connection flange to create an airtight seal. Incorporating considerations for user ergonomics, parts of the adapter halves were strategically knurled to give better grip to workers with wet, dirty, and gloved hands. In addition to this, captive, color-coordinated gaskets were made to easily differentiate the parts and speed up adapter assembly. Working with other makers in the area, we coordinated as a group to produce 800 full adapter sets.
CAPR CUFFS
Controlled Air Purifying Respirators, also known as CAPRs, are similar to PAPRs in that they isolate the user’s face from external contaminants. Unlike PAPRs however, CAPRs are smaller, self-contained helmet units and use a replaceable visor for cleanliness and hygiene. The helmets use removable plastic cuffs to secure the visor, however these can be prone to breaking. I assisted the hospital by reverse engineering the existing cuffs and mass 3D printing replacements.
GALLERY
PAPR Adapter designed by Joe Li / March 2020-January 2021