Value Proposition
· Increased safety: features back seam entry and exit with integrated doffing and disposal methods to reduce risk of contamination.
· Easy to use: Simplified doffing decreases the complexity and time required to doff PPE.
· Customizable and comfortable: Design includes sizing adjustments, sweat-wicking features, and vents.
Unmet Need
· Treatment of patients with Ebola requires Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent the virus from spreading to the healthcare workers.
· Current anti-Ebola PPE poses significant risks due to the complication of donning and doffing.
· Therefore, there is a need for PPE that reduces the risk of contamination and provides better protection for healthcare workers battling Ebola.
Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a suit with increased safety and user comfort to protect healthcare workers from Ebola exposure.
· It incorporates several innovative safety concepts, including:
o Moving the entry and exit seam to the back of the suit where there is less contamination.
o An integrated hood and colored interior layer for quick identification of breaches.
o Integrated doffing method allowing for safe removal and disposal of the suit.
· It incorporates several elements to increase user comfort, including:
o High surface area vents to decrease resistance to breathing
o Adjustable sizing to fit a range of body types
o Moisture wicking base layer
Stage of Development
· Field testing completed
Publication
1. Garibaldi, BT et al. A novel personal protective equipment coverall was rated higher than standard Ebola virus personal protective equipment in terms of comfort, mobility and perception of safety when tested by health care workers in Liberia and in a United States biocontainment unit. American Journal of Infection Control, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.08.014
2. Glancey, M et al. Design Improvements for Personal Protective Equipment Used in Ebola and Other Epidemic Outbreaks. Global Health: Science and Practice, 2017. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-17-00152
3. Yazdi, Y et al. Suit designs and doffing methodologies for personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of infectious agents to healthcare workers. US Patent, US10524525B2.
