As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for quickly responsive practical solutions to many challenges is evident. EnMed, created to more efficiently address such healthcare needs through a convergence of engineering and medicine, is actively engaged in doing just that. Engineers solve problems for the benefit of society, and merged engineers and physicians in EnMed are now rising to meet the dynamic needs on today’s clinical front lines. These range from shared innovations to address the immediate needs of respiratory support, PPE supply and preservation, new ways to provide needed ventilation and new ways to protect those most directly in harms way. By working directly at the front lines of this battle, we are able to develop tailored use-inspired solutions inclusive of needs that are and will be unanticipated. This section on COVID-19 has been created as a resource for all, to share our developments, those of others and provide related information as we collectively work to conquer this virus.
Modeling the Spread of COVID-19
View an excellent lecture on modeling COVID-19 by Alan Freed, Ph.D. from the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. The lecture was delivered via Zoom and a PDF of the lecture slides is available for download when you follow the link.
What Not to Wear: Evaluation of Particle Penetration through a Variety of Do-It-Yourself Mask Materials
EnMed Director of Innovation, Dr. Michael R. Moreno reached out to Texas A&M University professor, Dr. Sarah Brooks and her team, and asked them to conduct filtering efficiency testing on many of the materials that are considered when making do-it-yourself masks. These results could be valuable when considering which of the materials available to you are the best to use. Find out how these different materials performed in their experiments:
3D Printable Spacer/Diffusers for Metered Dose Inhalers: Addressing an Unanticipated Need in Treating COVID-19 Patients
Dr. Michael R. Moreno, director of innovation for Engineering Medicine and J. Mike Walker ’66 Faculty Fellow, and his research team in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University responded quickly to address an emerging need at Houston Methodist Hospital.
3D Printable Spacer/Diffusers for Metered Dose Inhalers: STL Files for the EnMed Design are Available for Free Download
In anticipation that the local shortage of metered dose inhaler (MDI) spacers/diffusers may emerge at other hospitals, we are making the STL files that are used to print the devices freely available. Given that COVID-19 is a global problem and resources may be limited in some locations, we have also designed a smaller device that can be incorporated with a common water or soda bottle to serve as a spacer. The smaller device requires less print material, will print faster, and could be printed on smaller machines.
Do-It-Yourself Masks (DIY): What Should be Considered Before Implementing DIY Designs?
EnMed Vice Dean Dr. John C. Criscione provides step-by-step instructions for constructing a do-it-yourself mask. More importantly, he discusses the science behind such masks, tests several designs, and hosts a web-based forum for the posting of other DIY mask videos and related scientific publications.
Do you know of a shortage or emerging hospital need that was unanticipated?
Visit the EnMed Solution Studios webpage and post your problem. We’ll do everything we can to put together an engineering team to solve it.
