Transparent Barrier Shield With Suction for Close-Range Infection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system that effectively reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission in environments where close physical proximity between individuals cannot be avoided, particularly in healthcare settings like dental offices, where droplet and aerosolized transmission poses a high risk to healthcare workers and patients.
Innovation Solution
A protective apparatus comprising a transparent shield component and a receiving component, installable to a suctioning device or articulating mechanical arm, positions the shield between the patient and healthcare worker to intercept droplets and aerosols, using negative air pressure to remove pathogens and infectious agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent shield is positioned between patient and healthcare worker to block droplets, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into separate functional components: a transparent shield component for blocking droplets, a receiving component for mounting, and a suctioning device for aerosol removal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while maintaining overall protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent shield acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the patient and healthcare worker, directly blocking droplet transmission. Additionally, the suctioning device serves as an intermediary mechanism that actively removes aerosols from the space between the shield and patient, enhancing protection without requiring direct contact or complex integration with the shield structure.
2Reliability
If social distancing is maintained to reduce transmission risk, then transmission risk is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to perform close-proximity healthcare tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent shield and suctioning device combination serves as an intermediary system that enables safe close-proximity work. The shield provides immediate droplet protection while the suctioning device actively manages aerosol concentrations in the work zone, allowing healthcare workers to perform tasks requiring close proximity without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The suctioning device utilizes pneumatic principles to create negative pressure and actively draw aerosols away from the patient-provider interface. This active aerosol management allows healthcare workers to maintain close proximity for effective treatment while the pneumatic system continuously removes potentially infectious particles from the immediate workspace.
3Reliability
If the shield component is made opaque to block all visual transmission, then protection effectiveness is improved, but illumination intensity deteriorates due to reduced visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The shield component utilizes optical property changes by being transparent rather than opaque, allowing visible light to pass through while still providing physical barrier protection. This optical transparency maintains illumination intensity and visibility for healthcare workers to observe patient conditions and perform procedures while the shield blocks droplet transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively minimizes the risk of COVID-19 transmission by intercepting and removing airborne pathogens, providing a barrier that reduces exposure to droplets and aerosols, thereby protecting healthcare workers and patients.
Implementation Method 1
The suctioning component may exert a negative air pressure to remove airborne pathogens and other infectious agents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are protective apparatuses for minimizing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases between individuals in close proximity to one another. Said apparatuses may comprise a receiving component comprising a first aperture comprising a series of flanges; as well as a substantially transparent shield component. Protective apparatuses of the present disclosure may be used to protect dentists and other healthcare workers from transmission of infectious agents and likewise may be used to protect patients in the same manner. Also disclosed herein are systems comprising such protective apparatuses installed to a substantially cylindrical suctioning device such as a vacuum hose or operatively attached to an articulating mechanical arm. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such protective apparatuses and systems to mitigate the risk of transmission of infectious diseases between, without limitation, patients and healthcare workers treating such patients.