Respiratory Procedure Box-Generation 2

In order to reduce infection risk to clinicians, researchers from the Medical Device Center, Engineering Department, Pediatric Anesthesia and Pediatric Critical Care have built a second generation 'respiratory procedure box' to limit spray during an aerosol generating procedure such as intubation, bronchoscope procedures, and nebulizing treatments. The box works for both pediatric and adult patients. The box was recently tested using manikins and resulted in minimal exposure to the clinicians.

Led by Gwenyth Fischer, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics; Chris Hogan, PhD, professor of mechanical engineering; and Kumar Belani, MD, professor of anesthesia, researchers in this study will build 12 second generation respiratory procedure boxes with modifications based on feedback from providers who will test the box. These new generation boxes will be distributed to various clinical areas for immediate use.

This project is supported by the UMN Campus Public Health Officer's CO:VID (Collaborative Outcomes: Visionary Innovation & Discovery) grants program, which support University of Minnesota faculty to catalyze and energize small-scale research projects designed to address and mitigate the COVID-19 virus and its associated risks.