We are living in the middle of the emergency over coronavirus all over the world. The reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on societies and economies around the world cannot be understated. Because an estimated 15% of COVID-19 patients require hospitalization and 5% require intensive care (Z. Wu and McGoogan 2020), the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has the potential of posing a substantial challenge to medical systems around the world (Remuzzi and Remuzzi 2020; Grasselli, Pesenti, and Cecconi 2020).
Necessity is the mother of invention. A need or problem encourages creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem. This saying appears in the dialogue Republic, by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato.
“Necessity is the mother of invention” is an English-language proverb. It means, roughly, that the primary driving force for most new inventions is a need. When the need for something becomes imperative, you are forced to find ways of getting or achieving it.
Here are some examples of sort of ingenuity we need now in the middle of pandemia. Already many people contributed those efforts. Check out on those links what is already done if you can find any useful information or can contribute to those efforts you see as good idea. Start your reserach with 7 open hardware projects working to solve COVID-19 article.
I have collected here a list of interesting open hardware project and instructions that can be useful or educational. Hopefully this list I have contributed here will be useful for someone. Keep in mind that many of those ideas are potentially dangerous if the instructions are not entirely correct, implemented exactly right and used by people that know what they are doing. You have been warned: Do not try those at home yourself! We are dealing here with things that can easily injure or kill someone if improperly implemented or used – but at right place the best ideas from those could potentially save lives.
Repairing hospital equipment
The right thing to do in his situation is that medical companies to release service manuals for ALL medical equipment so they can be repaired and maintained where they are most needed.
In the face of ventilator shortages for COVID-19 victims, iFixit is looking to make maintaining and repairing equipment as easy as possible. iFixit Launches Central Repository for Hospital Equipment Repair and Maintenance Manuals
https://www.ifixit.com/News/36354/help-us-crowdsource-repair-information-for-hospital-equipment
Site http://www.frankshospitalworkshop.com offers links many service manuals
Robotics
COVID-19 pandemic prompts more robot usage worldwide article tells that the coronavirus has increased interest in robots, drones, and artificial intelligence, even as some testing of autonomous vehicles pauses on public roads. It is believed that these technologies can help deal with massive staffing shortages in healthcare, manufacturing, and supply chains; the need for “social distancing;” and diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some robotics related links that could be useful:
Medical robotics expert Guang-Zhong Yang calls for a global effort to develop new types of robots for fighting infectious diseases.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/medical-robots/coronavirus-pandemic-call-to-action-robotics-community
Elements of Robotics Open Access Textbook
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-62533-1
Ventilators
A ventilator is a machine designed to provide mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. Ventilators are sometimes colloquially called “respirators”.
A ventilator, also called a respirator, is designed to provide mechanical ventilation by oxygen into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. The machines can be used to help a person breath if they have conditions making it difficult to breathe, such as lung diseases, during and post-surgery. For patients critically ill with coronavirus access to a ventilator could be a matter of life or death.
In its simplest form, a modern positive pressure ventilator consists of a compressible air reservoir or turbine, air and oxygen supplies, a set of valves and tubes, and a disposable or reusable “patient circuit”. Modern ventilators are electronically controlled by a small embedded system to allow exact adaptation of pressure and flow characteristics to an individual patient’s needs.
They work by placing a tube in a person’s mouth, nose or small cut in the throat and connect it to a ventilator machine. The air reservoir is pneumatically compressed several times a minute to deliver room-air, or in most cases, an air/oxygen mixture to the patient.
Because failure may result in death, mechanical ventilation systems are classified as a life-critical system, and precautions must be taken to ensure that they are highly reliable. Modern commercial ventilator is a relatively complex piece of equipment with lots of components and a dedicated supply chain.
Because there is a lack of ventilators on many hospitals in several countries, there has been a lot of creative work done to help this problem.
There has been projects going on to repair old and non-working ventilators to a working conditions. For repairing some older devices, there has been problem to get spare parts from the manufacturer and that those spare parts can be very expensive. Also getting the service information for repairing those equipment seems to be hard to get from manufacturer, Ifixit has started a project Help commit industrial espionage for the greater good! to get the service information on-line at https://www.ifixit.com/News/36354/help-us-crowdsource-repair-information-for-hospital-equipment
In middle of the emergency some people have worked on to make their own spare parts when official parts are not available, thus making more devices available. For example a startup 3D-printed emergency breathing valves for COVID-19 patients at an Italian hospital in less than 6 hours. An Italian hospital that ran out of life-saving equipment for coronavirus patients was saved by a ‘hero’ engineer who used cutting-edge technology to design oxygen valves within a matter of hours. At least 10 lives were saved in this way.
So great thinking for 3d printing of valves. Are they sterilized and suitable? 3D printing has been used in numerous cases for medical parts already. Most 3D printing operates at relatively high temperatures and printed objects are actually naturally sterilized when they are made. Anyway the right kind of plastic needs to be selected and the part needs to be built in exactly right way that is works reliably as designed. If they are used and the individual gets worse, does the fact that equipment not medical certified (environment, storage, shipping, etc) put the hospital in additional jeopardy for a lawsuit? All valid questions each medical liability officer will have to address. But if people are going to literally die if you do nothing, then taking a risk with a part that you 3D print seems like an idea that is worth to try.
Links:
A startup 3D-printed emergency breathing valves for COVID-19 patients at an Italian hospital in less than 6 hours
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-italian-hospital-3d-printed-breathing-valves-covid-19-patients-2020-3?r=US&IR=T
https://it.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-manca-la-valvola-per-uno-strumento-di-rianimazione-e-noi-la-stampiamo-in-3d-accade-nellospedale-di-chiari-brescia/
Firm ‘refuses to give blueprint’ for coronavirus equipment that could save lives
https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/16/firm-refuses-give-blueprint-coronavirus-equipment-save-lives-12403815/
3D printed life-saving valves: already a dozen in operation
https://www.embodi3d.com/blogs/entry/436-3d-printed-life-saving-valves-already-a-dozen-in-operation/
Volunteers produce 3D-printed valves for life-saving coronavirus treatments
Volunteers made the valves for about $1
https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/17/21184308/coronavirus-italy-medical-3d-print-valves-treatments
Another tried trick is try to use one ventilator with more than one patient. Daily Mail writes that ventilators can be modified to help FOUR coronavirus patients breathe at the same time if the NHS is still critically short of the machines when the outbreak peaks, scientists say. Here are some links to material on using one ventilator to more than one patient:
https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/split-ventilators/
SAVING 4 PATIENTS WITH JUST 1 VENTILATOR
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/19/saving-4-patients-with-just-1-ventilator/
Here has been work going on in creating an open source ventilator design project. Here are some links to this project and some other DIY ventilator designs.
There’s A Shortage Of Ventilators For Coronavirus Patients, So This International Group Invented An Open Source Alternative That’s Being Tested Next Week
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandrasternlicht/2020/03/18/theres-a-shortage-of-ventilators-for-coronavirus-patients-so-this-international-group-invented-an-open-source-alternative-thats-being-tested-next-week/
Open-source Oxygen Concentrator
https://reprapltd.com/open-source-oxygen-concentrator/
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/03/17/designing-a-low-cost-open-source-ventilator-with-arduino/
https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pandemic-Ventilator/
Macgyvilator Mk 1 (3-19-2020) – “ventilator” for disasters and/or low resource environments
Macgyvilator Mk 1 is a disaster “ventilator”, a simple apparatus to compress a bag-valve-mask with some control over tidal volume and rate. Constructed quickly and simply using wood, PVC, velcro, common fasteners, and easily sourced and assembled electronic components.
An Arduino based Open Source Ventilator to Fight against COVID-19?
https://www.cnx-software.com/2020/03/21/an-arduino-based-open-source-ventilator-to-fight-against-covid-19/
Low-Cost Open Source Ventilator or PAPR
https://github.com/jcl5m1/ventilator
Low-cost Ventilators
https://procrastineering.blogspot.com/2020/03/low-cost-ventilators.html
Arduino Respirator Prototype (pen source solution from Reesistencia Team, which is undergoing testing)
https://www.facebook.com/official.arduino/videos/2557115014604392/
OxyGEN project
https://oxygen.protofy.xyz
“OxyGEN is an open hardware project to build an emergency mechanism that automates an AMBU type manual ventilator in extreme shortage situations such as the one caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) in some parts of the world.”
NOTE: Take a look at the expression VILI before thinking about trying one of these. It is hard making a ventilator that doesn’t harm the lungs. It is easy to get Ventilator-associated lung injury or die if the ventilator does not work exactly correctly all the time.
Testing for infection
There are many approaches thought to be helpful to finding out if someone is infected or something is contaminated.
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever (it can take 2-10 days before infected people get the fewer).
Open-Source Collaboration Tackles COVID-19 Testing
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/10/open-source-collaboration-tackles-covid-19-testing/
Low-cost & Open-Source Covid19 Detection kits
https://app.jogl.io/project/118?
This Open Source Device Can Detect Coronavirus on Surfaces
The Chai team has developed a detection test that works with their Open qPCR tool.
https://www.hackster.io/news/this-open-source-device-can-detect-coronavirus-on-surfaces-3da1d7b1c73a
Prevent touching face
It is recommended to stop touching your face to minimize spread of coronavirus and other germs. People touch their faces frequently. They wipe their eyes, scratch their noses, bite their nails and twirl their mustaches.
Not touching your face is a simple way to protect yourself from COVID-19, but it’s not easy. If you can reduce face-touching, you can lower people’s chances of catching COVID-19. Why is it so hard to stop? Face-touching rewards us by relieving momentary discomforts like itches and muscle tension.
If you you want to change, you can try to replace it with a competing response that opposes the muscle movements needed to touch your face. When you feel the urge to touch your face, you can clench your fists, sit on your hands, press your palms onto the tops of your thighs or stretch your arms straight down at your sides. Some sources recommend object manipulation, in which you occupy your hands with something else. You can rub your fingertips, fiddle with a pen or squeeze a stress ball.
Related links:
This pair of Arduino glasses stops you from touching your face
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/03/10/this-pair-of-arduino-glasses-stops-you-from-touching-your-face/
Don’t Touch Your Face
Don’t touch your face — easy to say, hard to do. This device, worn like a watch, will buzz whenever your hand aims for trouble.
https://www.hackster.io/mike-rigsby/don-t-touch-your-face-e8eac3
Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a liquid or gel generally used to decrease infectious agents on the hands. It depends on the case if hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer is preferred. For Covid-19 WHO recommends to wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them thoroughly. Use alcohol-based handrub if you don’t have immediate access to soap and water.
It seems that there are many places where there is shortage of hand sanitizers. This has lead to situation where people have resorted to making their own. Recipes for DIY hand sanitizer are popping all over the internet. A quick search reveals news articles, YouTube how-to’s and step-by-step visual guides. But think twice about joining them — experts are wary and even caution against the idea. The World Health Organization even has an official guide to making hand sanitizer. But it’s intended for populations that do not have clean water or other medical-grade products in place. Don’t try to make your own hand sanitizer just because there’s a shortage from coronavirus.
Can’t get your hands on hand sanitizer? Make your own
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/hand-sanitizer-coronavirus-make-your-own/
Photos show why hand sanitizer doesn’t work as well as soap and water to remove germs
https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-photos-why-you-should-wash-hands-with-soap-water-2020-3?amp
Emergency DIY hand sanitizers (read the description)
“Every time a new health incident occurs there’s a rush on hand sanitizers, often causing shops to sell out.
Here’s how to make some simple emergency sanitizers at home, noting that they are not as effective as just washing your hands, and only some viruses can be damaged by simple sanitizers. These options are offered as a last resort when commercial versions are not available.”
“For the alcohol one the higher the percentage of alcohol the better, up to around 70-80%.”
Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer At Home When It’s Sold Out Everywhere
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2020/03/03/make-your-own-hand-sanitizer-at-home-when-its-sold-out-everywhere/
Sanitizing things
With deadly coronavirus spreading worldwide at an alarming speed, personal hygiene has become paramount importance to contain the infection spread further. Mobile phones are known to house several germ, and if you thing they are contaminated, you should maybe disinfect them. The CDC recommends that everyone “clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day” to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
How to Disinfect Your Smartphone article says CDC recommends that for your smartphone you should use 70% rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based disinfectant spray to wipe down the back and sides of your device. For example Apple recently updated its official cleaning advice, so ccording to Apple, it’s now safe to clean your iPhone with disinfecting wipes if you do it correctly. You should not try to spray any liquid to your phone.
The other option is to use a smartphone sanitizer device that cleans using UV rays. Sanitizers that use ultraviolet (UV) rays to kill bacteria and viruses have been around for a while now and they can kill 99% of bacteria in as little as five minutes. However its efficacy hasn’t been tested against nasties like SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Coronavirus effect: Samsung offers UV-C sanitizing service for Galaxy devices. Samsung is using Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) disinfection technology, which uses of uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivate bacteria, virus, molds and other pathogenic microorganisms on smartphones.
The UV-C light is capable of destroying nucleic acids and DNA. It will kill many things, but you don’t want that hitting your eye or skin. World Health Organization only states: “UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands, or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.”
Here are some UV C related links:
https://www.light-sources.com/blog/killing-bacteria-with-uv-light/
https://russellsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-gtl3-bulb-simple-and-inexpensive.html?m=1
Good UV versus bad UV. All available on eBay.
Protective masks
The protective mask ratings used by hospitals are typically N95, FFP2 or FFP3. FFP2 protection level is 94%. FFP3 protection level is 99%. N95 protection level is 95%. An N95 FFR is a type of respirator which removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles. N95 FFRs are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses. The N95 mask is mainly for use if you already have the virus to keep it from spreading and many have argued that coronavirus is smaller than the 0.3 micron filter rating of the mask and thus, not that helpful, for people outside of healthcare. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General wants consumers to stop buying masks.
Due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, there has been a huge shortage of N95 masks. Promoting simple do-it-yourself masks: an urgent intervention for COVID-19 mitigation claims that widespread use of masks by the general population could be an effective strategy for slowing down the spread of COVID-19: “Since surgical masks might not become available in sufficient numbers quickly enough for general use and sufficient compliance with wearing surgical masks might not be possible everywhere, we argue that simple do-it-yourself designs or commercially available cloth masks could reduce the spread of infection at minimal costs to society”.
With masks sold out during the coronavirus outbreak, many people will have to make do with what some scientists have called “the last resort”: the DIY mask. Many people have been working on designs for a DIY mask that may be able to protect those who haven’t been able to secure their own masks. It seems that cotton homemade masks may be quite effective as alternatives and there are also other ideas. For any DIY ideas, be warned that there is no guarantee that those designs are effective. So I don’t recommend to use them as alternative to proper mask when they are available. Bit of proper marks are not available, they can be better than nothing.
Keep in mind the right filter type to use: Hepa filters do have the ability to filter particles and viruses, but they wont protect you 100% of the time. The real secret is layers. The problem is, more layers, more restriction. Keep in mind that charcoal filters will make your air fresher, but have almost no effect on cleaning the air of viruses. Coronavirus virions (or ‘particles’) are spherical particles with diameters of approximately 125 nm (0.125 microns). The smallest particles are 0.06 microns, and the largest are 0.14 microns. This means coronavirus particles are smaller than PM2.5 particles, but bigger than some dust particles and gases.
General information:
Guide to Dust Mask Ratings
https://www.seton.co.uk/your-guide-to-dust-masks-ratings
Can Masks Protect People from The Coronavirus?
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/coronavirus-pollution-masks-n95-surgical-mask/
Hengityksensuojaimet
https://www.tays.fi/fi-FI/Ohjeet/Infektioiden_torjunta/Mikrobikohtaiset_ohjeet/Hengityksensuojaimet(51207)
DIY project links:
Homemade N95 Masks In A Time Of Shortage
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/18/homemade-n95-masks-in-a-time-of-shortage/
“According to a studied performed at Cambridge University during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, while surgical masks perform the best at capturing Bacillus atrophaeus bacteria (0.93-1.25 microns) and Bacteriophage MS virus (0.023 microns), vacuum cleaner bags, tea towels, and cotton T-shirts were not too far behind. The coronavirus is 0.1-0.2 microns, well within the range for the results of the tests.”
What Are The Best Materials for Making DIY Masks?
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
“Data shows that DIY and homemade masks are effective at capturing viruses. But if forced to make our own mask, what material is best suited to make a mask? As the coronavirus spread around China, netizens reported making masks with tissue paper, kitchen towels, cotton clothing, and even oranges!”
Can DIY Masks Protect Us from Coronavirus?
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/diy-homemade-mask-protect-virus-coronavirus/
“DIY masks to protect against from viruses sounds like a crazy idea. Data shows masks work incredibly well, and they’re also really cheap. Surgical masks cost a few pennies, and they’re capable of filtering out 80% of particles down to 0.007 microns (14 times smaller than the coronavirus).”
“The homemade cotton masks captured 50% of 0.02-1 micron particles, compared with 80% for the surgical mask. Although the surgical masks captured 30% more particles, the cotton masks did surprisingly well. The researchers concluded that homemade masks would be better than nothing.”
“The Cambridge data shows that homemade masks made using cotton t-shirts can filter out some particles that are 0.02–1 microns in size. That’s pretty good, however its only one test.”
Professional and Home-Made Face Masks Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Infections among the General Population
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440799/
Can Masks Protect People from The Coronavirus?
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/coronavirus-pollution-masks-n95-surgical-mask/
This old hack doesn’t require any cutting or sewing:
http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2005/11/how-to-make-ninja-mask-out-of-t-shirt.html
Copper 3D makes the free N95 mask design to fight COVID-19 pandemic spread
https://3dprintingcenter.net/2020/03/18/copper-3d-makes-the-free-n95-mask-design-to-fight-covid-19-pandemic-spread/?fbclid=IwAR2iXJD5ybU8ReADakvCyDKsfzuRDOBEWxZ3ACCjZoz2dKNwvy07htUhon4
“Copper 3D – A Chilean manufacturer of innovative antibacterial filaments designed the own version of the popular N95 protective mask and prepared it perfectly optimized for 3D printing on desktop 3D printers of the FDM / FFF type. The project is released under an open-source license and has been simultaneously patent pending to prevent other entities from commercializing it.”
“Copper 3D team quickly got to work on developing the patent for a model similar to a standard N95 mask but with some peculiarities (Antiviral, Reusable, Modular, Washable, Recyclable, Low-Cost), which were completely designed in a digital environment so that it could be downloaded anywhere in the world and 3D printed with any FDM/FFF equipment, even a low cost one. The mask was called “NanoHack”.”
#HackThePandemic site offers the technical details of the N95 mask and download set of STL files for printing on own 3D printer
https://copper3d.com/HACKTHEPANDEMIC/
SaltMask
https://robots-everywhere.com/re_wiki/pub/web/Cookbook.SaltMask.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39956
“This is NOT a straight replacement for a N95 mask. In a real emergency it is recommended to combine a full face shield with a filter mask.”
Prusa Protective Face Shield – RC2
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/25857-prusa-protective-face-shield-rc1
“In a real emergency it is recommended to combine a full face shield with a filter mask.”
Promoting simple do-it-yourself masks: an urgent intervention for COVID-19 mitigation
https://medium.com/@matthiassamwald/promoting-simple-do-it-yourself-masks-an-urgent-intervention-for-covid-19-mitigation-14da4100f429
“Since surgical masks might not become available in sufficient numbers quickly enough for general use and sufficient compliance with wearing surgical masks might not be possible everywhere, we argue that simple do-it-yourself designs or commercially available cloth masks could reduce the spread of infection at minimal costs to society”
“Potentially, simply wrapping a suitable, large cloth around the face is easy to implement (Fig. 2), would arguably be more socially acceptable than surgical masks, and would be superior to a complete lack of face mask use.”
1,350 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apps that let people form virtual queues and assess the financial risk of a small business during COVID-19 were among the winners of IBM’s Call for Code challenge.
Coding for COVID-19: Contest Calls on Developers to Help Fight the Pandemic
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/software/coding-covid19-ibm-contest-calls-developers-pandemic
Tomi Engdahl says:
Formlabs gets FDA emergency use authorization for a 3D-printed ventilator conversion part
https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/04/formlabs-gets-fda-emergency-use-authorization-for-a-3d-printed-ventilator-conversion-part/?tpcc=ECFB2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded Formlabs an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a 3D-printed part designed to convert BiPAP machines designed for sleep apnea into much-needed ventilators. The offering was one of dozens of ventilators and accessories granted such authorization over the weekend.
The company plans to devote 150 3D printers at its Somerville, Mass. plant to producing the part, which it says it will then distribute to hospitals and local governments throughout the U.S.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA had only authorized a handful of EUAs over a 30-year period,” CEO Max Lobovsky said in a release. “Hospitals around the country can also use Formlabs’ printers to create these adapters locally under their own practice of medicine, meaning printing the adapters at scale in the hardest-hit areas is as easy as uploading a design and pressing print.”
Formlabs is one of a number of different 3D-printing companies springing into action amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Coding for COVID-19: Contest Calls on Developers to Help Fight the Pandemic
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/software/coding-covid19-ibm-contest-calls-developers-pandemic
Tomi Engdahl says:
3 Tips for Engineers to Work Remotely
https://www.designnews.com/design-hardware-software/3-tips-engineers-work-remotely/79351336562967?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=13093&elq_cid=876648
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way we work. Here’s how engineers can realign to the new realities of remote work with minimal disruption.
The current climate of the workforce is a rapidly changing one. Companies are grappling with a range of issues from supply chain bottlenecks to reduced consumer demand and, in some areas like medical devices, a strain in manufacturing. One of the most jarring adjustments, though, is the shift to a completely remote workforce.
1.) Go Beyond the Basics: Utilize Multi-faceted Collaboration
When channels of connection are limited to the virtual world, it’s important we over communicate, but do so with focused intent.
2.) Collaborate with Purpose
In an environment that introduces so much complexity into the product development process, strategic team collaboration offers one of the best ways to address obstacles of the modern product development landscape. Teams need to establish a common definition of success from the start – aligning on what they are building so they don’t waste any time. Whether your team is fully remote and running into roadblocks or just starting to make the shift, clarify expectations upfront.
3.) Embrace Downtime
It’s okay to consider delaying the introduction of a product.While undoubtedly engineers want to keep designing, building, and developing products, we’re also in an incredibly unique scenario where taking a pause can ensure better workflows once we’re back in the office.
If production has slowed or halted entirely, consider working on your backlog and taking time to look for an opportunity to up-level your process and tooling. Much like being cooped up in the house has allowed space to tackle projects we keep putting on the backburner, this moment of solace can open your teams to new ideas on how to be more agile in the design process going forward.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.cuidevices.com/supporting-medical-designs?utm_medium=paid-advertising&utm_source=design-news&utm_campaign=supporting-medical-designs&utm_content=newsletter-text&utm_term=supporting-medical-designs-organic-page&utm_campaigntype=company&utm_campaignid=43935.664224537&ADTRK=CUIDevices&elq_mid=13093&elq_cid=876648
Tomi Engdahl says:
This teen Girls Who Code alum organized 250+ people from around the world to 3D print PPE for frontline health care workers
https://www.facebook.com/1010847105623136/posts/3975224599185357/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Scientists are reducing the size and costs of medical microscopes to make it possible to use them more widely – including for remote diagnosis
‘Microscope on a chip’ could bring medical expertise to distant patients
https://horizon-magazine.eu/article/microscope-chip-could-bring-medical-expertise-distant-patients.html#utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=supermicroscope
Scientists are reducing the size and costs of medical microscopes to make it possible to use them more widely, and hook them up to experts able to diagnose an illness even from far away.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2020/04/UN-Developer-Programs-Covid19-Detect-and-Protect-Challenge?utm_campaign=SoMe%20promotion&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=News%20release:%20Hackster.io%20and%20UNDP%20Covid-19%20Detect%20%26%20Protect%20Challenge
Tomi Engdahl says:
Llama Antibodies Could Be Used To Help Combat Covid-19
https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/llama-antibodies-could-be-used-to-help-combat-covid19/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Paresh Dave / Reuters:
WHO plans to launch a COVID-19 symptom app globally this month and is considering a contact tracing feature, with the app’s open source code released on GitHub
WHO readies coronavirus app for checking symptoms, possibly contact tracing
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-who-apps/who-readies-coronavirus-app-for-checking-symptoms-possibly-contact-tracing-idUSKBN22K2QV
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to launch an app this month to enable people in under-resourced countries to assess whether they may have the novel coronavirus, and is considering a Bluetooth-based contact tracing feature too, an official told Reuters on Friday.
The app will ask people about their symptoms and offer guidance on whether they may have COVID-19, the potentially lethal illness caused by the coronavirus, said Bernardo Mariano, chief information officer for the WHO. Other information, such as how to get tested, will be personalized according to the user’s country.
Though the WHO will release a version on app stores globally, any government will be able to take the app’s underlying technology, add features and release its own version on app stores, Mariano said in a phone interview.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Be a Good Neighbor: Share Your Wi-Fi
With a few steps, you can help someone in need access your connection
https://onezero.medium.com/be-a-good-neighbor-share-your-wi-fi-59af959f2817
There’s something we can all do about these inequalities: open up our Wi-Fi to our communities to use for free by creating guest networks for anyone to access, similar to what you’d find at a local coffee shop. It’s an opportunity to be a good neighbor without leaving your home.
A couple of caveats: You’ll probably only want to do this if you have an unlimited data plan, and you should recognize that there may be security risks depending on how you set up your network. Sharing your connection without an unlimited plan could lead to overage fees. And using an open network could expose your data to bad actors.
Setting up a separate guest network should mitigate the risk to you personally, and putting a password on that network will protect users, too, as it will ensure their connections are encrypted. Almost every modern router supports this functionality, but it needs to be manually set up.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Halloween Costume Turned Positive Pressure Suit
https://hackaday.com/2020/05/09/halloween-costume-turned-positive-pressure-suit/
As a general rule, you probably shouldn’t be getting your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the party store. But these are exceptional times, and rather than potentially depriving medical professionals the equipment they so desperately need on the front lines, the team at [Robots Everywhere] has been looking into improvised PPE. We’re not sure things are at the point where you would need to don this DIY Positive Pressure Suit (PAPR), but it’s certainly an interesting look at what’s possible when you think outside the box.
At the most basic level, a PAPR is a mostly air-tight garment that is continuously pumped full of filtered air. As long as the pressure inside the suit is higher than outside, there’s no way airborne bacteria and viruses can get in without traveling through the filter first.
For this project, the folks at [Robots Everywhere] took an inflatable astronaut costume and replaced the dinky original air pump with a much larger 12 V unit designed for inflating air beds. Upgrading the pump not only increased the internal air pressure of the suit, but also made it easier to add a HEPA filter to the inlet.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Positive-Pressure-Suit-PAPR-From-Inflatable-Astron/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Homemade Masks In A Time Of Shortage
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/18/homemade-masks-in-a-time-of-shortage/
Due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, there has been a huge shortage of N95 masks. [Paddy Robertson] from Smart Air has been working on designs for a DIY mask that may be able to protect those who haven’t been able to secure their own masks. While there may be an abundance of memes around the various material people have been able to use to substitute for the filters, there is some very real science behind the sorts of materials that can effectively protect us from the virus.
What Are The Best Materials for Making DIY Masks?
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/05/10/help-us-throw-more-cycles-at-the-coronavirus-problem/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chen the DesignMaker’s face mask shuts when it senses people, then opens when you’re in a safe environment (or need a drink).
This automated mask closes when others are near
https://blog.arduino.cc/2020/05/11/this-automated-mask-closes-when-others-are-near/
Chen the DesignMaker decided to test this concept out with a servo-actuated mask, which features a hatch that actuates based on input from three PIR sensors and an Arduino Nano.
When the sensors pick up movement, the mask closes; and when they aren’t activated for a period of time, it opens again. Notably, the device doesn’t have any sort of cloth or other sealing materials inside, making it very much a proof-of-concept, not an effective medical device.
Tomi Engdahl says:
4 Inspiring Engineering Projects During the COVID-19 Lockdown
These projects demonstrate how engineers and businesses can innovate and help provide short-term solutions during the COVID-19 crisis.
https://www.designnews.com/electronics-test/4-inspiring-engineering-projects-during-covid-19-lockdown/61589962462844?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=13133&elq_cid=876648
Project #1 – Open Source Ventilator Projects
Project #2 – 3D Printed Masks
Project #3 – 3D Printed Face Shields
Project #4 – Online Learning for Embedded Engineers
Conclusions
While social distancing, it may feel like the only thing to do is watch television and just wait for this crisis to pass us by as the news continues to provide us with grim news. However, I hope that these project examples demonstrate how engineers and businesses are still innovating and helping to provide short-term solutions. The world at the moment has been tipped upside down, but I’m convinced that there is something every one of us can do, even if it is as simple as donating to a cause, printing a few masks, social distancing or even giving a neighbor a roll of toilet paper (sorry I couldn’t find any examples on how to 3D print toilet paper).
Tomi Engdahl says:
Open Source Ventilator: Schematic to Fully-Functional in Thirty Days with Altium 365 ®
On May 1, 2020, Altium 365 was released to the public, marking a historic day which represents an unprecedented shift in how electronics are designed and realized. With this cloud-based platform, design engineers can work from anywhere and connect with anyone–including all primary and secondary stakeholders. During the current health crisis, which has driven many to work remotely, this has never been more important or timely. To illustrate the power and ability of this solution, we interviewed Dugan Karnazes of Velocity Research who unexpectedly found himself on the front lines of the global ventilator shortage. (Karnazes) describes how Altium 365 made the realization of a fully-functioning ventilator in thirty days possible.
https://resources.altium.com/p/schematic-fully-functional-thirty-days-altium-365?utm_source=altiumdatabase&utm_medium=email&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRJNU5qSTJZamhtWTJFNCIsInQiOiJ1WTc2VHVscWFjeSs4S045ZG5BaW1IY1JcL3puUnplbnJsUExaS0h0OEJPZWVldEk0MnZER0JTamF0RmRTQWpCaEhUemo5UXd1QVZ1QnZcL241OUNUdlJIdzRDMFFGNVhiTEQwM0tXMnViR1wvYjVta2dVYzJac08xNmdaXC9cL2h0b3h4In0%3D
Albert says:
New surgical mask strap design that improves the material efficiency by 57%, comfort, function, and prevents from cutting into the back of doctors and nurses ears when wearing a mask for long periods of time.
Improved design prints in one-third of the time, and could fit at least twice as many on the print bed than the original mask strap adjuster.
https://g2innovation.co.uk/projects/improved-surgical-mask-strap-download
Free STL file to download.
Tomi Engdahl says:
VTT tutki: Kangasmaski saattaa suojata muita, mutta ei käyttäjää – maskin materiaalilla suuri vaikutus tehoon
https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11350430
VTT testasi kangasmaskit. Polyesteri on parempi materiaali kuin puuvilla.
VTT:n tuore testitutkimus (siirryt toiseen palveluun) osoitti, että kangasmaskin käyttäjä saa monikymmenkertainen annoksen virusta ammattisuojainta käyttävään ihmiseen verrattuna. Siksi kankainen kasvomaski ei suojaa käyttäjäänsä virukselta.
Kangasmaskin käyttötapa onkin päivastainen, selittää VTT:n tutkimusprofessori Ali Harlin. Kangasmaskin tärkein ominaisuus on suojata muita.
Maskit eivät edelleenkään poista ongelmaa, mutta ne vähentävät tartuttavuutta, sanoo Harlin.
– Kangasmaskit voivat olla lisäapu kun pyritään avaamaan yhteiskuntaa, ne eivät yksistään ole ratkaisu. Lisäksi tarvitaan joka tapauksessa hyvä käsihygienia, yleistä varovaisuutta ja ymmärrystä siitä, miten maskeja käytetään.
Kangasmaski ei suojaa käyttäjäänsä koronavirukselta, mutta voi suojata muita tartunnalta
https://www.vttresearch.com/fi/uutiset-ja-tarinat/kangasmaski-ei-suojaa-kayttajaansa-koronavirukselta-mutta-voi-suojata-muita
VTT käynnisti toukokuun alussa kokeet, jotta saataisiin tutkittua tietoa kangasmaskien käyttökelpoisuudesta koronaviruksen torjunnassa. Maskit tehtiin puuvilla- ja polyesterikankaista, eli helposti kotoa löytyvistä materiaaleista. Tutkimus osoitti, että kangasmaskien käyttäjä saa altistavissa oloissa monikymmenkertaisen annoksen viruksia ammattikäyttöön tarkoitetun hengityssuojaimen käyttäjään verrattuna. Kangasmaskin tärkein vaikutus on, että sillä voi suojata lähiympäristöään tartunnalta. Se ei kuitenkaan suojaa maskin käyttäjää altistumasta viruksille.
VTT:n tutkimus osoittaa, että kankaiset kasvomaskit eivät toimi suojaimina. Niiden käyttö kuitenkin lyhentää pisaroiden lentomatkaa yskäisyn jälkeen, jolloin pisarat eivät saavuta helposti muita läsnäolijoita. Jollei pisaroita pysäytetä, ne lentävät muutaman metrin etäisyydelle. Pisaroita leviää myös, kun ihminen puhuu, huohottaa ja niistää. Kangas suun edessä hidastaa pisaroiden etenemistä, ja niiden lentomatka jää alle puolen metrin.
Kangasmaskien tärkein vaikutus on muiden suojaaminen.
Kangasmaski kerää tehokkaasti uloshengitettyjä mikrobeja. Siksi on tärkeää, että kangasmaski vaihdetaan puhtaaseen puolen tai vähintään tunnin välein ja maskit pestään käytön välillä tehokkaasti esimerkiksi valkopesuohjelmalla. On myös tärkeää valita sellainen maski, joka ei tukahduta tai haittaa hengitystä.
Parhaat saatavilla olevat suojaimet on valmistettu mikrokuidusta ja ne pystyvät suodattamaan alle 2,5 mikrometrin (millimetrin tuhannesosan) kokoisista partikkeleista jopa 70 %. Tavanomaiset vaatetuskankaat suodattavat alle 0,65-3,3 mikrometrin kokoisista partikkeleista 20-45 %, kun FFP2-suojain suodattaa 96 % ja FFP3 99 % jopa 0,35 mikrometrin partikkeleista. Tämä tarkoittaa, että kangasmaskien käyttäjä saa altistavissa oloissa monikymmenkertaisen annoksen viruksia ammattikäyttöön tarkoitettujen hengityssuojaimien käyttäjään verrattuna.
Polyesterimateriaali hylkii hyvin vettä. Testeissä se osoittautui puuvillamateriaalia tehokkaammaksi suodattamaan virushiukkasia.
Mikä on kangasmaski?
Kankainen kasvomaski voi tarkoittaa monta asiaa eikä sille ole standardeja. Tyypillisesti kangasmaskissa on päällekkäin kaksi puuvillakankaasta tehtyä kangaskerrosta.
Keskusteluissa hämmennystä aiheuttanut kiinalainen kansanmaski GB/T32610-2016 on tarkoitettu savusumulta ja katupölyltä suojautumiseen, eli hieman samaan tarkoitukseen kuin FFP1-hengityssuojain.
Tomi Engdahl says:
UVClean Is a DIY Handheld UV Sterilization Device to Stop the Spread of COVID-19
https://www.hackster.io/news/uvclean-is-a-diy-handheld-uv-sterilization-device-to-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19-11c3b8efd79b
UVC light kills coronavirus, which is why you might want to build this handheld UV sterilization device.
We’re constantly exposed to UVA and UVB light from the sun, but we’re protected from UVC by the ozone layer. That’s a good thing, because it would kill us. It also kills coronavirus, which is why you might want to build this handheld UV sterilization device.
A disclaimer is necessary here, because UVC light is very dangerous. Be sure that you’re wearing the appropriate protective equipment and never expose yourself or anything living to UVC light. You just want to expose surfaces to UVC light in order to kill coronavirus. UVC damages genetic material (DNA, RNA, and proteins), which halts cell reproduction. So you could, for instance, use this device to completely disinfect your smartphone screen or your door knobs. No residual radiation remains after the light is turned off, so the unit is only potentially dangerous when you’re actually using it.
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Ultraviolet-Sterilization-Device-UVClean/
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Ultraviolet Sterilization Device (UVClean) © GPL3+
Protect yourself from COVID-19 with this all new device! The UVClean emits UVC radiation that destroys the DNA of viruses and bacteria.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/henry-mayne/diy-ultraviolet-sterilization-device-uvclean-7d31b1
This is my ultraviolet sterilization device that can be used as either a wand, or as an automatic sterilization chamber. The device, called the UVClean, uses a special UVC bulb that can sterilize nonporous surfaces in a matter of minutes.
For a more detailed guide, check out my tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Ultraviolet-Sterilization-Device-UVClean/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Natasha Lomas / TechCrunch:
An overview of key challenges that need to be addressed to make Europe’s various COVID-19 contact tracing apps interoperable for cross-border travel — A major question mark attached to national coronavirus contact-tracing apps is whether they will function when citizens of one country travel to another.
How will Europe’s coronavirus contact-tracing apps work across borders?
https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/15/how-will-europes-coronavirus-contacts-tracing-apps-work-across-borders/
A major question mark attached to national coronavirus contact-tracing apps is whether they will function when citizens of one country travel to another. Or will people be asked to download and use multiple apps if they’re traveling across borders?
Having to use multiple apps when travelling would further complicate an unproven technology which seeks to repurpose standard smartphone components for estimating viral exposure — a task for which our mobile devices were never intended.
In Europe, where a number of countries are working on smartphone apps that use Bluetooth radios to try to automate some contact tracing by detecting device proximity, the interoperability challenge is particularly pressing, given the region is criss-crossed with borders. Although, in normal times, European Union citizens can all but forget they exist thanks to agreements intended to facilitate the free movement of EU people in the Schengen Area.
Currently, with many EU countries still in degrees of lockdown, there’s relatively little cross-border travel going on. But the European Commission has been focusing attention on supporting the tourism sector during the coronavirus crisis — proposing a tourism and transport package
Tomi Engdahl says:
Counterpoint: MIT scientists translate coronavirus protein structure into music
“It tricks our ear in the same way the virus tricks our cells.”
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/04/counterpoint-mit-scientists-translate-coronavirus-protein-structure-into-music/
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Ultraviolet Sterilization Device (UVClean) © GPL3+
Protect yourself from COVID-19 with this all new device! The UVClean emits UVC radiation that destroys the DNA of viruses and bacteria.
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/henry-mayne/diy-ultraviolet-sterilization-device-uvclean-7d31b1
Tomi Engdahl says:
Fake UV disinfection lamp from eBay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEVFKHiOfRs
Selling a fake sterilising light would be bad enough at any other time, but doing it during a global pandemic when people might try using it to sterilise things like face masks is just unscrupulous.
This appears to be a cheap near-UV disco light commonly sold on eBay in various colour options.
Of the three bands of UV, UVC is considered the germicidal one and there is little evidence to suggest that UVA or near UV (violet!) is effective against bacteria or viruses.
Real UVC LEDs are available, but due to the extreme nature of UVC they have a special construction based on metal and presumably quartz glass to protect the LED chip while allowing the UVC to shine through. The wavelength tends to be on the transition from UVB to UVC and because LEDs without phosphor tend to be a very specific single wavelength there are often visible LEDs used in the circuit so you are aware that the UVC LED is active, as otherwise it will be emitting light outwith the visible spectrum.
Tomi Engdahl says:
More fake UVC “sterilizing” lamps from China! (with schematic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqiVhtsMGWo
I like quack products, but when it goes into the realm of faking medical equipment during a global pandemic they may just be scraping the bottom of the barrel.
This is a “UVC” germicidal lamp with what appear to be 395nm near-UV LEDs. It’s built into a mechanic’s rechargeable work light, making me wonder if it had an original intended purpose as a coolant leak finder, or if they have just repurposed the case at short notice to bang out a fake medical product. I doubt this has any germicidal action at all.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Testing UVC lamps with a cheap UVA/UVB sensor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wibGVQpHCc
While I like test equipment, I don’t think I could justify spending £1000 on a UVC meter to test a £16 eBay disco light.
Instead I settled on an Adafruit UV sensing module with onboard amplifier, and a piece of glass.
I’d say the results are fairly decisive based on a conclusion extrapolated from current LED construction technology, visually perceivable wavelengths and the UV transmission of standard glass.
In short. Many of the eBay “germicidal” lamps are a rather cynical scam, especially in the current global situation.
But hey… We don’t call eBay China’s dumpster for nothing, and to be fair, it does make dangerous stuff available to the technically adventurous that simply wouldn’t be available from “normal” shops.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Has COVID-19 Created a Tipping Point in the MedTech Industry?
https://www.designnews.com/automation-motion-control/has-covid-19-created-tipping-point-medtech-industry/42343613263003?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=13199&elq_cid=876648
The pandemic has revealed that the medical device industry is still behind in technologies that allow them to respond to change, be agile, and quickly manufacture products at high quality.
As with any crisis, COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the need to respond to market demand for essential devices. For this event, this has been the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other emergency medical equipment. The sudden and urgent need for these has meant that other industries, including automotive and major electronics manufacturers such as Tesla, Ford, GM, Dyson and Apple, have stepped up to fill the demand for medical devices. With the right systems in place, however, could medical device plants have responded better to the pandemic?
Many MedTech plants are inefficient. They lack visibility through the whole production process and are limited in their ability to increase capacity or throughput. They cannot easily ramp up production, activate new lines or transfer production to other facilities while maintaining adequate control of quality. This makes it difficult for them to respond to a sudden change in market demand, such as that created by COVID-19. However, the technology is ready, available and proven for them to rectify this.
“Medical Device companies must leverage modern manufacturing and smart-sourcing technologies to enhance visibility, control and collaboration and drive resilience and agility across the value network, from raw material to the patient,” said Matlis.
Based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the I4.0 manufacturing model enables more efficient production, provides the agility required to quickly and easily customize products, facilitates faster new product introduction, and provides better quality assurance. Using low cost smart-sensors, I4.0 distributes intelligence throughout the plant(s), enabling materials, products and machines to negotiate with each other to improve availability and quality.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tech-Assisted COVID-19 Tracking Is Having Some Issues
https://www.securityweek.com/tech-assisted-covid-19-tracking-having-some-issues
Harnessing today’s technology to fight the coronavirus pandemic is turning out to be more complicated than it first appeared.
The first U.S. states that rolled out smartphone apps for tracing the contacts of COVID-19 patients are dealing with technical glitches and a general lack of interest by their residents. A second wave of tech-assisted pandemic surveillance tools is on its way, this time with the imprimatur of tech giants Apple and Google. But those face their own issues, among them potential accuracy problems and the fact that they won’t share any information with governments that could help track the spread of the illness.
Contact tracing is a pillar of infection control. It’s traditionally conducted by trained public health workers who interview those who may have been exposed, then urge them to get tested and isolate themselves. Some estimates call for as many as 300,000 U.S. workers to do the work effectively, but so far those efforts have lagged.
Other tech companies like Salesforce have offered database tools to assist manual tracing efforts, although those also raise privacy concerns because of the need to collect and store detailed information about people’s social connections, health status and whereabouts.
Privacy advocates warn that the danger of creating new government surveillance powers for the pandemic could lead to much bigger problems in the future. In a new policy paper shared with The Associated Press, the American Civil Liberties Union is warning state governments to tread more carefully and establish stricter privacy procedures before deploying technology meant to detect and curb new coronavirus outbreaks.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Finnish-developed, open-source coronavirus vaccine nearly ready for testing
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finnish-developed_open-source_coronavirus_vaccine_nearly_ready_for_testing/11342151
A Finnish team has developed a coronavirus vaccine for testing, but fears nags in production
Even though Finnish researchers have a promising vaccine that could be going into testing in about six weeks, there are serious concerns that once any effective vaccine is commercially available, supplies will be snapped up by the world’s biggest countries.
“I see it as a significant risk that we won’t get vaccine in time and in the quantities needed, rather we’ll find ourselves at the end of queue,” says Helsinki University Professor of Virology Kalle Saksela.
Saksela is one of a team of three Finnish professors who together are finalising development of a coronavirus vaccine nasal spray.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Estonia’s e-Health sector reacted to COVID-19: health startups raising investments, doctors making another decisive move towards digital
https://investinestonia.com/covid-19-e-health/
It is not a surprise that e-Health companies see their opportunity in the situation related to the global spread of COVID-19. And that startups from innovative countries, such as Estonia, are helping to move the medicine systems across the Globe online. Though every move needs to be calculated and steps in the field of medicine taken cautiously, there seems to be no way back to the times before.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Build a Cheap Telepresence Robot for Remote Work
https://www.hackster.io/news/build-a-cheap-telepresence-robot-for-remote-work-ec12a37b5b6d
If you’re working at home through quarantine, you may want to craft this cheap telepresence robot that you can move around on desks.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sharing Manufacturing IP Could Help Us Deal with COVID-19
https://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/devices/sharing-manufacturing-ip-could-help-us-deal-with-covid19
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sigfoximeter?
IoT Oximeter for Covid-19 © GPL3+
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/martin-cornu/iot-oximeter-for-covid-19-538346
Let’s make an autonomous IoT oximeter to check heart rate, oxygen saturation (spo2) and send it to the cloud over the Sigfox network!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Techdirt:
Despite qualms from some experts, Google and Apple’s exposure notification API enables the most privacy-respecting approach to contact tracing in history — Apple and Google have now released their update to their mobile operating systems to include a new capability for COVID-19 exposure notification.
The Case For Contact Tracing Apps Built On Apple And Google’s Exposure Notification System
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200520/10571644539/case-contact-tracing-apps-built-apple-googles-exposure-notification-system.shtml
Apple and Google have now released their update to their mobile operating systems to include a new capability for COVID-19 exposure notification. This new technology, which will support contact tracing apps developed by public health agencies, is technically impressive: it enables notifications of possible contact with COVID-positive individuals without leaking any sensitive personal data. The only data exchanged by users are rotating random keys (i.e., a unique 128-digit string of 0s and 1s) and encrypted metadata (i.e., the protocol version in use and transmitted power levels). Keys of infected individuals, but not their identities or their locations, are downloaded by the network upon a positive test with the approval of a government-sanctioned public health app.
Apple, Google release coronavirus-tracing software — but will it help?
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/20/apple-google-coronavirus-tracing-software-270687
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ultraviolet Germicidal Robot
A robot to disinfect public places and hospitals in a cost-effective way utilizing ultraviolet lights.
https://www.hackster.io/tharindu-liyanage/ultraviolet-germicidal-robot-e723c3
Tomi Engdahl says:
Swiss Startup Developing UV Disinfection Robot for Offices and Commercial Spaces
https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/rovenso-uv-disinfection-robot
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Better, Faster, Cheaper Test for COVID-19
https://spectrum.ieee.org/news-from-around-ieee/biomedical/diagnostics/a-better-faster-cheaper-test-for-covid19
Tomi Engdahl says:
No mask, no access.
COVID-19 – Authorized Entry Using Face Mask Detection
https://www.hackster.io/rahulkhanna/covid-19-authorized-entry-using-face-mask-detection-37ad77
The system is designed to detect unauthorized entry (face masks), that are essential to protect ourselves and to avoid spreading COVID-19.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/security/tracking-covid19-with-the-iot-may-put-your-privacy-at-risk
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://edri.org/covid-19-digital-rights-document-pool/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Elgood offers Luminus UV-A and UV-C LEDs even for disinfection of viruses
https://app.bwz.se/elgood/b/m/?l=84c00c8b-7622-4fd3-9891-e8f3c337429f&r=4848&rcrc=2491F702
Luminus UV-A and UV-C LEDs are ultra high-power and designed for demanding industrial, 3D Printing, curing, and healthcare and medical applications. A complete portfolio of multiple wavelength options, package options including SMT and Coreboard, and a power options from 3W to over 30 W of output power make Luminus UV LEDs the first choice for ultraviolet applications.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
● UV-A wavelengths: 365nm, 385nm, 395nm, 405nm and 420nm
● UV-C wavelength: 280nm
● UV-C disinfection power up to 60 mW
Tomi Engdahl says:
The #COVID19 pandemic has increased awareness of UV #disinfection, and the number of #LED-based germicidal lighting products being developed
Using LEDs for germicidal disinfection
https://www.edn.com/using-leds-for-germicidal-disinfection/?utm_content=buffera6ee2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=edn_facebook&utm_campaign=buffer
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the public’s awareness of UV disinfection, and that’s reflected in the growing number of LED-based products available on the market.
UV light is used to disinfect air, water, and surfaces, and the International Ultraviolet Light Association (IUVA) says it can help to mitigate the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
UV light is subdivided into several ranges (Figure 1). UV-A or blacklight, ranging from about 315 to 400 nm, is used for applications such as photostability testing, curing, light therapy, bug zappers, and tanning beds. Prolonged exposure to UV-A results in tanning and premature aging of the skin.
UV-B, with wavelengths ranging from 280 to 315 nm, is dangerous in that prolonged exposure has been associated with skin cancer, skin aging, and cataracts. Commercial applications include curing and light therapy in medicine.
Wavelengths in the range of 200 to 280 nm are classified as UV-C. This band of UV is not associated with skin cancer because photons do not penetrate very deeply into skin, but according to IUVA, exposure can cause severe burn-like discomfort to the skin and damage to the retina of the eye. UV-C photons also interact with the RNA and DNA molecules in microorganisms, effectively destroying them. Mercury vapor lamps emitting UV-C have been used for disinfection for decades, but, as is the case with other forms of lighting, there has been a transition to products that use LED light sources.
Health experts believe that the primary transmission mode for COVID-19 is through contact with respiratory droplets either in the air or on surfaces. LED-based germicidal disinfection products currently available are geared toward surface disinfection, with more sophisticated air disinfection systems most likely available soon
An initial concern with the shift to LEDs was the apparent lower life compared to the incumbent mercury vapor lamps.
LED products can achieve full output levels almost instantaneously. Further, unlike mercury vapor lamps, LED-based products are able to provide only the wavelengths required for optimal results without wasting energy in the form of ineffective wavelengths.
Another concern for germicidal lighting products in general is product safety and performance claims verification.
In addition to products that employ UV for disinfection, a relatively new line of products is appearing, referred to as “visible light disinfection” (VLD). These products use LEDs emitting in indigo (blue-violet) wavelengths that are safe for prolonged human exposure, enabling continuous elimination of bacteria sensitive to these wavelengths.
VLD products are typically installed as part of the permanent lighting implementation in a space, sometimes combined with a white light source used for general illumination. It’s important to note that VLD disinfection is not effective against all bacteria and completely ineffective against viruses.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/uv-c-leds-disinfect-and-purify/
https://www.edn.com/addressing-design-issues-when-working-with-uvc-leds/
Tomi Engdahl says:
How Online Learning Kept Higher Ed Open During the Coronavirus Crisis
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/at-work/education/how-online-learning-kept-higher-ed-open-during-the-coronavirus-crisis
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Secret Algorithm Is Deciding Who Will Die in America
Decisions on reopening should involve public data and debate.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-05-07/coronavirus-don-t-let-a-secret-algorithm-decide-who-will-die
Tomi Engdahl says:
Masks: Everything you need to know but might be too afraid to ask
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/masks-covid-questions-answered-1.5580645
From non-medical mask materials to beards and everything in between, here’s what you’re asking about masks.
Health officials are recommending you wear a mask in public as an added layer of protection against COVID-19. Many people have been making their own masks at home.
We’ve received more than 1,000 questions about masks from Canadians, and some inquiries show that many of you are just straight-up confused about wearing them.
With the country reopening, and Canadian public health officials now recommending the use of masks in public, we took your most common or curious questions to the experts.
What’s the point of wearing a non-medical mask?
Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam says masks can “add a layer of protection” in situations where physical distancing is impossible, but that protection is only for the people around you.
The hope is that the mask stops some of your droplets from reaching the air — and could stop them from contaminating surfaces and people.
But Furness cautions that there are no comprehensive studies on the efficacy of cloth masks, and they “aren’t a guarantee of anything.”
If cloth masks can stop stuff from getting out, can they stop stuff from getting in?
“Maybe a little bit. Maybe not,”
“We don’t really know,” he said. “It might slightly reduce one’s risk [of exposure], but I can’t look you in the eye and tell you if it does and by how much.”
Furness agreed. He said masks are probably helping “a bit … but the research is really thin,” especially considering all the different kinds of materials that people are using to make masks.
“There is a temptation and a risk to feel safer when you wear your mask,” Furness said. “But you’re not. There is no substitute for physical distancing.”
Is there any material that’s better or worse for a cloth mask?
According to Health Canada, non-medical face masks or face coverings should be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric, such as cotton or linen.
Knit materials — such as the kind used in most T-shirts — are stretchable, and small holes open in the knit. That’s why woven fabrics are considered more effective.
The masks should allow for easy breathing; be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment; and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping, according to Health Canada.
a simple way to tell if your mask is thick enough is by using what he called the “window test.”
“If you can hold the material of the mask to a window — hopefully, with the sunshine outside — and it’s not translucent and pretty opaque, it will at least do the job in a general sense,” he said.
A more recent study by researchers in the United States found a layer of tightly woven cotton with two layers of polyester-based chiffon, cotton-polyester flannel or silk worked well.
It is “hard to comment on the ability of [cloth] masks to filter,” because unlike medical masks, homemade masks don’t require any standards approval
Should I use a filter in my cloth mask?
Health Canada says adding a filter to your homemade cloth mask, “such as a paper towel or disposable coffee filter,” can provide an “increased benefit.”
But Njoo said that people should be very cautious in making filters from materials they find in their homes.
“Certain materials and filters [may be] impregnated with chemicals,” Njoo said. “That could be a risk to the wearer because they could be inhaling toxic substances.”
He said the general public shouldn’t get “too complicated” with filters for now. Innovators and scientists will likely come up with different recommendations, he said.
just because something in your house is called a “filter,” it doesn’t mean it will filter out the virus
I have facial hair. Do I have to shave to make my mask effective?
If you have a fitted medical mask, such as an N95, having a seal that isn’t inhibited by facial hair is very important.
But a cloth mask, Furness said, doesn’t create that same seal — so whether or not you have facial hair doesn’t actually matter.
“If you have a beard, it’s not going to matter either way. No one’s pretending there’s a seal there,” he said.
Bogoch said the goal with cloth masks is to reduce the amount of virus shedding from people to the area around them.
What if I have to sneeze or cough when I’m wearing my mask?
In short: Do it into your mask — and into the crook of your arm. The mask’s whole purpose is to try and stop some of the droplets spewing from your mouth and nose.
After you’ve sneezed or coughed into your mask, you should “swap it for another one,” said Furness.
You could also use a tissue or Kleenex underneath your mask
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is there any danger in wearing a mask?
Actually, there can be.
If people are wearing masks for extended periods of time without properly cleaning them, Furness said, a bacterial biofilm can build up on the outside layer of your mask.
“If 30 million Canadians are wearing a cloth mask all day long, you’ll see a noticeable spike in bacterial lung infections in a month or so,” he said. “Especially because many people wearing them are often immunocompromised.
“Think about it: our bodies are not designed to have a dirty cloth in front of our mouth all day.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/masks-covid-questions-answered-1.5580645
Tomi Engdahl says:
With the onset of COVID-19 across the globe, one thing has become very clear. The ways in which we interact with not only people but also with other machines and devices will need to advance quickly to meet the needs for humanity. Product user interfaces will need to evolve to implement touchless interfaces. Touch interfaces and industrial designs will move toward simple and easy to clean setups to alleviate the hassle of cleaning buttons, keypads and complex inputs.
The good news is that much of this technology already exists today. Even better is that you do not need a supercomputer or scalar cloud computing setup to implement many of these contactless human machine interface designs
Tomi Engdahl says:
Elise Favis / Washington Post:
Chicago-based game studio Level Ex is updating two titles, widely-used by medical professionals to hone their skills, to include COVID-19 content
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/05/22/new-mobile-games-provide-unique-approach-medical-professionals-coronavirus-fight/