Product/Service Development

To scale up specialized training and technology provision for reliable anesthesia to improve surgical and obstetric care

Highlight colorizes standard bleach solutions to allow visualization of disinfected regions, and gives bleach the ability to fully cover and adhere to all surfaces. The color is designed to fade after 15 minutes to indicate when decontamination is complete and prevents staining of reusable materials. While the bleach spray recommended by the WHO disinfection protocol is widely used, it is difficult to guarantee complete coverage on contaminated surfaces. Bleach is transparent and fails to stick to waterproof materials like PPE suits, leaving healthcare workers susceptible to infection.

State-of-the-art, easy-to-assemble decontamination chambers from TOMI Environmental Solutions can decontaminate health care workers and equipment in less than 3 minutes to a level of 99.9999% without the use of hazardous chemicals. The bleach solutions typically used by health care workers in West Africa must remain wet on the surface for 10 minutes to be effective, but high temperatures and humidity in these environments can cause the bleach products to dry and evaporate before this required time can be achieved.

SPR Advanced Technologies, Inc. has developed a novel, ground-breaking solution to the problem of surface contamination on PPE materials and surfaces used in the medical care and treatment of infected individuals (such as hospital beds, table surfaces, electronic tablets, smart phones, etc.). The SPR "Barrier Technology" is a long-lasting, spray-on barrier that creates electro-static fields that kill and repel microbes on treated surfaces.

The PPE for healthcare workers (HCWs) was redesigned to allow for faster and more efficient doffing or removal. This team is developing three distinct products. First generation products include a fast-doffing coverall and a hood with increased visibility. The second generation combines the two products into a single suit. HCWs will be able to remove their suits in a fraction of the time needed for existing PPE, significantly reducing the risk of infection. They are also looking to incorporate cooling features to allow for increased time inside the suit and increased comfort.

This re-engineered protective suit for health care workers is designed be more breathable while still providing leak-free barrier protection, improved hood design and easier doffing/removal. This partnership brings together top experts in personal protective equipment, leading researchers in materials science and a PPE manufacturer. The garment utilizes proven viral penetration resistance material that also offers high levels of moisture vapor transport for breathability. A miniature fan-based suit air exchange system is also being investigated as a possible feature.

These modular and rapidly deployable treatment units use ultra-efficient building envelope technology to moderate the temperature of the unit and simplify decontamination efforts – enabling safer and more comfortable conditions for health care workers and patients. Designed to overcome the challenges that traditional “soft-shell” facilities (tents) face, this hard-shell unit features improved thermal efficiency, super-insulation, a design that facilitates easy cleaning, and interior surfaces and fixtures constructed from “direct contact kill” anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral materials.

The Emergency ‘Smart’ Pod serves as a scalable, portable Ebola treatment unit. The ESP also provides training and process pathways, controlled access-entry, as well as patient and supply tracking systems. Other features include contained waste disposal and disinfection systems, air conditioning, HEPA filtration and the ability to connect multiple pods to increase bed volume. The ESP also has a suite of “smart” apps and pathways to facilitate clinical quality and efficiency.

This redesigned Ebola treatment tent aims to substantially improve working conditions for health care workers through its ergonomic design, which allows for a significant increase in airflow and decrease in ambient temperatures. A team of students and faculty led by Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health (MakSPH), teamed up with those from the College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology (CEDAT) to design the next generation tent for humanitarian interventions.

Shift Labs’ low-cost, battery-powered infusion monitor delivers IV fluids with precision to patients, eliminating the risk of fluid overload. Fluids administered too aggressively can be harmful to patients, especially young children and patients with conditions that predispose them to fluid overload. Hydration is critical for Ebola patient survival and without consistent electricity in many treatment environments it becomes difficult to use more advanced infusion monitors and fluid tracking becomes complicated and time consuming.