Duke spine surgeon repurposes surgical helmets into respirators

Spine

Spine surgeon Melissa Erickson, MD, recently devised a plan to remodel surgical helmets used in  joint replacement procedures into respirators for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients, WRAL Tech Wire reports.

Three things to know:

1. An engineering team at Duke University in Durham, N.C., used 3D-printed parts to reconstruct the helmets into a powered air purifying respirator.

2. The re-designed PAPR system was tested by Precision Air Technology, a high-efficiency particulate air certification company, before care providers began using it.

3. The engineering team created more than a dozen additional helmets for Duke Health and made the design available for others to 3D-print their own PAPRs.

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