URGENT - Emergency BiPAP COVID19: BrooklynST Valve-Snorkel Mask Combo:

 

Snorkel Mask – Ocean Reef Group

BrooklynST Valve – Designed by:

Salvatore Tatta, Director Clinical Engineering Service VA Bronx and Will Haude, co-founder 3D Brooklyn

 

Emergency use of a Full-Face Snorkel mask and a valve called the BrooklynST valve in combination; in a closed loop circuit so that non-invasive BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) ventilators can be used as the FIRST LINE of TREATMENT WITH LESS INTENSIVE RESPIRATORY SUPPORT for patients with respiratory issues due to COVID19.

 

Recent data, as of April 11, indicates that 80-85% of patients place on Intensive Care (ICU) ventilators-with full intubation, as recommended by industry Respiratory care practices (reference ECRI Ventilator Selection Sequence) might be the root of the problem attributing to so many deaths in COVID19 patients in respiratory distress.

 

This BrooklynST valve and snorkel combination solution allows for a closed loop circuit design in one 3D printed device to be used with standard size 22mm bacterial, viral or HEPA filters on both the inhalation port and exhalation port on either a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) devices or C-PAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices.  Having air filters on the exhalation port and a full-face sealable snorkel mask PROTECTS healthcare workers so that it mitigates the possibility of the COVID19 virus from entering the surrounding air and infect healthcare workers and place them in higher risk.

 

This approach instead, reference ECRI Ventilator Selection Sequence, Sequence#5 Non-Invasive with modified circuit for intubation and Sequence#6 Unmodified Non-Invasive ventilation (eg. BiPAP) could possibly be utilized as the FIRST LINE of TREATMENT WITH LESS INTENSIVE RESPIRATORY SUPPORT.

 

To my understanding, COVID19 research from China and Italy (https://www.isinnova.it/easy-covid19-eng/) have showed 50% of COVID19+ patients who used BiPAP/C-PAP units did not need an ICU ventilator.  This allows patients less critically ill to reserve ICU ventilators and other limitedly available devices listed in ECRI Ventilator Selection Sequence for more critically ill patients.

 

With the use of Intensive Care Ventilators possibly contributing to the mortality of COVID19 patients, a less intensive approach is ideal.

 

 

**BrooklynST Valve-Snorkel Mask Combo to be tested by VA Bronx staff for operation.