Throughout the increasing need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) due to the Coronavirus pandemic or COVID-19, CIMEDs (Center for Innovation of Medical Equipments and Devices), the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada, made a prototype of face protection. This face protection prototype intends for medical personnel who deal directly with patients.
Head of the CIMEDs Research Team, Dr. Suyitno, ST., M.Sc., said that this face shield is needed to protect medical personnel from splashes of fluid and breath directly from patients with Covid-19. This prototype is also useful for workers who deal directly with goods that are harmful to the body, especially the face.
“The face shields from CIMEDs are designed by following the description and specification instructions in Personal protective equipment for use in a filovirus disease outbreak published by the World Health Organization,” Suyitno said at the UGM Faculty of Engineering Campus on Tuesday (24/3).
Referring to the WHO standard description, Suyitno explained that prototypes by CIMEDs made from clear plastic seen for both the user and the patient. Also, the face shield uses a strap or band which has an adjustable size of the head and comfortable on the forehead.
Suyitno said that this prototype would be better if it created to be anti-fog and able to cover the whole side and along the face.
“That way, it is possible to use it again if the material used is durable and people can clean it to reuse it, but it can also use only once,” he said.
Up to now, there are 75 prototypes. This product has tested for medical staff with some input comments for improvement.
“We have made some improvements. This prototype will certainly distribute to medical personnel who need it now. If later, there are many demands, we will attempt to restock through donors. This condition is only to replace the cost of materials and tools, “he said.
Suyitno added that CIMEDs is a Center for Excellence in Higher Education Science and Technology (PUI PT) and is under the Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University. In its activities, CIMEDs supported by researchers from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (DTMI), UGM’s Faculty of Engineering (FT), and researchers from the UGM Faculty of Public Health and Nursing (FKKMK).
“We, CIMEDs in various research activities, are indeed the focus of their research for such devices, namely on the development of medical devices and devices,” he added.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Translator: Natasa A