A novel box for aerosol and droplet guarding and evacuation in respiratory infection (BADGER) for COVID-19 and future outbreaks

Hau D. Le,Adam Weinstein,Kevin C. Janek,Gordon A. Novak,Khang N. Huynh,Chris Myer,Erick L. Oberstar,Timothy H. Bertram,Jim Rasmussen,Jesse Wang

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82675-6

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide as of December 2020. Healthcare providers are at increased risk of infection when caring for patients with COVID-19. The mechanism of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is beginning to emerge as airborne spread in addition to direct droplet and indirect contact as main routes of transmission. Here, we report on the design, construction, and testing of the BADGER (Box for Aerosol and Droplet Guarding and Evacuation in Respiratory Infection), an affordable, scalable device that contains droplets and aerosol particles, thus minimizing the risk of infection to healthcare providers. A semi-sealed environment is created inside the BADGER, which is placed over the head of the patient and maintains at least 12-air changes per hour using in-wall vacuum suction. Multiple hand-ports enable healthcare providers to perform essential tasks on a patient’s airway and head. Overall, the BADGER has the potential to contain large droplets and small airborne particles as demonstrated by simulated qualitative and quantitative assessments to provide an additional layer of protection for healthcare providers treating COVID-19 and future respiratory contagions.

Highlights

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 78 million people worldwide and caused more than 1.7 million deaths by December 2 0201
It is thought that viral respiratory infections such as COVID-19 are spread by direct and indirect droplet contact[6]
There is growing evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus are spread by airborne transmission, similar to SARS-CoV-1 (Fig. 1a)[7,8,9,10,11,12]

Summary

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 78 million people worldwide and caused more than 1.7 million deaths by December 2 0201. Faced with the likely risk of airborne transmission and lack of proper protection, many health care professionals have developed their own equipment and guidelines to protect themselves from infection when working with p atients[22,23]. Existing devices such as the “intubations shield” (Fig. 1b) are limited to a physical barrier of protection, as there are currently no strategies. That provide protection from aerosol particles generated by a patient’s coughs and sneezes and by high-risk procedures performed by healthcare p roviders[22]. In the face of great urgency and severe risk, we have designed, constructed and tested the effectiveness of an affordable, scalable Box for Aerosol and Droplet Guarding and Evacuation in Respiratory infection (BADGER) to contain both droplets and aerosol particles (Fig. 1c)

Methods

Results

Conclusion