Nanomaterials can be used to increase the performance and safety of PPE, such as air filters and masks. They may be used to not only capture aerosol droplets but also inactivate the virus upon contact with the surfaces of PPE. 

Opportunities for nanotechnology-based solutions to increase the efficiency and safety of air filter and mask devices include (i) improving particle capture and retention characteristics, particularly, in the 300 nm diameter size range; (ii) reducing the effects of exhaled humid air on particle redistribution; (iii) rapid inactivation of membrane-bound microbes including enveloped viruses upon capture; and (iv) thin, high-efficiency filtration media for personal masks that are able to be reused repeatedly without loss of efficiency (e.g., novel electrospun nanofibers). 


Nanomaterials for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management by Country

The normal PPE supply chain process is usually the sourcing teams choosing 2-3 large-scale distributors. The supplies from the distributors are delivered weekly. The distributors usually purchase directly from the manufacturer or third parties. In the U.S., PPE production is limited with more than 70% of PPE produced in China. Due to the spike of demand, distributors cannot acquire PPE to meet the demands. 
- Why aren't distributors purchasing more PPE?
- The Department of Health and Human Services' Strategic National Stockplie
- Negative consequences of PPE shortage
- What should be done?

PPE Supply Chains 

- Face Masks
- Face Shields
-Environmental Precautions
- Gloves

Types of PPE

In the absence of certain effective controls, PPE has limited benefit. Such controls include:
- Administrative controls
- Environmental and engineering controls

Management of Personal Protective Equipment


- Minimize the need for PPE in health care settings
- Ensure rational and appropriate use of PPE
- Coordinate PPE supply chain management mechanisms.


Optimizing the availability of PPE 

According to the CDC, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used every day by healthcare personnel (HCP) to protect themselves, patients, and others when providing care. PPE helps protect HCP from many hazards encountered in healthcare facilities. However, the sudden surge in cases has lead to a spike in the demand for PPEs, leading to shortages all around the world.

Smith College

Medical devices encompass essentially all health care products that do not mainly use chemical (pharmaceutical) or biological (vaccines) approaches to diagnose, monitor, and treat patients with COVID-19. Examples include medical imaging, implants, bionics/artificial organs, and biomedical sensors.

- Medical Ventilators for COVID-19

- Medical Ventilator Alternatives for COVID-19

- Biosenors for COVID-19

- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19

- CT imaging for COVID-19

- Prophylactic Dressings for COVID-19

- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Devices for COVID-19

Medical Devices for COVID-19

Biomedical Engineering involves designing equipment to aid in the treatment of medical conditions.

Prevention with Biomedical Engineering

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Centers for Disease control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ventilators supply air/oxygen mixture to coronavirus patients suffering from various levels of lung damage due to COVID-19. Existing ventilators vary in their designs and uses.

Medical Ventilators for COVID-19

Due to ventilator shortages across the nation, biomedical engineers have been developing more efficient designs for medical ventilators and investigating alternative solutions to deliver oxygen to COVID-19 patients experiencing respiratory failure.

- Ventilator Splitting Design Proposals

- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)


Medical Ventilator Alternatives for COVID-19

Biosensors for COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19

Imaging tests cannot be used as the only reliable diagnostic tool to detect infection due to its lack of sensitivity. However, it can be useful in medical settings with limited resources where the virus is prevalent.

- Chest Radiograph
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography

Radiographics Test / CT Imaging for COVID-19

The weight of the head is held up by the head; however COVID-19 patients placed in a prone position may experience pressure ulcers resulting from prolonged exposure/contact of the surface with the skin. Prophylactic dressing is a multi-layered silicone foam dressing which can be applied to the resting surface to relieve the stress and strain of the body weight on the soft tissue. This reduces the chances of a pressure ulcer especially for COVID-19 patients with low mobility. 

Prophylactic Dressings

- Journal of Pakistan Medical Association

- Lancet Respir Med

- Anaesthesia (Journal of Association of Anaesthetists)

- ACS Nano

- Radiology

- International Wound Journal

- World Health Organization

- JAMA Health Forum

Medical Devices for COVID-19 References by Journal/Organization

CPAP devices deliver positive pressure in each cycle of respiration. The pressure facilitates the alveoli to remain open during exhalation, which is very helpful for oxygenation and easy breathing. The device is properly suited for the initial treatment patients having mild respiratory problems. 

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