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Whatever you think of the current situation on this global pandemic, there are a few things that inspire me. The selfless work that health services employees and care workers give on the front line isn't lost on me, they are placing themselves in harm's way on a daily basis and face a potentially long road ahead before this virus is under control.
Also, from an engineering perspective there a lot of initiatives taking shape, again, selfless acts which hope to help and those on the front line and also, those patients who are now in dire need of medical intervention due to contracting this disease.
The 'Charlotte' valve allows Easybreath snorkelling equipment to be connected to ventilators for non-invasive masks. (Image credit: Protolabs).
The Italian company Isinnova have worked with Decathlon to create the Charlotte valve, taking the original CAD drawing for the Easybreath masks, they have produced a 3D printable conversion valve which can easily be fitted to create the non-invasion ventilator mask.
The Charlotte valve is already in Italy and having a positive impact, and elsewhere around the world, the design has been downloaded over a million times already. Find out more here, includes the link for the download file
Its gaining momentum, in Spain the Madrid Police have asked the public for donations of full-face snorkel masks to help fight the country’s fight against the disease. More info here
Here in the UK, Protolabs is building these valves for the ventilator mask project using its 3D printing expertise and capability. The company based in Telford has used its expertise to produce the Charlotte valve.
Bjoern Klaas, vice-president and managing director of Protolabs Europe says “We’re currently working on a number of customer projects that are critical to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.” More info here
Stay safe Harryo1