Adapters were 3D printed by Airbus engineers for diving masks used by doctors at the Pasteur clinic in Toulouse. - Pasteur Clinic

  • In line with what happened in Italy, an adaptation of Decathlon diving masks for caregivers is underway.
  • Airbus employees participated in the creation of an adapter that allows the installation of an air filter.
  • Tested by the volunteer doctors of the Pasteur clinic, it is developed within the framework of a French consortium in which we find notably Decathlon.

It's a very small part, printed in 3D, but which makes all the difference. For the past few days, anesthesiologists at the Pasteur clinic in Toulouse have been testing the Decathlon snorkeling mask during the intubation and extubation of patients with Covid-19.

To adapt this equipment and make it airtight to all polluted air, they called on Airbus engineers. It was necessary to develop an adapter to replace the integrated tuba of the famous Easybreath with antiviral filters, inspired by what had been achieved by an Italian start-up at the request of a doctor from the region of Brescia. And when it comes to small parts and innovations, we know a lot about them from the European aircraft manufacturer.

Used during intubation

“We met a team from the Pasteur clinic to understand their needs and show them our prototype adapter. And after validation, we did not hesitate to help them by producing these parts in 3D printing thanks to the collaboration with Artilect Fablab in Toulouse and local makers ", explains Vanessa Crespo, R & T Airbus propulsion engineer and member of Airbus Humanity Lab, a humanitarian association.

@decathlon has given us 150 masks which will serve to protect our caregivers with the addition of 3D printed parts by @airbus and its Humanity Lab and @fablab_toulouse. Tested and validated by our anesthesiologists! A big thank you to these organizations for their precious help! pic.twitter.com/CtHoHFxUBo

- PASTEUR Toulouse Clinic (@cliniquepasteur) April 16, 2020

Pending official approval by the health authorities, this new mask has been tested and approved by volunteer doctors at the Toulouse clinic.

“This mask, as it exists, protects the face, but not the air we breathe. However, we are on the front line, especially during intubation maneuvers where the viral load is very high. It was therefore necessary to have filters which isolate the practitioners from the polluted air, so that these acts can be carried out safely, whether for the patient or for us. We tested them, and it works very well, ”says Madeleine Croute-Bayle, anesthesiologist-resuscitator.

A project for patients

“Comfortable” masks, which are used for the time being during the procedures most at risk of intubation and extubation. A work carried out by the teams of Airbus Humanity Lab within the framework of a larger consortium within which we find in particular Decathlon, hospitals, CNRS or even Stanford University. It enabled the launch this week of industrial production of the adapter, 25,000 of which will be sent to the healthcare establishments to which Decathlon has supplied this reusable personal protective equipment.

The Pasteur clinic thus received 150. However, these adapted masks could soon have another function and be used on the patient. It is thus planned to give patients by this means high-speed oxygen and perhaps in some cases to avoid intubation, a very aggressive step in care. The creation of a fitting to create a tight valve to connect the oxygen is therefore planned and supported by the consortium.

Society

Coronavirus in Toulouse: The clever "elbow grip" developed by an engineering school for the neighboring clinic

Nice

Coronavirus: Thousands of 3D printed specimens to screen for Covid-19

  • Covid 19
  • Diving
  • Toulouse
  • Coronavirus
  • epidemic
  • Health