SBIR Phase I: Endoscopic Patient Mask to Limit Aerosolization During Endoscopic Procedures During COVID-19 Pandemic

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是，通过一种新型患者口罩帮助管理医院内的COVID-19传播，以限制内镜手术期间SARS-CoV-2病毒的传播。所有内窥镜检查都被认为是产生气溶胶的检查，因为在上镜检查期间可能会咳嗽和干呕，在结肠镜检查期间可能会产生肠胃气。提出的患者内窥镜口罩限制了患者微滴和气溶胶的传播。本项目拟开发一种一次性、单次使用的内窥镜面罩，该面罩有一个口孔，用于将内窥镜引入胃肠道。建议的解决方案将允许大多数类型的内窥镜，探头和管道通过面罩插入并进入口腔或鼻子，同时在面罩和范围之间提供密封，以限制手术过程中的泄漏。此外，它将减少手术后在内窥镜室进行空气循环以清除气溶胶所需的等待时间，以确保患者和胃肠道保健人员的安全。该解决方案将有助于管理任何空气传播感染的传播。小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种新技术，该技术将密封口罩开口和内窥镜之间，同时允许内窥镜在胃肠道内推进。密封口罩的挑战来自于瞄准镜，当它被插入病人的嘴里时，它必须有很大的运动自由。拟议的口罩将有一个吸入口，以清除气道分泌物，并去除内窥镜手术中产生的气溶胶和微滴。如果成功，这种密封技术可以用于其他产生气溶胶的临床应用，例如在腹腔镜手术过程中减少雾化血滴的扩散。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to help manage COVID-19 transmission in hospitals with a novel patient face mask to limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus during endoscopic procedures. All endoscopic procedures are considered aerosol-generating procedures because of the possibility of coughing and retching during upper endoscopy, and the passage of flatus during colonoscopy. The proposed patient endoscopic mask limit the spread of microdroplet and aerosols from the patient. This project proposes to develop an endoscopy mask which will be disposable, single use, with an oral opening for the introduction of an endoscope to the gastrointestinal tract. The proposed solution will allow most type of endoscopes, probes, and tubes to be inserted through the mask and enter the mouth or nose, while providing a seal between the mask and scope to limit leakage during the procedure. In addition, it will reduce the post-procedure wait time needed for air circulation in the endoscopy room to remove aerosols for the safety of patients and gastrointestinal health care givers. The solution will be useful for managing transmissions of any airborne infections. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a novel technology that seals between the mask opening and an endoscope, while allowing the endoscope's advancement inside the gastrointestinal tract. The challenge with sealing the mask comes from the scope, which must have significant freedom of motion when it is inserted into the mouth of a patient. The proposed mask will have an access for suction to clear airway secretions and to remove aerosol and micro-droplets generated during endoscopic procedures. If successful, this seal technology can be utilized in other aerosol-generating clinical applications, such as reducing spread of aerosolized droplets of blood in laparoscopic surgery procedure.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.