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

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是帮助控制医院内的新冠肺炎传播，使用一种新型的患者面罩来限制内窥镜检查过程中SARS-CoV-2病毒的传播。所有的内窥镜手术都被认为是气雾剂产生的手术，因为在上内窥镜检查中可能会咳嗽和干咳，而在结肠镜检查中可能会有排气。拟议的患者内窥镜面罩限制了患者体内微滴和气雾剂的传播。该项目建议开发一种一次性、一次性使用的内窥镜面罩，该面罩带有一个口腔开口，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，它还将减少内窥镜室内空气循环所需的术后等待时间，以消除气雾剂，以保障患者和胃肠道医护人员的安全。该解决方案将有助于管理任何空气传播感染的传播。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将开发一种新技术，在面罩开口和内窥镜之间进行密封，同时允许内窥镜在胃肠道内推进。密封口罩的挑战来自于观察镜，当将其插入患者口腔时，观察镜必须具有极大的运动自由度。拟议的口罩将有一个吸气通道，以清除呼吸道分泌物，并清除内窥镜检查过程中产生的气雾剂和微滴。如果成功，这种密封技术可以用于其他产生气雾剂的临床应用，例如减少腹腔镜手术过程中雾化血滴的扩散。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.