“Apollo 13” for COVID-19

Inspired by...

What's it for?

Hospitals treating an influx of patients with the Covid-19 coronavirus may run out of special equipment and Negative Pressure Rooms designed to protect health care workers and other patients from infection.

The PNPC (Personal Negative Pressure Chamber) is a potential solution. Inspired by the engineers and astronauts who built a jury-rigged device to remove carbon dioxide from a spacecraft, Apollo 13 for Covid-19 is a DIY plan to remove contaminated air from a hospital room. The PNPC creates a negative pressure environment around the patient's head and pulls contaminated air through a duct to a filter or a window.

If hospital ventilators are not available, the PNPC may reduce the risk of infection when patients are ventilated with Bi-Level Paps. It can be built with standard tools and basic hardware available at any Home Depot or Lowes, and a computer fan and power supply at any Best Buy.

Who we are

Just a small group of technologists with experience in the respiratory device and respiratory disease management fields who want to help front line healthcare workers solve problems and save lives safely.

Disclaimer

This PNPC has been tested minimally, and is not an FDA approved medical device. Healthcare providers should use at their own discretion.

-Air volume (for reference) : 1.7 l/min and 20 bpm = 34 l/min.

-Fan capacity: 195 CFM = 5500 L/min

-Actual performance of the fan will depend on the length of the hose and whether a HEPA filter is attached.