Trinisys has been amazed by health systems and organizations around the world stepping up to address emergency needs and prevent the spread of COVID-19. We would like to take a minute not only to thank them for working round the clock during this time but highlight a few of the efforts and technological advancements that they have made:
The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center (VVC) has been developing an antibody-based treatment to protect people exposed to COVID-19. Dr. James Crowe, Director of the VVC, said the goal is to prepare the antibodies for human clinical trials by this summer. The team has identified and is analyzing thousands of antibodies to determine their ability to inhibit the virus, as well as prevent it from causing illness.
Additionally, Vanderbilt has been proactively designing an emergency open-source ventilator device to address the shortage of ventilators during the coronavirus pandemic. The prototype for the open-source ventilator is made using plywood and windshield wiper motors and is designed to be quickly produced using resources that are easily obtainable. This device was created to be used in the emergency that no ventilators are available. Vanderbilt’s end goal is to have this design publicly available, so anyone could replicate it if needed.
Carle Health has been working with the Grainger College of Engineering since March 16, 2020 to develop an emergency ventilator to address the need for respiratory care. According to Carle’s Newsroom post, there has been a team of 40 people working day and night, and they now have a working prototype of the Illinois RapidVent. This ventilator is designed to plug into an oxygen source or tank to deliver the amount of oxygen necessary to keep a patient breathing. The team has been in contact with medical professionals and is examining the approval process for the device.
The Medical University of South Carolina recently opened a drive-through specimen collection for COVID-19. This testing facility is in the parking lot of the Citadel Mall campus outside the MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion and is allowing community members, who are worried about having contracted coronavirus, to be tested by doctors’ orders. MUSC is also offering free screenings for the virus using their virtual urgent care telehealth platform. MUSC is utilizing both of these methods in an effort to stay in front of COVID-19 and prevent its spread.
The efforts and advancements these organizations have made in a relatively short amount of time are nothing short of incredible. Trinisys is grateful for their passion and dedication to assisting with virus-related emergencies, finding new treatments, and preventing COVID-19 illness in the future.
Citations:
Carle, Grainger College of Engineering Develop Working Prototype of Emergency Ventilator | Carle.org, 27 Mar. 2020, carle.org/Newsroom/Staying-Healthy/2020/03/Carle-UofI-develop-emergency-ventilator-prototype.
Snyder, Bill. “Researchers Developing Potential Coronavirus Antibody Therapies.” Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University, 23 Mar. 2020, news.vumc.org/2020/03/23/researchers-developing-potential-coronavirus-antibody-therapies/?_ga=2.243644237.939936031.1585672704-1782126382.1585672704.
Turney, Spencer. “VU Engineers and VUMC Doctors Team up for Open-Source Ventilator Design.” Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University, 27 Mar. 2020, news.vanderbilt.edu/2020/03/27/vu-engineers-and-vumc-doctors-team-up-for-open-source-ventilator-design/.
Woolwine, Heather. “Patients Who Use MUSC Health Virtual Urgent Care Offered Access to Drive-through Respiratory Specimen Collection Site.” MUSC, 12 Mar. 2020, web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/03/12/covid-19-drive-thru.