Clinical Feedback
We have also received significant feedback internationally, primarily from Italy, where the modified scuba mask has been used extensively in the red zone. The following is a commentary from one of the Biomed Engineers in a hospital in Italy:
‘They (Clinicians) didn’t notice any difficulty in the patients with respiratory problems as the masks with the Charlotte valve can guarantee a constant flow of air in the mask and can clear out the CO2 basically on its own. They use a PEEP valve to help the breathing anyway. They have measured the loss of oxygen and they haven’t found any leak, it’s almost perfect’.
‘They (Clinicians) didn’t notice any difficulty in the patients with respiratory problems as the masks with the Charlotte valve can guarantee a constant flow of air in the mask and can clear out the CO2 basically on its own. They use a PEEP valve to help the breathing anyway. They have measured the loss of oxygen and they haven’t found any leak, it’s almost perfect’.
International Feedback
- Cork University Hospital (CUH): Dr. Marcus Kennedy consultant Respiratory Physician
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin: Prof. Ross Morgan, Respiratory Medicine
- Mater Hospital, Dublin: Mr. Andrew Kennedy, Chief Biomedical Engineer
- All groups successfully connected the mask and charlotte valve into a circuit on their own and were able to test its performance and clinical use for initial feedback. The mask functions and aligns well with different ventilation circuits in common clinical use.
- This solution reduces the transmission of the virus through the exhalation of the patient. The patient exhaled air (aerosolization) is principally contained in the mask and it is exhaled through an outlet valve with a standard virus filter attached. This offers additional protection to staff and other non-infected patients who maybe nearby.
- The mask is useable in an emergency situation where there is no supply of standard NIV patient interfaces (masks and other vital circuit components).
