Endoscopy unit personnel are exposed to COVID-19 infection from inhalation of airborne
droplets [1]
[2]. Peri-endoscopic aerosolized infections have indeed been reported, making upper
gastrointestinal endoscopy a high-risk procedure [3]
[4]. In the current situation, infection prevention represents the only way to ensure
the safety of both endoscopy unit personnel and patients. Whenever possible, patients
who are considered at high risk or who have confirmed COVID-19 infection should undergo
endoscopy in a negative-pressure room [5]. However, such a dedicated facility is not universally available to all endoscopy
units, thus limiting the degree of preventive measures in most centers to protective
clothing for endoscopists, specialist nurses, and technicians.
We had an idea to create a negative pressure micro-environment inside a ventilation
mask, which was modified to allow easy passage of the endoscope into the mouth while
allowing simultaneous administration of oxygen and use of suction. Two separate holes
of appropriate size were therefore drilled into the original disposable ventilation
mask for oxygen inflow and/or suction respectively. Sealed passage of the endoscope
was achieved by use of a soft-valve adapter that fits to the existing built-in plastic
cylinder of the original mask ([Fig. 1], [Fig. 2]). In order to provide sufficient gas flow for effortless respiration and low intra-mask
negative pressure, disposable gas flow adapters were also manufactured using the 3 D
printing technology, which was available at our clinical laboratory for 3 D printing,
3D4Med.
Fig. 1 The 3D-printed adapters.
Fig. 2 The modified ventilation mask.
The STL files of the described adaptors are downloadable for free at www.3d4med.eu.
An oxygen inflow rate of 8 L/min and vacuum suction at a negative pressure of 200
millibar (with safety filter interposition) ([Fig. 3]) provided the best tolerability and function of the device, as tested on healthy
volunteers.
Fig. 3 Device in use.
A modified ventilation mask provides a low-cost alternative when negative-pressure
room facilities are not available. It proved effective in creating a micro negative-pressure
environment around the patient’s mouth and nose. This device can be easily manufactured
by hospitals at a relatively low cost using available 3 D printing technology.
Although long-term data are needed to confirm the efficacy of this mask in providing
protection against COVID-19 transmission, we believe that it could represent a suitable
alternative when negative-pressure endoscopy rooms are not available.
