Kalamazoo Times

COVID-19 continues to spread at alarming rates, but the national stockpile of medical safety equipment continues to be depleted. Western Michigan University’s Gwen Frostic School of Art is working on a prototype to protect those in the health care industry who are battling the virus. 

According to 13OnYourSide,  Nicholas Kuder, assistant professor of graphic design, is heading up a team of innovators who are using unconventional supplies to build aerosol boxes to cover patients while they are being intubated. 

“We're just trying to come up with some sort of solution that will protect health care providers who don't have enough protection," Kuder told 13OnYourSide.

The aerosol boxes are acrylic tubes that can help prevent the health care workers from being infected by covering the infected patients. Originally, these devices were created by a Taiwanese doctor who wanted to assist with supply shortages that were occurring in China. 

Patrick Wilson, assistant professor of sculpture, is aiding Kuder in the prototype fabrication. 

"The goal is to prevent infection of medical personnel and increase the amount of time they are able to work before becoming ill themselves,” Wilson said. “Our doctors and medical personnel are more valuable to us than ever. We have to do whatever it takes (to help them) -- the sooner, the better."

The current plan is to make the devices and then share the plans nationwide in order to help protect health care workers across the country. 

Currently, the devices are being screened by doctors who are testing the device prototype at WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine simulation chamber. Collaborators on the project are in a number of states, including Alabama and Illinois. 

“We've all been sharing the feedback we've been getting, sharing ideas and just problem-solving as a group,” Kuder told 13OnYourSide. “Getting involved in this does give me a little bit of a sense of being able to help out in some small way."