COVID 19 Innovations

Rapid Assembly Filter Cartridge for 3D Printed Aerosol Masks

Recently developed at MUSC and with a patent pending, The Rapid Assembly Filter Cartridge is a modular filtration system that can be fitted onto commonly found reusable or 3D printed aerosol masks.  The design of the cartridge allows for rapid and efficient 3D printing or injection molding, permitting rapid manufacture of a large number of the filter devices during times of equipment shortage.  The two plastic portions of the filter are placed around a flat HEPA filtration paper creating a tight seal.  A plastic wire or other thread is then fed through the securement supports in order to hold the HEPA filter tightly in place.  When the filter requires replacement, the thread is simply removed, the filter changed and the thread replaced.  Notably this filter device can be printed without support structures on almost any 3D printer, which reduces printing waste, shortens time to print, and eliminates most post-printing processing.

These images depict the stages of the device:

COVID 19 Community Vulnerability Map

Leveraging the COVID 19 Community Vulnerability Map, which harnesses AI to identify geographic populations at risk for severe outcomes, MUSC medical students are mobilizing to conduct outreach in the hopes of increasing knowledge of the pandemic and current guidelines, improving patient access to free telehealth resources, improving patient-physician communication, and providing information on community resources that may be able to assist in this time of crisis and need.

PPE Instructions

To find out how to create or repair PPE see these instructional videos:

How to Make a Hood

How to Repair the Straps of an N95 Mask

The material presented in these videos is intended for education of healthcare workers to promote safe practices in accordance with CDC and WHO guidelines. This project produced by Sim Tunes, LLC, was funded in part by the CDC grant 1 R44CK000444-01-00 and is intended as an educational aid.

S.A.F.E Cartridge System and Masks

The Self-Assembly Filtration for Emergencies (S.A.F.E) Cartridge System is a modular HEPA filtration system that can be fitted onto hospital masks such as the disposable AeroEclipse Aerosol Mask made by Monaghan Medical Corporation. The S.A.F.E Cartridge System can also be fitted onto 3D printed masks while maintaining functionality. Conducted by a certified technician, the S.A.F.E. Cartridge System and masks were tested for fit and filtration efficacy utilizing the same test procedure and compound as used in standard N95 fit tests. The prototypes were deemed effective. For more information...

LEGAL DISCLAIMER - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

These technologies should NOT be used as replacements for conventional and approved Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”).  All technologies highlighted on this page were created as exploratory studies conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina in an effort to further protect the safety, health and well-being of our care team members and patients in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unless otherwise noted, these technologies have not been industry tested, have not been NIOSH approved, have not been otherwise certified to provide any level of personal protection, and have not been FDA cleared.

THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE EXPERIMENTAL IN NATURE AND ARE PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ITS AFFILIATES AND DIRECT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE AUTHORS AND CREATORS (collectively “MUSC”) "AS IS."  MUSC MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.  THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

IN NO EVENT SHALL MUSC BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

YOU SHALL HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY MUSC AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS BROUGHT AGAINST MUSC ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES.