With the so-called Covid-19 pandemic, the high demand for this type of material – considered essential for the work of health professionals – caused a shortage in the market.

The production line set up at IIN-ELS involves researchers and students from the master's degree in neuroengineering and will involve an initial production of 600 masks, which should be expanded. At least another thousand are expected.

A total of 210 units, from this first batch, will meet the demand of four hospitals and an emergency care unit in Natal, Parnamirim and Macaíba.

The Institute stated that it will distribute the remaining 390 according to requests sent to the email covid19@isd.org.br and evaluation by an internal committee.

The IIN-ELS/ISD task force of researchers and students was recorded in reports by Northern Tribune and the portal G1 RN, two of the main communication vehicles in the state.

Of the total number of masks produced so far, 40 were divided between UPA Aluízio Alves, the main emergency service in Macaíba, and Hospital Regional Alfredo Mesquita Filho, where there was no supply of these materials for the work of health professionals.

Another 60 masks will be sent to one of the main reference services for Covid-19 in Natal, the Giselda Trigueiro Hospital.
Another 60 will be delivered to treat emergency cases not related to coronavirus at the Januário Cicco Maternity School, the main reference for high-risk pregnancies in the state, and 50 arrived this Sunday at the Deoclécio Marques Hospital, in Parnamirim - considered a reference for trauma and orthopedic cases, including emergency surgeries, whose procedures have a high risk of contamination for health teams.

Researchers will also develop valves and respirators

The initial production was exclusively of face protection masks, but the printers will now begin working to also create valves for lung ventilators used on patients with more serious cases of shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

On another front, the group is working on a low-cost, open-source mechanical ventilator model, meaning that it can be replicated by anyone interested.

“This is the moment to demonstrate the strength of Brazilian science, its inventiveness and ability to respond to the demands of the society that finances it,” says ISD general director Reginaldo Freitas Júnior.

The Santos Dumont Institute is a Social Organization financed by the Ministry of Education and includes, in addition to the IIN-ELS, the Anita Garibaldi Center for Education and Health Research.

The Center has been operating since last week as an emergency care facility for pregnant women and children with suspected Covid-19 in Macaíba.

The strategy was proposed to the Health Department to help relieve pressure on the city's UPA, where the movement increased by almost 60% in one week, driven mainly by cases considered non-urgent, of people who did not need to leave their homes.

In the case of Coronavirus, the main warning sign to seek medical attention is experiencing difficulty breathing, i.e. shortness of breath.

SERVICE
The ISD is raising donations to expand the production of masks and other equipment to combat the Coronavirus. To carry out the work, 3D printer filaments, acetate or money are needed, via identified deposit:

Bank of Brazil

Ag: 4328-1

CC: 224.696-1

All amounts received and investments made will be published on the Institute's website.