The team of 3D cartoon manufacturer Szekler Legendarium – on the initiative of ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Csaba Andrészek – managed to modify snorkel masks into full-face protective equipment for medical professionals fighting COVID-19 on the front line. Their goal is to provide a higher-level protection to doctors while they examine coughing patients.
“Masks in the higher protection classes (FFP2 and FFP3) are in short supply all over the world; this is why individuals in numerous places started looking for alternative solutions to provide proper protection for the face, mouth and eyes. One of my colleagues discovered that a group of doctors in the Netherlands actually turned a snorkeling mask into protective gear, and we wanted to do the same as a temporary solution,” Dr. Csaba Andrészek, the chief physician at the Székelyudvarhely/Odorheiu Secuiesc hospital, told szekelyhon.ro.
After reading about this idea, Andrészek turned to his friend Szabolcs Fazakas, who runs the Szekler Legendarium cartoon production company and who also has a 3D printer. That’s how the tests began and – by using the prototype provided by the specialists in the Netherlands – the necessary component was printed out, and the snorkeling mask was transformed into a mask that can be used for medical purposes.
Use only at your own risk
The ENT specialist pointed out that none of the existing protective equipment can actually provide 100% protection against the coronavirus. But according to his personal experience, the modified snorkeling mask is very good. He pointed out that after being used, the mask is disinfected by replacing its filter and is then ready for the next use.
These masks are, of course, unpatented innovations, which is why the chief physician suggests people use them at their own risk. This initiative is meant to help the medical professionals working on the front line until they receive more professional equipment.
Producing it for free
According to Szekler Legendarium co-founder Szabolcs Fazakas, with the proper snorkel masks, they only have to produce one component with their 3D printer, which takes about an hour. Because they are very proud of the people working in healthcare, they have decided to do this work for free. They would like to send the modified masks first to all hospitals in Hargita County and then to other parts of the country if there is demand for them.
Fazakas also told Agerpress news agency that the Municipal Hospital of Székelyudvarhely, where the first three patients from Hargita were hospitalized with COVID-19, has already ordered 12 modified masks, and there is interest from doctors in other counties as well, including Kolozs/Cluj, Kovászna/Covasna and Iași, where they have already sent a few.
Title image: Szabolcs Fazakas with the modified snorkel mask. (Photo: Szabolcs Fazakas Facebook)
