A safety assessment of the iZephyr Hood for patients receiving NIV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Suitability of an aerosol removing device (iZephyr hood) for COVID-19 patients using non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen therapy
IRAS ID
292573
Contact name
Neil Tolley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College, London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 10 days
Research summary
Patients with Covid-19 requiring support with their breathing in hospital will have non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen using a device called optiflow. These methods of helping the patient to breathe have been shown to spread aerosols which pose a significant health risk to members of staff and to other patients in the hospital.
In some instances, there has been lack of access to the recommended personal protective equipment, making looking after these patients these extremely unsafe for the staff caring for these patients.
One way to reduce the risk to the health care staff and to other patients in the hospital, particularly other patients on the same hospital ward, is to provide an aerosol shielding device to fit around the patient. There have been a number of shielding devices trialled across the country, including perspex boxes and plastic sheeting, however these have proven to be cumbersome, difficult to disinfect after use and in some cases may lead to an increase in aerosol spread due to poor design.
Our team, made up of team members from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College and Mercedes F1 design team, have collaborated and designed an aerosol shielding device This is a lightweight aerosol shielding device with a low power vacuum extraction system. The entry ports have been designed to give maximum access to the patient and their airway to allow multiple potential uses. The use we would like to research is for use in COVID-19 positive patients having non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen therapy in the hospital setting.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0080
Date of REC Opinion
27 May 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion