A team of researchers at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan has developed a disposable device to provide an additional layer of protection against Covid-19 for healthcare workers performing esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs).
An EGD is an endoscopic procedure done to examine a patient’s oesophagus, stomach and upper intestine. The procedure causes the sedated patients to cough or retch, exposing workers to body fluids or aerosol droplets.
To reduce the spread of coronavirus, the new device comprises of a mouthpiece equipped with a fixing belt and a nonwoven fabric to cover the patient’s face, capturing any aerosol droplets. The fabric is attached to the tips of the mouthpiece with an x-shaped incision at the centre to act as a sleeve for the endoscope, minimising interference to the device.