Safran has adapted the Easybreath Subea snorkeling mask from sports retailer Decathlon to protect medical personnel from airborne droplets that could transmit the coronavirus, in conjunction with the engineering firm Segula Technologies and with support from the French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute (IRBA).

Safran and Segula Technologies are offering open access to the files needed for 3D printing, based on a free license, thus allowing hospitals and healthcare professionals to make their own adaptation kits. Safran has already 3D-printed these kits, and is providing 200 modified masks to university hospitals.

Safran and Segula Technologies sought a simple solution that could be quickly put to use, a condition met by the Decathlon Easybreath mask, available in large volumes. Fitted with antiviral filtration cartridges found at hospitals, plus accessories and connectors used in intensive care units, the Easybreath mask fitted with this anti-Covid-19 kit meets the requirements of both caregivers and patients on ventilators.

For caregivers, it provides protection by filtering inhalation via two filters in the mask’s upper and lower ducts. The efficiency of the filters is 99.99%. For patients, the upper duct filters exhalation, which limits contamination of the environment, while still allowing oxygen therapy, while the lower duct is fitted with a respiratory assistance kit. In addition, it can be quickly reused after being decontaminated by soaking.

Doctors who tested this solution found that it complements existing Easybreath adaptations, and also effectively meets their requirements. The modified mask reflects the standard principles of patient oxygen supply: it’s directly opposite the mouth, which makes breathing easier. Tests at IRBA and Henri-Mondor University Hospital in Créteil, near Paris, have proven its effectiveness based on the same configuration: the mask protects the caregiver, limits contamination of the surrounding area and supports oxygen treatments.

Caregivers are highly exposed to the risks associated with air droplets carrying the virus in their daily interactions with patients infected with Covid-19 (ambulance and other transport, stretcher transfer and carriage, work in contaminated environments, decontamination of rooms and equipment, intubation, tracheotomy, etc.). This risk is exacerbated by the fact that patients with respiratory distress need additional oxygen, which may increase the risk of exposure from exhaled droplets and thus the danger of contamination.

Safran and IRBA are working on a number of projects to support the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. For the Easybreath mask, they were joined by Segula Technologies, which contributed its expertise in production engineering to immediately gear up for higher-volume production.

For access to the 3D printing files for the Easybreath mask adaptation kit, click here (French version only).

Safran

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets. Safran has a global presence, with more than 95,000 employees and sales of 24.6 billion euros in 2019. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes Research & Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with total R&D expenditures of around 1.7 billion euros in 2019. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.

SEGULA Technologies

SEGULA Technologies is a global engineering group that contributes to increasing competitiveness in all major industries: Automotive, aerospace and defence, energy, rail, marine, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries. The Group operates in more than 30 countries with 140 offices worldwide and maintains close customer relationships thanks to the expertise of its 13,000 employees. As a leading engineering specialist that puts innovation at the heart of its strategy, SEGULA Technologies carries out major projects ranging from technical studies to industrial applications and production.

DECATHLON UNITED

We, at Decathlon, believe that the sum of our personalities creates an infinite line. A circle that never ceases to expand and flourish over time. We live for others, working on project themes that also give us room to express ourselves. In this team game, we each have a mission to carry out that is similar to being positioned in an agile, compact and inventive formation.