E_health_society

Inspiration

Like the rest of Europe, in cash-strapped Balkan countries – where health services have long suffered with meagre budgets and equipment shortages – technology is coming to the rescue of doctors and nurses on the frontline of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Having in mind currently issues with Covid-19 pandemic through Europe and wider our intention is to explore production of protection equipment for health workers using 3D and robotic technology in order to fight against future pandemic issues in Europe.

What it does

Using technology knowledge of our production stuff, we will be able to contribute to current pandemic issues by providing safety equipment for the most affected health workers and others (dental providers, veterinary care personnel, laboratory workers, pre-hospital emergency medical providers, police, firefighters, and custodial staff dealing with spills and contaminated waste)

How I built it

In reaction to the acute shortage of protective wear for medical personnel in the current pandemic situation, we have quickly developed and started to produce protective face shields for healthcare workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Healthcare workers’ faces have been reported to be the body part most commonly contaminated by splashes, sprays and spatter of body fluids. A face shield is classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides barrier protection to the facial area and related mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lips). A face shield offers a number of potential advantages, as well as some disadvantages, compared with other forms of face/eye protection used in healthcare and related fields.

Challenges I ran into

Our main challenge is to save lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina as our country is already affected with very poor and unorganized health and social system. Using masks, goggles, and gloves works fine for medical stuff, but combined with a protective visor, this is an ideal combination for providing maximum protection.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Using AI technology have popularized robotic technology among students and health care system in Bosnia and Herzegovina and wider.

What I learned

Increased Industry-Academia cross-fertilization and tighter connection between health sector needs and academic research via technology transfer, common projects, scientific progress on industry-driven challenges in Western Balkans can be a driving force for decision makers in Western Balkans to increase investment in AI technologies.

What's next for E_health_society

With new research approach and design of protective visors our company will be able to increase production for at least 2000 pieces daily. Beside production of protective visors, using injection molding and polypropylene in granules our company could also be able to produce basic ventilators components, such as: inhalation valves, particulate filters (on particulate respirators), cartridges, exhalation valve, exhalation valve cover. It means that with injection molding we could produce various components for ventilators and respirators in near future.