Maybe Trump should order rapid mass production of this $162 device:

[dalton99a]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-mom-pop-business-flooded-orders-helmet-ventilators-amid-coronavirus-n1173466

Texas 'mom and pop' business flooded with orders for helmet ventilators amid coronavirus crisis
Sea-Long Medical Systems has drawn huge interest from hospitals and foreign countries seeking alternatives in treating COVID-19 patients amid a ventilator shortage.
March 31, 2020, 7:32 PM CDT
By Lisa Cavazuti, Cynthia McFadden and Rich Schapiro

One month ago, Chris Austin was running a little-known mom-and-pop business in Texas that fielded a few dozen orders a week for his helmet-style ventilation devices.

He had five employees and a handful of volunteers from the family's church who would pitch in at the workshop behind their home in the small town of Waxahachie.

Then the coronavirus epidemic hit.

Austin's company, Sea-Long Medical Systems Inc., is getting thousands of orders every day, from America's top hospitals to countries as far flung as the United Arab Emirates. Researchers say the device, which costs less than $200, could help hospitals free up ventilators for only the most critically ill coronavirus patients.

"'Overwhelmed' doesn't scratch the surface," Austin told NBC News.

The Sea-Long device doesn't look the part of a lifesaving medical device. It resembles a crude spacesuit helmet, with a transparent hood sealed at the neck and two tubes extending from its base. The helmet was originally designed to supply oxygen to patients receiving treatment in hyperbaric chambers.

But doctors in Italy, where a version of the helmet has long been used to treat people experiencing breathing problems, found it to be effective in helping some COVID-19 patients.

Other companies make similar ventilator helmets, but Sea-Long's is the only helmet available in the U.S. that meets requirements of the Food and Drug Administration and has been validated in a clinical study for acute respiratory syndrome. No studies have yet been done, however, examining the effectiveness of the devices in treating COVID-19 patients.

[pat_k]

1. No "maybe" -- what can we do to get it done??

Any ideas?

Emails/faxes to the American Hospital Association to lobby for action??

Or??

[Frustratedlady]

2. I saw that news item tonight. I would have to be highly dosed with something, or they wouldn't

be able to put it on. I was claustrophobic just watching the video. It would be wonderful if it worked and you could stand it, but not me. I have to be able to escape easily.

Of course, the tube wouldn't be much better, but at least my face would be open to the world.

[ZZenith]

3. Pretty sure if you were in need of a ventilator

you’d be able to put your claustrophobia in the backseat.

God forbid it ever comes to that, of course.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I don't know about this device, but those on ventilators are sedated

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. Maybe this helmet will help keep some from getting that far.

It could be that this might be used before people get to the point of needing entubation, sedation and a full ventilator. That might buy some time with extra oxygen to help them get better instead of worse.

[Celerity]

10. If you go onto a ventilator, there is an 80+% chance you are not coming off it until you die,

or the doctors decide that you have no chance to survive and they need it for a more viable person, at which point you will quickly die once the tube is pulled.

[Frustratedlady]

12. Yes, I know that sober wall awaits if I come down with it.

That is why I'm staying put for the duration. I already have nearly 5 weeks under my belt with only 2 appts. By now, I should have come down with it if either of those visits was a bad decision. After those 2, I've been isolated. The only things coming into the house are groceries and the mail. They get wiped down with Purell.

If my efforts don't work, I guess I was meant to get it, even though I tried.

[Celerity]

13. Stay safe!

[pioche4]

4. This family business ARE Heros

When I heard about this device on The Last Word tonight, it broke me down. The owner said he would not raise the price. I hope that many of these are able to be utilized by as many people that need them during this crisis. Each person it helps, is helping the entire strand of family members who are part of the patient's life.

[BigmanPigman]

5. Yes, I saw this on the news this evening.

Great idea! It is like an old deep sea diving helmet.

[crickets]

8. K&R for visibility.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. Sort of a reverse iron lung

nt

[zackymilly]

11. I watched a video on this. Great man! He's giving his plans for free to anyone who wants them.

He also said 2 companies called him asking how to help, and he says he needs more machinery but doesn't have the money.
He got a call later on from the company that his account had been paid up and he was going to be getting more equipment.
He said, "I was selling these for $162 each before the pandemic and they are still $162 each now. I am getting orders from all over the world, but I am going to provide Chicago, Boston, NY, etc. with them first."

[Frustratedlady]

14. How refreshing!