- May help capture potentially infectious particles
- Replicable design made with common components
- Proceeds to benefit AARC, ACEP, and ENA
A modified face-tent adapted to connect to hospital suction, the FELIX-1 creates a local area of negative pressure around the patient’s nose and mouth while maintaining an open system. The configuration is designed to draw in exhaled particles from patients being treated with Vapotherm high velocity therapy. In one computer model, FELIX-1 captured over 97% of exhaled particles.
Unlike a surgical mask, the FELIX-1 does not directly cover your patients’ nose and mouth, but forms a shield around them. This setup retains less heat than a surgical mask and may be more comfortable for your patients.
The FELIX-1 Negative Pressure Scavenger Kit is a fully-packaged, prebuilt setup intended to help streamline workflows and increase awareness of this approach as an additional tool for clinicians at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A limited supply of kits will be hand-built and distributed by Vapotherm.
About the FELIX-1
Felix Khusid, an RRT working in New York City, shared this previously implemented design with Vapotherm during the first wave of COVID-19. We tested the approach using a similar computer model showing the efficacy of surgical masks for capturing particulate spread to help reduce risk of transmission. The results inspired us to share it with our community of clinicians using Vapotherm high velocity therapy.
Portions of the proceeds from the FELIX-1 Negative Pressure Scavenger Kits will be donated to the AARC, ACEP, and ENA to support frontline caregivers and their families during COVID-19. [1]