The Johns Hopkins University Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design in Baltimore has developed an innovative new infectious disease suit with science company DuPont.
The collaboration between Johns Hopkins and DuPont began as a way to meet the humanitarian need identified by the U.S. Agency for International Development during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Together, the research university and the science and engineering company created a garment prototype that features a rear zipper and a "cocoon-style" doffing process that requires far fewer steps than the current suit. The garment aims to reduce the risk of infection to healthcare workers.
"Although this project was triggered by the recent Ebola outbreak, we believe the improved protective suit's design will be impactful in future infectious disease outbreaks as well," said Youseph Yazdi, PhD, executive director of Johns Hopkins' CBID.
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