UTeM produces face shield, intubation box for frontliners

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) has come up with its own face shield and intubation box for use my medical personnel in battling the spread of Covid19.

Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Raha Abdul Rahim said the “UTeMShield” face shield is an innovation by a team of researchers, jointly headed by her and deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Zulkifilie Ibrahim.

“We came up with the design of the UTeMShield discussions and feedback from medical officers from the Occupational Health and Environment Unit, Public Health Division of the State Health Department , to ensure that it meets the specifications set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“This product is also (aimed) to reduce the risk of infection to other front-line personnel who are also involved in containing the spread of Covid-19 such as security personnel,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Raha said they could produce as many as 1,000 pieces of UTeMShields in a day using two laser cutting machines and three-dimensional (3D) printers as well as SLS Printed printing machines.

Meanwhile, on the “PlexiBox” intubation box, she said it is designed to enable healthcare workers to intubate a Covid19 patient while protecting themselves.

She said the UTeMShield and PlexiBox will be donated to health care workers in clinics and hospitals in Melaka.

She said the research team involved in the innovation of the two products, included researchers from the university’s Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering, UTeM Center of Excellence, Center for Advanced Manufacturing and supported by the Industrial and Community Network Centre. - Bernama