Coronavirus: University of Derby produces protective visors

The protective visors are being tested ahead of mass manufacture

Anna Britten

In response to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff treating coronavirus patients, researchers at the University of Derby have produced protective visors for local hospitals.The researchers, based at the university’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering research centre (IISE), have produced single-use and reusable visors.These are compliant with the medical device standards and can be mass-manufactured in high volumes very quickly.

Colleagues were keen to contribute to the challenge of supplying PPE

Both the single-use and reusable visors are now being tested at local GP surgeries in Derby.

After testing, the university will work with Derby-based Riverside Medical Packaging Ltd to assemble and supply the visors before they are distributed to staff at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.

“Colleagues were keen to contribute to the challenge of supplying PPE and support the effort to protect NHS staff and carers,” said Professor Paul Wood, director of IISE.

“The wide range of skills and expertise within the team, combined with the range of facilities we have, has enabled a robust design to be quickly optimised, and assessed before evaluation by users.”

The visor production is part of a wider effort by the University of Derby to help its community during the coronavirus pandemic. It has also donated PPE equipment to hospitals, is hosting a temporary NHS primary care facility and has hundreds of students supporting nursing staff on the coronavirus frontline.