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'Ebola-proof' tablet device developed | 'Ebola-proof' tablet device developed |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A tablet device that can withstand being doused in chlorine has been developed to help medics caring for patients with Ebola. | |
Designed by technology volunteers and Google, it can be used even wearing gloves and in storms and high humidity. | Designed by technology volunteers and Google, it can be used even wearing gloves and in storms and high humidity. |
Medecins Sans Frontieres put out a call for an Ebola-proof tablet to help teams record vital patient information. | Medecins Sans Frontieres put out a call for an Ebola-proof tablet to help teams record vital patient information. |
At the height of the current outbreak, doctors were shouting patient notes across fences to avoid contamination. | |
High-risk zones | High-risk zones |
Ebola is passed on through close contact with infected bodily fluids. | Ebola is passed on through close contact with infected bodily fluids. |
Even a single piece of paper leaving a high-risk zone poses a risk of passing on the infection, the charity says. | Even a single piece of paper leaving a high-risk zone poses a risk of passing on the infection, the charity says. |
And health workers caring for these patients have to be encased in full protective suits with goggles and multiple layers of gloves, despite the soaring temperatures. | |
But dictating notes across a fence at the end of exhausting shifts while wearing masks was a "recipe for error", MSF said. | But dictating notes across a fence at the end of exhausting shifts while wearing masks was a "recipe for error", MSF said. |
To overcome these challenges the group of international tech volunteers came together, including Pim de Witte of Whitespell and Daniel Cunningham at Hack4Good. They were later joined by Google. | To overcome these challenges the group of international tech volunteers came together, including Pim de Witte of Whitespell and Daniel Cunningham at Hack4Good. They were later joined by Google. |
The tablet has waterproof casing at an "industrial level" according to Ivan Gayton, technology advisor at MSF. | The tablet has waterproof casing at an "industrial level" according to Ivan Gayton, technology advisor at MSF. |
It can be dunked in 0.5% chlorine solution which kills Ebola - if used on unprotected hands this strength of chlorine could cause chemical burns. | It can be dunked in 0.5% chlorine solution which kills Ebola - if used on unprotected hands this strength of chlorine could cause chemical burns. |
Sharp edges of the tablet were removed so that protective clothing would not be pierced. | Sharp edges of the tablet were removed so that protective clothing would not be pierced. |
And it is charged quickly and wirelessly by being placed on a table. The tablet connects wirelessly to a tiny local network server that is roughly the size of a postage stamp. | And it is charged quickly and wirelessly by being placed on a table. The tablet connects wirelessly to a tiny local network server that is roughly the size of a postage stamp. |
Health workers use it to track a patient's progress - comparing pulse, temperature and other results over time. | Health workers use it to track a patient's progress - comparing pulse, temperature and other results over time. |
Mr Gayton said: "Although we have just treated the largest cohort of Ebola patients in human history, we still know distressingly little about the progression of the disease. | Mr Gayton said: "Although we have just treated the largest cohort of Ebola patients in human history, we still know distressingly little about the progression of the disease. |
"In the longer term if we are able to collect more and better information about our patients, we will also learn more about the disease and how best to treat it." | "In the longer term if we are able to collect more and better information about our patients, we will also learn more about the disease and how best to treat it." |
Difficult scenarios | Difficult scenarios |
The device has been tested at MSF treatment centres in Sierra Leone. | The device has been tested at MSF treatment centres in Sierra Leone. |
The charity hopes the technology - which is open-source - will be adapted for use in other difficult scenarios such as outbreaks of cholera. | The charity hopes the technology - which is open-source - will be adapted for use in other difficult scenarios such as outbreaks of cholera. |
Dr Eric Perakslis, from Harvard Medical School, works on separate global health innovation projects. He said: "A handful of companies are trying to find a technological solutions for the Ebola crisis. | Dr Eric Perakslis, from Harvard Medical School, works on separate global health innovation projects. He said: "A handful of companies are trying to find a technological solutions for the Ebola crisis. |
"But they face a lot of challenges such as unreliable electricity. This one addresses all the challenges at once. | "But they face a lot of challenges such as unreliable electricity. This one addresses all the challenges at once. |
"And it will not just be useful for single patient encounters but for research on the virus too." | "And it will not just be useful for single patient encounters but for research on the virus too." |
Ganesh Shankar, product manager at Google, said: "I think this kind of partnership represents the future of how non-governmental organisations are going to integrate technology into the work they do." | Ganesh Shankar, product manager at Google, said: "I think this kind of partnership represents the future of how non-governmental organisations are going to integrate technology into the work they do." |
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