What at other times would have been a long process was carried out in a matter of days. Thus could be summarised the collaboration between the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics of the Czech Technical University in Prague (CIIRC CTU), CzechInvest and other partners. The result is the certified CIIRC PR95-3D protective mask with the highest FFP3 security level. Medical staff at Na Homlce Hospital tried it out at work over the weekend. Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch signed a memorandum of further cooperation on Monday, 23 March 2020, thus clearing the way to production of the mask on special 3D printers.
Leading Czech researchers from CIIRC began working on the mask approximately one week ago. Its greatest benefit consists in the fact that it is reusable and can be manufactured on a 3D printer anywhere in the world. “Our aim was to contribute to resolving the current crisis situation. We succeeded thanks to the extraordinary work of a team of top researchers and technical equipment, as well as an inventive approach to problem solving,” says Vladimír Mařík, Science Director at CIIRC CTU.
CzechInvest helped to significantly accelerate the process of certifying the advanced respirator. In addition to that, the agency made contact with a manufacturer of external filters, namely the traditional Czech company Sigma Group of Lutín, which has been involved in filter production since 1935 and was the only company of its kind in the field of protection against gas-warfare agents based on the results of scientific research. “The SIGMA Research and Development Institute in Lutín manufacturers filters with a universal thread, to which the mask is adapted. From our perspective, the fact that this involves a domestic manufacturer is also important. We will coordinate the next step with the company’s management in order to ensure an adequate quantity of deliveries,” says CzechInvest CEO Patrik Reichl, who handed over the initial shipment of filters to scientists from the CIIRC CTU team on the weekend.
A memorandum of cooperation was signed by Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch and CTU Rector Vojtěch Petráček and the cooperating CTU start-up company Trix Connection, which is, as is common at leading foreign universities, authorised to undertake cooperation with manufacturing companies and bring research to successful introduction into practice. “We welcome the protective mask developed by CIIRC CTU. It is a solution that can help to protect the most vulnerable workers in the field. We agreed with CIIRC CTU and the involved suppliers to deliver 600 of these masks by the end of the week,” adds Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch.
More information is available in the attached press release and at www.ciirc.cvut.cz/covid.