Johns Hopkins University Debuts New Protective Suit for Ebola Outbreaks

A new suit engineered to protect healthcare workers against contracting the Ebola virus-engineered by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Bioengineering Design and Jhpiego, the school’s global nonprofit organization protecting maternal and child health in developing countries-was selected as one of the 10 finalists in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards.

The suit-which was conceptualized via a three-day “hackathon” at the university-was among the approximately 100 designs presented by students and faculty over the long weekend. Enhanced comfort is the suit’s primary benefit; the protective outfit features a clear visor and air vents in the hood for keeping cool in hot temperatures. A rear zipper allows the person wearing the suit to disrobe without exposing his or her skin to contaminants on the outside of the suit. The design team responsible for the suit is said to be talks with manufacturers to produce the suits on a wider scale.

Source: Johns Hopkins University