Turkish university adapts diving masks into ventilators

EDIRNE, Turkey

A university in northwestern Turkey is modifying diving masks for intubated patients who need respiration support.

Trakya University said in a statement that a team had begun producing an apparatus via 3D printers to adapt diving masks to be compatible with mechanical ventilation devices.

University President Erhan Tabakoglu said the masks, covering the entire face, both protected the wearer and reduced the risk of infection.

Stressing that the masks would provide fast and easy support for patients who needed intensive care, Tabakoglu said that apart from COVID-19 patients, the apparatuses could also be used for others who needed respiratory support, including those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

"The apparatus, which will provide quick and easy ventilation support with the mask, will be available for all our patients who need them from now on," he added.

Turkey has so far reported 38,226 COVID-19 cases, and the death toll stands at 812.

Since the virus emerged last December in the Chinese city of Wuhan, it has spread to at least 184 countries and regions, infecting nearly 1.5 million people and killing almost 90,000 with nearly 336,800 recovering, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan