Paragon Robotics, a leading engineering solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to design and build a groundbreaking Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) test system. This system, developed in collaboration with a Virginia-based robotics company, addresses the critical need identified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) for an industry-standardized validation test for PPE.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding healthcare personnel (HCP) from potential contamination during interactions with patients. Particularly in critical trauma care scenarios, the breach of PPE can expose Health Care Professionals (HCPs) to life-threatening infectious diseases. Recognizing this, NIOSH emphasized the necessity for an industry-standardized validation test to ensure the effectiveness of PPE and contribute to the development of new, advanced protective gear.
Paragon Robotics is proud to contribute to this critical effort by undertaking the design and construction of a cutting-edge PPE test system for the CDC. The system aims to support the medical personnel community by thoroughly testing the efficacy of PPE and potentially contributing to the establishment of a new ANSI specification.
Working closely with the CDC's design requirements, Paragon Robotics, in collaboration with its teaming partner, designed a sophisticated robotic test system capable of accurately simulating the anthropometrics of a human arm and hand movements. The system can replicate the full range of patient care and surgery procedures, providing comprehensive testing scenarios. The design incorporates an adjustable fluid dispensing system, accommodating a range of viscosities representing normal variations in body fluids. This engineering marvel incorporates expertise from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering disciplines, with the user software and graphical user interface (GUI) developed entirely in-house by our skilled team of developers.
Upon successful completion of design, testing, and validation, the modular system was expertly disassembled, transported, and reassembled at the customer's site by Paragon's field service engineering personnel. Comprehensive user training was provided to ensure seamless integration and optimal use of the PPE test system.
Integral to the program was the development of a Compliance Matrix, safeguarded by Paragon Robotics' intellectual property rights, ensuring adherence to the highest standards in PPE testing.
Paragon Robotics is honored to contribute to the safety and protection of healthcare professionals and remains committed to advancing innovations that positively impact public health.
For more information on Paragon Robotics and their engineering services group, visit https://paragonrobotics.com/ for case studies and applications, or contact their engineering sales team at 800-893-9639.
