Construction of Two Box-Like Head-and-Face Shields by Japanese Origami Folding for Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Main Authors: Tago M, Anzai K, Sakamoto Y, Hamada Y, Ishikawa S, Kimura S, Yamashita S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-12-01
• Series: International Journal of General Medicine
• Subjects: covid-19 pandemic; head-and-face shield; personal protective equipment
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/construction-of-two-box-like-head-and-face-shields-by-japanese-origami-peer-reviewed-article-IJGM

Masaki Tago,1 Keizo Anzai,2 Yuichiro Sakamoto,3 Yohei Hamada,4 Shinichiro Ishikawa,5 Shinya Kimura,6 Shu-ichi Yamashita1 1Department of General Medicine, Saga University Hospital, Saga, Japan; 2Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan; 3Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan; 4Division of Infectious Disease and Hospital Epidemiology, Saga University Hospital, Saga, Japan; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan; 6Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, JapanCorrespondence: Masaki Tago Department of General MedicineSaga University Hospital, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, JapanTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: A worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the development of new alternatives. We introduce two new disposable box-like head-and-face shields constructed using Japanese origami-style folding. The design comprises a single sheet of thick paper and a shield made of a thin, transparent plastic sheet. The first design, Model 1, is a head-and-face shield designed to cover the wearer’s head and neck. Model 2 was designed to solve the problem of heat and moisture buildup inside the shield. This version can be used as face shields for patients, and it allows clinicians to collect swabs from the nasopharynx for virus detection via polymerase chain reaction through pre-cut incisions near the nasal orifices. These two new box-like face shields are excellent alternatives to traditional face shields because of the low cost, compatibility with mass production, lightweight, and disposability.Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, head-and-face shield, personal protective equipment