Nike now makes encounter shields for health personnel from materials used for shoes, apparel
As several car manufacturers are employing their factories to create ventilators and additional medical equipment, sports shoes and apparel maker Nike has begun repurposing materials to create full-face shields and various other personal shielding equipment for healthcare employees.
Nike’s innovation, manufacturing and product clubs collaborated with professionals at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to create full-face shields and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses.
Nike was first trying to replicate the facial skin shields already employed by OHSU staff, and after several prototypes were tested by the health care workers, one model was first settled on.
On its blog, Nike said that it delivered the primary first of all shipment of donated full-face shields and PAPR lenses to OHSU previous Friday on April 3, 2020.
For the full-face shield, which includes three parts, Nike has used collar padding designed for its shoes and cords earmarked because of its apparel, in addition to the TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) that can be used in the signature Nike Air soles.
Nike's Air Making Innovation (Air MI) features found in Oregon and Missouri, which produced the equipment, are also looking in using TPU to create new lenses for powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) helmets.
These PAPR helmets can be utilised by healthcare personnel most subjected to the pathogen while treating critically ill individuals.
Nike was able to produce the facial skin shield and the PAPR lens to serve the urgent want since it had already specialised found in tailor made extrusion of polyurethane film and sheet.
