As the world faces a new era of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, new technologies are paving, the way for safer, more effective treatment options. The Self-Contained Negative Pressure Environment (SCONE) is a new technology developed by SCONE Medical Solutions Inc. (SMS) in collaboration with Mayo Clinic for infectious disease containment in hospitals. The FDA granted emergency use authorization to the SCONE device on 18th December’2020.
The highest risk of infectious transmission is from actively infected patients to health care workers (HCWs) during Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), particularly in the acute care/triage setting. The SCONE is a small capacity, disposable device that uses negative pressure to vacuum out aerosols emitted around a patient’s head and neck, adding an extra layer of “active” barrier protection for healthcare workers while treating potentially infectious patients. The SCONE can be quickly deployed for use and quickly disposed of after treatment.
Mike Adams, CEO, SCONE Medical Solutions Inc. said: “We are pleased to collaborate with Mayo Clinic experts as we bring the SCONE device to market. The demand for barrier protection in hospitals has substantially shown itself during this pandemic. The SCONE works not only as a protective barrier but through the use of negative-pressure, actively reduces the spread of pathogenic aerosolized particulates that cause diseases like COVID-19.”
Dr. Brandon Lawrence, SCONE Chief Medical Officer and ER Physician in Phoenix, AZ, has been treating COVID-19 patients from the beginning. He stated: “The widespread demand from HCWs for barrier protection devices, even the old ones without negative pressure, was overwhelming during the start of the pandemic. Adding negative-pressure technology allows patients to be more safely placed on CPAP/BIPAP, receive aerosolized nebulizer treatments, undergo emergent procedures if their COVID-19 status is unknown, and possibly allow the end of life care visits with family.”
