In the United States, shortages of essential items such as facemasks, gloves, and anti-bacterial products has created an increased demand for innovative thinking and entrepreneurship. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to the creation of a variety of different inventions to alleviate the disastrous impact of the disease. Inventors have responded, bringing numerous new inventions and improvements of existing inventions to the market.
Protective Facemasks
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, companies and individuals have taken the initiative upon themselves to lend their knowledge and expertise and join the rapidly growing network of inventors innovating in the COVID-19 treatment and spread-prevention arena. Due to the scarcity of products and the unprecedented demand of protective face masks, the innovation in this space has seen unprecedented growth over the the past several weeks. While facemasks such as the N95 have been determined to be useful in combating the spread of the COVID-19, they don’t fully protect against tiny virus particles, nor can they kill the virus. In addition, N95 masks are in extreme demand and the shortage has led to consumers and hospitals being unable to purchase them. In fact, as of April 2nd, Amazon has discontinued the sale of N95 masks to consumers. As a result, a need for alternatives is urgently needed and inventors are coming to the rescue. Inventors across the globe have come up with new versions of facemask, including completely new products, improving the protective functionality of face masks by guarding the eyes or including filters with antiviral and antibacterial agents. Other inventors are utilizing already existing items from the market, such as snorkeling masks and face shields, and using 3D Printing other advanced technology methods and processes to transform these products into protective facemasks.
3D Printing to the Rescue
As is the case with facemasks, other products that we normally take for granted have left empty spaces on shelves, in e-commerce, in hospital rooms, and in our personal supply at home. While 3D printing has seen an increase in its practical use over the past decade, the last few months have seen a particularly steep increase in the use of and need for 3D printed products. Producers of 3D printers such as Formlabs are considering taking on a new purpose: keeping the products that they would normally sell and utilizing them to produce nasal swabs for the purpose of COVID-19 testing, as well as face shields to deter further spread of COVID-19. Other companies like SmileDirectClub and HP are using 3D printers to make breathing filters ventilator valves, and facemask clamps. Small innovators are getting involved as well. Many individual 3D printer owners have shared their 3D printing blueprints for public use in order to encourage the production of some of the items in high demand as well as items geared to a broader market, such as hands-free door openers, customizable facemasks, and ventilators that use snorkel masks as their foundation.
Experienced Patent Attorneys
Innovation plays a pivotal role in promoting the health and safety for people all around the world. While there is great opportunity for innovation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to properly protect your inventions still exists and may be more important now than ever before. Having the right lawyers on your side to protect your inventions can make all the difference. The Plus IP Firm’s experienced patent lawyers represent inventors of all types seeking to prevent, treat and eliminate coronavirus disease. We will fight to win your case, so you can profit from your inventions. Learn more during a free case evaluation.
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