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Heated Air Delivery by Micro-Sauna: An Experimental Treatment Prototype Concept for Coronavirus Disease 2019

Ziyad O Knio1, J Alan Shelton2, Tadhg O'Gara3

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.

Cureus
|June 19, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Researchers engineered a micro-sauna to deliver heated air, potentially destabilizing the COVID-19 virus. This innovative approach explores heated air as a novel treatment strategy for coronavirus disease 2019.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Engineering
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge.
  • Existing research indicates heat can destabilize coronaviruses in laboratory settings.
  • The hypothesis suggests heated air might inactivate viral pathogens within the body.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer a novel micro-sauna device for controlled heated air delivery.
  • To assess the feasibility of using heated air as a potential therapeutic for COVID-19.
  • To encourage further research into thermal therapies for viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • Concept development and design of a micro-sauna prototype.
  • Engineering processes focused on safe and tolerable heated air delivery.
  • Testing and refinement of the prototype for optimal performance.

Main Results:

  • Successful engineering of a micro-sauna prototype.
  • The device is capable of delivering air heated to 80-90 degrees Celsius.
  • The heated air delivery was demonstrated to be safe and tolerable.

Conclusions:

  • The micro-sauna prototype represents a viable tool for delivering therapeutic heated air.
  • Further investigation into heated air as a COVID-19 treatment is warranted.
  • This technology could open new avenues for managing viral respiratory illnesses.
Keywords:
2019-ncovcovid-19heated airprototypesars-cov-2

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