By Formula 1 and the fight against coronavirus – an unlikely power couple.
Staff at the Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust believe that the ‘Oxford Box’ could mark a significant breakthrough in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at its four hospitals – The John Radcliffe, Churchill and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury
Weighing just 7kg, the ‘Oxford Box’ was developed by businesses in the Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) network and involved the research and development of Cluster Ambassador Dr Cristiana Pace’s Enovation Consultancy Ltd and motorsport engineering company and STC member One Group Engineering.
The Renault DP World Formula 1 Team, with its advanced understanding of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and the University of Oxford’s Oxford Simulation, Teaching & Research (OxSTaR) centre have also played significant roles in the development of this innovation.
The device is easily moved, stored, sterilised and re-allocated during emergency situations, and can be manufactured in large numbers using recycled plastics.
Bianca Tingle, a Consultant Anaesthetist at OUH, has been involved in the development of the new device. She said:
“We believe the Oxford Box is the best aerosol shield available. We predict it will be used beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. It adds a vital layer of protection for clinical staff. Removal of PPE (‘doffing’) is the riskiest moment for us, but keeping aerosols inside the Oxford Box greatly reduces contamination of us and the surrounding area.”
One Group founder Ron Hartvelt said:
“Most of our work has previously been automotive and motorsport. I believe this project demonstrates just how powerful the motorsport approach can be.”
Renault DP World F1 Team’s Head of CFD, Paul Cusdin, said:
“We modelled the speed, direction and air flow as we would in F1 and were thus able to advise the best placement, size and shape of the box to take its protection level to near 100% for the treating medic.”
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