Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on personal protective equipment solutions that ensure safety for medical and health workers and for the larger public.
Heat Map: 5 Top Personal Protective Equipment Solutions
We use a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 interesting examples out of 117 relevant solutions. We analyzed technology-driven solutions that help medical workers as well as individuals to protect themselves. Aegle Gear, Nexera Medical, Novo Health Services, Smarterials Technology, and Eagle Protect develop 5 top solutions to watch out for.
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Eagle Protect – Disposable PPE
The appearance of zoonotic diseases such as rift valley fever, SARS, pandemic influenza H1N1, yellow fever, avian influenza (H5N1, H7N9), West Nile virus and MERS-CoV, COVID-19 are increasingly affecting human population due to close human-animal contacts. The chances of transmission of new diseases from animals to humans can be prevented by using effective PPE while handling animals and raw meat.
The US-based startup Eagle Protect develops disposable PPE for the food industry. The startup creates disposable smocks, aprons, jackets, beard covers, hats, and balaclavas aimed at the food safety and food processing industry. Additionally, the solution allows the larger public to carry out services and deliveries with increased safety, including activities with a higher risk of catching infections such as touching fomites like railings, elevator buttons, and other hard surfaces.
Aegle Gear – Antimicrobial Scrubs For Medical Staff
Scrubs are used by healthcare professionals as regular on-duty clothing. During the times of pandemics, gown or coveralls need to be used in addition as scrubs do not provide enough protection from microbes such as bacteria and viruses. By incorporating smarter materials into fabrics, startups and emerging companies develop upgraded scrubs to protect medical staff adequately.
The US-based startup Aegle Gear makes antimicrobial and water repellent scrubs for healthcare professionals. The antimicrobial property in scrubs is obtained by the treatment with Protx2, a proprietary technology that controls microbial growth over the long term. In addition, the startup’s scrubs offer anti-chafe stitching, four-way stretch, articulated knees, and stretch waistbands that enable greater mobility and increased levels of comfort.
Smarterials Technology – Surgical Gloves
Double gloving is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for healthcare professionals while handling patients during pandemics like COVID-19. Single gloves can get damaged from disinfectants and increase the risk of needle-stick injuries while double gloving reduces the risk of contamination of hands when removing.
German startup Smarterials Technology creates gloves with perforation indicators and a higher level of protection using double gloving. The use of these gloves removes discomfort and decreases tactile sensation and impaired dexterity associated with conventional double gloving. Using a combination of inorganic chemistry, surface functionalization, and process technology, this startup is set to launch its patent-pending surgical gloves soon.
Novo Health Services – Reusable PPE
The demand for personal protective equipment during the Coronavirus pandemic is understandably very high, leading to production and supply chain bottlenecks. Reusable PPE in customizable and portable kits are being developed by startups to ensure protection for frontline healthcare workers.
The US-based startup Novo Health Services works on the Hybrid Preference Pack that contains both disposable and reusable protective equipment and offers bespoke solutions, according to the needs of the situation. The startup’s product portfolio comprises of Class I & II medical devices such as reusable surgical gowns, towels, sheets, drapes, back tables, and stainless basins offering protection for mobile health workers.
Nexera Medical – Antimicrobial Respirator Masks
COVID-19 is transmitted between humans through respiratory droplets, making this coronavirus highly contagious in nature. Respiratory masks are among the most important personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical and health workers as they protect frontline workers and reduces the chances of transmission by an infected individual. With surging demand, mask making startups and emerging companies are gearing up for a period of intense production.
The US-based company Nexera Medical produces the SpectraShield N99 antimicrobial respirator mask. The product meets the WHO’s and the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for controlling exposure to infectious diseases. Silver and copper act as antimicrobial agents in the mask that kills and inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus.
How To Flatten The Curve?
This is an unprecedented situation for many of us across the world. The SARS outbreak in the early 2000s claimed 774 lives. That toll was enough to drive research & development and easier healthcare solutions. The fact that several mobile health, e-health, diagnostics, and remote health startups and companies are able to respond during a real epidemic is encouraging. With thousands of deaths already, we expect to see numerous new companies offering technology-driven solutions to help doctors, nurses, other health workers, and the larger public.
