WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Orthopaedic Innovation Centre Inc. ("OIC" or "the Company), a non-profit centre for medical device testing, research and development, announced today the award of funding from Western Economic Diversification (WD) to establish a respirator and filter media testing facility.
The novel Coronavirus COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented global pandemic and an immense global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially for frontline health care workers. As the virus is passed by airborne transmission, there is a particular need for face masks and respirators to filter out deadly pathogens from the air. A significant number of international orders of PPE have been discovered to have unsatisfactory filter media, or the fit of the PPE did not meet minimum standards. Federal and Provincial Governments in Canada have been taking steps to shore up secure domestic supply chains and kick-start local manufacturing of critical PPE products.
The funding provided to the OIC by WD and the Province of Manitoba will be used to purchase key equipment to assess a broad range of half-face respirators, surgical and non-surgical masks, and other airway filtration products. Added testing capabilities include:
- Particulate filtration efficiency (PFE)
- Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE)
- Differential pressure (∆p)
- Breathability
- Material strength and durability
- Fluid penetration resistance
- Flammability resistance
- Product shelf-life
- Individual mask fit-testing
The establishment of a respirator and filter media testing facility at the OIC fills a gap in Canada's medical device sector for a third-party, SCC-certified testing laboratory that will support and prioritize local product needs. OIC's partner organization, Precision ADM, is developing of a reusable N95 equivalent mask for the Province of Manitoba and will engage OIC's new capabilities to ensure a sound product. The OIC will be capable of supporting other airway and respiratory device manufacturers in Canada as well as numerous healthcare authorities in need of routine PPE testing and evaluation, whether the products are sourced within Canada or abroad.
"The Government of Canada is committed to the well-being of all Canadians," said Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages Mélanie Joly in a statement. "This $199,647 investment in the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre is to help foster a secure supply chain of critical medical products, right here in Canada. I look forward to the lab at OIC becoming an internationally accredited testing site."
"The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that we need local, secure supply chains for critical medical products, including personal protective equipment, which is why we have invested in the development of local N-95 mask production with Precision ADM and others," said Manitoba Central Services Minister Reg Helwer.
"The Orthopaedic Innovation Centre is well positioned to rapidly become an accredited filter media and respirator testing service provider in Canada in order to protect our frontline healthcare workers during this pandemic and future healthcare crises. The OIC has a proven track record for world-class orthopaedic device testing which I know will translate to success in this new service offering," said Martin Petrak, Chief Executive Officer of the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre.
For more information on respirator and filter media testing or other medical device evaluations, please contact the OIC via email at: [email protected] or visit the OIC online at: https://www.orthoinno.com
About the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre
Backed by engineering expertise, experience, and a passion for research and innovation, the Orthopaedic Innovation Centre excels in supporting the medical device industry through static and dynamic mechanical testing, precision measurement, clinical research services, and product development activities. The OIC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
SOURCE Orthopaedic Innovation Centre
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