KAIST Professor Taejin Nam developed MCM, a negative pressure ward with five wards, will be commercialized after trial operation by the 15th “Compared to the existing negative pressure ward, the cost is one-fifth and the weight and volume are reduced, making transportation and assembly simple.”
A mobile negative pressure ward installed at the Korea Atomic Energy Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Pilot operation from the 28th of last month to the 15th of the coming month. / Provided by KAIST
Researchers in Korea announced on the 7th that they have developed a’mobile negative pressure ward (MCM)’ that can be installed on-site within 5 days to solve the problem of shortage of beds for critically ill patients with novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). After completing the pilot operation by the 15th, it plans to promote commercialization.
According to KAIST on the 7th, the research team of Professor Nam Taek-jin of the Department of Industrial Design developed with the government support and installed and piloted the MCM at the Korea Atomic Energy Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul on the 28th of last month. It is equipped with 1 intensive care unit, 4 general negative pressure rooms, medical examination room, nurse room, medical equipment storage room, and toilet in a space of about 450㎡).
MCM is a form of assembling after separately making modules such as negative pressure frame, automatic door, hospital room tent, and corridor tent. The research team explained that five days would be enough to transport all modules to the site and install them completely. The pre-production period for all modules is expected to be around two weeks.
Economical comparison of existing negative pressure ward, existing modular negative pressure ward, and MCM. / Provide KAIST
In order to care for corona 19 infected patients, a negative pressure ward that can keep the indoor air pressure lower than the outside is necessary to prevent the virus from spreading to the outside. Existing negative pressure ward costs 350 million won per ward, and a total of 5 billion won is required for a ward with six wards. The MCM developed by the research team is expected to cost 75 million won per ward, and about 1 billion won per ward with six wards. The cost can be reduced to one fifth compared to the previous one.
A view of the exterior (top) and interior (bottom) of one MCM ward. / Provided by KAIST
Compared to the existing assembled mobile negative pressure ward, it has advantages in terms of weight and volume. The weight and volume of MCM is 8 tons·156㎥, which is 20~40% of the existing (about 22 tons·600㎥). Previously, 12 40-foot container trucks were required for transport, whereas three MCMs were sufficient, according to the research team. If necessary, the size of the ward can be expanded by increasing the number of modules.
Shinsung ENG, a domestic company, is in charge of module production. Prof. Nam said, “Technologically, we have reached the commercialization stage. After the pilot operation is over on the 15th, if the public or private sector finds a demand, we will be able to commercialize it immediately.
