EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University's College of Engineering and Technology faculty is helping front line workers by producing intubation boxes: clear, acrylic plastic cases that can be placed over a patient's head to protect healthcare workers when a patient is being intubated.

Starting with a Creative Commons sketch and photograph, EMU Engineering developed a 3D CAD (computer-aided design) model and supporting product documentation. EMU then engaged thyssenkrupp Engineering Plastics, a leading full line distributor and fabricator based in Auburn Hills, to provide fast turn, pre-cut acrylic panels to EMU specifications. Production tooling and custom work holding fixture (designed and built by EMU) were set up in Sill Hall Lab 142 for production.

The intubation boxes are being constructed by John Earl, laboratory manager at the College of Engineering and Teechnology, and Jon Paul Bell, an engineering student at EMU, with help from Professors Erik Lokensgard, Ph.D (Engineering) and Jason Ferguson (Arts and Design).

So far, 20 boxes have been constructed, with 12 already delivered to Henry Ford Health System. Eastern Michigan Board of Regents member Michelle Crumm made the delivery. EMU engineering faculty is continuing to work with St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and Henry Ford hospitals to place additional boxes at local hospitals that are in need of them. 

GameAbove, a group of dedicated and successful Eastern Michigan University alumni with various professional backgrounds, is providing funding support for the project. GameAbove is also supporting a broad-based EMU effort to make face masks and face shields for healthcare professionals.

For more information on EMU’s College of Engineering and Technology, visit the college website.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.