Teams from Nike’s innovation, manufacturing and product have been working with health care pros from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to produce Product Protective Equipment in the form of full-face shields and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses to provide to health care workers.
Nike has taken materials-footwear collar padding, apparel threads and TPU from air units- used in its footwear and repurposed them to be used in PPE.
The face shields are produced in a nine-step process formalized through a joint effort between Nike’s Innovation teams and manufacturing groups at the company’s Manufacturing Innovation locations in Missouri and Oregon.
Without proper facial protection, healthcare workers are at a higher risk of contracting the virus, which could place substantial strain on the healthcare workforce in the months ahead,” saysThe full-face shields help protect healthcare workers’ faces and also help to prolong the length we can safely use a surgical or N95 mask. Nike’s generous response to the COVID-19 crisis helps to instill an added layer of confidence and support for healthcare workers, that we can safely carry out the jobs we were born to do.
Miko Enomoto, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, OHSU School of Medicine
The previously mentioned TPU will also be used to create new lenses for PAPR helmets. These helmets are used in instances where the airborne pathogen exposure is the highest and is essential for health professionals on the COVID-19 frontlines. The Nike flavor of the device takes TPU, segments it and welds it to fit specifications of the helmet.
OHSU’s mission is to support the health and well-being of all Oregonians, and we can’t do that without adequate supplies of personal protective equipment. I’ve been so inspired by how our community has united to meet this health crisis. We are forever grateful to the commitment of our colleagues at Nike, as their dedication to our united effort will help save lives.
Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, president, Oregon Health & Science University
The first shipment of donated PAPR lenses and full-face shields were delivered to to OHSU Friday, April 3, 2020.
Equipment will also be provided health systems in the Beaverton, Oregon region including Legacy Health Systems, Kaiser Permanente, Providence and others.
