Bell’s Canada-based Team Supports Healthcare Efforts with Portable Anti-Aerosol Device Prototypes

In addition to supporting the Canadian National Defense, first responders across the world and other customers during the current pandemic, our Bell team in Mirabel, Quebec is using its expertise to aid a local university hospital - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) - in its effort to ensure the health and safety of its medical personnel providing care to patients infected by the COVID-19.

Specialists in pulmonology and intensive care from the CHUS have looked to Bell for developing a prototype of a Portable Anti-Aerosol Device that could be placed over the upper part of the patient's body during certain medical maneuvers, such as intubation, thus preventing the dispersion of aerosols and medical personnel exposure to the virus.

Less than a week after the request, our Innovation, Rapid Prototyping and Sheet Metal teams developed that prototype and delivered it to the CHUS for testing.  Within the same week, the design of the prototype was slightly improved based on the testing results, and an improved prototype delivered to the CHUS.

The production of the device by a Quebec-based SME is anticipated for distribution in all desirous hospitals in Quebec. Ready to put our skills, expertise and equipment such as our 3D printers for the development of this prototype, our teams were eager and proud to contribute in this historic struggle.

L'équipe canadienne de Bell soutient les efforts sanitaires grâce à des prototypes de Dispositifs anti-aérosols portables

En plus de contribuer à soutenir la Défense nationale canadienne et les premiers répondants à travers le monde dans le cadre de la pandémie actuelle, notre équipe Bell à Mirabel utilise son expertise pour soutenir le Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS) dans ses efforts pour assurer la sécurité du personnel médical offrant  des soins aux personnes infectées à la COVID-19

Des spécialistes en pneumologie et soins intensifs du CIUSSS de l'Estrie – CHUS ont contacté Bell afin de développer un dispositif anti-aérosol portatif. Ce prototype pourra être placé au-dessus de la partie supérieure du corps du patient lors de manœuvres d’intubation, d’extubation et de bronchoscopie, limitant ainsi la dispersion des particules par voie aérienne et l’exposition du personnel médical au virus.

Nos équipes d’innovation, de prototypage rapide, de métal en feuille et groupes de support ont développé et livré le prototype au CHUS pour une période de test, moins d’une semaine après avoir reçu la demande.

La mise en production du dispositif par une PME du Québec est prévue afin de le distribuer dans tous les hôpitaux du Québec désirant obtenir l’équipement. Prêts à mettre nos compétences, notre expertise et nos équipements, tels que nos imprimantes 3D, au profit du développement de ce prototype, nos équipes furent enthousiastes et fières de contribuer au combat de cette lutte historique. 

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About Bell

Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.

We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.

Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.

About Textron

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellations or deferrals of orders; our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers; changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of our products; volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products; volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates; and risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries.

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