Portable epidemiological isolation unit. ephemeral architecture for Covid-19 emergency

Manrique, C. A. N.; Pérez, A. L. P.; Calonge, H. G. R.; Quin, C. A. C.

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Colombian Ministry of Science and Technology launched the call for research proposals "MinCienciatón". The call invited researchers in different fields to submit solutions that help to mitigate the health emergency produced by the spreading of the virus worldwide, including ideas for the isolation of infected patients and the protection of medical staff. In this context, the LAB LAHC1 was selected to produce a Portable Epidemiological Isolation Unit. A Product of the laboratory's research in polyhedral geometry and ephemeral architecture, we designed a pneumatic structure which allows for the treatment of infected patients as well as the isolation of medical staff and equipment. In the event that the health system becomes saturated, this system will allow the sanitary authorities to expand their hospital capacity when needed. It will also allow for the installation of field hospitals in isolated areas within the national territory that do not have the necessary infrastructure to cope with the sanitary crisis. © 2020 Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. All rights reserved.