Phoenix-based Scone Medical Solutions has received a U.S. patent for its Self-Contained Negative Pressure Environment (SCONE) device, which removes airborne particulates from an environment. Specifically, the SCONE is a small-capacity, disposable device that uses negative pressure to vacuum out aerosols emitted around a patient’s head and neck, adding an extra layer of active barrier protection to keep hospitals safe for healthcare workers and other patients.
Company officials say the newly allowed patent represents a first-of-its-kind medical device that enables hospitals to maintain better airborne isolation precautions and safety standards, even during periods of high patient volume. It’s designed to be used as an adjunct to airborne infection isolation rooms and personal protective equipment.
“We are extremely pleased to receive a newly issued patent for SCONE device,” says Mike Adams, president and CEO of Scone Medical. “We commend our partners at NeoIP who assisted us in applying for a ‘fast track’ accelerated examination COVID-19 application that resulted in this patent issuance in less than seven months from our filing date. Their firm’s expertise and guidance has been an invaluable asset to our company, and we look forward to continued partnership with them in expanding our patent portfolio in the near future.”
The highest risk of airborne infectious disease transmission is from actively infected patients to healthcare workers and other patients during aerosol-generating procedures, particularly in the acute care/triage setting. With SCONE, the device can be quickly deployed for use and quickly discarded after treatment.
