Photo/Illutration Hiroki Kitamura explains about his team’s household-use quarantine chamber for COVID-19 patients in Tsu in April. (Tetsuaki Otaki)

TSU--A transparent plastic chamber about the size of a small tent and equipped with ventilation may be just the thing to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in homes, hospitals or evacuation centers.

The shelter was developed during the course of about a month with the aim of putting it into commercial use as soon as possible while the COVID-19 pandemic rages.

With production costs fixed at about 40,000 yen ($373), the team is soliciting business operators to jointly commercialize the apparatus, the brainchild of Hiroki Kitamura, a 51-year-old employee of a leading electronics company.

Kitamura, who lives in Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, worked with four other individuals.

The one-person quarantine chamber consists of a plastic frame covered with transparent plastic sheets, with a fan attached for air circulation. Kitamura said his goal was to prevent infections transmitted by droplets.

Although a similar system already exists, Kitamura said it wasn't suitable for general households because the fan, while providing good ventilation, was too big and costly.

The team focused on making the space that needs to be ventilated as small as possible so as to keep production costs down. At 210 centimeters in length, 100 cm wide and 105 cm high, the shelter is just large enough to accommodate a single bed.

A plastic sheet divides the chamber into two sections at a point slightly above the waist of the individual lying inside, allowing for efficient air circulation by ventilating only the space in which the person breathes.

Kitamura came up with the idea in early March as new coronavirus infections started to spike in Japan. He took particular note of the fact that being in close contact with a patient at home contributes to the spread of infection.

In addition to home use, the chamber is designed for use in medical institutions as well as in times of natural disaster when there is an increased risk of COVID-19 spreading in gymnasiums and other crowded venues that serve as evacuation centers.

"We are in a time-sensitive situation, and everyone is at risk of getting infected," Kitamura said. "I believe the chamber will save lives."

For inquiries, call Hirokazu Tanaka at (090-3252-3898).