We plan to make an emesis container that will be able to contain aerosol norovirus particles from contaminating and transmitting the surrounding public.

Project Overview

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes approximately 685 million infections worldwide each year, resulting in approximately 200,000 deaths [1][2]. Infected individuals will experience severe vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps for several days. The virus is spread via contaminated surfaces, food, water, as well as aerosol particles generated from emesis and coughing. During emesis, 0.02% of virus particles in the resultant matter are aerosolized, which amounts to approximately 13,000 particles [3]. These particles travel in droplets 0.3-5 microns in diameter and only 10-100 ingested viral particles are needed for subsequent infection [4][5]. There is currently no cure for this virus, thus infected individuals must weather their symptoms. While most individuals experience a few days of discomfort, this virus can cause complications with dehydration, especially amongst young and old populations, and in extreme cases, can lead to death [6].
During the symptomatic period, norovirus particle transmission is commonplace via droplets due to a current lack of proper containment of emesis and virus particles, as well as inappropriate disposal and decontamination methods. Emesis turbulence within current containers causes virus particles to become airborne in aerosol form, allowing for widespread transmission. Therefore, the team aims to develop a safer emesis container which prevents the transmission of norovirus into the air and onto neighboring surfaces by localizing all particulates and counteracting spread.
The safer emesis container design’s purpose is to contain the emesis volume and prevent norovirus aerosol droplets from escaping into the surrounding air. Past designs have used an attachable ring which pulls vacuum on the air surrounding the opening of the emesis bag. This vacuum, while trapping all escaping aerosols, must also filter all air which may be expelled. In addition, the container should allow for the disposal of the emesis without any additional contamination. This device is for the general public and should allow for easy self-use in any environment.

[1] "Norovirus Worldwide", Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021. [Online].
Available: https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks/worldwide.html. [Accessed: 23- Sep- 2021].

[2] L. Jones, "Norovirus kills 200,000 people every year - everything you need to know to
protect your family", The US Sun, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.the-sun.com/news/106505/norovirus-kills-200000-people-every-year-everything-you-need-to-know-to-protect-your-family/. [Accessed: 23- Sep- 2021].

[3] "This Machine Vomits On Command For Science", Time, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://time.com/4003121/vomiting-machine-norovirus/. [Accessed: 23- Sep- 2021].

[4] S. Asadi, C. Cappa, S. Barreda, A. Wexler, N. Bouvier and W. Ristenpart, "Efficacy of masks and face
coverings in controlling outward aerosol particle emission from expiratory activities", Scientific Reports, vol. 10, no. 1, 2020.

[5] "Facts about norovirus", European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2021.
[Online]. Available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/norovirus-infection/facts. [Accessed: 23- Sep- 2021].

[6] Mayo Clinic. 2021. Norovirus infection - Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at:
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/norovirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20355296> [Accessed 23 September 2021].

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members

• Jack Maher - Team Leader
• Ava Asbury - Communicator
• Joshua Varghese - BSAC
• Abdoulahi Bah - Co-BWIG
• Logan De Lacy - Co-BWIG
• Jenna Krause - BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. Chris Brace - Advisor
• Mr. Robert Gold - Client

Related Projects

• Fall 2021: Safer emesis container
• Spring 2021: Safer emesis container
• Fall 2020: Safer emesis container