About our project

The problem we solve: The current COVID19 crisis is bringing into question the safety of musical rehearsal and performance. Current governmental suggestions for containing viral transmissions do not specify precautions for environments such as wind sections of orchestras or bands which have humans emitting air at high velocities. It is believed that the most problematic wind instrument is flute; a flutist is moving a large quantity of air directly from their lungs into the room rather than into a mouthpiece, as one would find with clarinet or trumpet. The application of a traditional medical-grade face mask does not allow the flutist to produce sound on the instrument.

About our solution: A current product on the market, the Win-D-Fender ™, is a flute accessory developed to allow a flutist to perform outdoors by blocking the disturbance of outside air (wind) which easily disrupts the flutist’s airstream thus impairing sound quality. This study will test the product’s effectiveness on containing the flutist’s particle generation and size distribution, in the opposite direction. If the product inhibits outside air from interfering with the flutist’s airstream, while still supporting flute sound, the product will likely reduce the spread of particles coming from the flutist into the room. This study will test the aerosol generation from flute playing with and without the use of the Wind-D-Fender™ to confirm the product’s impact on the risk of infectious disease transmission.

Progress to date:

Aerosol Generation from Flute Playing with and without the use of the Win-D-Fender™ and its Risk of Infectious Disease Transmission has already received partial funding support from the Texas Tech University J.T. and Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Honors College, and the Office of Research and Innovation. All scientists at TTU are volunteering their services to the study. We are seeking funding for the cost of a specialized particle measuring instrument: the NanoScan SMPS (Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer ™). The NanoScan SMPS provides a direct and quantitative measurement of the number-weighted particle size distribution in real time based on count size-classified particles using single-particle detection. This instrument is necessary to detect the small size particles related to infectious diseases like COVID19 (about 100 nm). The research methodology has been established. Samples will be taken to assess product effectiveness related to flutists' gender and height, as well are variables such as flute register (high-middle-low), dynamic (volume), articulation (slow to quick), and performance duration. Data from the study will be assimilated as quickly as possible for publication in order to inform global practices related to risk reduction of viral spread in musical rehearsal and performance. 

About Our Company

Innovation Details

Intellectual Property Summary

The Intellectual Property will be the results of the funded study and will belong to the research team. The results will be submitted for publication in order to inform global practices related to risk reduction of viral spread in musical rehearsal and performance. 

Clinical Information

We will be submitting for IRB approval to collect data related to the performance samples of flutists. 

Regulatory Status

FDA approval is not required.

How we will use the funds raised

RESEARCH BUDGET

$32, 775: NanoScan SMPS (Quote provided by TSI on 5/8/20) - Portable Nanoparticle Sizer including software and accessory kit with AC adaptor, 2 rechargeable batteries, alcohol fill capsule, 500 mL external fill bottle, L isopropanol bottles (Qty 16), zero filter, and USB cable. 

$4,245: 1 Year Service Agreement 3910 Nano Scan - Includes 1 Repair and Calibration (RP-3910) plus 1 Year Extended Warranty 

$2,980: Testing Chamber Materials (Plexiglas, glue, gloves, seals, build and other)

TOTAL BUDGET: $40,000

CURRENT CONTRIBUTIONS

$5,000 - TTU TCVPA Dean's ACSA

$7,000 - TTU Honors College

$4,000 - TTU Office of Research and Innovation 

FUNDING RAISED: $19,000

FUNDING NEEDED: $21,000

Thank You

Music education and performance is a vital part of our human culture. Many student and professional wind ensembles require musicians to work in close proximity while moving large and often fast quantities of air in and out of their lungs and into a shared space. Flute playing has highest potential aerosol spread of all the wind instruments. COVID-19 is an airborne respiratory virus. The application of the already available accessory, the Win-D-Fender(TM), may significantly reduce potential viral spread related to flute playing. Your funding support will assist in helping to determine the safest ways to return to live wind music rehearsal and performance. Thank you for considering this project! 

Supporters

• 
  Lydia Ellis
  01/13/2021 - Followed the project.
• 
  Barbara Santoro
  07/27/2020 - Backed the project for $20
• 
  Barbara Santoro
  07/27/2020 - Liked the project.

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