Last updated
Thermal Fuse Cover
Product Description
Executive Summary
The Thermal Fuse Cover is a protective cover designed to protect the OxySafe Cannula Valve thermal fuse product and resist from being tampered with or accidentally dislodged, while still allowing for normal use and function of the OxySafe fuse, the canulae, and the lanyard or facemask. The Thermal Fuse Cover is intended to be installed by a durable medical equipment provider and delivered to the patient's home as a part of their oxygen supply equipment. The Thermal Fuse Cover is intended to be used for Veterans with at-home oxygen systems who are tampering with or removing the thermal fuse safety device. The Thermal Fuse Cover is another level of security designed to make it more difficult for this essential safety feature to be removed.
Introducing the Thermal Fuse Cover: a vital protective accessory designed to secure the OxySafe Cannula Valve thermal fuse. This durable cover prevents tampering and accidental dislodging while ensuring the continued safe use of oxygen supply equipment for Veterans at home.
Partners
VA Technology Transfer Program, VHA Innovators Network
Item Number
Coming Soon! (005)
Vendor
VHAs Office of Advanced Manufacturing. Contact OAM directly to place an order.
Shipping Timeline Estimate
This product was just licensed and is expected to ramp-up product in 2024
Price
~$16.24/unit and the minimum quantity order is 60 units *cost may vary depending on size of production order
Intrapreneur
Innovator
Doug Hilliard
Prosthetic Manager
From the Innovator
Mr. Doug Hilliard, the VISN 4 Prosthetic Manager, recognized that the contracted O2 vendors for his VISN were reporting that ~20% of Veterans were removing the inline safety fuses that have been installed for at-home oxygen therapy setups, thinking it may impede O2 flow. Sensitive to this potential home oxygen issue being a safety risk and being preoccupied with failure, he took immediate action coming up with solutions to prevent tampering with the inline safety fuse.
In his garage, Mr. Hilliard developed the initial concepts for the clamshell lock which would cover and lock the thermal fuse in place, preventing fuse removal. After the clamshell solution was conceived, he worked with the engineering expertise at the Human Engineering Research Laboratory (HERL) team to further develop prototypes and secure a patent, later working with OAM to establish production capabilities within the VA for distribution of this device to Veterans.
Doug Hilliard
Prosthetic Manager
Images and Video
Multimedia
Images
Some VISNs reported 20% of Veterans were removing the inline safety fuses that have in their at-home oxygen therapy setups, thinking it may impede O2 flow. Thermal Fuse helps mitigate that security risk.
From Doug Hilliard's garage to the Human Engineering Research Laboratory and Office of Advanced Manufacturing, the Thermal Fuse has evolved to best fit Veteran needs.
Doug Hilliard, the VISN 4 Prosthetic Manager
Order Product
-
Order This Product
VA employees should adhere to the standard ordering process within their service. Direct orders to manufacturers by VA are not permitted unless explicitly authorized.
-
New Vendor for Your Site
First time purchasing from this vendor? Let us help! To obtain a copy of a completed VA Form 10091 (VA Form 10091, FSC VENDOR FILE REQUEST FORM), please contact VAIPMVendorizationRequest@va.gov.
-
Vendorization Complete
Follow your local vendorization process to request the assignment of a local vendor number.
-
Gather Product Information
At the top of this page, locate and copy the following product details:
- Item Number
- Item Price
- Vendor
- DUNS Number
-
Submit Your Order
Paste the copied product details into an email and send it to your service-line purchasing agent utilizing your normal purchasing process.
-
For Orders Above Purchase Card Limit
If your order exceeds the purchase card limit, email VAIPMSupport@va.gov for assistance with vendor contracting.