Wuhan Hook V2: Simple Self-Disinfecting Wand to Prevent Viral Transmission

Based on the original ‘Wuhan Hook’ but with 3D printed case for better strength!

Why: The coronavirus (COVID-19) can last for hours to days on shared surfaces, making extreme caution while touching and interacting with shared spaces absolutely necessary for the forseeable future. With this metal + flame sanitization system, you ensure that:
1. You never touch shared surfaces directly
2. You are not responsible for transferring the virus from your own person to shared surfaces
3. You are preventing further transmission from surface to surface

How to use: before and after using the hook, use the lighter to flame the metal bar - this sanitizes the hook, to ensure you are not transferring any virus you are carrying to the surface. Light the flame for ~10s to sanitize the surface. Note that this does not sterilize it (100% remove all biologicals) but sanitizes it (removes a large quantity of biologicals).

Flame the metal bar before and after using the Wuhan Hook:

Before touching surface: prevents you from transmitting any viral particles that may be on your hand to the shared surface.
After touching surface: removes any viral particles you may have picked up from the shared surface.

Note: this method is an extra layer of protection, but you still must wash your hands before leaving and entering new spaces and wash the metal portion of the hook to ensure a clean burn surface is maintained.

Cleaning: We are very lucky that soap is a great way to inactivate the coronavirus, thanks to soaps being able to disrupt the viral capsid. You can remove the lighter and soak this device in soapy water to keep it clean in between outings.

I've used this for pressing buttons of all kinds, opening doors, etc. Let me know what you use it for in the comments!

Original Wuhan Hook: https://hackerfarm.jp/2020/03/howto-wuhan-hook/

+ super huge thank you to Griffin of Otagai Designs for helping with the 3D Design files and Julian of the Make It Zone for offering 3D printing filament and time for this project.

Supplies

• 5mm allen key
• Bic lighter
• 3D printer and filament
• design files (we loaded a couple versions below, as well as the original Fusion files)

Step 1: Gather Supplies

All you need is a 5mm hex wrench or allen key, a standard sized bic lighter, and 3D printing filament. If you don't have a 3D printer, skip to the bottom for a few ideas for how to make a sanitizing wand without the holder, similar to the original Wuhan Hook!

Notes:
When choosing metal, zinc plated metals are not recommended as these are not safe to flame.

Step 2: 3D Print the Holding Case

Use our design files for your 3D printer if you are using a 5mm flat to flat hexagonal shaped allen key. If not, we have provided the original Fusion files for your tweaking.
Note: This design leaves ~1/2" inch between the lighter top and bottom edge of the metal surface.

Here are the measurements for the allen key and the lighter we used to design the files around:

Allen Key:
5.1mm flat to flat (for design cavity)
Length: ~3"
3D Model: we used 1-1/4" deep (cavity length)

Lighter:
Width: 1"
Depth: 9/16"
Height: 2-1/4" (cavity top to bottom to leave room for the lighter top)

3D Print Settings:
0.3mm layer height
15% infill
Wall thickness: 2 layers
Bottom thickness: 3 layers
Top thickness: 3 layers
Time of print: 2h11m

Choose the "Wuhan Hook V2 files" to print the same design that we made.

We also made an alternate design that has a hole in the bottom for use of different size allen keys! If you use this, let us know how it goes in the comments. Choose the "Hook Three" files to print this version.

Step 3: Use Your Hook!

How to use the hook:

1. Before you use the hook to touch a surface, light the lighter for ~10s to disinfect the metal surface. This prevents transmission from you to the surface.

2. Flame the surface after you touch the surface. This prevents viral transmission from the surface to you.

This method is similar to the method used in microbiology labs to clean plate spreaders between samples. Note that it will not kill everything, but it will help reduce the quantity on the surface. It is a prevention tool, not a complete fix, so always remember to wash your hands and to wash the Wuhan Hook in between trips outside. Good luck!

Ps. if you want there are downloadable instructions here.

Step 4: Other Designs If You Don't Have a 3D Printer

If you don't have a 3D printer, there are many other ways you can make a similar tool! We made this one so it was strong and sturdy, but other versions are still very useful and super easy to make, probably with things you just have laying around the house.

1. The original Wuhan Hook:
All this is is a lighter and allen key taped together!
We tried this one out from Hackerfarm: https://hackerfarm.jp/2020/03/howto-wuhan-hook/

2. The simplest tool ever:
You can bend a safety pin through the lighter flame area, to make a small metal pokey stick you can continuously flame!
We got the photo from this facebook video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=139870010785326

Step 5: Other COVID Resources!

If you are a maker, there is tons you can do to help your local community deal with the changes and safety requirements until a vaccine is made. Here are some resources I have found particularly helpful:

Open Covid: https://app.jogl.io/program/opencovid19
Just One Giant Lab - lots of biohackers, makers, and open source equipment here.

Corona Virus Tech Handbook: https://coronavirustechhandbook.com/home
Huge google doc tracking global initiatives and covid-19 best practices. Lots of projects on here, and the Open Source Hardware Section (mainly masks) is full of makerspace related projects.

Ideea .io: https://ideea.io/3ps/covid-19
Online portal connecting hospitals/medical professionals with people who have 3D printers and can make emergency parts. They 'order' a part via this service.

Vancouver Makers Emergency Response Fbook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/653795795373494/
This Facebook group is an incredible resource for anyone looking to produce PPE, mainly Face Sheilds, for local health care workers.

Good luck everyone! Stay safe and wash your hands!