1. Enhancement of peripheral seal of medical face masks using a 3-dimensional–printed custom frame
- Author
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Robert Handysides, Holli Riter, Eun-Hwi Cho, Yang Li, Montry S. Suprono, Udochukwu Oyoyo, Alisa Wilson, Abu Ahmed, Zhe Zhong, Roberto Savignano, Jessica Kim, Paul Richardson, Rebecca Reece, and Joseph Caruso
- Subjects
business.product_category ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,ASTM ,Computer science ,Original Contributions ,ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials ,Fit testing ,Economic shortage ,Seal (mechanical) ,MFM ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,level 3 ,3D, 3-dimensional ,level 2 ,MFM, Medical face mask ,PPE, Personal protective equipment ,Respirator ,General Dentistry ,Practical implications ,CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ,L-2, Level 2 ,Medical Face Masks ,FDA, US Food and Drug Administration ,business.industry ,Frame (networking) ,030206 dentistry ,MM, Micrometer ,Face masks ,NIOSH, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health ,fit factor ,L-3, Level 3 ,peripheral seal ,OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration ,business ,Computer hardware - Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, American Society for Testing and Materials level 3 and level 2 medical face masks (MFMs) have been used for most health care workers and even for the first responders owing to a shortage of N95 respirators. However, the MFMs lack effective peripheral seal, leading to concerns about their adequacy to block aerosol exposure for proper protection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the peripheral seal of level 3 and level 2 MFMs with a 3-dimensional (3D-) printed custom frame. METHODS: Level 3 and level 2 MFMs were tested on 10 participants with and without a 3D-printed custom frame; the efficiency of mask peripheral seal was determined by means of quantitative fit testing using a PortaCount Fit Tester based on ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter protocol. RESULTS: The 3D-printed custom frame significantly improved the peripheral seal of both level 3 and level 2 MFMs compared with the masks alone (P < .001). In addition, both level 3 and level 2 MFMs with the 3D-printed custom frame met the quantitative fit testing standard specified for N95 respirators. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The 3D-printed custom frame over level 3 and level 2 MFMs can offer enhanced peripheral reduction of aerosols when using collapsible masks. With the shortage of N95 respirators, using the 3D-printed custom frame over a level 3 or level 2 MFM is considered a practical alternative to dental professionals.
- Published
- 2021
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