Face mask designs following novel Coronavirus

Area of Science:

• Medical PPE
• Infectious Disease Control
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Healthcare professionals require complete protective equipment during high patient influx.
• Effective measures like mask-wearing and social distancing have contained outbreaks.
• Contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) necessitates replacement, posing contamination risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and improve existing designs for PPE replacement.
• To propose novel PPE designs minimizing contamination during removal and storage.
• To address the physiological needs of doctors in resource-limited scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of previous personal protective equipment (PPE) designs.
• Development of three improved PPE designs (A, B, C) focusing on reduced contact.
• Incorporation of features like hydration channels and folding patterns.

Main Results:

• Design-A includes a water channel for hydration without mask removal.
• Design-B utilizes a folding pattern to conceal the outer surface.
• Design-C integrates a mask with a cap brim for an extended air-intake area.
• Design-D focuses on extending mask usability while minimizing contact.

Conclusions:

• Improved PPE designs can significantly reduce contamination risks for healthcare workers.
• Innovative features enhance user safety and address practical challenges in healthcare settings.
• These advancements are vital for maintaining healthcare worker well-being during pandemics.