Improving Tolerance to Snorkel Mask Use as Alternative Personal Protective Equipment

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Respiratory Protection
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Shortages of N95 respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic led to exploring alternative personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Snorkel masks were considered as a potential alternative, but required adaptation for effective filtration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a 3D-designed triheaded adapter for snorkel masks.
• To connect snorkel masks to multiple National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N99 filters.
• To improve wearer comfort and reduce respiratory resistance.

Main Methods:

• 3D design and fabrication of a novel triheaded adapter.
• Measurement of respiratory resistance for the triheaded adapter compared to a single adapter.
• Interdepartmental survey of anesthesiologists to assess perceived comfort.

Main Results:

• The triheaded adapter demonstrated one-third the respiratory resistance of a single adapter.
• Anesthesiologists reported improved comfort when using the triheaded adapter.
• The adapter facilitates the use of N99 filters with snorkel masks.

Conclusions:

• The triheaded adapter is a viable solution for enhancing snorkel mask usability as PPE.
• This innovation offers improved comfort and reduced resistance, addressing critical needs during PPE shortages.
• Further research could explore long-term usability and broader applications.