Written by Anne Trafton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology July 12, 2020

These masks are based on the shape of 3M 1860 N95 masks, which are commonly used in Brigham and Women's Hospital. Most of the masks are made of silicone rubber, and there is room for one or two N95 filters. These filters are designed to be replaced after each use, while the rest of the mask can be sterilized and reused. This picture shows a photo of the mask on the model's head. Image source: Provided by the researcher

The prototype mask includes an N95 filter, which can be easily disinfected and worn multiple times.

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a new type of mask that they believe can be as effective as N95 masks to stop virus particles. Unlike N95 masks, the new masks are designed for easy disinfection and can be used multiple times.

As the number of new Covid-19 cases in the United States continues to increase, medical staff and others still urgently need N95 masks. The new mask is made of durable silicone rubber, can be manufactured by injection molding, and is widely used in factories all over the world. The mask also includes an N95 filter, but compared to traditional N95 masks, it requires much less N95 materials. 

"A key issue we recognized early on was that in order to help meet demand, we need to really limit ourselves to methods that can be scaled," said Brigham, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brigham and Gastroenterology at Brigham University. Said the expert Giovanni Traverso. Women's Hospital. "We also want to maximize the reusability of the system, and we hope that the system can be disinfected in many different ways."

The team is now developing the second version of the mask based on feedback from medical staff, and is working to establish a company to support the expansion of production and seek approval from the FDA and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH).

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a new type of silicone rubber mask that they believe can block virus particles as effectively as N95 masks. Unlike N95 masks, the new masks can be easily disinfected and can be used multiple times. This figure shows a photo of the mask (A and B) and the steps required to clean and reuse the mask. Image source: Provided by the researcher

Traverso is the senior author of a paper describing the new mask, which was published in the British Medical Journal Open on July 7, 2020. The lead author of the study is James Byrne, a radiation oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a research affiliate of the Koch Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Research at MIT; Adam Wentworth, a research engineer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and The research affiliate of the Koch Institute; Peter Chai, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital; and Hen-Wei Huang, a researcher at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and a postdoctoral fellow at the Koch Institute.

The N95 masks worn by medical staff to prevent exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses are made of polypropylene fiber, which is specifically used to filter tiny virus particles. Ideally, medical staff will replace new masks every time they see a different patient, but the shortage of these masks has forced doctors and nurses to wear them for longer than expected.

In recent months, many hospitals have started to disinfect N95 masks with hydrogen peroxide, and a single mask can be used up to 20 times. However, this process requires specialized equipment, which is not available everywhere, and even with this process, a mask can only be worn for one day.

The MIT/BWH team set out to design a mask that can be safely disinfected and reused many times. They decided to use silicone rubber—the material for silicone bakeware and other products—because it is very durable. Liquid silicone rubber can be easily molded into any shape using injection molding. This is a highly automated process that can quickly produce products.

These masks are based on the shape of 3M 1860 N95 masks, which are commonly used in Brigham and Women's Hospital. Most of the masks are made of silicone rubber, and there is room for one or two N95 filters. These filters are designed to be replaced after each use, while the rest of the mask can be sterilized and reused.

"With this design, the filter can be ejected and thrown away after use, and you throw away much less material than N95 masks," Wentworth said.

The researchers tested several different disinfection methods on silicone masks, including passing them through an autoclave (steam sterilizer), putting them in an oven, and then soaking them in bleach and isopropanol. They found that the silicone material was not damaged after sterilization.

To test the comfort and fit of the mask, the researchers recruited about 20 medical staff from the emergency department and oncology clinic of Brigham and Women's Hospital. They asked each subject to perform a standard suitability test required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for N95 masks. In this test, the subject wears a face mask and then performs a series of actions to see if the face mask remains in place. The atomized sugar solution was sprayed in the room, and if the subject could taste or smell it, it meant that the mask did not fit properly.

All 20 subjects passed the suitability test and they reported that they were able to successfully insert and remove the N95 filter. Byrne said that when asked about their preferences between new masks, typical N95 masks and standard surgical masks, most people either said they had no preference or preferred the new silicone masks. They also spoke highly of the fit and breathability of the new mask.

Researchers are now working on a second version of this mask, and they hope to make this mask more comfortable and durable. They also plan to conduct additional laboratory tests to measure the ability of masks to filter virus particles.

Due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in many areas of the United States in the past month, hospitals in these areas are facing the possibility of a shortage of masks. In parts of the world where there is no equipment required for hydrogen peroxide disinfection, more masks are needed.

"We know that Covid will really not disappear before the vaccine goes viral," Byrne said. "I think there is always a need for masks, whether in the medical environment or in the public."

Reference: "Injection molding autoclave, scalable, consistent (iMASC) system for aerosol-based protection: a prospective single-arm feasibility study" Authors: James D Byrne, Adam J Wentworth, Peter R Chai, Hen- Wei Huang, Sahab Babaee, Canchen Li, Sarah L Becker, Caitlynn Tov, Seokkee Min and Giovanni Traverso, July 7, 2020, British Medical Journal Open. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039120

The research is partly funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham and Women's Hospital, National Institutes of Health, Electronic Ink Corporation, Gilead Sciences, Philips Biosensing, and Hans and Mavis Lopater Psychosocial.

I want a machine from a mask manufacturer.

Let me guess you are a millennial

I want better comments. Do you know those who educate you and make sense? I think that before getting a mask machine, I might consider learning to post on a technical website. Oh yes, my pony is rainbow-colored, even though it has nothing to do with this little bit

love it! ! I couldn't make it better myself.

Wow, can I have one of that mask? I am a frontline worker in Cebu City. The mask is very important to my life now. Thanks!

We have designed such masks in India, manufactured and delivered them to doctors and front-line workers. scubemask fingurus

We have designed such masks in India, manufactured and delivered them to doctors and front-line workers. scubemask fingurus

I have a box of N95 masks with the words on the back that the mask cannot protect the wearer from viruses. What is the difference between this mask?

What does it say? If it is a NIOSH certified N95, then it should provide excellent protection, provided it is installed properly (at least a seal check-you should check the instructions on the NIOSH N95 or NIOSH website). NIOSH is not part of the FDA, and the manufacturer may not be approved by the FDA, which is required for medical claims. If it has an exhalation valve, it may not be able to protect others from you. Most existing elastic half-face respirators (protection levels N95 to P100) have an exhalation valve. Even though they have not received full FDA approval, they have been used in hospitals for about ten years.

D. Gonzalez, "not anti-virus" is just for legal liability protection. It can actually resist viruses, but it may not be 100%, and the company does not want to be sued, in case you want it to protect you 100% and you get sick.

From Bewakoof reusable washable pollution masks with free shipping around the clock COD, buy masks online from a large number of series at the best price

I want a website for masks.

If you want to test the effectiveness of the N95 mask with valve, try to put it on and blow out the candle two inches in front of you. They do not meet certain technical requirements, but are orders of magnitude better than headscarves in protecting others.

I would worry about the fit of the round filter in the mask and the leakage between the filter and the mask. It does not look very safe in the image, and the ability of the mask to work normally depends on the absolute absence of leakage around the filter. If the filter is replaced every day, it must be possible to replace the filter without any leakage, poor installation, or deterioration of the seal over time. I would also like to point out that surgical and surgical mask materials have 98% BFE and PFE. For those who do not work directly with Covid patients but want good aerosol protection, this is also an acceptable filter material for these silicone masks- Transmission of Covid-19. In other words, medical staff do not work with Covid patients and the public. This is especially useful if the N95 mask material is not available in the required quantity in time. Also because this seems to be a flat filter, does this filter still carry an electrostatic charge that is part of the thick N95 mask material?

According to the latest and previous statistics, COVID 19 does not disappear so easily. This seems to be true, and there is always a need for high-quality masks whether in the healthcare sector or among the public. As clearly mentioned in this article, the comfort and fit of the mask are very important.

We need to provide n95 masks for everyone, not just health workers, because there are too many fools (Republicans) that make America the most dangerous place on earth.

If I have heard it a million times-wearing a mask does not protect you from viruses, but protects people around you from viruses. And I know the percentage of this protection is limited, so don't go crazy with me. This is such a lazy comment, because if everyone wears a mask, then we will all be more protected, right? In addition to cutting off all contact with humans. So I think such comments add fuel to the fire for those who claim that wearing masks violates their civil rights or constitutional rights or anything else. Listen-what about a person's life and breathing rights? Do these people have no conscience? The thought that I may be asymptomatic and a carrier is enough to keep me at home and maintain myself. A few times I had to go out, you damn I always wear a mask. I have been wearing masks from the beginning, and a few times my husband and I went to town to grab supplies. We were the only people wearing masks. This is partly common courtesy, partly common sense. What makes my heartache is that many of my fellow Americans have very few of both!

I wore a similar mask when I was working in woodwork... it worked well and it was very comfortable. However, I think that eye protection needs to be part of the mask. It should allow people to wear glasses under it. That would be much safer.

I want one. How do I get it?

This thing looks terrible to wear when it's hot.

Design considerations: Since this mask is transparent, move the filter or change the shape so that people can see and read the wearer’s lips.

I like the idea of ​​more efficient and reusable masks, but I am curious whether the new silicone masks are recyclable, or we are just creating other things to pollute the earth

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