Evaluation of the user seal check on gross leakage detection of 3 different designs of N95 filtering facepiece respirators

Lam, Simon Ching; Lui, Andrew K.; Lee, Linda Yin King; Lee, Joseph K.L.; Wong, Ka Fai; Lee, Cathy N.Y.

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2015.12.013

Cited by 33 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(56 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Along these lines, we also speculate that 3D printing may provide alternatives for respiratory PPE in those that do not pass-fit testing with standard commercially-available N95 respirators due to size or anatomical variation. Many essential healthcare workers fail initial N95 fit testing ( 29 , 30 ) due to variations in face morphology. Tailored 3D printed masks may overcome these limitations using imaging data contoured specifically to the user.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Fit Tested N95 Respirator-Alternatives Generated With CT Imaging and 3D Printing: A Response to Potential Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rationale and Objective: Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows innovative solutions for personal protective equipment, particularly in times of crisis. Our goal was to generate an N95-alternative 3D-printed respirator that passed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-certified quantitative fit testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: 3D printed prototypes for N95 solutions were created based on the design of commercial N95 respirators. Computed tomography imaging was performed on an anthropomorphic head phantom wearing a commercially available N95 respirator and these facial contour data was used in mask prototyping. Prototypes were generated using rigid and flexible polymers. According to OSHA standards, prototypes underwent subsequent quantitative respirator fit testing on volunteers who passed fit tests on commercial N95 respirators. Results: A total of 10 prototypes were 3D printed using both rigid (n = 5 designs) and flexible materials (n = 5 designs), Prototypes generated with rigid printing materials (n = 5 designs) did not pass quantitative respirator fit testing. Three of the five prototypes with flexible materials failed quantitative fit testing. The final two prototypes designs passed OSHA-certified quantitative fit tests with an overall mean fit factor of 138 (passing is over 100). Conclusion: Through rapid prototyping, 3D printed N95 alternative masks were designed with topographical facial computed tomography data to create mask facial contour and passed OSHA-certified quantitative respiratory testing when flexible polymer was used. This mask design may provide an alternative to disposable N95 respirators in case of pandemic-related shortages. Furthermore, this approach may allow customization for those that would otherwise fail fit testing on standard commercial respirators.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Fit Tested N95 Respirator-Alternatives Generated With CT Imaging and 3D Printing: A Response to Potential Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The experiments were conducted at the 'Mask Fitting and Personal Protective Equipment Skill Station' of the university. To minimize variation in concentration of the suspended particles and dust in the environment, all procedures were performed in a standardized setting at a mean temperature of 23.05 C and humidity of 57.08% [17]. Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Review Committee of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Reference No.…”

Section: Procedures For Mask Fitness and Usability Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing mask fit and usability of traditional and nanofibre N95 filtering facepiece respirators before and after nursing procedures

Suen

Guo

et al. 2020

Journal of Hospital Infection

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Keywords:Mask fit Usability Nanofibre technology N95 filtering facepiece respirators Nursing Physical properties S U M M A R YBackground: The reliability of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) depends on correct fitting. The perceived usability of FFRs is equally important because discomfort during usage may affect compliance. Body movements during nursing procedures may also increase the risk of face seal leakage. Aim: To evaluate the mask fit and usability of the best-fitting 3M N95 FFR and the nanofibre N95 FFR before and after nursing procedures. The physical properties of these FFRs were also examined. Methods: This experimental study had a one-group multiple comparison design. In total, 104 nursing students participated, and performed nursing procedures for 10 min when wearing the best-fitting 3M FFR and the nanofibre FFR. Mask fit and perceived usability of the FFRs were evaluated. Findings: More participants failed to obtain a fit factor !100 when using the best-fitting 3M FFR than when wearing the nanofibre FFR (33.7% vs 21.2%) after the procedures (P¼0.417). The nanofibre FFR also demonstrated higher usability than the 3M FFRs in terms of facial heat, breathability, facial pressure, speech intelligibility, itchiness, difficulty of maintaining the mask in place, and comfort level (P<0.001). The nanofibre FFR was also lighter, thinner and had slightly higher bacterial filtration efficiency than the 3M FFRs. Conclusion: The nanofibre FFR demonstrated significantly better usability than the 3M FFRs. None of the respirators were able to provide consistent protection for the wearer, as detected by face seal leakage after performing nursing procedures. Further improvement in the prototype design is needed to increase compliance and ensure the respiratory protection of users.

show abstract

“…Fit check is a simple, inexpensive, fast, and self-manageable test that can be conducted anytime and anywhere. However, this test is unable to serve as an effective alternative to QNFT because of its low sensitivity, accuracy, and predictive value 25 26 32 33 . Training wearers how to fit check increases the possibility that they will adjust respirators to proper fit 34 .…”

Section: Personal Protectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities: Environmental Control and Personal Protection

Lee

2016

Tuberc Respir Dis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Transmission of tuberculosis (TB) is a recognized risk to patients and healthcare workers in healthcare settings. The literature review suggests that implementation of combination control measures reduces the risk of TB transmission. Guidelines suggest a three-level hierarchy of controls including administrative, environmental, and respiratory protection. Among environmental controls, installation of ventilation systems is a priority because ventilation reduces the number of infectious particles in the air. Natural ventilation is cost-effective but depends on climatic conditions. Supplemented intervention such as air-cleaning methods including high efficiency particulate air filtration and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation should be considered in areas where adequate ventilation is difficult to achieve. Personal protective equipment including particulate respirators provides additional benefit when administrative and environmental controls cannot assure protection.

show abstract

Evaluation of the user seal check on gross leakage detection of 3 different designs of N95 filtering facepiece respirators

Abstract: The results did not support user seal checks in detecting any actual gross leakage in the donning of N95 respirators. However, such a check might alert health care workers that donning a tight-fitting respirator should be performed carefully.

Cited by 33 publications

References 27 publications

Quantitative Fit Tested N95 Respirator-Alternatives Generated With CT Imaging and 3D Printing: A Response to Potential Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Quantitative Fit Tested N95 Respirator-Alternatives Generated With CT Imaging and 3D Printing: A Response to Potential Shortages During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Comparing mask fit and usability of traditional and nanofibre N95 filtering facepiece respirators before and after nursing procedures

Tuberculosis Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities: Environmental Control and Personal Protection

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About