Injection Molded Autoclavable, Scalable, Conformable (iMASC) system for aerosol-based protection

Traverso, Carlo; Byrne, James D; Wentworth, Adam; Chai, Peter; Huang, Hen-Wei; Babaee, Sahab; Li, Canchen; Becker, Sarah; Tov, Caitlynn; Min, Seokkee

There is a dire need for personal protective equipment (PPE) within healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, single use disposable N95 face masks have been limited in supply. We have developed an Injection Molded Autoclavable, Scalable, Conformable (iMASC) system for aerosol-based protection. The iMASC system was designed as a reusable liquid silicone rubber mask with disposable N95 filter cartridges that can fit most face sizes and shapes. This system reduced the amount of N95 filter while preserving breathability and fit. Using finite element analysis, we demonstrated mask deformation and reaction forces from facial scans of twenty different wearers. In addition, we validated these findings by succesful fit testing in twenty participants in a prospective clinical trial. The iMASC system has the potential to protect our healthcare workers with a reusable N95-comparable face mask that is rapidly scalable.