Development of a new aerosol barrier mask for mitigation of spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abi Karam, Karam; Hota, Piyush; Mora, S. Jimena; Lowell, Amelia; McKay, Kelly; Xian, Xiaojun; Patel, Bhavesh; Forzani, Erica
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 181(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Transmission -- Mitigation -- Aerosols -- Droplets -- Mask -- Pandemic -- Healthcare workers; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge impact on public health and significantly changed our lifestyle. This is due to the fast airborne oro-nasal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the infected individuals. The generation of liquid aerosolized particles occurs when the COVID-19 patients speak, sing, cough, sneeze, or simply breathe. We have developed a novel aerosol barrier mask (ABM) to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious pathogens. This Aerosol Barrier Mask is designed for preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission while transporting patients within hospital facilities. This mask can constrain aerosol and droplet particles and trap them in a biofilter, while the patient is normally breathing and administrated with medical oxygen. The system can be characterized as an oxygen delivery and mitigation mask which has no unfiltered exhaled air dispersion. The mask helps to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and potentially other infectious respiratory pathogens and protects everyone in general, especially healthcare professionals. Highlights: Aerosol Barrier Mask has the potential to protect hospital workers from aerosols generated by patients System can be characterized as an oxygen delivery and mitigation mask to be used while transporting patients. Aerosol Barrier Mask can mitigate close to a 100% of the aerosols.