Abstract

Although the COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating, public health strategies have transitioned from containment to harm reduction. In light of this paradigm shift, it is critical that individuals take steps to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the United States, the CDC recommends that individuals wear face coverings in public places, such as grocery stores. As lockdowns are being phased out around the world, authorities are requiring the use of such masks in public places while maintaining social distance.

Individuals (including healthcare professionals outside of their clinical settings) and manufacturers are following the CDC’s recommendation. But, many currently available masks are not form-fitting, are not customizable, and are uncomfortable with even short-term use, thereby undercutting their effectiveness. Moreover, because cotton absorbs and retains the moisture found in an exhaled breath masks made of cotton have the potential to increase the wearer’s risk of infection. Thus, as we shift to harm reduction and social distancing measures relax, it is imperative that these shortcomings in fabric masks are addressed and that is the motivation for this research.

The overall objective of the research is to design, develop, and test a fabric mask that is effective while being comfortable during continuous use over long periods of time. As the first step in the design process, we reviewed the modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus. We analyzed a medical mask and a fabric mask in the market and identified their shortcomings. We carried out an in-depth analysis of user needs and developed the performance requirements of the proposed mask. We defined the architecture of the mask comprising the following principal components: Barrier, Form-Fitting, Positioning, and Fastening. We tested and evaluated candidate materials for the components and developed the design specifications and construction details for the mask. We produced the mask and carried out subjective testing on a user in a typical workplace setting; we demonstrated that the mask was form-fitting, customizable, washable, and could be worn continuously and routinely over extended periods of time by individuals and therefore could serve as an effective means to reduce the harm from SARS-CoV-2.

摘要

尽管 COVID-19 大流行没有减弱的迹象，但公共卫生战略已从遏制转变为减少危害。鉴于这种范式转变，个人采取措施防止 SARS-CoV-2（导致 COVID-19 的病毒）的传播至关重要。在美国，CDC 建议个人在公共场所（例如杂货店）戴口罩。随着世界各地逐步取消封锁，当局要求在公共场所使用此类口罩，同时保持社交距离。

个人（包括临床环境之外的医疗保健专业人员）和制造商正在遵循 CDC 的建议。但是，许多目前可用的口罩不合身，不可定制，即使是短期使用也不舒服，从而削弱了它们的有效性。此外，由于棉花会吸收并保留由棉花制成的呼出式呼吸面罩中的水分，因此有可能增加佩戴者感染的风险。因此，随着我们转向减少伤害和社会疏远措施的放松，必须解决织物口罩的这些缺点，这就是本研究的动机。

该研究的总体目标是设计、开发和测试一种织物口罩，该口罩在长时间连续使用时既有效又舒适。作为设计过程的第一步，我们回顾了 SARS-CoV-2 病毒的传播方式。我们分析了市场上的医用口罩和织物口罩，找出了它们的缺点。我们对用户需求进行了深入分析，并制定了建议面罩的性能要求。我们定义了面罩的架构，包括以下主要组件：屏障、形状拟合、定位和紧固。我们测试和评估了组件的候选材料，并制定了面罩的设计规范和构造细节。我们制作了口罩，并在典型的工作场所环境中对用户进行了主观测试；我们证明该口罩合身、可定制、可清洗，并且个人可以长时间连续和常规佩戴，因此可以作为减少 SARS-CoV-2 危害的有效手段。