Enhancing facemask effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic through the development of personalised additively manufactured PPE

该项目将数字化面部轮廓与医用级有机硅的先进增材制造相结合，以提高COVID-19危机期间关键工作人员口罩的有效性。定制FFP 3标准口罩，无论是通用的还是通过替代制造路线开发的，以解决全球供应短缺问题，迫切需要（i）提供有效的密封，保护工人免受病毒传播，以及（ii）增强可穿戴性，以防止与长时间使用相关的皮肤损伤。在本项目中，我们将首先评估使用基于智能手机的3D成像技术的适用性捕捉面部形状并将这些数据与临床使用的摄影测量进行比较。同时，我们将开发和评估一系列可应用于现有FFP 3面罩和新开发设计的定制硅胶接口原型。为了实现这一目标，我们将利用我们现有的3D打印有机硅专业知识，系统地优化为该应用量身定制的组合物，探索流变和沉积变量。我们的目标是根据标准临床程序快速进行面罩“贴合性”检查，评估密封性、舒适性和缩短贴合时间的优越性。还将评估增材制造硅胶界面的病毒消毒效果，以促进转换。最终用户将积极参与该项目，该项目本身将得到机构研发/商业化团队的支持，以最大限度地提高在最早时间点扩大规模的机会。

This project brings together digitial facial profiling with advanced additive manufacturing of medical grade silicones to improve the effectiveness of facemasks for key workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Customisation of FFP3 standard facemasks, whether generic or those being developed through alternative manufacturing routes to address the global supply shortage, is urgently required to (i) provide an effective seal protecting workers against viral transmission and (ii) enhance wearability to prevent skin trauma that is associated with prolonged use.In this project we will firstly assess the suitability of using smart phone based 3D imaging technologies to capture facial form and compare this data with clinically used photogrammetry. Simultaneously we will develop and assess a range of custom silicone interface prototypes that can be applied to existing FFP3 masks and newly developed designs. To achieve this we will use our existing expertise of 3D printing silicone to systematically optimise compositions tailored for this application exploring rheological and deposition variables. Our aim is to rapidly progress to mask 'fit' checking according to standard clinical procedures, evaluating for superiority in seal, comfort and reduced fitting time. Efficacy of viral disinfection of the additively manufactured silicone interfaces will also be assessed to facilitate translation. End-users will take an active part in the project, which itself will be supported by institutional research and development / commercialisation teams to maximise the chance of scale-up at the earliest timepoint.