PLoS ONE (Jan 2023)

The Ultra fit community mask-Toward maximal respiratory protection via personalized face fit.

  • Chulho Hyun,
  • Mark M Jensen,
  • Kisuk Yang,
  • James C Weaver,
  • Xiaohong Wang,
  • Yoshimasa Kudo,
  • Steven J Gordon,
  • Anthony E Samir,
  • Jeffrey M Karp

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281050
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 3
p. e0281050

Abstract

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Effective masking policies to prevent the spread of airborne infections depend on public access to masks with high filtration efficacy. However, poor face-fit is almost universally present in pleated multilayer disposable face masks, severely limiting both individual and community respiratory protection. We developed a set of simple mask modifications to mass-manufactured disposable masks, the most common type of mask used by the public, that dramatically improves both their personalized fit and performance in a low-cost and scalable manner. These modifications comprise a user-moldable full mask periphery wire, integrated earloop tension adjusters, and an inner flange to trap respiratory droplets. We demonstrate that these simple design changes improve quantitative fit factor by 320%, triples the level of protection against aerosolized droplets, and approaches the model efficacy of N95 respirators in preventing the community spread of COVID-19, for an estimated additional cost of less than 5 cents per mask with automated production.