Patent Application
20230270191
The present invention relates generally to face masks. More particularly, the present invention relates to 3D printed face masks.
Face masks, such as surgical face masks, are often worn by health care professionals to protect themselves and patients. Face masks can capture bacterial and viral particles dispelled from the wearer's mouth and nose during exhalation. The human face presents a challenge for forming a seal between a face mask and the face. The human face is deeply contoured, and the size and proportion of these contours vary widely between human faces. However, face masks are generally loose fitting, thereby allowing bacterial and viral particles present in exhalation gases to flow around the perimeter of the face mask, such as at the lower edges of the cheeks and around the chin of the wearer.
Conventional 3D printed face masks also fail to adequately seal to the face of a wearer due to the more rigid nature of conventional 3D printed materials. Moreover, softer 3D printed materials that are available are not easy to stretch, which risks seal failure when the user is talking, moving, temperature changes, or even body moisture changes.
The present invention relates broadly to a 3D printed mask for respirator use, customized to a user's face to ensure high quality sealing. The present disclosure relates to PCT/US21/25144, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/003,806 filed on Mar. 31, 2020, and the contents of the PCT application and the Provisional Application are incorporated as if fully set forth herein. The mask or respirator of the present invention is made using a polymeric material that results in a flexible perimeter in the 3D Additive Manufacture (AM) process that customizes the mask or respirator to a facial contour of a user. Accordingly, the use of a flexible material, such as, for example, the addition of a separate gasket on the perimeter of the mask that contacts the face of the user, in current designs is no longer needed. The mask of the present invention therefore has an integral flexible gasket made in the respirator build, all in a single monolithic piece, thereby resulting in better sealing and improved comfort for the wearer compared to current designs and a simpler design.
In an embodiment, the present invention includes a method for making a face mask comprising the steps of providing a base model of a mask body having a front side and a back side, the mask body defining an interior, the back side sized to yield a face opening adapted to receive a portion of a face of a user, wherein the face opening is defined by a perimeter; capturing topographical facial features of a face in a face scan; modifying the perimeter to create a modified perimeter that substantially matches topographical facial features of the face scan; and according to this invention, manufacturing the face mask with the modified perimeter out of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) using an Additive Manufacturing (AM) system, wherein the modified perimeter of the mask body is adapted to contact the face during use.
In another embodiment, the present invention includes a face mask. The face mask includes a body defining an interior and having a perimeter that substantially corresponds to topographical features of a face captured by a face scan. The face mask is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and the perimeter of the body is adapted to contact the face during use.
In an embodiment, the present invention further includes a filter cartridge member for a mask of the type disclosed herein and in the aforementioned PCT and U.S. Provisional Applications. The filter cartridge member is removably attached to the mask breathing opening. In an embodiment, the filter cartridge member is disposable. In an alternate embodiment, the filter cartridge member is reusable after appropriate sanitization. In another embodiment, the filter cartridge member is operable to receive filter material where the latter is then discarded and replaced with fresh filter media.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any one or more embodiments illustrated herein. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is instead used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.
The present invention relates broadly to face masks, such as, for example, face masks that can be used in a surgical field. However, the present invention is not limited to such use. The face mask includes a custom fitting reusable mask body, one or more filtered openings, which may further include a valve(s), and an adjustable detachable strap system. The face mask invention is most preferably manufactured using Additive Manufacture (AM) techniques, such as, for example, selective laser melting (SLS), Fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), etc. The face mask invention is made from a flexible material at the perimeter, in contact with the face, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as, for example, polyether block amide (PEBA).
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is well known as a general subject. Reference can be made to U.S. Pat. No. 10,259,041, for example, the contents and teachings of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. With regard to the AM process and system of powder bed fusion, this involves a manufacturing method for generatively manufacturing of a three-dimensional (3D) object by layer-by-layer application and selective solidification of a building material, preferably a powder, including the steps of: applying a layer of the building material to a build area by means of a recoater, selectively solidifying the applied layer of the building material at points corresponding to a cross-section of the object to be manufactured by means of a solidification device, and repeating the steps of applying and solidifying until the three-dimensional object is completed. As noted throughout this specification, however, the present invention has application beyond just the powder bed fusion process, and can be implemented using all types of similar layerwise manufacturing techniques. Moreover, it will be understood that application of aspects of the invention can be practiced outside of the 3D printing.
Referring to
The face mask 10 includes a body 24 that has been extruded based on a facial scan to create a perimeter 26 that matches a user face, as described below. The body 24 includes the filter compartment 12, cap 14, and filter elements. The perimeter 26 can be further profiled to create different edge features to provide further tolerance and cushioning at the areas of contact between the face mask 10 and the face of a user.
In the present invention, the perimeter 26 is designed such that no intermediate material (i.e., seal) is necessary. In an embodiment, a seal is disposed on only a part of the perimeter 26, such as at an are proximate the bridge of the nose of the user, and then tapered to meet the cheek of the user below the nose area. The design of the perimeter 26 is a matter of facial geometry and comfort.
In an embodiment, the perimeter 26 is rounded in the shape of a teardrop, dumb-bell or other suitable shape that interfaces directly to the face and creates a softer impact on the skin while allowing for some movement of the face mask 10 (i.e., rolling, sliding) while still maintaining a seal. The perimeter 26 could have an “S shape” that is managed with the AM printing process. The build material may have approximately 0.4 mm wall thicknesses and appropriate curvature to create a biasing effect at the interface with the face, thereby allowing the mask to move and flex to maintain a seal as the wearer moves his/her face or if the facial contour changes slightly due to blood pressure, skin moisture, temperature, etc. This also further reduces the pressure by which the mask must be pulled onto the face with attachment mechanism, such as, for example, straps. Due to variability in facial features, a need for different basics shapes may be needed to fit certain populations. A basic design could vary in areas such as the flair over the nose area to develop space between the nose and the wearer depending on facial features to enable comfort and seal of the mask. In another embodiment, the perimeter 26 could be a 3D lattice structure that also provides the aforementioned biasing effect at the interface of the mask perimeter 26 with the face.
The face mask 10, including the perimeter 26, is made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as, for example, polyether block amide (PEBA). PEBA is known under the tradename of PEBAX® (by Arkema) and VESTAMID® E (by Evonik Industries). PEBA elastomers are block copolymers made up of rigid polyamide blocks and soft polyether blocks. Manipulating these blocks and their relative ratio allows for the creation of a large range that spans the flexibility spectrum from very hard and rigid to very soft and flexible, without the need for plasticizers. Thus, these unique polymers maintain the highly desirable combination of the toughness traditionally associated with polyamides and the flexibility/elasticity more often seen with polyethers/polyesters. Additionally, PEBA can be partially bio-based (i.e., renewable) such as, Pebax®'s Rnew® range.
The foregoing PEBA material is used as the build material in a powder bed fusion AM process described with relation to the embodiment hereinafter discussed. As such, the entire face mask 10 is made of the same build material. In such an embodiment, the seal against the face at the perimeter 26 is now designed to be a flexible part of the integrally made mask body 24. A separate sealing element, such as a gasket, is thereby eliminated. This perimeter 26 of the mask is preferably made to a customizable shape of a face of a user, as described in the above-mentioned PCT and U.S. Provisional Applications.
Advantageously, a mask 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of this invention provides a flexible, pliable material that enables the mask 10 to move more easily with the face (e.g., bending when the wearer talks) to assist in maintaining a seal and increase comfort. The flexible material also allows the design of the perimeter 26 to be “furled” and contoured more closely to the face. The flexible material can also be made “springy” at the gasket interface, thereby feeling softer on the face of the user.
In an embodiment, a slight ridge or bead 36 is formed on the filter cap 14 or the filter compartment 12 to allow for alternate filter materials to be used. The bead 36 forms a shoulder to capture a tie-down element for attaching a filter element over the filter compartment 12. For example, the 36 bead allows the use of either a filter under the cap 14 and screwed into the mask, or the ability to dispose a filter material over the compartment 12 opening and secure it with a tie underneath the bead 36. This is especially useful in times of shortages of filter material when alternatives are needed. For example, an existing N95 fabric mask could be cut up and a piece placed over the cap opening and then secured by a strap around under the ridge or bead 36.
In an embodiment, the filter cap 14 includes a raised part or bar formed on the outside of the cap 14 for manipulation by the user to enable the filter cap 14 to be removed while reducing the amount of touch contact a user would have to have with the rest of the surface of the face mask 10. This feature is especially useful in infectious disease environments where virus particles are present on surfaces. The raised part thus enables easy removal and insertion. The cap 14 includes a threaded portion adapted to threadably couple with corresponding threads within the filter compartment 12. The cap 14 can be made simultaneously with the body 24 of the face mask 10 in the AM process.
In another embodiment, the face mask 10 includes a unique identifier printed on the face mask 10. For example a user's (for example, a doctor, nurse, clinician, or the like) initials, name, and/or a mask identification number that could then allow cleaning, reuse, and tracking in a clinical environment, thereby reducing risk of using someone else's mask, or even allowing different mask numbers to be used only in certain patient environments, for instance used only for Patient A's room.
3D printers, such as those built and sold by EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, as selective laser sintering (solidifying) printers, have a certain amount of build volume available in which to place parts for printing. The printers also must have instructions on how to build the desired parts, such as how thick or thin should each layer be, what laser power must be used, how must the laser scan the part (e.g., in what direction, what number of passes, what patterns, etc.), what temperatures, recoating techniques, and various other common settings are required to ensure a successful part as a result. The operation of such printers is well known in the art, and detailed description thereof is unnecessary herein.
The arrangement of the parts in the build, such as, placement, orientation, location next to each other, etc., can affect the final part quality with regards to feature definition, properties of the part (mechanically and other like surface quality) and dimensions, as well as how fast or how many parts can be placed in each run of the 3D printer.
A build instruction kit is therefore another aspect of the invention that is created for the 3D printer to optimally print the face mask 10. This would include a build setup, which can be automated, such a process including selecting the desired parts to be printed, importing the parts into a 3D printer CAD software environment, such as, for example, Magics by Materialise, and then allowing the software to automatically place and align the parts in an optimal fashion subject to rules and conditions set by the 3D printer operator or process developer. Doing an automated process both reduces the time required by a 3D printer operator to prepare a machine for printing parts, thereby increasing productivity, and increases the quality of the final parts.
Referring to
The 3D object file is stored and/or converted into a printable face mask file. The face scan data can include 3D model data such as a point cloud. Example file formats include, but are not limited to, STL, OBJ, FBX, COLLADA, 3DS, IGES, STEP, and VRML/X3D. Several elements of additional data (e.g., metadata) would also need to be transferred with the 3D object file. For example, user information (e.g., name, desired mask label, etc.), purchaser information, privacy acknowledgements and rights for the exchange to store the information or associated limitations on its use, desired shipping information and timing, etc.
A facial mask design is created from the facial scan data, illustrated at step 206, including topographical facial features of a person. Additional calculations could be made from the facial scan, such as, for example, comparing the face to a reference set of faces to understand symmetry and sizing that may affect the final customized facial mask selection and design. The facial mask design can be made using a computer aided design (CAD) application. CAD applications are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein.
Finally a printable file would then be made available on the data exchange based on the facial mask design, illustrated at step 208. The printable file could be made available to the purchaser, the user whose face was scanned, and/or published on a marketplace for an owner of 3D printer to select and fulfill the order (print, verify quality, deliver) via a computing device electronically communicable with the data exchange using known methods, illustrated at step 210. Various order status information could also be managed on this data exchange platform. Although the present embodiment is described in relation to face masks, the invention is not limited as such and could also be used to 3D print an array of other personalized products, such as, for example, gloves, glasses, helmets, braces, wearables, etc.
A custom contoured facial mask as described above can be manufactured using a method that uses a generative type face mask. For this adaptation, the facial scan is used to create a full generative design. Thus, instead of selecting a facial mask pattern from a database, this method uses the facial scan to provide the starting surface (plane) from which software algorithms then grow a facial mask off of the face, thereby creating a fully custom facial mask design that is unique to the individual's face.
Such a generative facial mask design could incorporate “standard elements” as well, such as, a filter cartridge holder for which a standard size would be desirable, in so much as this would allow ready mass and efficient production of re-usable elements like filter material, such as, a consumable cartridge that is changed out between a certain number of uses. While generative design is known, current art does not customize or personalize the final design to facial features of an individual. Rather, typical generative design is used for parts manufacturing, custom product design, and even floorplan design.
By enabling a digital build model and set of instructions for 3D printers, it is possible to rapidly deploy and scale up a distributed production model. For example, once the face mask print files are created and a set of instructions to run the printers created, such data can be digitally made available (via the internet, etc.) to physical sites where 3D printers are located. In this way, new models and designs can be rapidly deployed to points of production. This is especially useful in scenarios, such as natural disasters or epidemics, where supply chains and traditional logistics may be highly disrupted. For example, if digital build information can be deployed to a region with 3D printers, then items that cannot be obtained otherwise could be built locally, bypassing traditional supply chain hurdles. Additive manufacture (AM) of this type also enables the ability to modify designs extremely rapidly, essentially in real time, to adapt to evolving needs. For example, in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, a digital build kit can be deployed to sites that are located in the outbreak concentration areas with 3D printers and appropriate raw material stocks.
Referring to
In its most basic configuration, computing device 500 typically includes at least one processing unit 506 and system memory 504. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, system memory 504 may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated in figure below by dashed line 502. The processing unit 506 may be a standard programmable processor that performs arithmetic and logic operations necessary for operation of the computing device 500. The computing device 500 may also include a bus or other communication mechanism for communicating information among various components of the computing device 500.
Computing device 500 may have additional features/functionality. For example, computing device 500 may include additional storage such as removable storage 508 and non-removable storage 510 including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tapes. Computing device 500 may also contain network connection(s) 516 that allow the device to communicate with other devices. Computing device 500 may also have user input device(s) 514 such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, etc. Output device(s) 512 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. The additional devices may be connected to the bus in order to facilitate communication of data among the components of the computing device 500. All these devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here.
The processing unit 506 may be configured to execute program code encoded in tangible, computer-readable media. Tangible, computer-readable media refers to any media that is capable of providing data that causes the computing device 500 (i.e., a machine) to operate in a particular fashion. Various computer-readable media may be utilized to provide instructions to the processing unit 506 for execution. Example tangible, computer-readable media may include, but is not limited to, volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. System memory 504, removable storage 508, and non-removable storage 510 are all examples of tangible, computer storage media. Example tangible, computer-readable recording media include, but are not limited to, an integrated circuit (e.g., field-programmable gate array or application-specific IC), a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, a holographic storage medium, a solid-state device, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.
In an example implementation, the processing unit 506 may execute program code stored in the system memory 504. For example, the bus may carry data to the system memory 504, from which the processing unit 506 receives and executes instructions. The data received by the system memory 504 may optionally be stored on the removable storage 508 or the non-removable storage 510 before or after execution by the processing unit 506.
It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination thereof. Thus, the methods and apparatuses of the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computing device, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs may implement or utilize the processes described in connection with the presently disclosed subject matter, e.g., through the use of an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, or the like. Such programs may be implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language and it may be combined with hardware implementations.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
It should be appreciated that the logical operations described herein with respect to the various figures may be implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules (i.e., software) running on a computing device (e.g., the computing device described in the figure below), (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules (i.e., hardware) within the computing device and/or (3) a combination of software and hardware of the computing device. Thus, the logical operations discussed herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance and other requirements of the computing device. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, or modules. These operations, structural devices, acts and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof. It should also be appreciated that more or fewer operations may be performed than shown in the figures and described herein. These operations may also be performed in a different order than those described herein.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, PCT Application No. PCT/US2021/36256, filed Jun. 7, 2021 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/036,297, filed Jun. 8, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2021/036256 | 6/7/2021 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63036297 | Jun 2020 | US |
