A Rapidly Deployable Test Suite for Respiratory Protective Devices in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal article (2020)

Authors

Thijs Blad Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Joep Nijssen Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.P.A. Nijssen Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
F.G.J. Broeren Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Precision and Microsystems Engineering
Freek Broeren Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Precision and Microsystems Engineering
Bob Boogaard Erasmus Medical Centre
Stefan Lampaert Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
S.G.E. Lampaert Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
John J. van den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J. J. Van Den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
John Van Den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.J. Van Den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
John J. Van Den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J. J. van den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J. Van Den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J. van den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
John van den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.J. van den Dobbelsteen Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Mechatronic Systems Design (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 Thijs Blad, J.P.A. Nijssen, F.G.J. Broeren, Bob Boogaard, S.G.E. Lampaert, Stefan van den Toorn, J.J. van den Dobbelsteen, Joshua Spaander
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1535676020947284
More Info
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Precision and Microsystems Engineering

Research Group

Mechatronic Systems Design

Abstract

Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused large shortages in personal protective equipment, leading to hospitals buying their supplies from alternative suppliers or even reusing single-use items. Equipment from these alternative sources first needs to be tested to ensure that they properly protect the clinicians that depend on them. This work demonstrates a test suite for protective face masks that can be realized rapidly and cost effectively, using mainly off-the-shelf as well as 3D printing components. Materials and Methods: The proposed test suite was designed and evaluated in order to assess its safety and proper functioning according to the criteria that are stated in the European standard norm EN149:2001+A1 7. These include a breathing resistance test, a CO2 build-up test, and a penetration test. Measurements were performed for a variety of commercially available protective face masks for validation. Results: The results obtained with the rapidly deployable test suite agree with conventional test methods, demonstrating that this setup can be used to assess the filtering properties of protective masks when conventional equipment is not available. Discussion: The presented test suite can serve as a starting point for the rapid deployment of more testing facilities for respiratory protective equipment. This could greatly increase the testing capacity and ultimately improve the safety of healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.