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. 2022 Dec 9;17(12):e0278889.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278889. eCollection 2022.

Development of a customized mask retainer for improving the fit performance of surgical masks

Yuanyuan Pan  1 , Qi Xi  2 , Jiali Meng  3 , Xi Chen  4 , Guofeng Wu  1   3
Affiliations

Development of a customized mask retainer for improving the fit performance of surgical masks

Yuanyuan Pan et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

This study introduces a customized mask retainer to improve the fit performance of surgical masks using various advanced digital techniques. The participant's 3D face scans with and without a surgical mask were taken by using a smartphone. The mask retainer was designed using the 3D face scan data based on the facial anthropometric landmarks. The fitting was inspected and adjusted using the masked face scan data. The retainer was fabricated using a 3D printer. The effectiveness of the retainer on the augmentation of the fit of the surgical mask was tested according to the Chinese Standard (GB 19083-2010). A questionnaire was used to assess the effect of wearing surgical masks with and without retainers and N95 respirators on subjective perception of discomfort. The effectiveness test of the retainer on the augmentation of the fit performance showed a better than 25-fold increase in the overall fit factor, meeting the fit requirement for KN95 respirators in China. The subjective perception of discomfort of wearing N95 was significantly greater than surgical mask with and without retainers. The fit factor results indicated that by using the retainer, the overall fit factors and that of each exercise significantly increased compared to that of the group with the surgical mask alone. And compared with N95, the surgical mask with the retainer significant improved comfort. The surgical mask with the retainer can provide an alternative of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. 3D face scan by using scanning APP.
Participant taking 3D face scan with scanning APP installed on a smartphone. Whole process cost less than 1 minute.
Fig 2
Fig 2. 3D face scans acquired with face scanning APP and CAD of retainer.
Panel A shows anatomical facial landmarks used to determine border of retainer: A, rhinion; B, margo infraorbitalis; C, processus temporalis ossis zygomatici; D, vertical line at angulus oris plane; E, angulus oris. Panel B shows CAD of retainer merged on 3D face scan. Panel C shows CAD of retainer merged on 3D face scan with mask. CAD, computer aided design.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Surgical mask retainer.
Panel A shows fabrication of the retainer by using 3D printing technology before and after support was removed. Panel B shows participant wearing surgical mask supplemented by the retainer.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Participant taking fit factor test.
Shown is fit testing situation for participant wearing surgical mask supplemented by retainer. The subjects’ favorite pattern is added to the upper left corner of the retainer.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Rating scale of subjective perceived discomfort.
Questionnaire of quantifying eight domains of comfort/discomfort of wearing a mask.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types

Grants and funding

G.W. was received the funding from Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. BE2019622.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.