Prospective Evaluation of the Transparent, Elastomeric, Adaptable, Long-Lasting (TEAL) Respirator

• Main Authors: Wentworth, Adam J (Author), Byrne, James D (Author), Orguc, Sirma (Author), Sands, Joanna (Author), Maji, Saurav (Author), Tov, Caitlynn (Author), Babaee, Sahab (Author), Boyce, Hannah (Author), Huang, Hen-Wei (Author), Chai, Peter (Author), Min, Seokkee (Author), Li, Canchen (Author), Chu, Jacqueline N. (Author), Som, Avik (Author), Becker, Sarah L (Author), Gala, Manish (Author), Chandrakasan, Anantha P (Author), Traverso, Carlo Giovanni (Author)
• Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Microsystems Technology Laboratories (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Contributor), Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT (Contributor)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society (ACS), 2021-05-12T21:25:50Z.
• Subjects: Article
• Online Access: Get fulltext

 N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) and surgical masks are essential in reducing airborne disease transmission, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, currently available FFR's and masks have major limitations, including masking facial features, waste, and integrity after decontamination. In a multi-institutional trial, we evaluated a transparent, elastomeric, adaptable, long-lasting (TEAL) respirator to evaluate success of qualitative fit test with user experience and biometric evaluation of temperature, respiratory rate, and fit of respirator using a novel sensor. There was a 100% successful fit test among participants, with feedback demonstrating excellent or good fit (90% of participants), breathability (77.5%), and filter exchange (95%). Biometric testing demonstrated significant differences between exhalation and inhalation pressures among a poorly fitting respirator, well-fitting respirator, and the occlusion of one filter of the respirator. We have designed and evaluated a transparent elastomeric respirator and a novel biometric feedback system that could be implemented in the hospital setting.