The Hero Masks Project

DIY Masks

Here are some promising mask designs:

• FixTheMask.com – A brilliantly simple design to make a typical surgical mask that may outperform an N-95 mask using three rubber bands.
  • We are looking to improve on this design by using non-latex, anti-microbial rubber bands that can be sterilized in an autoclave.
• More coronavirus DIY: UF upcycles for masks – Making a (theoretically) 4% better than N-95 mask from fabric hospitals throw out every day

Ear Savers

Wearing an ear-loop mask all day, especially if combined with the FixTheMask improvement shown above, can lead to very sore ears, which then leads to not using the masks and bands consistently.   Ear savers are small, typically 3D-printed plastic, pieces that you put on the back of your head and then attach the mask/bands to it instead of your ears.   Different catches allow for different amounts of tension and head sizes, allowing you to be safe and pain-free all day.

We are currently working with a few organizations and individuals to supply us so we can get them out to our frontline and essential workers.

Resources:

• Reduced Materials Surgical Mask Tension Release Band (3dprint.nih.gov)

Open Source N95 Masks

This project designs an open-source N95 grade mask and lets people print them on their own 3D printers to be shipped to hospitals.

We are currently:

• investigating whether these designs are suitable for production by injection molding, which would allow them to be produced much faster and cheaply and with more consistent quality than the 3D-printed varieties.

Resources:

• NanoHack
• Medical University of South Carolina MUSC Mask

Open Source Face Shields

This project designs Face Shields and lets people print them on their own 3D printers to be shipped to hospitals.

We are currently:

• investigating whether these designs are suitable for production by injection molding, which would allow them to be produced much faster and cheaply and with more consistent quality than the 3D-printed varieties.
• investigating tweaks to the current design that would allow
  • better management of the devices by allowing them to be stacked and interlocked without falling over on storage shelves
  • use of off the shelf sheet protectors (Letter 3 Hole, Letter 11 Hole, A4 3 Hole, A4 11 Hole)
  • use of clear transparency sheets (Letter)

Resources:

• Prusa: 3D PRINTED FACE SHIELDS FOR MEDICS AND PROFESSIONALS
• UW: Badger Shield
• NYU: Open Source Face Shield
• Super simple design for plastic sheets
• More projects listing page

Open Source Ventilators

This project designs an open-source Ventilator and lets people print them on their own 3D printers to be shipped to hospitals.

We are currently:

• investigating whether these designs are suitable for production by injection molding, which would allow them to be produced much faster and cheaply and with more consistent quality than the 3D-printed varieties.

Resources:

• MIT-based team works on rapid deployment of open-source, low-cost ventilator
• Open-source project spins up 3D-printed ventilator validation prototype in just one week
• This open source ventilator hackathon could help fight the coronavirus

Ventilator Hacks

Ways of providing increased ventilator access to patients in need:

Resources:

• LRTee: Ventilator Splitter (3dprint.nih.gov)

Open Source Positive Air Pressure (PAPR) Hoods

Positive Air Pressure Hoods prevent anything from entering the airspace around the head by maintaining an outward positive pressure within the mask, and all incoming air is filtered on the way in.

• investigating whether these designs are suitable for production by injection molding, which would allow them to be produced much faster and cheaply and with more consistent quality than the 3D-printed varieties.

Resources:

• Bunny Science Halo Buildable PAPR (3dprint.nih.gov)

Intubation Box

• Prevent contamination during intubation by putting a clear box around the patient’s head during the procedure.

Resources:

• Thalia Intubation Box