Rowan Designs 3D Mask For Healthcare Workers Battling Coronavirus
GLASSBORO, NJ — Rowan University is doing its part to help combat the coronavirus pandemic by releasing plans and instructions for a 3D face mask that can be used in the event of a shortage.
The masks can be washed, disinfected and reused in case there’s a shortage, and they have been tested by two regional hospitals, according to the university.
While the masks — which come in three sizes — are not meant to replace the N95 masks, they can provide a mechanical barrier in the absence of standard personal protective equipment (PPE), according to the university.
“The collaborative effort involved the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, as well as colleges throughout the University, who worked day and night to solve the problem,” Rowan University President Dr. Ali Houshmand said.
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The design includes a contoured mask and a replaceable filter that can be fitted with sterile, non woven material, the university said. No special tools are needed for assembly, and the non woven material is readily available. Users will just need to supply and install an elastic cord.
The masks can be dipped in hot water and molded to a person’s face.
Students and faculty at Rowan have been working on the project since March 22, when they first received the requests from Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and Inspira Health.
The Montana-based Billings Clinic Foundation came up with the design for the masks, and health care providers at Inspira and Cooper University Healthcare tested them before the university introduced the design on Wednesday.
“It’s been a whirlwind working with medical students and engineers to get this just right,” said Rowan Engineering Student George Lecakes, who worked on the project with Rowan Electrical and Engineering Professor Dr. Shreekanth Mandayam.
The university said it’s still too early to know if the masks will be practical in the real world, but they are expected to provide more protection than a bandanna or a paper surgical mask, as now suggested for use by the CDC if N95 masks are unavailable.
“We’re getting requests from all over the country,” Houshmand said. “I’m proud we can share the design so anyone with a 3D printer can produce these masks anywhere in the world.”
Downloadable resources and complete instructions are available on the university’s website.
See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
This article originally appeared on the West Deptford Patch
