Modular Adjustable Emergency Respiratory Mask

thingiverse

UPDATE: Added the improved version V2, which seamlessly integrates the clip into the base sections. This simplifies the design to only three distinct parts - 20mm wide 'normal' clips, 10mm narrow clips, and 20mm wide hook clips - making assembly and use significantly easier. As described below for the V1 version, I recommend printing 12 normal clips, 12 narrow clips, and two hook clips as a baseline, and add or remove sections as needed to optimize fit. Given the recent reports of shortages of N95-equivalent masks due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, this design is intended to allow people to utilize common household items like coffee filters or other thin fabric materials to make a functional mask that would hopefully provide many of the same benefits as proper masks. Many of the available online masks are designed so that the mask may or may not fit the wearer's face, depending entirely on sizing, material flexibility, and facial shape. The goal of this design is a mask that is adjustable and holds the filter evenly around the face to achieve an overall good fit. The mask system consists of a series of 3D printed sections and clips held together by either wire, string, or similar materials. The wire is threaded through the holes in the printed sections into a loop, and then the individual clips fit onto the printed sections to hold the filter material in place. There is also a version of the clip featuring a hook at one end that can be used with a string or elastic band to securely fasten the mask to your face. Adjust the number of sections and clips to match the size and shape of your face. I had good luck using thin wire to connect the sections into a ring, rather than something like string, since the wire is formable to the face and holds its shape well. I've tried it with several different styles of coffee filter material and have found that 'basket-style' filters and #4 cone filters seem to work best for my face size, but individual results may vary. To fit my face, I used 12 small sections (used in areas requiring tighter bends) and 11 large sections. The clips with a hook are designed to fit onto the larger sections. I only used one hook clip per side, but additional hook clips might provide an even better fit. Obviously, this is not intended to replace the use of proper personal protective equipment, and there are no medical claims about the performance of this mask system. It has not been approved by anyone for any purpose, medical or otherwise. Use at your own risk.