Modular Printed Powered Air Purifying Respirator

ABSTRACT

At present, the world is undergoing a pandemic spawning from the advent of a new coronavirus outbreak known as COVID-19. As a result, hospital staff, paramedics, first responders, and the general world population have been forced to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and take special measures to prevent catching the virus. Furthermore, because of this necessity, increasing demand on the PPE supply chain has generated many shortages, especially seen in masks designed to stop the inhalation of COVID-19 particles in the air. This inspired our group to design something that could help make PPE more accessible and affordable for the average person. The proposed is an almost entirely 3D printed design to help keep costs down and make it simplistic, such that anyone with a 3D printer has the potential to duplicate it. We hope that with the design, we can help combat the shortage and keep more people safe from COVID-19. Copyright © 2021 by ASME.