Prevention of droplet dispersal with 'e-mask': A new daily use endoscopic mask during bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Bronchoscopy is an airborne particle-generating procedure. However, few methods for safe bronchoscopy have been developed. To reduce airborne particles during bronchoscopy, we created an 'e-mask', which is a simple, disposable mask for patients. Our objective was to evaluate the e-mask's protective ability against airborne particles and to assess respiratory adverse events and complications.

METHODS

Patients with stage 2-4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded. We performed visualization and quantifying experiments on airborne particles with and without the e-mask. We prospectively evaluated whether wearing the e-mask during bronchoscopy was associated with the incidence of patients requiring >5 L/min oxygen to maintain >90% oxygen saturation, and patients with >45 mm Hg end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂ ) elevation, in addition to complications, compared to historical controls.

RESULTS

In the visualization experiment, more than ten thousand times of airborne particles were generated without the e-mask than with the e-mask. The volume of airborne particles was significantly reduced with the e-mask, compared to that without the e-mask (p = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that wearing the e-mask had no significant effect on the incidence of patients requiring >5 L/min oxygen to maintain >90% oxygen saturation, (p = 0.959); however, wearing the e-mask was a significant factor in >45 mm Hg EtCO₂ elevation (p = 0.026). No significant differences in complications were observed between the e-mask and control groups (5.8% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.395).

CONCLUSION

Wearing the e-mask during bronchoscopy significantly reduced the generation of airborne particles during bronchoscopy without increasing complications.

Interdigitated Organic Sensor in Multimodal Facemask's Barrier Integrity and Wearer's Respiration Monitoring

Facemasks are used as a personal protective equipment in medical services. They became compulsory during the recent COVID-19 pandemic at large. Their barrier effectiveness during various daily activities over time has been the subject of much debate. We propose the fabrication of an organic sensor to monitor the integrity of surgical masks to ensure individuals' health and safety during their use. Inkjet printing of an interdigitated conducting polymer-based sensor on the inner layer of the mask proved to be an efficient and direct fabrication process to rapidly reach the end user. The sensor's integration happens without hampering the mask functionality and preserving its original air permeability. Its resistive response to humidity accumulation allows it to monitor the mask's wetting in use, providing a quantified way to track its barrier integrity and assist in its management. Additionally, it detects the user's respiration rate as a capacitive response to the exhaled humidity, essential in identifying breathing difficulties or a sign of an infection. Respiration evaluations during daily activities show outstanding performance in relation to unspecific motion artifacts and breathing resolution. This e-mask yields an integrated solution for home-based individual monitoring and an advanced protective equipment for healthcare professionals.