Custom Respiratory MASK for Pediatric Patients
Team: Linsey Griffin - Principal Investigator, Gwenyth Fischer - Co-principal Investigator, Vanessa Segura-Duque - Research Assistant, Tse-Hsun Kuo - Research Assistant, Emily Seifert - Research Assistant, Julianne Bur - Research Assistant and Minji Yu, Research Assistant
Program: Human Dimensioning Lab and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital
There is a tremendous need to develop a customizable respiratory mask solution (MASK) for pediatric patients, especially those with non-typical faces, that provides functional fit, adjustability, and comfort for the wearer while avoiding skin damage to the face and head. The MASK team aims to develop a design and process for creating on-demand, customized, and adjustable pediatric respiratory masks for long-term Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in both hospital and home settings. We are applying a two-pronged approach to this project: The first is determining a MASK design that can be altered for each individual child based on a 3D face scan and 3D printed materials that connect to available commercial NIV machines. The second part is to create a streamlined manufacturing process for this design that meets FDA standards and can provide on-demand custom MASKs to pediatric patients when they need them. Lastly, the prototype device will be tested on the bench and with actual patients for fit and function. This process will also be the first step in creating a portfolio of customizable devices for kids where standard form and fit do not serve all patients.
Keywords: Pediatric Respiratory Mask, 3D head scan, Design Development process
Funder: Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT)
Other Collaborators: Lexie Goertzen, Elizabeth Schwab, Katrina Saladin
