DEVICE FOR PERSONALIZED ADJUSTMENT OF FACE MASKS

Description

Field of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for custom adjustment of masks, intended for medical staff and any individual that wants to adjust a surgical mask, creating an enclosure of said mask surrounding the nose and the mouth, and securing said mask in a position of use.Background art

[0002] Currently, surgical masks are commonly used for reducing the risk of infection of virus or air-borne pathogens.

[0003] These masks generally comprise a flexible rectangular body and lateral elastic bands for holding it against the head of the user, so that, in the position of use, said rectangular body covers widely the nose and the mouth of the user, theoretically retaining the particles entrained by the air inhaled or exhaled by the user during respiration.

[0004] These masks also incorporate a metallic strip for adjustment over the nose, however, said masks are not conveniently adjusted to the perimeter of the nose and the mouth of the patient, hence, a substantial part of the inhaled or exhaled air does not go through the filtering body of the mask, but it goes instead through the openings formed between the face and the contour of said filtering body, thus reducing considerably the protection properties of the mask.

[0005] This drawback will be determined by several factors, specifically: the flexible nature of the mask, the flat shape thereof, the difficulty of adaptation to the features of different users, and to the tension of the holding elastic bands that causes, on one hand, the definition on the sides of the mask of air-passage folds or grooves and, on the other hand, a tensile force on the upper edge of the mask, that overcomes the resistance of the metallic strip, with the resulting creation of air-passage openings on both sides of the nose.

[0006] In order to avoid these drawbacks and to achieve an adjustment of the surgical mask around the nose and the mouth of the user, the system "bellus3D" for a custom adjustment of the mask to a specific individual is known.

[0007] This system consists in: performing a 3D scan on the face of the user; designing, based on the scanned image, a tridimensional ring provided of hooks for holding bands and adjustable to the contour of the nose and mouth of said user, and finally, manufacturing by means of 3D printing a physical sample of the designed ring.

[0008] This system allows manufacture of a ring for adjusting a surgical mask to a specific user, but has some drawbacks, amongst which: physical presence of each user in need of an adjustment ring is necessary in order to perform the scanning of his / her face; it is not universal, but customized, since each ring is for a specific person, it needs the use of devices, specifically, a 3d scanner, a computer with 3D design software, and a 3d printer, which are not of common use for general public and require specific knowledge for being used, and the use of this system is not feasible in underdeveloped areas that do not have infrastructures or power grids for connecting the aforesaid devices.

[0009] Another system having shape-retention characteristics has been disclosed in document GB 2 549 972 A. This document describes a solution that includes a framework fixedly connected to a cover body with shape-retention characteristics for securing the cover body to a small surface area of the user's face (e.g., nose) without using ropes. However, this system does not guarantee a secure and comfortable fit adaptable to a wider range of facial geometries, such as the mouth and nose. A mask designed to be fixed to the nose, is not inherently suitable for a secure fixation to a larger surface area.

[0010] The technical issue set out here is the development of a device for custom adjustment of masks, that allows to solve the drawbacks of the aforesaid background art and that has a universal nature, allowing adjusting a mask to the face of any individual, regardless of the his / her location or the shape of his / her face, and without having to use specific devices for 3D scanning, designing and printing or technical knowledge for being used.Description of the invention

[0011] The device for custom adjustment of masks which is the object of the invention has technical features suitable for adjusting a mask to the contour of the face of any user, so that the mask covers the nose and the mouth, and no air passage gaps are formed in its perimeter, and the totality of the inhaled and exhaled air passes through the mask.

[0012] Another object of the invention is that the device can be adjusted easily to any user without having to use design equipment and software that require a specific training for being used.

[0013] According to the invention, this device comprises the features of claim 1.

[0014] With the indicated features, it is only necessary to heat the polymer to the indicated temperature in order to render it malleable, place it around the nose and the mouth, deforming it with the fingers so that it adopts the shape of said area of the user, and let it cool subsequently so that it solidifies keeping the corresponding shape.

[0015] Heating of the ring can be performed in a microwave oven, selecting the power and time indicated by the manufacturer; with hot air from a hairdryer, in an electric or gas oven controlling its temperature, or with any other source of heat available; the user itself can place and press it against the face so that said ring adopts the shape of his / her face; letting it cool subsequently so tat it solidifies and keeps the shape suitable for that specific user.

[0016] Thus, it is achieved that, when placing the device over the mask and fixing it in the position of use by means of the holding bands, the ring presses with its contour the mask, adjusting it to the face of the user, securing a perimeter sealing and that the user will breathe only through the mask.

[0017] An advantage of this device is its universal nature, since it can be adjusted to any user; it being possible to manufacture three different sizes or dimensions thereof for children, young and adult individuals.

[0018] According to the invention, the ring can have any cross section, preferably, of circular, elliptical, semicircular o polyhedral shape.

[0019] According to the invention, the thermoplastic polymer is biodegradable, so that it does not constitute an environmental issue when disposed after use.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the thermoplastic polymer is polylactic acid (PLA) obtained from corn starch, which provides said biodegradable nature.Brief description of the drawings

[0021] In order to complement the present description, and to clarify the characteristics of the invention, the following drawings are included in the present specification, for illustrating and no limiting purposes, and in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of the device of the invention, without the holding elastic bands for the user. Figure 2 shows an upper perspective view of the device of figure 1. Figure 3 shows a front elevational view of the device of the previous figures, in a position of use, once the shape of the ring has been adapted in a hot state to the contour of the nose and mouth of the user, and said ring performing a perimeter adjustment of a mask against the face of the user. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0022] In the example embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, the device of the invention comprises a ring (1) of elliptical cross section, provided with a front surface (11), a rear surface (12) and hook members (13) of elastic bands (2) that are held by the head of the user in a position of use, shown in figure 3.

[0023] The hook members (13) are located symmetrically on opposite sides of the rear surface of the ring (1).

[0024] In this embodiment, the ring (1) and the hook elements (13) form a single-piece body made of a thermoplastic biodegradable polymer and, more specifically, made of polylactic acid (PLA), malleable at a temperature comprised between 45 °C and 60 °C, and that solidifies when cooled at ambient temperature.

[0025] For a correct use of the device by a user, it is necessary to heat the ring (1) to a temperature comprised within the mentioned range, press it against the contour of the nose and mouth of the user so that it adopts the corresponding shape, and let it cool so that it solidifies and keeps the adopted shape of the face of the user.

[0026] As shown in figure 3, once the shape of the ring (1) has been adapted to the face of the user, it is only necessary to place it over the mask (3) and fix it to the head of the user by means of elastic bands (2) fixed to the hook elements (13) and passing behind the ears or the head.

[0027] In this position of use, the ring (1) presses the mask (3) against the face of the user, adjusting it and forming a perimeter closure around the nose and mouth of the user, guaranteeing that all the breathing air passes through the mask (3), so that its functionality is assured.

[0028] Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as an example of preferred embodiment, it is stated that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements shall be modified, as long as they stay within the scope of the appended claims, which solely define the invention.

Claims

1. Device for custom adjustment of masks; suitable for adjusting a mask (3) to the contour of the face of any user; wherein the device comprises a ring (1) made of a thermoplastic polymer which is malleable, and suitable to be adapted to the shape of the contour of the nose and the mouth of the user, at a temperature comprised between 45 °C and 60 °C, and that solidifies when cooled, keeping the shape adapted to the face of the user, wherein the ring (1) comprises: a front surface (11), a rear surface (12) configured to contact the mask (3) to be adjusted over the face of the user, the device being characterized in that it comprises hook members (13) for connecting elastic bands (2) suitable to hold the ring (1) against the head of the user, and to press the ring (1) against the mask (3), adjusting the mask (3) to the face of said user.

2. Device according to any of the previous claims; wherein the ring (1) has a circular, elliptical, semicircular o polyhedral cross section.

3. Device according to any of the previous claims; wherein the thermoplastic polymer is biodegradable.

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is polylactic acid (PLA).