JPL COVID-19 PAPR | JPL/NASA

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In order to help provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Coronavirus pandemic, a team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has created and tested a 3D printable Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) device with custom filters and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components that are now released as Open Source.

PAPR - BROCHURE

Title Slide: PAPR: JPL Designed Powered Air-Purifying Respirator Using COTS Snorkel Mask

Slide 2: Description of Response: At the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, several local hospitals reached out to JPL to assist with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which included Face Shields and Respirators to be used by front line health professionals. It was during this exchange where JPL learned that a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) system is the preferred PPE and that the supply of these commercial units was limited. Working with Wildhorn Outfitters®, a sports product company, JPL set out to convert a snorkel mask into a working Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR), made of COTS components and 3D printed parts. All efforts were made to avoid negative impact to the medical industry supply chain or the JPL VITAL ventilator effort.

Slide 3: What is a PAPR? PAPR systems use a blower to provide positive pressure to push air through a filter, and provides air to the user's face. This allows the user to breathe more naturally, while receiving constant airflow to the face. PAPRs enable the user to enter a contaminated ambient air, and provides protection from pollutants or pathogens by filtering the hazard. As defined by 42 CFR Part 84 § 84.2 (z), Powered air-purifying respirator means a device equipped with a facepiece, hood, or helmet, breathing tube, canister, cartridge, filter, canister with filter, or cartridge with filter, and a blower. Pictured - JPL Technician Mauricio Zuleta in a commercial PAPR System

Slide 4: Why a PAPR? Advantages: PAPR has a higher assigned protection factor (APF) than fitted face masks. The PAPR shields the eyes, nose & mouth from coming in contact with harmful particulates in the air thus helping prevent the user of PAPR from contracting COVID-19. Image shows Assigned Protection Factor (APF)

Slide 5: JPL’s Proposed PAPR Solution: - Respirator and Face Shield in One - PAPR100N rating (not for use against oil-based aerosols) - Wildhorn Outfitters® V2 Seaview 180◦ Snorkel Mask - JPL Designed, 3D Printed Respirator Filter Assembly - Readily Available Commercial Off The Shelf COTS Blower Motor - Readily Available COTS Long Life Lithium Battery - Low Flow Rate Alarm System Using Arduino COTS Controller - Readily Available CPAP Hose - JPL Designed 3D Printed Hose Adapters and Belt Mounted Blower Assembly. Photo of JPL Test Engineer Shannon Berger demonstrating and operating JPL PAPR Device. Photo caption Red LED and Audible Alarm signifies Low Flow Rate to User

Slide 6: JPL PAPR Technical Specifications: Attribute and Technical Specification: Assigned Protection Factor - 25, w/ Wildhorn Outfitters V2 Seaview Mask Facepiece; Airflow - Nominal 4.0 CFM (115 Lpm) Maximum 8.5 CFM (240 Lpm); Alarm - Low Flow Rate - Audio & Visual Activates when airflow falls below 4 CFM (115 Lpm) Alarm decibel level-80.5 dBA measured at user’s ear; Breathing Tube Length - 48 inches (122 cm); Dimensions – Motor/Blower Assembly - 5.6 in (14.2 cm) x 20.3 in(51.6 cm) x 4.7 in (12.0 cm); Weight - Includes blower unit, belt and specified battery - 2.9 lbs (1330 gms) w/ greenworks 2Ah Battery 3.5 lbs (1588 gms) w/ greenworks 4Ah Battery; Filtration - Custom filters using HEPA Grade Vacuum Bag materials; Exceeds N95 Filtration Rating (Not NIOSH Approved); Noise Levels - Less than 80 dBA excluding external noise; Battery Pack - Chemistry Run time - 2Ah Run time - 4Ah; greenworks 24 Volt Battery Lithium Ion Approximately 1.5 - 3.5 hours Approximately 2.5 - 9.0 hours Run time is contingent on user selected flow rate

Slide 7: More Information On JPL PAPR Solution: GitHub Repository at https://github.com/nasa-jpl/COVID-19-papr - Design Requirements and Overview - Design Information and Bill of Materials (BOM) - Downloadable 3D Print Files - Assembly Instructions and Photos - Instructions for Operation & Maintenance - Test Reports and Results.

IMAGES

CAD PAPR Assembly on CAD Model

Blower Assembly, Globe Tools, Internals - Transparent

3D Printed Components

3D Printed Components, Filter Assembly

Blower Unit Assembly Operations 1

Blower Assembly (Globe Tools Blower) prior to lid close-out

Blower Assembly (ebmpapst Blower) prior to lid close-out

Test Engineer Shannon Berger test fits the prototype PAPR Unit

Test Engineer Shannon Berger test fits the prototype PAPR Unit

Test Engineer Shannon Berger operates the prototype PAPR Unit

Close-up of functioning prototype PAPR

'Glamour' Shot of JPL PAPR

PAPR VIDEO

Larger video (MP4 - 24.6 MB)

Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: Not all COVID-19 designs have not been reviewed, cleared, or approved by the FDA or other regulatory authority, nor have they received an Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Use Authorization for Medical Devices. Neither the California Institute of Technology (including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory)("Caltech") nor its employees or agents provide any representation or warranty, express or implied, for fitness for a particular purpose, safety, efficacy, or non-infringement of any third party intellectual property rights. Caltech offers these device designs in good faith to help healthcare providers and others prevent the spread of and treat patients with COVID-19. Manufacturers, physicians and other healthcare providers bear full responsibility to convey warnings and obtain patients' informed consent.