Antifogging Mask Patent Pending

Submitted 1 year ago

Invention: A more effective, non-adhesive, skin-friendly, antifogging mask with a perfect seal that IMPROVES with sweating/prolonged operating. This all the while being CHEAPER to manufacture than current antifogging masks.

As a prior neurosurgery trainee at the Cleveland Clinic, and a current interventional radiology trainee at the Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's hospital, I have always been astounded by the lack of an effective antifogging mask in the operative setting. My colleagues and I have always suffered with fogging issue, which requires multiple adjustments (a difficult task when we are sterile). None of current approaches have fully resolved the problem while they have at times created additional discomfort when wearing the mask. Examples are ineffective (foam), or ineffective AND abrasive to the skin (adhesive masks tend to be very painful to remove after a procedure or operation). The utility and need for effective masks in both professional medical settings and for everyday consumer use has only become more apparent in recent times.


In order to solve these limitations, the present invention provides a unique yet simple approach utilizing skin friendly material and layering to enhance the overall seal created between the mask's inner surface and the wearer's skin thereby improving the functionality of the mask and reducing any fogging or obscuring of eyewear worn in conjunction with the mask. This invention is cheaper to manufacturer than current solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention creates an enhanced seal against a wearer's skin thereby reducing any residual airflow that may result in the obscuring of corrective, or other, eyewear while simultaneously maintaining and improving the mask's ability to protect against the transmission of illness or disease (such as COVID-19). The seal is created by electrostatic forces (instead of adhesion), which makes it not only skin friendly, but these forces IMPROVE with sweat (for example during long operations or a long airplane flight).

Furthermore, use of the presently disclosed configurations of layers in accordance with the various embodiments will reduce the cost of mask production and will minimize the time taken to put on and adjust the mask. Current halyard green mask has three layers of adhesive while the current mask will only have one layer of adhesive which will attach the mask to the proprietary film. With volume, this will in effect reduce the cost.