Richardson Aaron W, Hofacre Kent C, Keyes Patrick H, Thurston Rachel M, Clay John D
Battelle Memorial Institute, USA.
MRS Adv. 2020;5(56):2881-2888. doi: 10.1557/adv.2020.378. Epub 2020 Dec 1.
The Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS™) decontaminates N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) using vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) for reuse when there is a critical supply shortage. The Battelle CCDS received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2020. This research focused on evaluating the mechanical properties of the straps as an indicator of respirator fit. The objective was to characterize the load generated by the straps following up to 20 don/doff and decontamination cycles in Battelle's CCDS. In general, the measured loads at 50 and 100% strains after 20 cycles were similar (±15%) to the as-received controls. Qualitatively, reductions in the load may be associated with loss of elasticity in the straps, potentially reducing the ability to obtain a proper fit. However, small changes in strap elasticity may not affect the ability to obtain a proper fit given the potential for variation in strap length and positioning on the head. Regardless, prior to reusing a N95 respirator, it is important to complete a visual inspection to ensure it is not damaged, malformed, or soiled. If so, it is recommended to discard the respirator and use a different one. Similarly, the respirator should be discarded if the wearer cannot obtain a proper fit during the user seal check.
巴特尔重症监护消毒系统™（CCDS™）在关键供应短缺时，使用气相过氧化氢（VPHP）对N95过滤式面罩呼吸器（FFR）进行消毒以便重复使用。巴特尔CCDS于2020年3月获得了美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）的紧急使用授权（EUA）。本研究着重评估肩带的机械性能，以此作为呼吸器贴合度的一个指标。目的是确定在巴特尔CCDS中经过多达20次佩戴/摘下和消毒循环后肩带所产生的负荷。总体而言，20个循环后在50%和100%应变下测得的负荷与收到时的对照物相似（±15%）。定性地说，负荷的降低可能与肩带弹性的丧失有关，这可能会降低获得合适贴合度的能力。然而，鉴于肩带长度和头部位置存在变化的可能性，肩带弹性的微小变化可能不会影响获得合适贴合度的能力。无论如何，在重复使用N95呼吸器之前，进行目视检查以确保其未损坏、变形或弄脏非常重要。如果出现这种情况，建议丢弃该呼吸器并使用另一个。同样，如果佩戴者在用户密封检查期间无法获得合适的贴合度，也应丢弃该呼吸器。
