The team's non-invasive ventilation mask aims to eliminate this risk. The novel device is customized from a standard firefighter's mask using 3-D printing and can be attached to any CPAP or BiPAP machine. Unlike traditional masks, it creates two tight seals—one around the patient's nose and mouth and another around the face. Patients breathe in and out of a filter that captures any viral particles before they are released to the air. "There are countless CPAP and BiPAP machines idling around the world while all resources go towards invasive ventilation," explains Dr. Azad Mashari, Anesthesiologist at UHN's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. "Our mask aims to put these machines back into the clinician's toolkit. By eliminating air leaks, we can improve patient safety and significantly reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 for health-care workers and other patients." End quote
