3D FIT Respirator Fit Testing

Current respirator fit test technology is expensive, cumbersome and only fits one person at a time, one respirator at a time.

3D FIT cuts fit testing time by more than 90 percent, at less than half the cost by using an iPhone or iPad camera technology and can fit an infinite number of respirators to a user using only one 3D image.

Under normal circumstances, this is an amazing leap forward. 3D FIT really shines in a COVID-19 or any other disaster scenario. Relief healthcare workers or that new wave of volunteers can be certain that their unfamiliar respirator will fit and will provide it's expected level of protection.

Around the world, mandated respiratory protection compliance rates are dismal. The intensive administrative costs and cumbersome nature of the current technology is certainly to blame. 

EXAMPLES: One northern California police department is zero percent compliant. One prison in southern California was as low as 30 percent compliant. These stories are NOT uncommon. 

A 2013 American Journal of Infection Control article cited a 50 percent compliance rate in a hospital system in Canada.

3D FIT captures a 3D image of a user and measures the person's anthropometric facial features.

The user's anthropometric measurement values are then compared the measurement values immediately correlating with the respirators in the 3D FIT database. When the values match, the fit test is successful.

3D FIT utilizes the Apple True Depth Camera technology (iPhoneX and later and latest iPad) which has sub-millimetre accuracy.

BACKGROUND: When an employer provides a respirator to an employee or volunteer, fit tests are mandated. Without a proper fit test, the user is at risk of harm or death.

Our target population is respirator users (healthcare workers, law enforcement, industrial, etc.). They will experience a more simplified and more frequent fit test. The other population we will serve are the employers. Administration of fit tests will be greatly simplified, and they'll be much more likely to properly protect their employees. 

In the US alone, 5 million employees wear respirators. Conservatively, an additional 50 million employees wear them around the world.

With over 15 years of Health and Safety experience, I know first hand how poorly employers execute their Respiratory Protection plans. I also know the challenges they face in administering fit tests. 

With today's ease of travel, the earth's population is vulnerable to epidemics and pandemics.

Mitigation preparation includes planning for a strong response which includes healthcare, and the supply chain includes frontline workers.

In order to blunt the effects of such public health crises, frontline healthcare providers must be protected and confident. 

3D FIT will allow hospitals to immediately fit test new employees or volunteers, getting them online fast. Regardless of what respirator is handed to the employee in this new hospital, they will know if the respirator fits them. They'll be able to expect a certain level of protection.

When I come to market, my competitors will suffer great market share losses. 

3D FIT has been described as a "one way door", because once a customer tries it, they won't be going back to the old technologies.

3D imaging via Apple Computers' True Depth Camera which comes standard on the latest iPhone and iPad releases.

The closest example of these items working together is the company distributing Bellus3D Dental Pro. https://www.bellus3d.com/dental/.

THE PROBLEM: Healthcare workers and other respirator users around the world are at risk of harm or death due to ill-fitting respirators, because the technology required for compliance is so cumbersome, slow and expensive, which leads to employers foregoing mandated fit testing.

3D FIT allows users and their employers to become compliant at less than half the cost with at least a 70 percent reduction in administrative time required for fit testing.

Respirator users will experience better-fitting respirators.

As a consequence, the respirator, because it fits the person properly, will offer the expected level of protection. As a result, the users are safer from airborne particulate or oxygen-deficient atmospheres. 

CURRENT: zero

ONE YEAR: zero

FIVE YEARS: 4-6 million

NEXT YEAR: publish my paper, "Correlation Between Respirator Fit And Anthropometric Facial Measurements", and present it at the International Society for Respiratory Protection Conference, in September 2020. Obtain a strategic partnership with OHD Global, TSI Inc., 3M, or Grainger Safety.

FIVE YEARS: 4 to 6 million annual users showing a substantial increase in respiratory protection regulations (US/OSHA and ISO).

Once my paper is published, I expect to be able to gain the proper strategic partnership so funding will not be an issue at that point. Because the technology will be so disruptive, I expect patent challenges in court.

Other barriers include international business practices. Luckily, my wife was an account for an American NGO in Cambodia for a number of years, so I have good experience and resources in her.

My patent attorneys (Pillsbury, Winthrop et. al.) are top in their field, so I will be relying on them.