Helping Surgeons Breathe Easy
Tone was challenged by FXI to design a novel respirator mask, protecting healthcare workers and industry professionals. Certified to the toughest FFP3 standards and using FXI’s patented nanoparticle filter, the mask must radically improve the user experience of wearing high grade personal protective equipment. Breathability, ease of communication, patient safety, affordability and sustainability were critically important.
Significant user benefits were achieved by maximising the filter area in front of the mouth, and through the design of the soft silicone facepiece. Semi transparent materials reveal more of the wearer’s face and help patients feel at ease, whilst the nanoparticle filter creates an absolute barrier to pathogens, toxins and environmental agents. The product can be disassembled and is recyclable.
What we did
- CGI Renders
- Industrial Design
- Prototyping
- User Experience
Sector
- Medical
- Startup
The problem
Current FFP3 respirators are used everywhere, from building sites to hospitals. In contrast to surgical masks they offer high grade protection, however during COVID-19 our client found that current solutions fit badly, are cumbersome and very uncomfortable to wear for extended periods - especially during surgical procedures.
Ethnographic research
Building empathy with end users was critical in the early stages of the project. The design team were able to attend and observe surgeons at work, and see first hand how current masks result in skin irritation, poor communication, headaches due to inadequate airflow, and more.
The solution
X-Mask’s novel design combines a soft silicone facepiece (providing an excellent seal and helping prevent pressure sores), with a large filter surface area (making it much easier to breathe, communicate, and avoid headaches resulting from carbon dioxide build-up). Detents on the nose provide resting places for glasses - a detail overlooked by other masks. The filter shape is intentionally similar to ubiquitous surgical masks which, alongside the translucent face piece, helps the product look less intimidating than many high grade respirators. The construction makes the filter extremely easy to replace and to disassemble parts for recycling, while the unique, considered design aesthetic is a refreshing contrast to other products on the market.
X-Mask is underpinned by a new, patented nanoparticle filter technology and went through multiple rounds of prototyping, sampling and user testing in clinical environments - resulting in confirmation of the product’s benefits. Working with specialist factories, the product is now ready for mass production.
Renders by Tone