SBIR-STTR Award

Identifying the correct size of a full facepiece respirator for an individual requires a significant degree of skill. Furthermore, the fit assessment procedure is time consuming due to the series of tasks required to calculate the fit factor, a measure of the quality of fit. The Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) program needs a quicker, less manually intensive, and reliable method to select the correct respirators for individuals and approximate the fit factor. Technology Solution Experts, Inc. proposes to develop an advanced mobile application that, with 2D images of a subject's head as inputs, will transform a digital 3D headform to match the shape of the subject's head. TSE's approach will process and analyze 2D images to identify key anthropometric landmarks, enabling the accurate and realistic transformation of the 3D headform. The resulting head model can then be used in simulation to assess fit.

Identifying the correct size of a full facepiece respirator for an individual requires a significant degree of skill. Furthermore, the fit assessment procedure is time consuming due to the series of tasks required to calculate the fit factor, a measure of the quality of fit. The Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) program needs a quicker, less manually intensive, and more reliable method to select the correct respirators for individuals. In Phase I of this project, Technology Solutions Experts, Inc. (TSE) developed a proof-of-concept desktop application that, using 2D images of a subjects head as input, generated 3D headform models to match the shape of the subjects head. The proof-of-concept application analyzed the anthropometrics of this headform and then recommended the appropriate fit of Avon C50 respirator. In Phase II, TSE is proposing to develop the Mask Analysis and Size Quantification (MASQ) application, an extension of the technologies and methodologies TSE developed in Phase I. MASQ will analyze the subjects head using only 2D images as inputs and predict size and fit to within a 5% margin of error. Furthermore, MASQ will be deployed as a mobile application, enabling fit tests to occur at the point of need.