As the world encountered the spread of COVID-19 in early 2020, health care providers were faced with an infectious and lethal airborne virus knowing they would be exposed while treating a patient. The standard of protection was, and still is, a disposable N95 NIOSH-approved respirator, which is designed to filter particles, not entire virus clouds. As the virus spread, EMTs, First Responders and Healthcare workers were forced to re-use respirators intended for one-time use, if they were even available. All risked their lives many times a day, they risked bringing the virus home, many were infected on the front lines, and many lost their lives. As the next virus variant spreads, we owe them better protection than better protection than these same substandard N95 respirators.
LCP Medical asked “Can we use some of our great technology to help save the lives of those trying to save the lives of others?” They also questioned why N95 respirators were the standard for protection in the first place. No battle against an airborne, highly infectious virus can be won with filtration alone.
The PathoGen1 optically clear respirator was created; it is a respirator that can be reused and sanitized many times, can fit and seal to the wearer’s face instantly without discomforting crushing, is manufactured in the USA for supply chain security, and has easily replaceable filters. Best of all, the respirator doesn’t just filter the virus, it eliminates it. The wearer’s face can be seen through the clear casing - a new standard beyond N95.
The anti-virus technology embedded within the PathoGen™ Filter leverages their printed circuit expertise with a proprietary circuit that is suspended within the airstream. The circuit material is registered by the EPA to eliminate 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 virus and is specially patterned with micro-fluidic channels that disperse virus bearing moisture droplets and captures the virus in the kill zone. The virus destruction is also backed up with factory tested N95 rated filter materials with FDA Emergency Use Authorization. The result is a respirator that is comfortable for all day use, with active virus eliminating materials.
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As mask wearing mandates emerged, we asked ourselves “How can we help protect everyone in addition to the healthcare providers?” We were all forced to wear cloth or surgical masks which provide very little real protection from airborne virus infection. The best way to protect the healthcare providers from infection is to reduce infection in the general public, and everyone needs better protection. In response, LCP Medical designed the FrontLine™ mask which is the most protective and comfortable to wear mask available. The filtration structure is designed to focus airflow through the same types of materials used in the medical grade respirator. Stiff polymer materials hold the fabric away from the users face, creating an air chamber that helps prevent skin issues and fogging of glasses. The FrontLine™ mask was created for all-day use with maximum virus-eliminating protection. For casual, everyday use among consumers that don’t want a mask with replaceable filters, LCP also created the EasyBreathe™ mask, which features the same polymer stiffener and air chamber as the FrontLine.
View the entire line of LCP Medical’s masks and respirators at lcp-medical.com.
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The world was not prepared for COVID-19, and medical experts predict the worst is yet to come. New variants are more infectious with huge increases in viral load. There is a great risk of a future variant that is more lethal. Reliance on N95 respirators, surgical masks and face shields in medical situations are not even close to the level of protection required to protect healthcare workers and frontline staff risking their lives to save others. The vast majority of cloth and surgical masks worn by the general public will not protect against infection. Government and Medical authorities need to reconsider N95 respirators as the medical standard, and provide true protection to the public. |
FrontLine™ Face Mask by LCP Medical |