Breathio

3d Model Concept
Working Structure
First Prototype
Second Prototype Creation Process
First Prototype Creation Process
Second Prototype 3D Printing
Anna and Pavel, Founders
Instagram Mask for promotion

Inspiration

Any global pandemic of an infectious respiratory disease leads to a shortage of personal protective equipment. The healthcare workers usually suffer most of all and face the greatest risk. But they are those who other human lives depend on. Covid-19 didn't become an exception. That's why we started developing UV - MASK to protect them against different bacteria and viruses. Our mask is based on a combination of multilayer carbon and wool filters and UV disinfection module. We named it Breathio.

We understand that it would be impossible to produce the necessary amount of masks by tomorrow even in case if we had an already-organized manufacturing line. But we believe that the pandemic fight does NOT start at the moment when it’s already been spread in the world but far in advance. That's why we’re focusing on a long-term goal to be prepared for the next figh.

What it does

Breathio UV-Mask protects people against different kinds of air threats, including bacteria and viruses, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This is the first version of a working prototype. Due to the usage of UV-lamps inside the mask sterilizes inhaled air and protects people against being infected with viruses and bacteria. Multilayer carbon and wool filters provide extra safeguard from different air threats, including ambient (outdoor) air pollution.

Breathing Support System and Communication Support System of the mask will help to decrease the level of air resistance and avoid complexity in the communication process that is distinctive for traditional respirators.

Fit Control System is for a constant check and notification of the mask untight fit and places where it should be fixed.

Based on ML algorithms and data collected from temperature and airflow sensors Advanced Analytic System will provide both: statistical data about breathing parameters and general body condition and predict the development of inflammatory processes.

How we built it

Breathio protection principle consists of several layers.

The first layer is a coarse filter with activated carbon. Its main function is to block large particles, thereby reducing load set to other layers. In addition, this layer cuts down amounts of various chemical pollutants that may be present in inhaled air.

The second layer is a HEPA filter that is mainly used in cleaning systems. Such filters are very effective against particles of different sizes.

The third layer includes N99 (FFP3) standard filters or N95 (FFP2) filters. It provides protection against all physical pollutants.

Since the layers described above do not provide 100% protection, a disinfection module was added to the mask made on UV-C lamps and aluminium inner side cover.

The added disinfection module has two main functions:

The first one is to fight against viruses that can pass through the filter.

Ultraviolet radiation that comes from UV-C lamps does not destroy them but evokes dimerization of thymine. Thus, by damaging a virus’s DNA or RNA, it blocks their ability to reproduce themselves.

Aluminium covers the inner side of the mask to increase the efficiency of ultraviolet radiation. Aluminium has a high ability to reflect ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of ~ 270 nm (about 80%). Thereby, a larger percentage of radiation is absorbed by contaminants not by the filter sides.

The second function is to protect the N99 filter from moisture as much as possible and to maintain its electrostatic charge. Electrostatic charge is the basis for effective work of such filters.

It is well-known that no matter how effective the filtration system is, a mask’s tight fit is usually the weakest point of any protection mechanism. To resolve this problem we are developing a fit control system that is constantly checking and giving an alert to a user of how tight the mask fits their face and indicates places where it should be fixed.

Another challenging point to be improved is the usability of wearing a mask in daily life. Due to its inconvenient usage, people tend to take it off. Even despite the fact that the mask is super effective. Such behaviour will negate all the protective principles.

To resolve this issue, the breathing assistance system (BAS) is being created that will reduce air resistance created by the filters and adapts the mask to normal breathing processes. The BAS will also be responsible for the appropriate combination of mask filters to be used at a particular moment of time. It will make the filters work for at least a month before replacement without a loss of protective characteristics.

Challenges we ran into

1) How much UV exposure time needed to have inhaled air disinfected

2) How to make the mask constantly fit tightly

3) How to make the person breathe easy when wearing mask

4) How to avoid complexity in the communication process distinctive for traditional respirators

5) How to diagnose inflammatory processes at early stage based on breathing parameters and general body condition

Accomplishments that we're proud of

After a month of its running we have:

1) Developed the first working prototype

2) Created a 3d model industrial concept of the Breathio UV-Mask

3) Gathered a great team of 7:

Pavel, our team lead and a technical creator
Anton, leading engineer with deep experience in gas masks
Alexandra, a medical expert
Anna, a mastermind and Jack of all trades
Maria, a social media expert
Ksenia, a language professional (english & chinese)
Anastacia, a PR expert

4) Launched a website with a detailed explanation of our project: https://breath-io.com/

5) Got started our social medias and keep them running on daily basis. This practice helped us collect more almost 400 followers in Facebook with less than 30$ budget!

6) Messaged different PR services with a polite request to support us by providing a free access to their tools. A 5 of them below supported our idea.

7) Had the company incorporated in the US

8) Sent tons of informative messages about the project

9) Printed our branded T-shirts — each great startup should definitely have ones to be successful, shouldn’t it?))))

What we learned

1) Asking for help is natural

Generally speaking we used to rely on ourselves and asking for help seemed awkward to us. But our project helped us realize that asking for help is neutral, important, and very effective. The key point here is to be sincere, honest and open-minded both to yourself and others.

2) Doing something that has never been done before is scary, but very interesting

Every day we take up something new, the things we have not even thought before. For example, we had to delve into American business law specifications, master WordPress, and write to people whose names are known worldwide.

3) You can not control anything and everyone, keep calm and let the situation go

The main thing is to decide where and with whom you want to move forward. Then make sure that everyone understands the development vector correctly. Afterwards just trust the people chosen to be a part of your team and give them space to do their best within the set tasks.

Our team liked the quote of Phil Knight from the “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike”: “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”

4) Set up priorities and keep focus (it’s hard to complete but, of course, we work hard)

It is very important to set up the right priorities and not try to break the mind into a thousand little pieces that will run to close everything, even the most trivial, but still hanging tasks.

5) Listen to others

Block the information that comes from unreliable sources and open up to the information that comes from people who have already set a great example through their behavior and whose level of thinking, knowledge, and state we want to reach. Constantly keep in mind your goal and analyze all actions taken and events hold in order to get closer to it.

6) Strike a balance between work and rest

A startup is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if you want to work 24/7 at the beginning, it is very important not to forget about sleep, healthy food, sport, recreation, communication with relatives and friends, so that you can unload your brain and get even more brilliant ideas.