SBIR-STTR Award

The use of computer modeling in the area of design optimizing has become practical due to recent advances in hardware and software technology. Several sophistcated software tools are avialable for three dimensional modeling and dynamic visual and numeric anaylsis of complex surfaces. This proposal presents a practical and logical approach to utilizing state-of-the-art tools and techniques for accurate facial modeling and simulation. The same methodology used to model the human face will be applied to develop and dynamis model of the M40 mask based on existing physical data. The M40 model will be integrated with the face model. Dynamic facial controls based on collected data for various facial expressions will be used to manipulate the three-dimensional facial model so that the response and fit of the M40 mask can be studied in both a static and dynamic sense. The interrelationship between the mask model and the face model will be evaluated both graphically and numerically. The designer will be able to observe and monitor the degree of contact at the seal between the mask and the face. The results of this work will clearly demonstrate the ability of the model to be used to study the interrelationship between protective masks and the human face

Keywords:
protective mask computer interface face model three-dimensional

The US Army is seeking to develop physically based mathematical and graphical models of new and existing protective masks and human faces to efficiently analyze the relationship between the mask and face, Visual Sciences, Inc. (VSI) is helping the Army achieve this objective by developing techniques that combine the use of state-of-the-art technologies and innovative data collection methods to generate and transform geometric and physical data on protective mask and human headforms into digital data that can be modeled using advanced finite element analysis (FEA) methods. Specifically, VSI has demonstrated the ability to use FEA to determine the contact pressure distribution along the seal line between the M40 protective mask and the face. The model developed can be used to evaluate and optimize the fit of the protective mask for comfort and protection. VSI has made several significant advances and successfully overcome several technical hurdles during the Phase I program to demonstrate technical feasibility of concerts developed under the SBIR program. In this proposal, VSI presents a comprehensive Phase II program plan that will further develop these concepts and create a working system for evaluating the fit of protective masks against a representative population of human headforms. The results of the Phase II program will significantly enhance the Army's capability to efficiently and effectively design new masks and evaluate fit of new and existing masks against a representative population of digital headforms.

Benefits:
The technology developed under this program will not only reduce the time and cost associated with fitting and modification of existing protective masks, but will also provide greatly enhanced tools for the design of future protective equipment. The proposed technology can be expanded to automate the design of masks and other protective equipment for optimal comfort and performance. Commercialization potential for the technology developed under this program is significant, as numerous industrial and medical applications would benefit from the ability to cost effectively design new protective equipment with optimal comfort, safety, and reliability for critical applications.

Keywords:
protective mask face finite element analysis comfort respirator hyper-elastic