Deadline: 7-Sep-21
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), in collaboration with Health Canada (HC) and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is seeking solutions to develop and manufacture disposable transparent medical masks to be used by deaf and hard of hearing healthcare workers and patients to protect from transfer of body fluids, microorganisms and particulate material.
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an increased demand for Canadian-made Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products worn by both healthcare workers and the general public.
The consumption of disposable non-medical masks, surgical masks, respirators and surgical gowns has increased significantly. Existing PPE devices are opaque and create communication barriers for people with hearing loss and/or communication difficulties.
Funding Information
Multiple grants could result from this Challenge.
- Phase 1
- The maximum funding available for any Phase 1 Grant resulting from this Challenge is: $150,000 CAD
- The maximum duration for any Phase 1 project funded by a grant resulting from this Challenge is up to 4 months
- Estimated number of Phase 1 grants: 2
- Phase 2
- The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 Grant resulting from this Challenge is: $1,000,000 CAD
- The maximum duration for any Phase 2 project funded by a grant resulting from this Challenge is up to 8 months
- Estimated number of Phase 2 grants: 2
Outcomes
- Essential (mandatory) outcomes
- The proposed solution must:
- Lead to the industrial scale manufacturing of transparent disposable medical masks.
- Must reach a production capacity of 100,000 masks/ month at the end of Phase 2, with clear plans to increase larger scale manufacturing and commercialization (up to 1 million masks/month).
- Must be manufactured in a range of adult and pediatric sizes.
- Must allow for individual and/or bulk packaging.
- Meet the following performance and technical requirements, as demonstrated by samples and test data:
- Provide a transparent section on the front of the mask to allow for facial visibility. The transparent section must be large enough to provide at least for full visibility of the mouth.
- Be antifogging to allow for clear visibility of the mouth area during regular continuous use for a minimum of 4 hours.
- Must use lint-free and latex-free materials in the construction of the product
- Be manufactured in Canada.
- Demonstrate, via a cost analysis, that reasonable cost targets can be met to support commercial/market adoption.
- Demonstrate with data that the product provides a comfortable fit during 4 hours of continuous use by incorporating a design that includes a moldable bridge at nose for good fit, and is made of material and finish that produces minimal glare or eye fatigue (for example, some colours or patterns in the material distract the focus from the mouth).
- Demonstrate with data that sound reduction is no more than 6 dB when measured at 6 ft. in an anechoic chamber when compared to sound generated with no mask at same 6 ft. distance and same measuring device. The sound must be generated by a GRAS (or equivalent) head and torso simulator that plays white noise through the artificial mouth (KEMAR 45BC or equivalent manikin with mouth simulator and loudspeaker). The output acoustic signal must be measured and recorded by a microphone located at 6 ft. distance.
- Ten (10) samples of the transparent medical mask must be submitted to NRC at the end of phase 1.
- Ten (10) samples of the transparent medical mask must be submitted to NRC at the end of phase 2.
- The proposed solution must:
- Additional outcomes
- The proposed solution should:
- Be non-toxic, safe for inhalation, and non-skin sensitizing or irritating (applicants should keep in mind that Health Canada requires evidence that these products meet ISO for bio-compatibility: cytotoxicity, sensitization and skin irritation).
- Be manufactured from environmentally friendly materials (compostable, recyclable, reusable, biodegradable etc.).
- The proposed solution should:
Eligibility Criteria
Solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business that meets all of the following criteria:
- for profit
- incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially)
- 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employeesFootnote
- research and development activities that take place in Canada
- 50% or more of its annual wages, salaries and fees are currently paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in CanadaFootnote
- 50% or more of its FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of workFootnote
- 50% or more of its senior executives have Canada as their principal residence
For more information, visit https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/00145.html