ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT04826809Updated Jul 7, 2023Results posted

New Reusable Mask Design With Superior Filtration and Fit

An interventional study of N95 mask and Nordell single E-100 layer mask in Covid19, Tuberculosis and Respiratory Viral Infection, sponsored by Mayo Clinic. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-07-07.

Sponsored by Mayo Clinic · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
41
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study will test the filtration, air leak, and breathability of a newly designed fully washable mask developed by Dr. Nordell with the Mayo Clinic. This mask is theorized to be a superior alternative to other respirators currently used when one-time-use N95 masks are unavailable.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to determine potential effectiveness of a new, reusable mask against SARS-CoV-2 and other microbes. This requires filtering down to at least 0.3 microns, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is on average 0.25-0.5 microns in diameter.

Dr. Nordell has developed a machine-washable mask which shows potential to be significantly more effective than other masks on the market. It uses a fabric that is machine washable, without need for a filter or replaceable component. This fabric, Evolon-100 or E-100, is a microfilament fabric produced by a private company outside of the USA (and is therefore not yet FDA approved as of December 2020).

Unofficial data shows this mask passes the "N95 fit test" before and after multiple washes on the majority of individuals tested, and the material used in Dr. Nordell's design filters 93-96% of 0.3 micron particles. For reference, the N95 mask used in the hospital (whenever concern for potential exposure to COVID-19 or similar contagion exists) filters 95% of 0.3 micron particles when factoring in air leak, assessed with the "fit test." Voluntary survey of users also shows it is more comfortable than other masks, including the N95. This mask is also reported to be breathable even after prolonged use.

This mask design addresses every factor in respirator design. The design intentionally uses pleats to increase the effective mask surface area while decreasing the seal perimeter, resulting in increased air flow, lower pressure drop, and increased filtration efficiency. The investigators propose that it has a higher filtration ability than other washable fabrics tested, filtering at least 93% of 0.3 micron particles, even up to 96%. It also helps prevent air leak, a large factor limiting efficacy of most non-standard masks. It is easy to don and doff, and it is very easy to clean and disinfect. This material can be washed multiple times in a standard washing machine without reducing its effectiveness. And finally, it is very affordable, with materials for one mask costing less than $1.50. All materials used beyond this specific fabric are easily purchased on the internet or in a fabric store.

Upon completion of this research, the investigators hope to demonstrate that this mask is a superior alternative in multiple settings, including hospitals in developing countries with little or no N95 mask access, non-hospital settings such as businesses and schools, as well as for the general population, especially those with high risk for COVID-related complications.

02

Conditions studied

  • Covid19
  • Tuberculosis
  • Respiratory Viral Infection

Keywords

  • PPE
  • mask
  • N95
  • pandemic
  • mask shortage
03

In context

COVID-19

7,774 studies on the registry are indexed under COVID-19; 482 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 41 is below the median of 100 across 4,175 interventional studies indexed under COVID-19.

Browse COVID-19 studies →

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic is the lead sponsor of 3,263 studies on the registry; 670 are open to participants now.

Of its 450 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 318 (71%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Current employee of Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato
  • Passed N95 fit test within the past year
  • No medical history of: high blood pressure, current or recent pneumonia or upper respiratory infection, and no uncontrolled chronic asthma
  • Ideally with wide representation of genders, race, age, BMI, occupation/role in hospital.
  • Willing and able to provde verbal consent.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of uncontrolled asthma, pneumonia, or hypertension.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
41 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Health care workers

    Health care workers will complete a fit test while wearing the Nordell Single E-100 layer + (cotton layer) mask, Nordell Double E-100 layer mask and an N95 mask

    Device: N95 mask · Device: Nordell single E-100 layer mask · Device: Nordell double E-100 layer mask

Interventions

  • DeviceN95 mask

    Standard 1870 N95 one time use mask

  • DeviceNordell single E-100 layer mask

    Nordell mask design using one layer of E-100 fabric plus cotton fabric overlay

  • DeviceNordell double E-100 layer mask

    Nordell mask design using two layers of E-100 fabric

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Comparison of Fit Tests

    Number of participants to pass the respirator fit testing using Bitrix solution. If participants do not smell or taste the solution while wearing the respirator it is considered passed.

    Time frame: Baseline

  2. Comfort Level of Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask

    Measured by a self-reported questionnaire that rates the comfort level of the Nordell Double E-100 layer mask on a scale from 0 to 5 (0 is the most uncomfortable mask ever worn, 5 is the best, most comfortable mask)

    Time frame: Baseline

  3. Ability to Breathe With Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask

    Measured by a self-reported questionnaire that rates ability to breathe comfortably while wearing the Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask, from 0 (not able to breathe at all) to 5 (just as easy to breathe as not wearing any mask)

    Time frame: Baseline

07

Results

Posted Jul 7, 2023

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneHealth Care Workers
Started41
Completed41
Not completed0

Outcome measures

PrimaryComparison of Fit Tests

Number of participants to pass the respirator fit testing using Bitrix solution. If participants do not smell or taste the solution while wearing the respirator it is considered passed.

Time frame:
Baseline
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Comparison of Fit Tests
ParticipantsHealth Care Workers
Fit Test N9539
Fit Test Nordell Single Layer Mask39
Fit Test Nordell Double Layer Mask40
PrimaryComfort Level of Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask

Measured by a self-reported questionnaire that rates the comfort level of the Nordell Double E-100 layer mask on a scale from 0 to 5 (0 is the most uncomfortable mask ever worn, 5 is the best, most comfortable mask)

Time frame:
Baseline
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Comfort Level of Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask
ParticipantsHealth Care Workers
0 = most uncomfortable0
11
20
34
422
5 = most comfortable14
PrimaryAbility to Breathe With Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask

Measured by a self-reported questionnaire that rates ability to breathe comfortably while wearing the Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask, from 0 (not able to breathe at all) to 5 (just as easy to breathe as not wearing any mask)

Time frame:
Baseline
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Ability to Breathe With Nordell Double E-100 Layer Mask
ParticipantsHealth Care Workers
0 (worst)0
10
21
34
411
5 (best)25

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse events were collected on all subject during participation for approximately 2-3 hours.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Health Care Workers0/41 (0%)0/41 (0%)0/41 (0%)

Baseline characteristics

Age, Customized
Age, Customized(Participants)Health Care Workers
Between 18 and 29 years3
Between 30 and 39 years15
Between 40 and 49 years11
Between 50 and 59 years8
>= 60 years4
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Health Care Workers
Female34
Male7
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants)Health Care Workers
White, non-Hispanic37
Hispanic2
Black/African American0
Asian/Pacific Islander2
American Indian0
Other0
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Health Care Workers
United States41
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato
    Mankato, Minnesota 56001, United States
09

References and documents

Study documents

  • Study protocol · Dec 20, 2020

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 7, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04826809
Lead sponsor
Mayo Clinic
Responsible party
Janielle R. Nordell (Principal Investigator, Mayo Clinic) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 1, 2021
Start date
Apr 9, 2021
Primary completion
Oct 27, 2022
Completion
Oct 27, 2022
Results posted
Jul 7, 2023
Last update
Jul 7, 2023

Study contacts

Janielle R Nordell, MD
principal investigator · Mayo Clinic

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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