Abstract: A brace for securing a face mask on a wearer includes a sealing ring and at least one securing strap attached to the sealing ring by at least one joint region. The sealing ring has a perimeter that forms an interior opening, and the perimeter is shaped and sized to surround a portion of the face mask when the face mask is placed over the wearer's nose and mouth. The securing strap is constructed as one or more head strap, ear straps, neck ties, or another securing mechanism for securing the sealing ring on the wearer and maintaining a seal of the face mask about the wearer's nose and mouth. The brace can include one or more of deformable metal bands, cushions, and reinforced regions over the bridge of the nose, at the joints of the sealing ring with the securing straps, and along the securing straps.

Abstract: A cushion used for uniform compression of a surface with varied topography with minimal stress concentrations. The cushion includes a shaped base and a plurality of flexible projections extending from the shaped base. Each of the plurality of projections has a proximal end attached to the shaped base, a distal end opposite the shaped base, and an axial section extending between the proximal and distal ends. The plurality of flexible projections can individually flex. In an aspect, a facial cushion for use with a mask brace that secures a face mask to a patient's face includes a shaped base and a plurality of flexible projections extending from the shaped base. The individually flexing projections provide greater comfort to a wearer of the mask brace because the flexible projections can conform to the structure of the wearer's face while still providing a seal of the face mask to the face.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for noninvasive, non-destructive fluorescent measurement. More specifically, the disclosure provides a non-invasive metrology system and method to monitor levels of fluorescent chemicals in the blood. A major application for the invention is field-based non-invasive blood testing for micro-nutrient deficiency and diseases resulting from it, such as Iron deficient anemia. The invention may help reduce or eliminate the need for blood drawing, sending the sample to a blood lab and having to wait for a result.