NHS Lifeline: PeRSo Mask Developed in One Week to Shield Medics from COVID-19

UK Medics Get Lifeline: New PeRSo Mask Could Save Them from COVID

Frontline medical staff face daily danger from COVID-19. Those exposed to a high “viral load,” like doctors and nurses, risk more severe illness. In Italy, a shocking 20% of healthcare workers caught the virus, making up 9% of all cases. Protecting our NHS heroes is critical to beating the pandemic.

Broken Masks and Shortages: Medics Need Better Gear Now

Disposable surgical and FFP3 masks are in fierce demand worldwide. Many hospitals are running low, and staff complain that masks don’t always fit properly. Personal respirators could be the answer, using a fan-driven system to deliver filtered air into a hood or mask. But most of these devices are pricey, bulky, noisy, or just unavailable.

Lightning-Fast Innovation: Meet PeRSo, the Game-Changing Respirator

University of Southampton researchers have whipped up a prototype personal respirator called PeRSo in just one week. It features a fabric hood with a clear visor, hooked to a lightweight, battery-powered fan on a belt. The fan pushes clean air through a HEPA filter—removing 99.95% of harmful particles—keeping medics breathing safely for 8-9 hours straight.

PeRSo’s design uses off-the-shelf parts and easy manufacturing methods like 3D printing and laser cutting. It’s light, quiet, and comfy — exactly what frontline staff need during long shifts in high-risk wards.

Next Steps: Testing, Scaling Up & Making PeRSo Global

The prototype has passed early “sniff tests” ensuring no outside air sneaks in. Now, doctors and nurses will trial PeRSo on wards for feedback. While PeRSo isn’t ready for mass rollout yet, the team is negotiating with manufacturers to ramp up production fast.

If successful, PeRSo’s open-spec design will be freely shared worldwide. There are plans for a “PeRSo-DW” model too, crafted from parts easy to find in low-resource countries.

“We must minimise the risk of infection for medical staff and stop them getting sick at the peak of the pandemic, so that they can care for others,” said Professor Paul Elkington, University of Southampton. “The HEPA filtered air removes 99.95% of particulate matter, and the face mask protects from splashes, reducing infection risk.”

Professor Hywel Morgan, from Southampton Bioelectronics, added: “This is an excellent example of universities, industry, and hospitals working together to save lives in the current crisis.”

Professor Robert Read, Director of Southampton’s Biomedical Research Centre, stressed: “Research is our only exit strategy. Our centre is backing teams developing new ways to support the NHS and fight COVID-19 nationally.”