Bio-Medical Devices International Launches Maxair® Personal Respiratory Protection System

MAXAIR hose-free PAPR provides healthcare workers with unparalleled comfort and efficiency in particulate protection

Irvine, CA - Proper respiratory protection for healthcare workers no longer means being encumbered by heavy, awkward and loud powered-air purifying respirators (PAPRs) or inefficient and uncomfortable face masks. Bio-Medical Devices International Inc. (BMDI), a leader in personal respiratory protection and infection control barriers, has introduced the MAXAIR Respiratory Protection System to the healthcare and safety markets. This innovative hose-free PAPR sets a new standard for the industry, offering healthcare workers the ultimate in both protection and comfort.

Features/Benefits

• Mobility – MAXAIR's patented hose-free design provides healthcare workers complete freedom of movement. This increased mobility translates into improved productivity, as well as increased comfort and satisfaction.

• Protection – MAXAIR has an HE-approved rating with an efficiency level of N100 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). MAXAIR provides the highest level of protection from dust and mist particles, as well as protection from aerosolized and blood-borne pathogens. The system provides HEPA-level protection, not just around the user's nose and mouth (as with face masks), but also protection of the entire face, head and neck. MAXAIR is the first and only hose-free PAPR system receiving both NIOSH approval and FDA allowance for the industrial and healthcare fields.

  Independent studies have shown that surgical face masks offer minimal protection. In fact, many healthcare workers have a false sense of security, believing that they are better protected than they actually are. The MAXAIR system provides healthcare workers with an assigned protection factor (APF) of 1000 and above, as compared to N95 dust masks and surgical masks that are generally worn by healthcare workers, which have an APF of five and under respectively.

• Comfort – A whisper-quiet motor contained inside the helmet provides improved hearing and communication in the work environment. The expansive 20-millimeter polycarbonate lens offers unobstructed views and continuous positive pressure airflow of six to eight cubic feet per minute (CFM) over the user's face, providing a fog-free field of vision and a cooling effect for the user. The ergonomically designed, lightweight helmet and battery minimize user fatigue and stress.

• No Fit Testing – In addition to providing superior protection compared to traditional N95 face masks, the MAXAIR system also eliminates the need for annual "fit testing" for workers. Therefore, MAXAIR dramatically reduces lost productivity and expenses associated with these programs, potentially saving hospitals thousands of dollars annually.

• Safety & Peace of Mind – LED indicators strategically located within the field of vision provide the user with critical information regarding airflow (filter efficiency) and battery life, so he/she can always be assured of proper protection.

MAXAIR Applications
The MAXAIR system is ideally suited for most healthcare and medical environments requiring respiratory and facial protection, including:

1. Infection Control/Emergency Response Personnel – Quick to don and doff, MAXAIR's simple-to-use design is perfect for fast-paced disease outbreak or infection control environments. With its low cost, minimal training requirements and compact storage, MAXAIR is becoming the personal protective equipment (PPE) of choice for emergency medical service and infection control personnel.

   MAXAIR is currently being used by numerous U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies, as well as within private research facilities, around the country for use in infection control environments. Most recently, the system has been used to protect workers facing strains of SARS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, Aviana Influenza, Hantavirus and other communicable diseases flaring up around the globe.

2. Pharmaceutical and Research Laboratories – The MAXAIR system, with its lightweight Lithium Ion battery, is specifically engineered to provide HE level protection from particulate matter. The lightweight design and increased mobility allow users to sustain high productivity in their demanding schedules.

3. Forensics/Pathology – The lightweight MAXAIR system provides much needed comfort for the user in both the field and clinical environments. While providing the necessary protection to the user, it also helps reduce the potential for cross-contamination of crime scene investigations.

About BMDI
Bio-Medical Devices International Inc. was founded in 1991 and began developing and manufacturing respiratory and surgical products to meet the distinct needs of the healthcare and medical markets. BMDI develops and manufactures its products from facilities located in Irvine, Calif., Chino, Calif., and Tijuana, Mexico. For more information about BMDI, call (800) 44-DEVICE (443-3842) or visit www.BMDI.com.

Source: Bio-Medical Devices International Inc.