STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY
boundaries).Limitations
We employed user-centred design, engineering optimisation and staged feasibility testing to develop a novel powered air-purifying respirator (Bubble-PAPR) for use specifically in front-line healthcare settings.The design of Bubble-PAPR met regulatory standards and our evaluation demonstrated that it met the key requirements of comfort and perceived safety identified as essential requirements by healthcare staff.The design and development of Bubble-PAPR were conducted using a careful strategy addressing key regulatory and safety steps, measured against UK/European standards, in contrast to many devices rapidly developed and deployed during the pandemic.The development of Bubble-PAPR is an excellent example of growing a cosmopolitan network (social networks across historical, political and cultural boundaries).Limitations of our study include that design and evaluation were undertaken at a single large hospital, using similar staff groups and a lack of formal independent cost analysis.