Fit-test method for respirator with sensing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11534632-B2
Application number	US-201816641687-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 28, 2018
Priority date	Sep 1, 2017
Publication date	Dec 27, 2022
Grant date	Dec 27, 2022

Abstract

A method of fit testing includes providing a respirator; providing a sensor having a sensing element removably positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; providing a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor; positioning the respirator over a mouth and a nose of a user while the sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; and observing respirator fit assessment data communicated from the sensor to the reader.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of fit testing comprising:
providing a respirator;
providing a sensor comprising a sensing element, wherein the sensing element is in removable communication with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is removably positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator;
providing a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor;
positioning the respirator over a mouth and a nose of a user while the sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; and
observing respirator fit assessment data communicated from the sensor to the reader,
wherein the sensing element is configured to sense fluid-soluble particulate matter when a liquid layer is disposed in a gap on at least a part of the surface of the sensing element, wherein a fluid ionizable particle may at least partially dissolve and may at least partially ionize in the liquid layer, resulting in a change in an electrical property between at least two electrodes of the sensing element.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a size of the sensor and a weight of the sensor are selected such that the sensor does not interfere with a wearer's use of the respirator.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a size of the sensor and a weight of the sensor are selected such that the sensor does not alter the fit of the respirator on a wearer.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein no component of the sensor and no component of a sensor attachment system penetrate a surface of the respirator in contact with an exterior gas space.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is in electrical communication with the sensing element and is configured to sense a change in an electrical property of the sensing element.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to detect leakage of unfiltered air into the interior gas space.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor and reader communicate with one another about one or more constituents of a gas or aerosol within the interior gas space.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor and reader communicate with one another about physical properties related to a gas within the interior gas space.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor and reader communicate parameters used to assess physiological conditions of a wearer of the respirator.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the liquid layer is provided by human breath.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the sensing element is a fluid ionizable particulate matter detection element configured such that the condensing vapor does not condense uniformly on the surface of the element.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the fluid ionizable particulate matter detection element is further configured such that condensed vapor in contact with at least one electrode does not form a continuous condensed phase to at least one other electrode.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein interaction of the fluid ionizable particle with the sensing element is at least partially influenced by human breath.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing element is configured to be mechanically separable from the sensing device.

15. A method of fit testing comprising:
providing a respirator;
providing a sensor comprising a sensing element, wherein the sensing element is in removable communication with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is removably positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator;
providing a reader configured to be in wireless communication with the sensor;
positioning the respirator over a mouth and a nose of a user while the sensor is positioned substantially within an interior gas space of the respirator; and
observing respirator fit assessment data communicated from the sensor to the reader; and
capturing an image of the correct fit position on the user's face once the sensor indicates a pre-determined fit assessment data value has been reached,
wherein the sensing element is configured to sense fluid-soluble particulate matter when a liquid layer is disposed in a gap on at least a part of the surface of the sensing element, wherein a fluid ionizable particle may at least partially dissolve and may at least partially ionize in the liquid layer, resulting in a change in an electrical property between at least two electrodes of the sensing element.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the fit assessment data value is below a threshold value.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising comparing a current fit image with the correct fit position image.

18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising adjusting the current fit until the current fit matches the correct fit position image.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Company

Inventors

• Viner Andrew S
• Webb Richard C
• Amell Nicholas G
• Hauge Jessica L T
• Stein David R
• Bonifas Andrew P
• Rakow Neal A
• Ylitalo Caroline M
• Kronzer Joseph P
• Donoghue Claire R
• Henderson Christopher P

Classifications

• G01N2015/0046

  in gas, e.g. smoke · CPC title

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• G01N27/028

  Circuits therefor (measuring impedance per se G01R27/02) · CPC title

• A62B27/00 Primary

  Methods or devices for testing respiratory or breathing apparatus {for high altitudes}(apparatus for testing gastightness in general G01M) · CPC title

• G01N15/0656

  using electric, e.g. electrostatic methods or magnetic methods (by investigating individual particles G01N15/1031, G01N15/12) · CPC title