US-12623099-B2 - Systems and methods for automated respirator

US12623099B2US 12623099 B2US12623099 B2US 12623099B2US-12623099-B2

Abstract

There is provided a computing device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive first sensor data indicative of a gas characteristic in a sealed space formed by a face of a wearer and a negative pressure reusable respirator; receive second sensor data indicative of a position of at least one valve in the negative pressure reusable respirator; determine comparative data by comparing the first sensor data to the second sensor data; and perform one or more actions in response to the comparative data. There is also provided a system using such computing device.

Inventors

Richard C. Webb
Andrew W. Long
Jessica L. Tredinnick-Higgins
David R. Stein
Daniel B. Taylor
Jacob P. Vanderheyden

Assignees

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20191220

Claims (18)

1 . A system comprising: a negative pressure reusable respirator configured to be worn by a wearer and to cover at least a mouth and a nose of the wearer to form a sealed space formed by a face of the wearer and the negative pressure reusable respirator; a first sensor configured to generate first sensor data indicative of a gas characteristic in the sealed space; a second sensor configured to generate second sensor data indicative of sound in the sealed space; at least one computing device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine, based at least in part on both the first sensor data and the second sensor data, a performance characteristic of a respirator seal check performed by the wearer; generate comparative data based at least in part on comparing at least a portion of the first sensor data with at least a portion of the second sensor data; and perform at least one operation based at least in part on the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check, wherein the at least one operation comprises generating an output that is perceptible by the wearer.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check indicates whether the respirator seal check has passed or failed.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check indicates a degree of leakage of air external to the sealed space into the sealed space.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one computing device is configured to: select the portions of first and second sensor data, wherein the first portion of the first sensor data corresponds at least in part in time to the second portion of second sensor data; determine the comparative data based at least in part on the first portion of first sensor data and second portion of second sensor data; and determine the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check based at least in part on the comparative data.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein to determine the comparative data based at least in part on the first portion of first sensor data and second portion of second sensor data, the computing device is configured to: determine that the first portion of the first sensor data satisfies a first threshold; determine that the second portion of the second sensor data satisfies a second threshold; and determine that the first and second thresholds are satisfied within a substantially contemporaneous time duration.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the comparative data comprises at least one of a likelihood that the respirator seal check has passed or failed or an indication that the respirator seal check has passed or failed.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the negative pressure reusable respirator comprises at least one valve, wherein the computing device is configured to: determine the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check by the wearer based at least in part on data that indicates a state of the at least one valve.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the state of the at least one valve comprises at least one of a position of the valve, an identifier of the valve, or data that indicates whether or a degree to which the valve is obstructed.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein to perform the at least one operation based at least in part on the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check, the at least one computing device is configured to generate an output comprising at least one of a message for at least one other computing device or a visual, audible, or haptic output at an output interface.
10 . A computing device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive, from a first sensor, first sensor data indicative of a gas characteristic in a sealed space formed by a face of the wearer and a negative pressure reusable respirator, wherein the negative pressure reusable respirator is configured to be worn by the wearer and to cover at least the mouth and the nose of the wearer to form the sealed space; receive, from a second sensor, second sensor data indicative of sound in the sealed space; determine, based at least in part on both the first sensor data and the second sensor data, a performance characteristic of a respirator seal check performed by the wearer; generate comparative data based at least in part on comparing at least a portion of the first sensor data with at least a portion of the second sensor data; and perform at least one operation based at least in part on the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check, wherein the at least one operation comprises generating an output that is perceptible by the wearer.
11 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check indicates whether the respirator seal check has passed or failed.
12 . The computing of claim 10 , wherein the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check indicates a degree of leakage of air external to the sealed space into the sealed space.
13 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the memory comprises instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: select the portions of first and second sensor data, wherein the first portion of the first sensor data corresponds at least in part in time to the second portion of second sensor data; determine the comparative data based at least in part on the first portion of first sensor data and second portion of second sensor data; and determine the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check based at least in part on the comparative data.
14 . The computing device of claim 13 , wherein to determine the comparative data based at least in part on the first portion of first sensor data and second portion of second sensor data, the memory comprises instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine that the first portion of the first sensor data satisfies a first threshold; determine that the second portion of the second sensor data satisfies a second threshold; and determine that the first and second thresholds are satisfied within a substantially contemporaneous time duration.
15 . The computing device of claim 14 , wherein the comparative data comprises at least one of a likelihood that the respirator seal check has passed or failed or an indication that the respirator seal check has passed or failed.
16 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the negative pressure reusable respirator comprises at least one valve, wherein the computing device is configured to: determine the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check by the wearer based at least in part on data that indicates a state of the at least one valve.
17 . The computing device of claim 10 , wherein the state of the at least one valve comprises at least one of a position of the valve, an identifier of the valve, or data that indicates whether or a degree to which the valve is obstructed.
18 . The computing device of claim 17 , wherein to perform the at least one operation based at least in part on the performance characteristic of the respirator seal check, the memory comprises instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to generate an output comprising at least one of a message for at least one other computing device or a visual, audible, or haptic output at an output interface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/IB2019/, filed Dec. 20, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/942,244, filed Dec. 2, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/930,413, filed Nov. 4, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/813,724, filed Mar. 4, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/784,012, filed Dec. 21, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its/their entirety herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated respirators, including sensing of gas characteristics and valve position within respirators and notifications related thereto. BACKGROUND Many work environments include hazards that may expose people working within a given environment to a safety event, such as a fall, breathing contaminated air, or temperature related injuries (e.g., heat stroke, frostbite, etc.). In many work environments, workers may utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) to help mitigate the risk of a safety event. Often, a worker may not recognize an impending safety event until the environment becomes too dangerous or the worker's health deteriorates too far. PPE that fits or is donned by a worker properly is important to help mitigate the risk of a safety event. As used in industry language, a respirator worker seal check, also referred to as a user seal check or a wearer seal check, is a process by which a worker donning a respirator assesses the fit of their tight-fitting respirator for large-scale leaks. As defined by many regulatory bodies, including the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a respirator worker seal check is distinctly different from a respirator fit test. A respirator fit test is an assessment of worker's suitability to fit a specific make and model of respirator, with the test administered by a trained person. Examples of respirator fit tests are 3M Qualitative Respirator Fit Tests using Bitrex and/or Saccharin, the TSI PortaCount test. A worker seal check is intended to be a check carried out by a user (i.e. a worker or wearer donning the respirator), not requiring supervision by any other person, every time the user dons the respirator for use. Worker seal checks are conducted as either negative seal checks, positive seal checks, or both on tight fitting respirators. The process involves the worker using their hands, or a mechanism on the respirator, to cover the inhalation/exhalation flow path(s) and then inhaling/exhaling to create a decrease/increase in pressure in the respirator. Workers assess adequate fit of the respirator based on their subjective assessment of how well the respirator holds pressure, the feeling of air flow around the seal, and the like. A worker seal check helps inform a worker that they assembled and donned the respirator correctly, and as such, should be conducted every time a worker dons a respirator. However, workers sometimes fail or forget to conduct a worker seal check. Additionally, workers often desire additional confidence in the fit of their respirator, beyond their own subjective assessment of the worker seal check. SUMMARY In general, the present disclosure describes a system comprising a negative pressure reusable respirator configured to be worn by a wearer and to cover at least a mouth and a nose of the wearer to form a sealed space formed by a face of the wearer and the negative pressure reusable respirator, wherein the negative pressure reusable respirator comprises at least one valve; a first sensor configured to generate first sensor data indicative of a gas characteristic in a sealed space formed by a face of the wearer and the negative pressure reusable respirator; a second sensor configured to generate second sensor data indicative of a position of the at least one valve; and at least one computing device configured to provide comparative data by comparing the first sensor data to the second sensor data. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computing device comprising: at least one processor; and a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive first sensor data indicative of a gas characteristic in a sealed space formed by a face of a wearer and a negative pressure reusable respirator; receive second sensor data indicative of a position of at least one valve in the negative pressure reusable respirator; determine comparative data by comparing the first sensor data to the second sensor data; and perform one or more actions in response to the comparative data. The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS By way of ex