Thermal exchange breathing device

Details Thermal exchange breathing device Thermal exchange breathing device

1999-02-08

2001-03-06

Dawson, Glenn K. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Means for heating respiratory gas or respiration device

C128S201130

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196221

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cold weather breathing apparatus and more particularly, it relates to the combination of a face mask and a heat exchanger.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been recognized that, in cold weather conditions, a significant amount of body heat is lost as a result of the inhalation of cold, dry air. This can result in discomfort in milder conditions and be a serious health hazard in arctic or sub-arctic conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,802 granted Jun. 13, 1998 to McCormick discloses a cold weather breathing device with a heat exchanger module mounted in a cloth face mask. The heat exchanger module of this patent is of such design that it is very compact and light weight and yet has an elongated flow passage for the inflow and outflow of the breath of the user. The device provides high thermal efficiency in the transfer of heat to and from the breath of the user and yet it does not interpose a significant impedance to the flow of breath through the medium of the heat exchanger.
It is desirable to further improve the efficacy of the cold weather breathing device described above. It has been found that the coupling between the mouth of the user and the heat exchanger leaves something to be desired in respect to thermal efficiency and in respect to fitting of the mask to the user's face for eliminating dead air space, ease of breathing and comfort.
There are several prior art devices which address the problem of using the heat from exhaled air to warm inhaled air. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,679 granted Jun. 10, 1984 to Ward and 4,196,728 granted Apr. 8, 1980 to Granite disclose breathing devices including air inlet and outlet ports, a flow path therebetween, and a heat exchanging medium within the flow path for retaining the heat and humidity from exhaled air to warm and humidify inhaled air. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,671 granted Apr. 24, 1979 to Tiger discloses a mask including separate and concentric air inlet and outlet passages with heat exchanging fins surrounding the air inlet passage and disposed within the outlet passage for permitting the exchange of heat therebetween. U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,211 granted Oct. 22, 1991 to Hanks discloses a bandanna-type device to be wrapped around the face of a user including a strip of thermally insulative material retained within the bandanna and positioned adjacent the mouth of a user.
A general object of this invention to provide a combined face mask and heat exchanger with improved air flow and thermal coupling between the user's mouth and the heat exchanger and to overcome certain other disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a thermal exchange device is provided with an improved structural arrangement of the heat exchange module and the face mask incorporating the module.
Further, in accordance with this invention, an improved air flow coupling is provided between the mouth of the user and the breathing vent of the heat exchanger. This is accomplished by providing a mouthpiece or lip pocket for coupling the user's mouth with the breathing vent of the heat exchanger.
Further, in accordance with this invention, a pad is interposed between the inner panel of the face mask and the heat exchanger with a mouthpiece formed in the pad opposite the breathing vent to position the mouth in close proximity to the vent and to provide sealing of the flow path of the breath.
Further, in accordance with this invention, an improved thermal exchange coupling is provided between the user's mouth and the heat exchange medium by providing a mouthpiece opposite the breathing vent of the heat exchanger to facilitate the placement of the user's mouth in alignment with the vent and thus eliminate dead air space from the coupling path.
Further, in accordance with this invention, a close fit of the face mask with the user's face is achieved by providing a foam pad between the inner panel of the face mask and the heat exchanger module with the upper edge of the foam pad defining a notch which will accommodate the user's nose.
Further, in accordance with this invention, a close fit of the face mask is achieved when the user wears a helmet, such as a skier's helmet, by providing a head strap having each end connected with one side of the face mask through a stand-off.
A complete understanding of this invention will be obtained from the description that follows taken with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4905686 (1990-03-01), Adams
patent: 5435299 (1995-07-01), Langman
patent: 5570684 (1996-11-01), Behr
patent: 5906201 (1999-05-01), Nilson

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