# US 11,998,777 B2 · Serviceable respirator system with configurable components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,777 B2 - Document ID: US11998777B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/385,736 - Filed: 2021-07-26 - Published: 2022-01-27 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-27 - Assignees: Auburn University - Applicants: Auburn University - Inventors: Zachary Eugene Hubert Kohrman; Michael John Kohrman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998777B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A62B 7/10: with filter elements - A41D 13/1161: {Means for fastening to the user's head} - A61F 9/029: {Additional functions or features, e.g. protection for other parts of the face such as ears, nose or mouth; Screen wipers or cleaning devices} - A61M 16/0009: {with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration} - A61M 16/0093: {by adsorption, absorption or filtration} - A61M 16/0627: {with sealing means on a part of the body other than the face, e.g. helmets, hoods or domes} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/105: {Filters (A61M16/047, A61M16/22 take precedence; water traps A61M16/08)} - A61M 16/1065: {in the expiratory path} - A61M 16/107: {in the inspiratory path} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A62B 9/02: Valves {(non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10)} - A62B 9/04: Couplings; Supporting frames - A62B 18/006: {with pumps for forced ventilation (A62B18/045 takes precedence)} - A62B 18/02: Masks (gas-masks for animals A62B18/06; masks for welders A61F9/06) - A62B 18/08: Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices (eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00) - A62B 19/00: Cartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus {(carbon dioxide absorbing devices A61M16/22)} - A61M 11/00: Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes (in general B05B; {aerosol containers B65D83/14}) - A61M 15/00: Inhalators {(drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04)} - A61M 16/0084: {self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags} - A61M 16/024: {including calculation means, e.g. using a processor} - A61M 16/0616: {with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure} - A61M 16/147: {the respiratory gas not passing through the liquid container} - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M 2205/125: with incorporated filters - A61M 2205/128: with incorporated valves - A61M 2205/3375: Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract There is provided a respirator for supplying clean air for a wearer. The respirator comprises a face assembly comprising an oronasal mask configured to seal against and cover a nose region and a mouth region of the wearer. The face assembly may be configured to be interchangeable on the respirator between a half-face assembly and a full-face assembly. The respirator comprises a securing headgear releasably securable with the face assembly, the securing headgear assembly configured to secure the respirator on a head of the wearer. The respirator comprises a facepiece assembly for supplying the wearer with air for inhaling and releasing air exhaled by the wear, the facepiece assembly releasably securable with the face assembly. One or more of the face assembly, the facepiece assembly, or the securing headgear are configured to be released from the respirator, sterilized, and releasably resecured with the respirator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A respirator for supplying clean air for a wearer, comprising: a face assembly comprising an oronasal mask configured to seal against and cover a nose region and a mouth region of the wearer; a securing headgear releasably securable with the face assembly, the securing headgear configured to secure the respirator on a head of the wearer; and a facepiece assembly for supplying the wearer with air for inhaling and releasing air exhaled by the wearer, the facepiece assembly releasably securable with the face assembly via an over center latch and a keeper bar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the face assembly comprises harness attachment elements, and wherein the securing headgear comprises one or more removable buckles configured to releasably and securely lock with the harness attachment elements. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the securing headgear is adjustable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the face assembly comprises a half-face assembly configured to create a seal against and cover at least the nose region and the mouth region of the wearer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the face assembly comprises a full-face assembly configured to create a seal against the nose region, the mouth region, and an eye region of the wearer and cover at least a nose, a mouth, and eyes of the wearer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The respirator of claim 5, further comprising lens releasably securable with the face assembly, the lens configured to cover at least the eyes of the wearer when engaged with the face assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the face assembly is interchangeable on the respirator between a half-face assembly and a full-face assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein the facepiece assembly is interchangeable on the face assembly between a cartridge facepiece assembly, a negative-pressure filter facepiece assembly, a ventilator-adaptive facepiece assembly, and an adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The respirator of claim 8, wherein the cartridge facepiece assembly is configured to releasably secure with one or more filter cartridges for filtering air. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The respirator of claim 8, wherein the negative-pressure filter facepiece assembly comprises a non-cartridge facepiece body, a breathing port, and a filter element secured by the non-cartridge facepiece body disposed between the breathing port and the wearer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The respirator of claim 1, wherein one or more of the face assembly, the facepiece assembly, or the securing headgear are configured to be released from the respirator, sterilized, and releasably resecured with the respirator. ### Claim 12 A respirator for filtering air for a wearer, comprising: a full-face assembly configured to create a seal against a mouth region, a nose region, and an eye region and cover at least a mouth, a nose, and eyes of the wearer, the full-face assembly including: an interior gas space defined by the seal of the full-face assembly, lens releasably securable with the full-face assembly, the lens configured to cover at least the eyes of the wearer when engaged with the full-face assembly, and an oronasal mask configured to cover the nose and the mouth of the wearer, the oronasal mask releasably securable with the full-face assembly; and an adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly releasably securable with the full-face assembly including: a cartridge facepiece body, and adapters configured to direct airflow into the interior gas space through an intake filter cartridge and out of the interior gas space through an exhaust filter cartridge, wherein the adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly and the full-face assembly are releasably securable via a keeper bar and an over center latch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The respirator of claim 12, further comprising anti-fog check valves configured to direct airflow into, through, and out of the interior gas space. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The respirator of claim 12, wherein the intake filter cartridge and the exhaust filter cartridge are releasably secured with the adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly, and the adapters is disposed and in gaseous communication between the cartridge facepiece body, the intake filter cartridge, and the exhaust filter cartridge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The respirator of claim 12, wherein one or more of the full-face assembly, the adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly, or the adapters are configured to be released from the respirator, sterilized, and releasably resecured with the respirator. ### Claim 16 A respirator for supplying clean air for a wearer in need of assisted breathing, comprising: a face assembly defining an interior gas space, the face assembly including a mask configured to seal against and cover at least a nose region and a mouth region of the wearer; and a facepiece assembly for supplying the wearer with air for inhaling and releasing air exhaled by the wearer, the facepiece assembly releasably securable with the face assembly mask and interchangeable on the respirator between two or more of a cartridge facepiece assembly, a negative-pressure filter facepiece assembly, a ventilator-adaptive facepiece assembly, and an adaptable cartridge facepiece assembly, wherein the facepiece assembly is releasably securable with the face assembly via an over center latch and a keeper bar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The respirator of claim 16, wherein the facepiece assembly comprises the ventilator-adaptive facepiece assembly, wherein the ventilator-adaptive facepiece assembly includes a port configured to be in gaseous communication with the interior gas space, and wherein the port is configured to seal with the at least one of an intubation tube, an air hose, or an ambu bag. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The respirator of claim 16, wherein one or more of the face assembly and the facepiece assembly are configured to be released from the respirator, sterilized, and releasably resecured with the respirator.