# US 12,109,320 B2 · Pathogen-inactivating facial mask > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,320 B2 - Document ID: US12109320B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/320,983 - Filed: 2021-05-14 - Published: 2021-11-18 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-15 - Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University - Applicants: Morteza Abbaszadegan; Absar Alum - Inventors: Morteza Abbaszadegan; Absar Alum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109320B2 ## CPC - A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08) - A62B 7/10: with filter elements - A62B 9/003: {Means for influencing the temperature or humidity of the breathing gas} - A62B 18/025: {Halfmasks (A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - 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 23/02: for respirators - A62B 23/025: {the filter having substantially the shape of a mask (surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A62B 23/06: Nose filters - H05B 1/025: {For medical applications} - H05B 3/18: the conductor being embedded in an insulating material - H05B 3/34: flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs - A61L 9/18: Radiation (A61L9/22 takes precedence) - A61L 2202/14: Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs - A62B 18/084: {Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets} - H05B 2203/02: Heaters using heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - 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) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A facial mask having pathogen inactivation capabilities is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a mask and a pathogen inactivation system coupled to the mask. The pathogen inactivation system is configured to heat and inactivate bacteria and viruses. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A facial mask comprising: a mask further comprising: a non-woven polypropylene outer layer; a non-woven polypropylene inner layer; and a heating element disposed between the non-woven polypropylene outer layer and the non-woven polypropylene inner layer, the heating element having a nichrome wire; and a pathogen inactivation system coupled to the mask, the pathogen inactivation system configured to heat and inactivate at least one of bacteria or viruses. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The facial mask of claim 1, wherein: the pathogen inactivation system further comprises an input source; and the input source electrically couples a power supply to the heating element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The facial mask of claim 2, wherein the heating element is activated in response to the power supply being electrically coupled to the input source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The facial mask of claim 2, wherein: the pathogen inactivation system further comprises a power source; and the power source is configured to be charged in response to the power supply being coupled to the input source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The facial mask of claim 4, wherein the power source is configured to power the heating element while the facial mask is worn by a user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The facial mask of claim 1, wherein the pathogen inactivation system is configured to activate the heating element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The facial mask of claim 6, wherein the mask further comprises a non-woven polypropylene melt blown filter layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The facial mask of claim 7, wherein the non-woven polypropylene melt blown filter layer is disposed between the non-woven polypropylene outer layer and the non-woven polypropylene inner layer and comprises the heating element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The facial mask of claim 1, wherein the pathogen inactivation system further comprises: a first light configured to display a red color in response to the pathogen inactivation system being in a de-activated state; and a second light configured to display a green color in response to the pathogen inactivation system being in an activated state. ### Claim 10 A pathogen inactivation system, comprising: a facial mask further comprising: a non-woven polypropylene outer layer; a non-woven polypropylene inner layer; and a heating element disposed between the non-woven polypropylene outer layer and the non-woven polypropylene inner layer, the heating element having a nichrome wire; and a controller in electrical communication with the heating element, the controller configured to activate the heating element and inactivate pathogens that are proximate the heating element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor in electrical communication with the controller, the sensor configured to provide at least one of bacterial and viral data to the controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to determine a pathogen amount exceeds a pre-determined pathogen threshold, and the controller is configured to activate the heating element in response to the determining the pathogen amount exceeds the pre-determined pathogen threshold. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 10, further comprising a power source in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the power source is rechargeable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 13, wherein the power source is portable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 10, wherein the heating element is configured to electrically couple to a power supply and activate to clean the facial mask. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The pathogen inactivation system of claim 10, further comprising: a first light configured to display a red color in response to the pathogen inactivation system being in a de-activated state; and a second light configured to display a green color in response to the pathogen inactivation system being in an activated state.