# US 12,109,523 B2 · Systems and methods of reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,523 B2 - Document ID: US12109523B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/227,347 - Filed: 2021-04-11 - Published: 2021-10-21 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-15 - Assignees: MagPlasma, Inc. - Applicants: Martin E. Toomajian; Timothy E. Moore - Inventors: Martin E. Toomajian; Timothy E. Moore - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109523B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/10: Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces - B01D 46/444: {by flow measuring} - F24F 3/163: Clean air work stations, i.e. selected areas within a space which filtered air is passed - F24F 8/108: using dry filter elements - B01D 46/0028: {provided with antibacterial or antifungal means} - B01D 2265/028: Snap, latch or clip connecting means - B01D 2275/10: Multiple layers - B01D 2279/65: for the sterilisation of air - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract A system for reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person is disclosed. A manifold assembly includes a tube fitted with an air intake nozzle. The air intake nozzle is positioned at the breathing zone of the person such that an air gap is created between the person and the nozzle. Exhaled air is routed from the person to the manifold assembly via the tube. A purification unit deactivates and/or filters airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air supplied from the manifold assembly. A suction assembly draws the exhaled air from the breathing zone of the person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust valve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person comprising: a. a manifold assembly including a tube fitted with an air intake nozzle positioned at a breathing zone of a person such that an air gap is created between the person and the nozzle, wherein exhaled air is routed from the person to the manifold assembly via the tube; b. a purification unit for purifying air by deactivating and/or filtering airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air supplied from the manifold assembly; and c. a suction assembly for drawing the exhaled air from the breathing zone of the person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust valve. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a pre-treatment filter coupled to an exit port of the manifold assembly, and a mass flow controller to adjust air flow of the pretreated exhaled air introduced into the purification unit for treatment to maintain a constant air flow rate or system pressure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 further comprising a post-treatment filter coupled between an outlet port of the suction assembly and an inlet of the exhaust valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the manifold assembly comprises a multi-port valve coupled to the tube, wherein the tube has a first end coupled to the air intake nozzle and a second end coupled to the manifold assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the tube is one of the following: a polymer composite tube, a duct, and a hose assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the air intake nozzle is a snorkel having a nozzle end for directing the exhaled air from the breathing zone of the person into the tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the suction assembly is a vacuum pump or a fan. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the air intake nozzle is positioned between approximately one and ten inches from the breathing zone of the person, maintaining the air gap between the person and the nozzle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the airborne pathogens and contaminants comprise viruses and bacteria. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein the viruses comprise coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is portable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is used in at least one of the following settings or locations: clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, bathrooms, offices, ambulances, emergency medical treatment (EMT) vehicles, buses, taxis, law enforcement vehicles, and medical aircraft. ### Claim 13 A method of reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person comprising: a. routing exhaled air from a breathing zone of a person through an air intake nozzle to a manifold assembly via a tube coupled between an outlet of the nozzle and an inlet port of the manifold assembly, wherein an air gap is created between the person and nozzle; b. deactivating and/or filtering airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air, supplied from the manifold assembly, using a purification unit; and c. drawing the exhaled air from the person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust valve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising pre-treating the exhaled air from the manifold assembly prior to entry into the purification unit and adjusting air flow of the pretreated exhaled air introduced into the purification unit for treatment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising post-treating the exhaled air after exiting the purification unit prior to entry to the one-way exhaust valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the air intake nozzle is positioned between approximately one and ten inches from the breathing zone of the person, maintaining the air gap between the person and the nozzle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the airborne pathogens and contaminants comprise viruses and bacteria. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the viruses comprise coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2. ### Claim 19 A system for reducing airborne pathogens and contaminants in a breathing zone of a person comprising: a. a manifold assembly including a multi-port valve coupled to multiple tubes each fitted with an air intake nozzle positioned at breathing zones of one or more persons such that an air gap is created between each person and each nozzle, wherein exhaled air is routed from each person to the manifold assembly via the tubes; b. a purification unit for deactivating and/or filtering airborne pathogens and contaminants of the exhaled air supplied from the manifold assembly; and c. a suction assembly for drawing the exhaled air from each person, through the manifold assembly and the purification unit, to a one-way exhaust value. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the purification unit includes a plasma reactor. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the purification unit includes a plasma reactor.