Normobaric infection control
OwnerGeorge Macrisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Normobaric infection control apparatus and method utilizing a portable, inflatable oxygen treatment type hood having an inlet port to which an inhalation gas conduit is connected and an outlet port to which an exhaled gas conduit is connected, and in which, in a first structural embodiment and method, provides normobaric infection control of a user's exhalations by means of exhaled gas filter means disposed in the exhaled gas conduit, and which, in a second structural embodiment and method, provides normobaric infection control of the inhalations of a user by means of inhalation gas filter means disposed in the inhalation gas conduit.
Claims5
A normobaric infection control apparatus comprising:
- a portable, inflatable oxygen safe isolation hood having inlet port means and outlet port means;
- seal means operable to be fitted between the isolation hood and a user so that the isolation hood and seal means enclose the user's head to provide a pressure seal within the hood about the user's head;
- breathable gas conduit means including gas flow control means selectively operable when connected between a breathable gas source under pressure and the isolation hood inlet port means to maintain the hood in a selectable inflated condition by means of the pressure seal and the flow of breathable gas from the gas source into the hood through the inlet port means;
- and
- exhaled gas conduit means comprising, at least in part, the hood outlet port means;
- and
- (a) in which, when used to provide positive mode isolation of the user's exhalations, the exhaled gas conduit means includes preselected filter means connected by the exhaled gas conduit means between the hood outlet port means and a preselected environment into which the user's exhalations are to be expelled, the exhaled gas conduit means being operable when the hood is in the selectable inflated condition to evacuate the user's exhalations from within the hood into the preselected environment;
- and
- (b) in which, when used to provide negative mode isolation of the user's inhalations, the breathable gas conduit means includes preselected filter means connected serially with the gas flow control means, in a selectable sequence, between the source of breathable gas and the hood inlet port means, and in which the exhaled gas conduit means is operable, when the hood is in the selectable inflated condition, to evacuate the user's exhalations from within the hood into a preselected environment.
A method for positive mode normobaric infection control for a user in conjunction with the use of a portable, inflatable oxygen safe isolation hood having an inlet port and an outlet port by performing the following steps in a selectable order:
- (a) providing for the supply of an inhalation gas from an inhalation gas supply to the input port by connecting inhalation gas flow control means therebetween by means of an inhalation gas supply conduit;
- (b) connecting preselected appropriate filter means between the outlet port and the environment into which exhalations of the user are to be expelled by means of a flexible outlet conduit connected between the outlet port and to the filter means;
- (c) selectively initiating flow of the inhalation gas between the inhalation gas supply and the hood through the inhalation gas supply conduit;
- (d) fitting the hood on the user so as to provide a positive pressure seal between the user and the surrounding environment;
- and
- (e) adjusting the inhalation gas flow means to provide an inhalation gas flow rate sufficient to prevent the flexible hood from collapsing and maintain the user in an oxygenated condition;
- and, thereafter, in a selectable order, removing the hood from the user and terminating the flow of breathable gas through the inhalation gas supply conduit.
A method for negative mode normobaric infection control for a user in conjunction with the use of a portable, inflatable oxygen safe isolation hood having an inlet port and an outlet port by performing the following steps in a selectable order:
- (a) connecting an inhalation gas supply to the input port by connecting inhalation gas flow control means and preselected appropriate filter means serially therebetween by means of an inhalation gas supply conduit;
- (b) connecting an outlet conduit between the outlet port and the environment into which exhalations of the user are to be expelled by extending beyond the hood;
- (c) initiating flow of a gas to be inhaled between the inhalation gas supply and the hood through the inhalation gas supply conduit;
- (d) fitting the hood on the user so as to provide a positive pressure seal between the user and the surrounding environment;
- and
- (e) adjusting the inhalation gas flow means to provide an inhalation gas flow rate sufficient to prevent the flexible hood from collapsing and maintain the user in an oxygenated condition;
- and, thereafter, in a selectable order, removing the hood from the user and terminating the flow of breathable gas through the inhalation gas supply conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.