# US 2021/0330418 A1 · Devices, systems, and methods for protecting healthcare workers from airborne pathogens > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330418 A1 - Document ID: US20210330418A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/190,028 - Filed: 2021-03-02 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-24 - Assignees: Inquis Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Inquis Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Mojgan SAADAT; Vahid SAADAT; William Jason FOX; William L. GOULD; Matthew Allison HERRON; Andrew Ivan POUTIATINE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330418A1 ## CPC - A61B 90/40: Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment - A41D 13/11: Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres (eye-masks A61F9/04 {; hoods affording protection against heat or harmful chemical agents A62B17/04}) - A61B 90/05: {Splash shields for protection of the surgeon, e.g. splash guards connected to the apparatus} - 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 18/10: Valves - A41D 13/1184: {with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor} - A61B 46/20: specially adapted for patients - A61B 2090/401: {using air flow} - A62B 18/006: {with pumps for forced ventilation (A62B18/045 takes precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - 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) ## Abstract An isolation barrier and method of using it. The isolation barrier includes a mask with a face opening and at least one access opening in front of the subject's nose and/or mouth and an enclosure having a first enclosure opening attached around the access opening, a second enclosure opening, and flexible material extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure opening and defining an enclosure interior, the flexible material comprising at least one area through which the enclosure interior can be viewed, the mask and enclosure interior defining a medical procedure field extending from the subject's nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening when the isolation barrier is in place on the subject's face. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An isolation barrier comprising: a mask comprising a face opening adapted to rest against the subject's face around a subject's nose and mouth and an access opening opposite to the face opening, the access opening being arranged and configured to be in front of the subject's nose and/or mouth when the mask rests on the subject's face and to provide access to the subject's nose and/or mouth, the mask extending away from the face opening to the access opening to form an interior mask volume between the access opening and the face opening; a feature adapted to hold the mask on the subject's face; and an enclosure comprising a first enclosure opening attached around the access opening, a second enclosure opening, and an enclosure volume extending between the first and second enclosure openings, the interior mask volume and enclosure volume defining a medical procedure field configured to extend from the subject's nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening when the isolation barrier is in place on the subject's face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure further comprises flexible material extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure opening and defining an enclosure interior, the flexible material comprising at least one area through which the enclosure interior can be viewed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the second enclosure opening is larger than the first enclosure opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure defines an expanded maximum internal volume of greater than 0.8 liters. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the second enclosure opening has a cross-sectional area greater than 20 cm2. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has an area greater than or equal to an area of the access opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the access opening has a cross-sectional area greater than 5 mm2. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a nose portion adapted to extend over, and rest on, a bridge of the subject's nose and a chin portion adapted to rest at least partially beneath the subject's chin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The isolation barrier of claim 8 wherein the mask further comprises a front portion extending from and along the nose portion, the chin portion, and the access opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The isolation barrier of claim 8 wherein at least one of the nose portion and the chin portion comprises flexible fabric. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a seal adapted to engage the subject's face and configured to prevent air from moving between the mask and the subject's face. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask further comprises a port adapted to connect a volume between the mask and the subject's face to a negative pressure source. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask further comprises a one-way valve adapted to permit air to enter through a port to a volume between the mask and the subject's face and to prevent air from leaving the volume between the mask and the subject's face through the port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The isolation barrier of claim 1 further comprising a seal disposed between the first enclosure opening and the access opening.