System and method for wearable airflow modulation and respiratory regulation

A method of operating a wearable breathing system worn on a user's head or face, the method comprising:

• receiving user input via a user-operable mode selection interface of the wearable breathing system;
• selecting a breathing exercise mode based on the user input;
• and
• controlling airflow associated with at least one nostril of the user in accordance with the selected breathing exercise mode by actuating one or more airflow actuation components of the wearable breathing system to selectively restrict nostril airflow, wherein the method is performed by the wearable breathing system without requiring manual nostril occlusion by the user.

A wearable breathing apparatus, comprising:

• a wearable support structure configured to be worn on a user's head or face;
• an airflow actuation assembly supported by the wearable support structure and configured to selectively modulate airflow associated with at least one nostril of the user;
• at least one respiration sensing element configured to detect at least one respiratory parameter of the user;
• a control system operatively coupled to the airflow actuation assembly and the at least one respiration sensing element;
• and
• a hardware-implemented safety supervisor module operatively coupled between the control system and the airflow actuation assembly,
• wherein the hardware-implemented safety supervisor module is configured to:
• (i) determine an operational state of the wearable breathing apparatus based on at least one of sensed respiratory parameters, airflow resistance, actuation force, elapsed occlusion duration, or system fault conditions;
• (ii) enforce predefined physiological and mechanical safety limits corresponding to the determined operational state;
• and
• (iii) gate, modify, or override actuation commands issued by the control system to prevent airflow restriction conditions that exceed the predefined safety limits, wherein the airflow actuation assembly is permitted to modulate airflow only when both the control system and the hardware-implemented safety supervisor module independently assert concurrent authorization, such that actuation is inhibited if either channel fails to assert an enable condition.