Personal air filtration and control system

Abstract

An air flow and filtration control system in the form of a headgear which is worn by a physician during a surgical procedure, a technician during an assembly process, or any other user wherein a controlled air flow and air filtration is required or desired. The flow through system includes a relatively rigid, open frame, skeleton headgear structure which substantially surrounds the head of the wearer. The structure includes ductwork and is adjustably attached to a headband formed of straps which are adapted to snugly engage the head of the wearer. A plurality of fans or other air moving devices are mounted in the structure. The fans are positioned to move air through the integral ducts in the structure. A shroud (or hood) is draped over and attached to the structure in such a fashion as to completely cover the structure and to cover at least a portion of the wearer in order to maintain sterile or controlled conditions. A relatively planar transparent screen or "window" is provided at the front of the apparatus for substantially undistorted viewing. Typically, the transparent screen is mounted in the shroud and is removable therewith. Filtration devices are formed or mounted in the shroud so as to be disposed adjacent to the fans when the shroud is placed over the structure. A suitable power supply, such as a battery pack or the like, is used to selectively power the fans. It is anticipated that at least the shroud (and the components mounted thereto) will be disposable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.