# US 6,196,221 B1 · Thermal exchange breathing device

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- Number: US 6,196,221 B1
- Document ID: US6196221B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/246,750
- Filed: 1999-02-08
- Granted: 2001-03-06
- Earliest claimed: 1999-02-08
- Assignees: Polar Wrap, LLC
- Inventors: Bruce McCormick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6196221B1

## CPC

- A61M 16/1045: {Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas}
- A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient}
- A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
- A61M 2205/0205: Materials having antiseptic or antimicrobial properties, e.g. silver compounds, rubber with sterilising agent
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A thermal exchange breathing device is provided which include a heat exchange module 14 which is mounted in a face mask (12) with an air flow passage extending from a mouthpiece (72) through a breathing vent (64) to an atmospheric vent (68) through a heat exchange medium (68) in the heat exchange module. The face mask (12) is provided with a head strap (22,94) which may include connectors (95 and 95′) between the respective ends of the head strap and the sides of the face mask, said connectors including a stand-off (97) to keep the face mask snug against the user's face when the user wears a helmet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A breathing device comprising:
a heat exchanger module including a container with a wall surrounding an interior space and defining at least one flow passage having first and second ends,
a breathing vent disposed through said wall for inflow and outflow of air relative to said first end of said flow passage,
an atmospheric vent disposed through said wall for both inflow and outflow of air relative to said second end of said tubular flow passage,
a heat exchanging medium disposed within said flow passage,
a face mask supporting said heat exchanger module and adapted to retain it in a position adjacent the face of a user,
said face mask comprising rear and front flexible panels defining a space therebetween,
a first opening in the rear panel located in a position for alignment with the mouth of said user,
said heat exchanger module disposed between the rear and front panels with the breathing vent located opposite the first opening,
a second opening in the front panel located in alignment with the atmospheric vent,
a pad disposed between the heat exchanger module and the rear panel, said pad defining an aperture in alignment with said breathing vent, said aperture having a peripheral edge of such configuration as to substantially encompass the mouth of said user, said pad having a thickness to accommodate the lips of said user, said rear panel covering said peripheral edge of said aperture to thereby provide a mouthpiece coupled with said breathing vent,
whereby the breathing vent may be readily positioned in front of the user's mouth with a seal between said mouthpiece and the peripheral edge of the user's mouth and whereby the dead air space between said user's mouth and the breathing air vent is minimized to improve the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A breathing device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pad is foam plastic.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A breathing device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper edge of the pad defines a notch in a position opposite the nose of the user.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A breathing device as defined in claim 1 including:
an adjustable strap with opposite ends thereof connected to opposite sides of the face mask.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A breathing device as defined in claim 4 wherein:
one end of the strap is removably attached to the face mask by a hook-and-loop fastener.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

A breathing device as defined in claim 4 wherein:
one end of the strap is provided with a slideable connector for adjusting the length of the strap.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

A breathing device as defined in claim 4 including:
a standoff attached to each side of the face mask, said adjustable strap having each end connected to one side of the face mask through said standoff.