US 6,199,550 B1 · Integrated physiologic sensor system

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask that incorporates a series of physiologic sensors. These physiologic sensors are mounted on the interior of the SCBA mask in such a way as to contact the facial skin of an individual wearing the mask. The physiologic sensors monitor, among other things, heart rate and carbon monoxide and oxygen saturation levels. The physiologic sensors are connected to a transmitting apparatus attached to the SCBA. The SCBA transmitter sends output data from the physiologic sensors to a remote processor. The SCBA transmitter also sends location information of the individual wearing the SCBA mask to the remote processor. The remote processor compiles the physiologic and location data for the wearer of the SCBA and transmits a signal back to the SCBA receiver which, in turn, sends a signal to a display integrated into a SCBA mask. The display indicates to the individual his physiologic status. The display incorporates indicator lights are integrated into the mask of the SCBA to indicate, for example, when bottled air must be switched on, to indicate the emergency situation of the wearer and/or to indicate the direction that the wearer of the SCBA is going. The processor associated with the transmitter also monitors groups of individuals wearing the SCBA masks. In this way, the particular status of several individuals in the hazardous environment can be monitored.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A breathing apparatus, comprising:

a source of gas;
a face mask connected to said source of gas wherein gas is passed from said source of gas through said face mask;
a first sensor mounted on said face mask wherein said first sensor detects an amount of exhaled carbon dioxide and produces a first data signal indicative thereof;
a second sensor attached to said face mask wherein said second sensor detects an amount of carbon monoxide in a user's blood when wearing said face mask and produces a second data signal indicative thereof;
a third sensor attached to said face mask wherein said third sensor detects an amount of oxygen in the user's blood when wearing said face mask and produces a third data signal indicative thereof;
a processor connected to said first, second, and third sensors wherein said processor receives the first, second, and third data signals from said first, second, and third sensors, respectively, and creates at least one condition signal indicating a hazard condition wherein the condition signal is derived from the first, second, and third data signals;
and
a display attached to said face mask and receiving said condition signal wherein said display indicates to the user whether a hazard condition exists.

5 more elements

A breathing apparatus monitoring system, comprising:

a source of gas;
a face mask connected to said source of gas wherein gas is passed from said source of gas through said face mask;
a first sensor mounted on said face mask wherein said first sensor detects an amount of exhaled carbon dioxide and produces a first data signal indicative thereof;
a second sensor attached to said face mask wherein said second sensor detects an amount of carbon monoxide in a user's blood when wearing said face mask and produces a second data signal indicative thereof;
a third sensor attached to said face mask wherein said third sensor detects an amount of oxygen in the user's blood when wearing said face mask and produces a third data signal indicative thereof;
a processor connected to said first, second, and third sensors wherein said processor receives the first, second, and third data signals from said first, second, and third sensors, respectively, and creates at least one condition signal indicating a hazard condition wherein the condition signal is derived from the first, second, and third data signals;
and
a display attached to said face mask and receiving said condition signal wherein said display indicates to the user whether a hazard condition exists;
a base unit comprising a base processor and storage unit for processing and storing data;
a transmitter/receiver connected to said processor wherein said transmitter/receiver receives data from said processor and transmits said data to said base unit.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Integrated physiologic sensor system

Life of this patent

Integrated physiologic sensor system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19