Method and apparatus for personal isolation and/or protection

#The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, in particular personal isolation and/or protection devices to reduce the risk of airborne illness transmission.

#Prior to the present invention, various isolation devices have been contemplated, including passive face masks, gas masks and some tent-based devices. For the purposes of traveling where one will frequently interact with others and be exposed to their secretions, the face and gas masks are either too bulky or ineffective and the tent-based devices are not practical. Regarding face masks, in particular, even with professional installation these masks are notoriously poor at preventing airborne illness transmission. Gas mask provide a better system for filtration and can accomplish effective isolation, but are very bulky, awkward and unattractive. Furthermore, for longer trips, the gas mask must be removed to allow for drinking and eating which negates the purpose for such a device. Tent-based devices, while highly effective when used in combination with positive pressure, are not at all practical for use outside of the home or office. Therefore, there exists a strong need, particularly in light of the upcoming flu epidemic, for a less obtrusive, more effective personal isolation system.

#The device of the present invention may create and maintain a pressure differential in the vicinity of the user's nasopharynx. Using a portable filter and pressurized air source, the region of the user's nasopharynx can be subjected to positive or negative pressured air. Positive pressure will prevent exposure surrounding air while negative air pressure will isolate those around the user from potential toxins or pathogens exhaled from the user. In the positive pressure embodiments, the surrounding air may be displaced by the positive pressure environment preventing exposure to ambient air in all instances other than a direct blast of high flow air directed at the users nasopharynx (such as an uncovered and maliciously directed sneeze). If adequate pressure is used, though, even this scenario would not allow for transmission of airborne illness with repulsion of any infective droplets being repelled by the positive pressure created. In the negative pressure embodiment, exhaled air may be evacuated from the nasopharynx, filtered and returned to the user's surroundings to prevent exposure to those around the user. The device of the present invention may be incorporated into a variety of garments, accessories or existing isolation devices (ie face masks) to improve their efficacy. Alternatively, the device may also be attached to an air source in the user's vicinity and simply provide filtration of the air prior to delivery to the region surrounding the user.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap-worn embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the neck-worn embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combination cap- and neck-worn embodiment of the present invention.

#The present invention may take a variety of embodiments with the only requisite feature being that of a portable, air filter capable of generating a localized pressure differential in the region of the user's nasopharynx. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the device may consist of a Air filter/air source 1 which may or may not be in a single unit. The device may further consist of optional tubing 2 and air channels 4 to create pressure differential 5 in the region of the user's nasopharynx. In FIG. 1, an embodiment is illustrated wherein said device utilizes a headworn garment 3, to focus the positive pressure to the region of the user's nasopharynx. In this case, and with all other embodiments, while only one pressure differential is illustrated (in this case positive pressure) the opposite differential may also be used (ie negative pressure).

#FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the filtered air is channeled to the nasopharynx via a neck-worn garment 6 which in turn uses air channels 7 to create a pressure differential in the region of the nasopharynx 8. In this case, as well, only the positive pressure differential is illustrated although a negative pressure differential may also be used.

#FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment wherein both the head- 3 and neck- 6 worn embodiments are used in order to create a pressure differential 9 in the region of the nasopharynx.