Air filtration system including a helmet assembly

Abstract

An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims priority to and all advantages of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 176,958 which was filed on Jan. 18, 2000.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1) Technical Field [0003] The subject invention generally relates to an air filtration system for filtering air between a head and body of a user and an environment external to the user. The air filtration system is utilized in the medical profession during surgical procedures. The subject invention more specifically relates to a helmet assembly and gown for use in the air filtration system. [0004] 2) Description of the Prior Art [0005] Air filtration systems and helmet assemblies utilized in the air filtration systems are known in the art. As indicated above, air filtration systems and helmet assemblies are worn by users throughout the medical profession, such as surgeons, during surgical procedures for filtering air between a head and body of the surgeon and an external en...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes an improved air filtration system and helmet assembly for use in medical professions. The system uses a single fan to distribute air to both the face and neck of the user, and includes a scroll housing with at least two air outlets to achieve complete balancing of air flow. The helmet assembly also includes a positioning and supporting system that automatically centers the face shield and supports the entire weight of the gown and face shield, reducing strain and fatigue on the user. The technical effects of this invention include improved air filtration, better air distribution, reduced fog build-up, improved heat dissipation, and better strain reduction for the user.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional air filtration systems and helmet assemblies are deficient for one reason or another.

The air filtration system and helmet assembly of this patent are deficient in that air is not distributed completely about the head of the user.

Further, the intake grid is deficient in that the grid does not extend between a front and rear section of the helmet assembly to maximize an effective intake area for the filter medium.

The air filtration system and helmet assembly of this patent is deficient in that they are overly heavy due to the additional fan required to exhaust air.

Furthermore, the exhaust fan creates excessive strain, and therefore fatigue, in the neck of the user because the exhaust fan is spaced away from the neck of the user.

The conventional air filtration system and helmet assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,033 to Green et al. is also deficient.

The air filtration and helmet assembly of this patent is deficient because the intake fan and scroll housing are spaced away from the neck of the user.

Further, the scroll housing in this patent includes only one air outlet to distribute air about the head of the user resulting in less balanced air flow throughout the helmet assembly.

Additional drawbacks of such an air filtration system and helmet assembly including only one air outlet from the scroll housing are excessive fog build-up and poorer heat dissipation in the helmet assembly.

Other conventional air filtration systems and helmet assemblies are also deficient for the following reasons.

First, these conventional air filtration systems and helmet assemblies do not assist a single user in self-gowning as the surgeon maintains sterility.

That is, these air filtration systems and helmet assemblies do not include a positioning and supporting system that automatically centers a face shield over the helmet assembly and that supports an entire weight of the gown and face shield.

Furthermore, randomly-placed hook-and-loop fasteners do not automatically center the face shield and do not support the entire weight of the gown and the face shield as the surgeon self-gowns.

This is time consuming and burdensome.

Secondly, it is generally understood that the amount of air flowing into the helmet assembly is critical for anti-fogging and heat control purposes.

However, the air filtration systems and helmet assemblies of the prior art do not assist the surgeon in recognizing the amount, or volume, of air flowing into the helmet assembly.

That is, these air filtration systems and helmet assemblies do not provide audible indication to the surgeon of the volume of air flowing into the helmet assembly during any particular surgical procedure.

The prior art air filtration systems and helmet assemblies do not incorporate a strap flexibly connected to the front section of the helmet assembly such that the strap is pulled from the front section of the helmet assembly and the weight of any fans is maintained over the user's neck when the helmet assembly is adjusted to fit various sized heads.

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