A smart mask and method for nasal cycle monitoring

CN118403263BActive Publication Date: 2026-08-28DONGHUA UNIV
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410542193.7
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-30
Publication Date
2026-08-28
Estimated Expiration
2044-04-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

[0003]目前市场上的呼吸监测装置可分为全封闭面罩式、毫米波雷达式以及压电传感式,他们都存在设备繁重以及测试数据不连续的问题,不能满足现代人们的需求

Benefits of technology

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the ear loops are used to fit the mask body against the user's face. The upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guides are shaped to match the shape of the columella and the philtrum, respectively, allowing exhaled air from both nostrils to flow along the two nasal air guides to the air vents of the porous chambers, and finally be guided into the two porous chambers through the air vents. Each porous chamber is equipped with a humidity sensor, and the two humidity sensors can monitor the breathing data of the two nasal breaths separately. Specifically, the humidity sensors determine the breathing frequency and the strength of the nasal breaths by monitoring changes in humidity. The entire device is compact, convenient, and provides continuous data.

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Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of health products, and particularly relates to an intelligent mask for monitoring nasal cycle and a method. The present application provides an intelligent mask for monitoring nasal cycle, which comprises a mask main body; the mask main body comprises two ear hooks, two nose breathing guide plates and two porous cavities; the shapes of the upper sides and the inner sides of the two nose breathing guide plates are matched with the shape of a nasal columella and the shape of a philtrum area respectively, so that the exhaled air of two nostrils respectively flows along the two nose breathing guide plates to the air holes of the porous cavities, and is finally guided into the two porous cavities through the air holes of the porous cavities; a humidity sensor is arranged in the porous cavities and is used for collecting humidity information. The present application provides an intelligent mask for monitoring nasal cycle and a method, which can monitor the breathing data of a user.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hygiene products technology, and in particular to a smart mask and method for nasal cycle monitoring. Background Technology

[0002] Respiratory diseases are among the most prevalent diseases globally, potentially and continuously damaging people's health. They also significantly increase the risk of potential complications such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Sleep-related respiratory disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), are often overlooked in daily life. People often seek medical help only when the disease has progressed to a severe stage, leading to significant delays in diagnosis and reduced treatment effectiveness. Flexible wearable sensors are easy to operate and more readily accepted by subjects, greatly expanding the scope of monitoring time and location, thereby collecting more health information. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt wearable respiratory monitoring systems to promote early sleep monitoring and respiratory disease analysis. Wang et al. (Y.Wang et al. Low-cost wearable sensor based on a D-shaped plastic optical fiber for respiration monitoring, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., 2021, 70, 1–8.) reported a textile-based respiratory sensing system in which a fiber optic sensor can be attached to the abdomen to continuously monitor respiratory rate under different movement states. However, in practical sleep apnea monitoring, continuous, accurate, and long-term monitoring is necessary to collect sufficient respiratory signals for disease assessment. Furthermore, while the concept of nasal cycle analysis has long existed in clinical medicine, the physiology and function of the nasal cycle remain poorly understood due to limitations in testing conditions and experimental equipment. Current methods for nasal cycle analysis require subjects to wear specialized medical devices for extended periods, making them impractical. Therefore, developing a novel wearable system with high affinity, high precision sensors, and functional integrated circuits for long-term monitoring is crucial.

[0003] Currently available respiratory monitoring devices can be categorized into fully enclosed mask types, millimeter-wave radar types, and piezoelectric sensor types. All of these suffer from cumbersome equipment and discontinuous test data, failing to meet modern needs. Developing a device capable of clearly detecting respiratory signals, including normal breathing, apnea, hypopnea, wheezing, and the nasal cycle, is crucial for natural interventions for OSAHS patients and for monitoring the user's nasal cycle, enabling disease classification and identification. Therefore, the nasal cycle monitoring smart mask system of this invention shows promising application prospects in early OSAHS screening, further research on nasal circulation, smart home monitoring, and big data interconnection. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a smart mask and method for nasal cycle monitoring, which can monitor the user's breathing data.

[0005] This invention provides a smart mask for nasal cycle monitoring, including a mask body;

[0006] The main body of the mask includes two ear hooks, two nasal air guide plates, and two porous chambers. The shapes of the upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates are respectively matched to the shape of the columella and the shape of the philtrum area, so that the exhaled air from the two nostrils flows along the two nasal air guide plates to the air holes of the porous chambers, and is finally introduced into the two porous chambers through the air holes of the porous chambers.

[0007] A humidity sensor is installed inside the porous cavity to collect humidity information.

[0008] In one possible design, the humidity sensor includes a metal electrode, a carbon electrode, and a semiconductor layer;

[0009] The metal electrode is columnar, the semiconductor layer is wrapped around the outer wall of the metal electrode, and the carbon electrode is spirally wound around the outer wall of the semiconductor layer.

[0010] In one possible design, the semiconductor layer has multiple grooves along its axial direction.

[0011] In one possible design, the semiconductor layer is fabricated using molybdenum disulfide.

[0012] In one possible design, the semiconductor is fabricated using a sodium alginate / molybdenum disulfide intercalation composite material.

[0013] In one possible design, an integrated device is also included, which comprises a processing module, a light warning module, an upper housing, an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module, a power supply, and a lower housing.

[0014] The processing module, including the light warning module, power supply, energy harvesting and conversion circuit, and wireless communication module, is electrically connected. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor.

[0015] The energy harvesting and conversion circuit is used to amplify the electrical signal of the humidity sensor and transmit the electrical signal to the processing module. The processing module is used to control the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal and to wirelessly transmit the electrical signal to an external storage device through the wireless communication module.

[0016] In one possible design, the processing module includes a main control board and an MCU unit mounted on the main control board.

[0017] In one possible design, the light warning module includes a red LED light, a green LED light, and a buzzer.

[0018] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for nasal cycle monitoring, based on any of the smart masks described above, the method comprising:

[0019] The smart mask is worn on the patient's face so that the upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates respectively conform to the shape of the columella and the philtrum area.

[0020] The humidity information of the two nasal breaths is collected by the humidity sensors in the two porous chambers respectively.

[0021] In one possible design, the smart mask also includes an integrated device comprising a processing module, a light warning module, an upper housing, an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module, a power supply, and a lower housing.

[0022] The processing module, including the light warning module, power supply, energy harvesting and conversion circuit, and wireless communication module, is electrically connected. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor.

[0023] The method further includes:

[0024] The energy harvesting and conversion circuit amplifies the electrical signal from the humidity sensor and transmits the electrical signal to the processing module.

[0025] The processing module controls the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal, and wirelessly transmits the electrical signal to the external storage device through the wireless communication module.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0027] In an embodiment of the invention, the ear loops are used to fit the mask body against the user's face. The upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guides are shaped to match the shape of the columella and the philtrum, respectively, allowing exhaled air from both nostrils to flow along the two nasal air guides to the air vents of the porous chambers, and finally be guided into the two porous chambers through the air vents. Each porous chamber is equipped with a humidity sensor, and the two humidity sensors can monitor the breathing data of the two nasal breaths separately. Specifically, the humidity sensors determine the breathing frequency and the strength of the nasal breaths by monitoring changes in humidity. The entire device is compact, convenient, and provides continuous data. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a smart mask structure provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a face mask, a nasal air guide plate, and a porous chamber structure provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a humidity sensor module structure according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another humidity sensor module structure according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated device provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of each component in the integrated device provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 A flowchart of the method provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the spinning apparatus provided by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the effect of different mass ratios of sodium alginate and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets provided by this invention on the wet power generation voltage.

[0038] In the picture:

[0039] 1-User;

[0040] 11-Spinning needle 11;

[0041] 111 - Inner channel 111;

[0042] 112 - Outer channel 112;

[0043] 12-Spinning solution injection component 12;

[0044] 13-Gas injection component;

[0045] 131-Acupuncture needle 131;

[0046] 132 - Gas Controller 132;

[0047] 133 - Gas Storage Unit 133

[0048] 20 - Main body of the mask;

[0049] 21-Ear loops;

[0050] 22-Nasal airway;

[0051] 23-porous chamber;

[0052] 24-Wire;

[0053] 25-Humidity sensor;

[0054] 25A - Metal electrode;

[0055] 25B - Semiconductor layer;

[0056] 25C-carbon electrode;

[0057] 30 - Integrated device;

[0058] 31A - Red LED light;

[0059] 31B - Green LED light;

[0060] 31C - Buzzer;

[0061] 32 - Upper shell;

[0062] 33-Energy harvesting and conversion circuit;

[0063] 34 - Wireless communication module;

[0064] 35 - Processing module;

[0065] 36-Power supply;

[0066] 37-Lower shell. Detailed Implementation

[0067] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0068] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; unless otherwise specified or stated, the term "multiple" refers to two or more; the terms "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0069] In this specification, it should be understood that the directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are used to describe the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that one element is connected "upper" or "lower" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element.

[0070] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a smart mask for nasal cycle monitoring, including a mask body 20;

[0071] The main body of the mask 20 includes two ear loops 21, two nasal air guide plates 22 and two porous chambers 23. The shapes of the upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates 22 are respectively matched with the shape of the columella and the shape of the philtrum area, so that the exhaled air from the two nostrils flows along the two nasal air guide plates 22 to the air holes of the porous chambers 23, and is finally introduced into the two porous chambers 23 through the air holes of the porous chambers 23.

[0072] A humidity sensor 25 is installed inside the porous chamber 23 to collect humidity information.

[0073] In an embodiment of the invention, the ear loops 21 are used to fit the mask body 20 against the face of the user 1. The upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates 22 are shaped to match the shape of the columella and the philtrum area, respectively, so that the exhaled air from the two nostrils flows along the two nasal air guide plates 22 to the air holes of the porous chambers 23, and is finally introduced into the two porous chambers 23 through the air holes. Each porous chamber 23 is equipped with a humidity sensor 25, and the two humidity sensors 25 can monitor the breathing data of the two nasal breaths respectively. Specifically, the humidity sensors 25 determine the breathing frequency and the strength of the nasal breaths by monitoring changes in humidity. The entire device is compact, convenient, and provides continuous data.

[0074] It should be noted that, since the airflow mixes together during nasal breathing, it is not convenient to independently monitor the intensity of the left and right nasal breaths. The nasal breath guide plate 22 can perfectly fit the columella and philtrum area of ​​the user's face, effectively separating the left and right nasal breaths, while introducing the airflow into the porous chamber 23 with an air hole structure so as to facilitate contact with the humidity sensor 25.

[0075] In this embodiment, the mask body 20 can be made of a soft, skin-friendly material, giving the mask durability and the ability to be bent, twisted, and stretched. Furthermore, the soft, skin-friendly material maintains its full functionality even when stretched, allowing it to overcome the limitations of skin elasticity, providing ideal properties for wearable electronic devices and soft robots.

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the humidity sensor 25 includes a metal electrode 25A, a carbon electrode 25C, and a semiconductor layer 25B;

[0077] The metal electrode 25A is columnar, the semiconductor layer 25B is wrapped around the outer wall of the metal electrode 25A, and the carbon electrode 25C is spirally wound around the outer wall of the semiconductor layer 25B.

[0078] In this embodiment, the overall columnar, sequentially wrapped structure has a high degree of openness, which is more conducive to the entry and dissipation of moisture.

[0079] Specifically, the self-powered humidity sensor module 25 includes a carbon electrode 25C, a metal sensitive electrode, and a semiconductor layer 25B. The carbon electrode 25C, the sensitive electrode, and the semiconductor layer 25B are all coaxially arranged in a fibrous form. Its basic principle is to generate an electric current by utilizing the property that protons inside the electrolyte of the semiconductor layer 25B jump under humidity stimulation. When the user wears the mask and breathes, the nasal airflow passes through a guide plate and is directed to the left and right vents, entering the airflow exchange chamber. When the semiconductor comes into contact with moisture, the internal protons transfer, generating a voltage between the two electrodes. The humidity value in the corresponding environment can be obtained by measuring the electrical signal on the wires 24 led out from the sensitive electrode (negative electrode) and carbon electrode 25C (positive electrode) of the left and right self-powered humidity sensors 25. Therefore, the user's respiratory rate data can be obtained from the sensor's output current data, thus reflecting the strength of nasal breathing. When a person suffers from certain diseases, the nasal breathing cycle changes. Studies have shown that a person's health status can be determined by measuring the specific nasal cycle.

[0080] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor layer 25B is provided with a plurality of grooves along its axial direction.

[0081] In this embodiment, the semiconductor layer 25B is provided with multiple grooves along its axial direction to further increase the openness of the structure. Preferably, the spiral carbon electrode 25C is wound in the grooves.

[0082] It should be noted that the structure of the semiconductor layer 25B encapsulating the metal electrode can be prepared using a spinning device. For example... Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a bubble-assisted wet spinning device, which includes a spinning needle, a spinning solution injection, and a gas injection.

[0083] The spinning needle includes an inner layer and an outer layer; the inner layer is used to insert a metal wire.

[0084] The spinning solution injection and the gas injection are connected to the outer layer through the outer wall of the outer layer;

[0085] The spinning solution injection is used to control the propulsion speed of the spinning solution;

[0086] The gas injection is used to control the gas pressure introduced into the bubble-assisted wet spinning device in order to obtain fiber materials with different morphological structures.

[0087] The bubble-assisted wet spinning apparatus provided by this invention includes a gas injection component connected to the spinning needle 11. Compressed gas is introduced into the outer channel 112 of the spinning needle 11 through the gas injection component. Depending on the gas pressure distribution, single continuous small bubbles, continuous long bubbles, and bubble jets are generated. These bubbles affect fiber formation after the spinning solution enters the coagulation bath from the needle, resulting in fibers with different surface structures. The bubble-assisted wet spinning apparatus provided by this invention can change the morphology (surface geometry) of the formed fibers simply by changing the pressure or flow rate of the introduced gas, obtaining fiber materials with different morphologies (cylindrical, hollow spindle structure, solid spindle structure, ratchet structure, and hybrid spindle structure). This overcomes the problem in existing wet spinning apparatuses where a single-structure needle can only form fibers with one morphology, thus meeting different application requirements. The ratchet structure is a semiconductor layer 25B with multiple grooves.

[0088] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the inner channel 111 is 0.1–0.2 mm; and / or

[0089] The diameter of the outer channel 112 is 1.0 to 3.5 mm.

[0090] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the gas injection component includes a gas needle 131, a gas controller 132, and a gas reservoir 133. The gas injection component is used to inject gas into the spinning device and control the gas pressure and flow rate entering the spinning device; wherein, the gas reservoir 133 stores gas, for example, it can be a gas cylinder; the gas controller 132 is used to precisely control the gas pressure, for example, it can be a precision pressure controller; the gas needle 131 is used to pass gas into the spinning device.

[0091] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the spinning solution injection component 12 is a syringe used to control the propulsion speed of the spinning solution.

[0092] In the actual spinning process, the following steps are taken: the spinning needle 11 of the above-mentioned spinning device is immersed in the coagulation bath, and the spinning liquid is injected into the spinning device by controlling the propulsion speed of the spinning liquid through the spinning liquid injection component 12. At the same time, the gas pressure is controlled by the gas injection component and the gas is introduced into the spinning device, thereby forming fibers with different morphological structures, and then collecting them through the fiber collection device.

[0093] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the air needle 131 is 0.05 to 0.12 mm.

[0094] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the outlet of the air needle 131 and the outlet of the spinning needle 11 is 5–20 mm. Controlling the distance between the outlet of the air needle 131 and the outlet of the spinning needle 11 within this range ensures that, during the spinning process, as the air pressure increases, the fiber morphology can change from cylindrical → hollow spindle structure → solid spindle structure → ratchet structure → mixed spindle structure.

[0095] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a bubble-assisted wet spinning apparatus includes a spinning needle, a spinning solution injection, and a gas injection. The spinning needle includes an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is used to insert a metal wire, and the inner diameter of the inner layer is 0.1–0.2 mm. The diameter of the outer layer channel 112 is 1.0–3.5 mm. The spinning solution injection and the gas injection communicate with the outer layer through the outer wall of the outer layer. The gas injection includes a gas controller 132 and a gas reservoir 133. The diameter of the gas needle 131 is 0.05–0.12 mm, and the distance between the outlet of the gas needle 131 and the outlet of the spinning needle head 11 is 5–20 mm. The gas controller 132 is a precision pressure regulating valve, and the gas reservoir 133 is a nitrogen cylinder. The spinning solution injection is used to control the propulsion speed of the spinning solution. The gas injection is used to control the gas pressure introduced into the outer layer to obtain fiber materials with different morphological structures.

[0096] In some embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor layer 25B is made of molybdenum disulfide.

[0097] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor is fabricated using a sodium alginate / molybdenum disulfide intercalation composite material.

[0098] In this embodiment, the mass ratio of sodium alginate to molybdenum disulfide nanosheets in the semiconductor layer 25B is 1:0.1 to 2 (for example, it can be 1:0.1, 1:0.5, 1:0.8, 1:1, 1:1.2, 1:1.5, 1:1.6, 1:1.8, or 1:2); preferably, the size of the molybdenum disulfide nanosheets is 100 to 600 nm, and the thickness is 1.0 to 3.0 nm. The semiconductor layer 25B of the fiber material includes a sodium alginate / molybdenum disulfide intercalated composite material (an organic / inorganic composite material of sodium alginate intercalated two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide nanosheets), which can serve as the basic material for wet power generation. The fibers formed by this material can specifically act on the moisture in the air, so that under humid conditions, the fibers are driven by the movement of water molecules, and protons migrate and jump between layers to generate current. Constructing transition metal disulfide / sodium alginate materials with a three-dimensional microchannel structure at the microscale ensures superior moisture and electrical conductivity; simultaneously, the macroscopic fiber structure exhibits tunable moisture absorption, thereby improving power generation performance. For example... Figure 9 As shown, under the same conditions, by controlling the mass ratio of sodium alginate to molybdenum disulfide nanosheets within the above-mentioned range, the resulting fibers can be ensured to have excellent power generation performance. The inventors discovered that if the sodium alginate content is too high, the power generation performance is poor; if the sodium alginate content is too low, it is detrimental to fiber formation. It should be noted that... Figure 9 The curves in the figure correspond to the time-voltage curves under different mass ratios of sodium alginate and molybdenum disulfide nanosheets.

[0099] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the method for preparing molybdenum disulfide nanosheets includes:

[0100] (i) Pyrene and lithium are dissolved in dimethyl ether to obtain 10-20 mL of a 0.2-0.8 M pyrene-lithium (Py-Li) solution, wherein the molar ratio of pyrene to lithium is 1:0.5-2.0; (ii) 0.3-1.0 g of commercial MoS2 powder is added to the pyrene-lithium (Py-Li) solution and stirred for 1-10 hours. The mixture is centrifuged, the supernatant is discarded, and the mixture is washed several times with dimethyl ether and then dried under vacuum to obtain the intercalated compound; (iii) The intercalated compound is dissolved in water to form an intercalated compound solution with a concentration of 0.1-0.5 g / mL, and ultrasonic treatment is performed. The suspension obtained after ultrasonic treatment is centrifuged and dried to obtain molybdenum disulfide nanosheets. Preferably, the ultrasonic treatment is performed at 50-250 watts for 5-50 minutes to achieve exfoliation; the centrifugation is performed at 500-6000 rpm for 10-50 minutes to remove residual coarse particles. To improve the quality of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets, the suspension obtained after ultrasonic treatment was centrifuged at least three times.

[0101] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the propulsion speed of the spinning solution is 0.5–10 mL / min (for example, it can be 0.5 mL / min, 1 mL / min, 1.5 mL / min, 2 mL / min, 2.5 mL / min, 3 mL / min, 3.5 mL / min, 4 mL / min, 4.5 mL / min, 5 mL / min, 5.5 mL / min, 6 mL / min, 6.5 mL / min, 7 mL / min, 7.5 mL / min, 8 mL / min, 8.5 mL / min, 9 mL / min, etc.). (mL / min, 9.5mL / min or 10mL / min); The propulsion speed of the spinning solution has a certain influence on the morphology of the fiber. The inventors found that if the propulsion speed of the spinning solution is too high or too low, the variety of fiber structural morphologies decreases as the air pressure increases during the spinning process. That is, it is impossible to achieve all the morphological changes of the fiber structure from cylindrical → hollow spindle structure → solid spindle structure → ratchet structure → mixed spindle structure. If the propulsion speed of the spinning solution is too high, the first part of the morphology cannot be obtained. If the propulsion speed of the spinning solution is too low, the second part of the morphology cannot be obtained.

[0102] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pressure of the introduced gas is 0–100 kPa (for example, it can be 0 kPa, 1 kPa, 10 kPa, 15 kPa, 16 kPa, 20 kPa, 25 kPa, 26 kPa, 30 kPa, 32 kPa, 35 kPa, 39 kPa, 40 kPa, 41 kPa, 44 kPa, 50 kPa, 55 kPa, 58 kPa, 60 kPa, 70 kPa, 80 kPa, 90 kPa, or 100 kPa). Controlling the introduced gas pressure within the above range allows for all morphological changes in the fiber structure from cylindrical to hollow spindle structure to solid spindle structure to ratchet structure to mixed spindle structure. It should be noted that when the gas pressure is 0 kPa, the fiber is cylindrical; as the gas pressure continues to increase, it sequentially forms a hollow spindle structure, a solid spindle structure, a ratchet structure, and a mixed spindle structure.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments of the present invention, an integrated device 30 is also included, which includes a processing module 35, a light warning module, an upper housing 32, an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module 34, a power supply 36, and a lower housing 37.

[0104] The processing module 35, the light warning module, the power supply 36, the energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33, and the wireless communication module 34 are electrically connected. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33 is electrically connected to the humidity sensor 25.

[0105] The energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33 is used to amplify the electrical signal of the humidity sensor 25 and transmit the electrical signal to the processing module 35. The processing module 35 is used to control the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal and wirelessly transmit the electrical signal to the external storage device through the wireless communication module 34.

[0106] In this embodiment, the processing module 35 includes a main control board and a main control MCU unit mounted on the main control board. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33, the wireless communication module 34, the buzzer 31C, and the light warning module are integrated with the processing module 35 in the same housing, including an upper housing 32 and a lower housing 37, referred to as the integrated processing module 35. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33, the wireless communication module 34, the buzzer 31C, and the light warning module are all connected to the main control MCU unit. The energy harvesting and conversion circuit 33 is connected to the self-powered humidity sensor 25 via wires 24. The processing module 35 and the wireless communication module are connected to the power supply 36 via wires 24.

[0107] Specifically, the carbon electrode 25C and the sensitive electrode are connected to the energy harvesting and conversion circuit via wire 24. The processing module 35 uses an Arduino UNO, and the main control MCU unit is an Arduino development board based on ATmega328P. Its main function is to control other modules and coordinate the normal operation of the entire system.

[0108] In this embodiment, the energy harvesting and conversion circuit includes a low-pass filter circuit and a DC-DC current conversion circuit. The DC-DC current conversion circuit is connected to the low-pass filter circuit, and the DC-DC conversion circuit is connected to the processing module 35. The low-pass filter circuit is connected to the self-powered humidity sensor 25 module via wire 24. The micro-energy harvesting circuit uses a micro-energy harvesting chip and a supercapacitor to ensure a stable output current of a certain voltage from the energy conversion section, amplifying the output electrical signal of the self-powered humidity sensor 25.

[0109] The wireless communication module 34 adopts a mainstream low-power Wi-Fi module available on the market. It is responsible for sending the data collected by the aforementioned sensors to the user's terminal, generating a daily health report based on the collected data for the user to use as a reference for their daily health status. Furthermore, this module has relatively low power consumption, making it suitable for the application scenarios of this invention.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present invention, the light warning module includes a red LED light 31A, a green LED light 31B, and a buzzer 31C.

[0111] The lighting warning module uses a mainstream buzzer 31C and emergency LED lights (red LED 31A and green LED 31B). Pre-set flashing and buzzer frequencies are stored in the module, and then controlled by the main control processor of the aforementioned processing unit. Based on different calculation results from the main control unit, corresponding prompts are given to remind the user of the current problem, allowing the user to take timely measures to resolve it. When the breathing signal is interrupted for more than a set time, the processing module 35 determines that a breathing interruption has occurred, immediately activates the red LED alarm, and simultaneously sounds the buzzer 31C, reminding the user to take measures to avoid the situation. This module also features low power consumption and ease of use, which aligns with the application scenario of this invention.

[0112] Please refer to Figure 7 This invention also provides a method for nasal cycle monitoring, based on any of the above-mentioned smart masks, the method comprising:

[0113] Place the smart mask on the patient's face, so that the upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates respectively conform to the shape of the columella and the philtrum area.

[0114] Humidity information of the two nasal breaths was collected using humidity sensors in two porous chambers.

[0115] In some embodiments of the present invention, the smart mask further includes an integrated device, which includes a processing module, a light warning module, an upper housing, an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module, a power supply, and a lower housing.

[0116] The processing module, light warning module, power supply, energy harvesting and conversion circuit, and wireless communication module are electrically connected, and the energy harvesting and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor.

[0117] The method also includes:

[0118] The electrical signal from the humidity sensor is amplified using an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, and then transmitted to the processing module.

[0119] The processing module controls the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal, and wirelessly transmits the electrical signal to the external storage device through the wireless communication module.

[0120] It should be noted that the method embodiments provided in this application and the above-described smart mask embodiments are based on the same inventive concept, and therefore can achieve the same technical effects. The specific effects will not be elaborated here.

[0121] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smart mask for nasal cycle monitoring, characterized in that, Including the main body of the mask (20); The main body (20) of the mask includes two ear loops (21), two nasal air guide plates (22) and two porous chambers (23). The upper and inner sides of the two nasal air guide plates (22) are respectively matched with the shape of the columella and the shape of the philtrum area, so that the exhaled air from the two nostrils flows along the two nasal air guide plates (22) to the air holes of the porous chambers (23), and is finally introduced into the two porous chambers (23) through the air holes of the porous chambers (23). A humidity sensor (25) is installed inside the porous chamber (23) to collect humidity information; The humidity sensor (25) includes a metal electrode (25A), a carbon electrode, and a semiconductor layer; The metal electrode (25A) is columnar, the semiconductor layer is wrapped around the outer wall of the metal electrode (25A), and the carbon electrode is spirally wound around the outer wall of the semiconductor layer; The semiconductor is made of a sodium alginate / molybdenum disulfide intercalation composite material, specifically an organic / inorganic composite material of sodium alginate intercalated with two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide nanosheets. An electric current is generated by utilizing the property that protons inside the electrolyte in the semiconductor layer (25B) jump under humidity stimulation.

2. The smart face mask according to claim 1, characterized in that, The semiconductor layer has multiple grooves along its axial direction.

3. The smart face mask according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an integrated device (30), which includes a processing module (35), a light warning module, an upper housing (32), an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module (34), a processing module (35), a power supply (36), and a lower housing (37). The processing module (35) is electrically connected to the light warning module, power supply (36), energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) and wireless communication module (34), and the energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) is electrically connected to the humidity sensor (25); The energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) is used to amplify the electrical signal of the humidity sensor (25) and transmit the electrical signal to the processing module (35). The processing module (35) is used to control the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal and wirelessly transmit the electrical signal to the external storage device through the wireless communication module (34).

4. The smart face mask according to claim 3, characterized in that, The processing module (35) includes a main control board and an MCU unit mounted on the main control board.

5. The smart face mask according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light warning module includes a red LED light (31A), a green LED light (31B), and a buzzer (31C).

6. The smart face mask according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smart mask also includes an integrated device (30), which includes a processing module (35), a light warning module, an upper shell (32), an energy harvesting and conversion circuit, a wireless communication module (34), a power supply (36), and a lower shell (37). The processing module (35) is electrically connected to the light warning module, power supply (36), energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) and wireless communication module (34), and the energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) is electrically connected to the humidity sensor (25); The energy harvesting and conversion circuit (33) amplifies the electrical signal of the humidity sensor (25) and transmits the electrical signal to the processing module (35). The processing module (35) controls the opening and closing of the light warning module according to the electrical signal, and wirelessly transmits the electrical signal to the external storage device through the wireless communication module (34).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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