A nasally inserted air filter including a plurality of filter materials in a compact housing, or alternatively, a series of electrically conducting plates connected to a battery in a compact housing. The filters may include a radio frequency identification system to interact with a user's cell phone to transmit and analyze important data.

Embodiments relate generally to respirator face masks, and specifically to powered face masks which may be custom-controllable to better provide for the specific air needs of the individual user wearing the mask. For example, the face mask embodiments typically include a filter and a motorized fan, both generally located on the face mask itself, along with a processor. The processor then may use inputs, for example specific to the user and/or the environment, to control the fan speed. Thus, the fan speed of the face mask may be custom controlled to provide the appropriate amount of filtered air as the specific user needs it.

A filter predicted capacity estimation system is presented that includes a parameter retriever that retrieves parameter information for an atmosphere around the filter. The system includes a parameter trend retriever that retrieves historical parameter indications from a database. The system also includes a real time capacity estimator that, based on the parameter information retrieved, and solves a set of controlling equations to generate an estimated capacity. The controlling equations are a set of mass and energy balance equations. The system also includes a parameter projection generator that, based on the historic parameter indications, generates a future parameter trend for the atmosphere and filter use. The system also includes a predicted capacity estimator that, based on the adsorption estimate, and based on the future parameter trend, generates a predicted capacity estimate. The system also includes a signal generator that generates a signal if either the estimated capacity or the predicted capacity estimate is above a threshold.

A polymer-based material includes a polymeric binder and one or more porous active materials that adsorb, chemisorb, decompose, or a combination thereof, a hazardous chemical. The polymeric binder and the one or more porous active materials are combined to form a composite bead. The polymeric binder may include a polyurethane or a styrene-based block copolymer. The porous active materials may comprise metal-organic frameworks, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, and metal hydrates. The one or more porous active materials may be between 1 and 99 wt % of a total composite mass of the composite bead. Alternatively, the one or more porous active materials may be between 80 and 95 wt % of a total composite mass of the composite bead. The hazardous chemical may include a chemical warfare agent, a simulant of chemical warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals.

Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for refreshing filter media within a respirator and indicating end of service life for the filter media. A respirator may comprise a rollable filter media configured to be refreshed by rolling the filter media onto a roller. A rolling mechanism may rotate the roller, allowing for a fresh section of filter media to be placed in the air path of the respirator. The rolling mechanism may be controlled automatically by a motor and/or manually.

Methods and systems for estimating remaining or utilized scrubbing capacity of a gas scrubber are described. Inside the gas scrubber, a reaction gas is produced by an exothermic or endothermic reaction. Temperature sensors are positioned along the gas flow path, and temperature readings are obtained. Temperature differences between pairs of adjacent temperature sensors are determined. The largest temperature difference for each such pair is recorded. A recent temperature difference is normalized by dividing the recent difference by the largest recorded for the same pair. One or more of the normalized temperature differences may be weighted. The normalized temperature differences and/or the weighted temperature differences are combined to provide a life-value, which is indicative of the remaining or utilized scrubbing capacity of the gas scrubber.

Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for determining a remaining lifespan value for a filter component configured for use in a respiratory protective device. In various embodiments, the method comprises determining a net volatility associated with a dispersing element of a filter component of a respiratory protective device; and based at least in part on the net volatility associated with the dispersing element, determining a remaining lifespan value for the filter component; wherein the net volatility associated with the dispersing element is determined based at least in part on one or more approximation algorithms defined according to one or more operational characteristics associated with the respiratory protective device. In various embodiments, the net volatility associated with the dispersing element is determined based on a plurality of approximation algorithms defined according to a respective plurality of operational characteristics associated with the respiratory protective device.

Systems, methods, and devices for an end of service life indicator for a respirator are described herein. For example, a device can include a cartridge containing a filter material and an insert extending through at least a portion of the filter material having a first path with a first opening to provide a sample of air that is representative of a saturation of the filter material and a second path with a second opening configured to provide a filtered sample of the air throughout a service life of the cartridge.

Disclosed is a respirator mask management system. The respirator mask management system comprises a database storage, a data processing unit operatively coupled to the database storage, a user mobile device communicatively coupled with the data processing unit over a communication network, and a respirator mask including a filter configured to prevent inhalation of pollutants by a user, an exhalation valve, a sensor configured to determine a state of the exhalation valve, and a microprocessor operatively coupled with the sensor and having a wireless connectivity to the user mobile device for transmitting the sensed states of the exhalation valve to a respirator mask manager of the user mobile device.

Embodiments relate generally to systems and method for completing fit tests on a respirator mask, and indicating end of service life for one or more elements of the respirator mask. Applicants propose a system comprises an electronics module mounted on the interior of the face mask, wherein the module comprises a pressure sensor, and possibly other sensors, such as gas sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors. The module may detect the pressure on the interior of the mask during fit tests to detect any leaks in the mask. The module may be used for positive and negative pressure fit tests. Additionally, the module may comprise one or more indicators (lights, sounds, vibrations) for alerting a user during a fit test. The module may also detect end of service life by analyzing the sensor data, and may indicated end of service life to the user.