Ear Mounted Cannular Nasal Breathing Filter

Abstract

An ear mounted cannular nasal breathing filter provides an air mixing chamber to offset the effects of dry air caused by filtration by allowing for an admixture of filtered and pre-conditioned (humidified and heated) air. The air chamber features an internal or centered mixing chamber disposed below a one-way exhaust valve and above a filtering system. The air mixing chamber retains a predefined volume or percentage of exhausted breath that is mixed with a predefined volume or percentage of filtered air, with the filtered air originating as ambient air. An air chamber assembly is retained and supported upon a user by an ear mount system comprising a) a flexible wire that conforms to the ear join, or b) an upper arm in telescopic connection with a lower arm, with the two arms in dynamic tension by use of an internal elastic member, providing a tensioned fit to the ear join.

Claims

1. An ear mounted cannular nasal breathing filter system (100) comprising: a) an air chamber housing (200) comprising a cylindrical or other volumetric shape having an open top end with a top portion comprising a support structure (252) with the support structure pivotally attached to a one-way valve (250); the air chamber housing further comprising a lower portion defining a plurality of ventilation ports (220), with the ventilation ports covered by an air filter (262); a lower side of the support structure and a bottom side of the filter defining a mixing chamber (205); the mixing chamber in fluid connection with the one-way valve and the air filter; b) a horizontal air intake pipe (270) in fluid connection with the mixing chamber, a vertical air intake pipe (275) in fluid connection with the horizontal air intake pipe; c) a breathing tube (400) in fluid connection with the vertical air intake pipe; d) a nasal canula assembly (500) in fluid connection with the breathing tube, the nasal canula assembling comprising a main tube (505) in fluid connection with two prong posts (510) with each of the two prong posts in fluid connection with a prong flange (520).

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a solid ear mount (310) comprising an upper arm (320) in slideably attachment to a lower arm (340) the upper arm and lower arm in further attachment by an elastic member (350).

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a flexible ear mount (300) attached to the vertical air intake pipe;

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the solid ear mount is attached to the vertical air intake pipe.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the solid ear mount is further attached to the breathing tube.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the solid ear mount is configured to rest upon a user's ear join.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the elastic member of the solid ear mount compresses the upper arm and lower arm into a user's ear join.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0049] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed embodiment

[0050] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of a disclosed embodiment

[0051] FIG. 4A perspective view of an air chamber housing

[0052] FIG. 4B perspective view of an air chamber housing

[0053] FIG. 4C top plan view of an air chamber housing

[0054] FIG. 4D bottom plan view of an air chamber housing

[0055] FIG. 5A elevation view of an ear mount

[0056] FIG. 5B sectional view of an ear mount

[0057] FIG. 6 exploded view of an ear mount

[0058] FIG. 7 perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0059] FIG. 8 sectional view of an ear mount

[0060] FIG. 9 sectional view of an air chamber assembly

[0061] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a breathing tube accordion segment

[0062] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0063] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0064] FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

[0065] FIG. 14 depicts a nasal canula assembly

[0066] FIG. 15 depicts a nasal canula assembly

[0067] FIG. 16 depicts a nasal canula assembly

[0068] FIG. 17 disclosed embodiment in use

[0069] FIG. 18 disclosed embodiment in use

[0070] FIG. 19 disclosed embodiment in use

[0071] FIG. 20 disclosed embodiment in use

[0072] FIG. 21 a filter and air chamber assembly

[0073] FIG. 22 a filter and air chamber assembly

[0074] FIG. 23 air chamber assembly

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0075] 100 disclosed embodiment in general

[0076] 200 air chamber assembly or air chamber housing

[0077] 205 mixing chamber or center chamber of air chamber assembly

[0078] 210 bottom void of air chamber

[0079] 220 ventilation ports or ventilation voids defined by the air chamber assembly

[0080] 225 breathing tube connector

[0081] 240 filter mount

[0082] 250 one-way valve

[0083] 252 support structure for one way valve

[0084] 255 support lip for air filter

[0085] 260 air filter

[0086] 262 preformed air filter

[0087] 265 filter band fastener

[0088] 270 horizontal air intake pipe

[0089] 275 vertical air intake pipe

[0090] 300 ear mount—flexible wire

[0091] 303 ear mount attachment band

[0092] 310 ear mount—solid body

[0093] 320 upper arm of ear mount

[0094] 325 loop or fastener within upper arm to secure spring 350

[0095] 340 lower arm of ear mount

[0096] 345 loop or fastener within lower arm to secure spring 350

[0097] 350 spring, resilient member or tensioning system of ear mount 310

[0098] 400 breathing tube or air tube

[0099] 430 accordion segment of breathing tube

[0100] 433 accordion segment in compression

[0101] 435 accordion segment in expansion

[0102] 500 nasal canula or nasal canula assembly

[0103] 505 main body of nasal canula

[0104] 510 prong posts

[0105] 520 prong flanges

[0106] 540 nasal plug or canula plug

[0107] “ear join” where the ear is connected to the user's head. An ear join or ear to head connection area may span from the upper section of an ear, back middle section and lower ear section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0108] The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

[0109] Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

[0110] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

[0111] The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

[0112] Any and all the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 1, a disclosed system 100 may comprise an air chamber assembly 200 or air chamber housing 200 with the chamber housing comprising an outer shell, a preformed air filter 262 secured by a filter band fastener 265. A center chamber 205 of the chamber housing is in fluid connection with a horizontal air intake pipe 270, with the horizontal air intake pipe in fluid connection with a vertical air intake pipe.

[0114] The feature of the horizontal air intake pipe 270 being in fluid connection with the center or air mixing chamber 205 provides advantages over the known prior art by facilitating the mixture of exhaled air with fresh filtered air from the lower filter section. Exhaled air travels through the nasal canula assembly 500, through the breathing tube 400, through the vertical intake pipe 275, thought the horizontal intake pipe 270, and into the mixing chamber 205 with part of the exhaled air exiting though the upper one-way valve. Some of the exhaled air remains within the center chamber and prior fluid assembly components. Upon inhaling, the remaining exhaled air mixes with ambient air as the ambient air travels through the filter 262 and enters the mixing chamber 205. The act of inhaling creates a negative pressure within the air chamber assembly, drawing the one-way valve to a closed position as the one-way valve rests upon a frame structure just below the one-way valve.

[0115] The positioning of the horizonal intake pipe between the filter and one-way valve overcomes shortfalls in the related art by placing both exhaled air and freshly filtered ambient air into the center chamber 205, thus providing a user with a mixture to avoid the shortfall of breathing dried out, ambient temperature filtered air only.

[0116] FIG. 2 is an expanded or blown-up rendition of FIG. 1.

[0117] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a disclosed embodiment and features clear views of the components comprising the air chamber assembly 200. The horizonal intake air pipe 270 is in fluid connection with the center or mixing void or mixing chamber 205 of the air chamber assembly.

[0118] FIGS. 4A to 4D show various views of an air chamber assembly. FIG. 4D depicts a support lip 255 that may be used with a preformed filter.

[0119] FIG. 5A and 5B show a tensioning system of a solid ear mount 310 An internal resilient member 350 maintains elastic tension and elastic connection between an upper arm 320 and a lower arm 340.

[0120] FIG. 6 shows an upper loop 325 and a lower loop 345 sometimes used to retain an internal resilient member 350.

[0121] The spring or resilient member 350 applies closing tension with the upper arm 320 and lower arm 340 such that the ear mount 310 as a whole rests upon and is fitted to the ear join or area where the ear is connected to the user's head. An ear join or ear to head connection area may span from the upper section of an ear, back middle section and lower ear section.

[0122] FIG. 7 depicts a disclosed embodiment 100 in general which may include an air chamber assembly 200, filter mount 240, cloth air filter 260, ear mount 300, breathing tube 400, nasal canula 500, prong flanges 520 and nasal plug 540.

[0123] Design features may include or comprise:

[0124] Ergonomic ear mount: Mounts the device on the head while providing for optimal placement, stability, and comfort.

[0125] An ear mount 300, referring to FIG. 7, can be made of a firm but flexible ‘wire’ (i.e. rubber wire, solid core wire, etc.) that can easily be conformed to an individual's unique ear shape for maximum comfort, stability, and fit.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 8, a solid ear mount 310 may also be made of a solid frame (such as plastic) featuring a tensioning component 350 that provides mild pressure from the bottom of the ear mount (i.e. tensioning the lower arm 340 of the ear mount), both increasing stability and providing for a customized fit for the user. Additionally, other methods/configurations can be used to provide tensioning and fit. Upper arm of ear mount 320, may have a fitted hollow inset to accept a lower assembly tang, with upper tensioning system 350 resilient member. The ear mount may slip over top of ear and rests on top of an upper ear.

[0127] Still referring to FIG. 8, The lower arm 340 of ear mount, with tang that enters upper assembly hollow and attaches to tensioning system. Fits upward against bottom of ear.

[0128] A tensioning system 350 that joins upper and lower assemblies by means of an elastic band or spring tensioning system. This allows the lower assembly to move up and down as needed to provide a tensioned fit to the lower ear mount 340.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 9, an air chamber assembly 200 may be attached to an ear mount, an air chamber assembly may further comprise a filter mount on one end and a one-way air valve on the other end, and rests comfortably behind the ear. The air chamber also functions as an air reservoir to partially recycle the conditioned air (i.e. humidified and heated) of exhalation breaths. The air chamber is large enough to permit enough air flow to cycle with each breath to reduce excessive moisture build up in the system during use.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 9, a disclosed air chamber assembly 200 made as a single unit or housing (vs. two parts as in the prototype). An air chamber or air chamber assembly 200 may comprise an opening on bottom of air chamber 210 to allow for air flow. Ventilation ports 220 spaced around bottom of air chamber, i.e. the filter mount, to allow for additional air flow. In the top portion of the air chamber assembly a support structure 252 may span the internal void and provide support for a one-way valve. An optional breathing tube connector 225 may be in fluid connection with the mixing chamber 205 and a horizontal intake pipe 270.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 10, the breathing tube can feature an ‘accordion’ section 430 that allows the tube to extend or retract in length to provide a customized fit for the user, or any other method of length modification. The accordion section may have parts in compression 433 or in expansion 435.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 11 a cloth filter 260 is used with an earlier embodiment.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 12 a one-way valve 250 may be provided for effective air outflow on exhalation so the user doesn't have to strain to push air out through the filter upon exhaling. The valve can have a ‘collar’ around it to protect it from getting hair, etc. caught in the valve membrane, thereby preventing an airtight seal.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 13 a breathing tube 400 may connect to the air chamber and provides air flow to the cannular nasal insert, bridging across the cheek.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, a nasal cannula 500 may connect to the breathing tube and features an ‘inverted cup’ type flange on each of the nasal insert prongs, which provides for an intra-nasal airtight seal while also providing mounting support to keep the cannula secured in place below the nose. These flanges can come in multiple shapes (i.e. round, oval, etc.) to accommodate different shaped and sized nostrils.

[0136] A cannula plug 540 may comprise an airtight plug is featured on the cannula opposite to the breathing tube connection, which can be removed to allow for removal of moisture during prolonged use and allows the device to dehumidify and/or be cleaned when not in use.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, a replaceable air filter 250 may comprise a ‘bag’ filter (single closed-end sleeve-type filter, or simple a circular shape filter) made from standard, rated filter materials (such as PM 2.5), that slips over the Filter Mount and is sealed at the bottom of the mount, providing an air-tight seal. This filter can be sealed by a number of means, such as a locking ring, restraint tie (i.e. zip tie), or a simple elastic band—all off of which provide for very easy replacement of the filter.

[0138] Referring to FIGS. 21 to 23, depictions of the air chamber disassembled are presented. You can see the ventilation slots cut out of the chamber housing in addition to the open top of the chamber. The one-way valve is a simple valve design in this prototype and can be seen removed from the air chamber (with the collar on top of the valve removed for clarity). A PM 2.5 filter was used in this prototype; cut to size and shaped around the air chamber in a bag configuration and secured by zip ties.

[0139] In addition to all the benefits described above, the Device requires, and thereby promotes, nasal breathing while in use. Nasal breathing has been shown by medical science, and has been known for hundreds of years, to promote a range of health benefits as opposed to mouth breathing.

[0140] The Device is very lightweight, comfortable, easy to use and maintain, cost effective, and can be used in a very wide range of environments and circumstances where one is concerned with filtering the ambient air for harmful particulate matter.