Abstract:
A breathing apparatus having one or more safety sensors that monitor the breathing gas supplied to a ventilation interface for contaminants. Upon detection of a threshold value of a contaminant, the apparatus activates one of more alarms, such as strobe lights, horns and/or piezo buzzers, to waken the user to the dangerous condition. The alarm may also comprise a notification system to first responders.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/358,082, filed Jul. 4, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a breathing apparatus, such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. More specifically, the invention relates to a breathing apparatus with one or more safety sensors for the detection of air contaminants. 
       2. Background of the Related Art 
       [0004]    CPAP machines administer pressurized air to a user with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Individuals with OSA suffer from airway collapses, which can result in a hypoxic state and lowered O2 saturation of the blood. When this occurs, the body reacts violently, with the person suddenly gasping for air. Individuals with untreated OSA are subject to several serious conditions, including transient ischemic attacks, apoplectic events (strokes), and even Alzheimer&#39;s disease. 
         [0005]    A CPAP machine works by taking ambient air, regulating it, and delivering a continuous stream of slightly pressurized air to the user via a mask or nasal cannula. The raised pressure of the air keeps the soft tissues of the nose, mouth, and throat open to prevent obstruction. Generally, the air is not treated, but some CPAP machines heat or humidify the air for the user&#39;s comfort. 
         [0006]    While CPAP machines are effective at treating OSA, use can increase the risk of a user&#39;s inability to hear safety alarms, such as household fire or carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Because these machines help induce REM or deep sleep in a user, it is more difficult to wake a person using external stimuli, such as noise. Moreover, CPAP machines make noise that may drown out alarms, and some users of CPAP machines suffer hearing loss. As a result of that noise, a person using a CPAP machine may not hear a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, or sense a contaminated or noxious atmosphere. Furthermore, despite the use of filters, CPAP machines still deliver some contaminants to the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention addresses these problems by sensing excessive levels of CO, soot particulate, and/or ionized particles. When sensed, a local alarm is sounded to wake the user through audible and visual means. An output is also provided to electrically or wirelessly connect to an alarm system or dispatching system to notify a fire department or other third party. 
         [0008]    It is an aim of this invention to actively sample gasses delivered to the user and to alert the user if contaminants or toxic gasses are present. 
         [0009]    It is a further aim of this invention to continuously sample incoming air to be delivered to a CPAP user for CO (carbon monoxide), soot particulate, and ions from a fire and to alert the user that a hazard exists. 
         [0010]    It is a further aim of this invention to alert the user by both aural and visual means that a hazard exists. 
         [0011]    It is also a goal of this invention to have a relay contact closure tied into an existing fire alarm system, or to have a signal sent wirelessly to a dispatching service or public sector agency. 
         [0012]    It is a further goal to modulate the air pressure of the delivered air gas to the user with an audible tone so as to further alert the user of the alarm condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment  1  of the invention includes an air flow generator  10 , a conduit  20 , safety sensors  30 , alarms  40 , and a ventilation interface  50 . The air flow generator  10  includes a 40-micron dust filter  11 , compressor  12  with an outflow port  14 , and a regulator  13 . The regulator  13  is a pressure regulator used to control the pressure of the airflow. The safety sensors  30  include a carbon monoxide (CO) detector  31 , a soot detector  32 , and/or an ion detector  33 . A 0.3-micron HEPA filter  34  is positioned downstream of the safety sensors  30 . 
         [0015]    The alarm signals  40  include a strobe light  41 , a horn  42 , a piezo buzzer  43 , and a third-party emergency notification system  44 . The ventilation interface  50  is a mask, but may alternatively be a mouthpiece or any other device commonly used to act as the interface for a user to receive air. A conduit  20  provides an air pathway from the outflow port  14  of the compressor  12  to the ventilation interface  50 . The regulator  13 , safety sensors  30 , and ventilation interface  50  are interconnected with the conduit  20 . In other embodiments, however, the safety sensors may be located within the ventilation interface  50 . 
         [0016]    In operation, ambient air  62  is drawn by the compressor  12  through the filter  11 , which removes particulate from the air that is larger than 40 microns. The dust filter  11  does not remove soot particular resultant from a fire, which is about 2.5 microns in size. The compressed and filtered air exits the outflow port  14  into the conduit  20 , where it is conditioned/regulated by the regulator  13  and provided as regulated air  64 . The air may be regulated for pressure based on user comfort and medical requirements. 
         [0017]    The regulated air  64  continues through the conduit  20  to the safety sensors  30 , which include a CO detector  31 , a soot detector  32 , and an ion detector  33 . Each sensor is in fluid communication with the conduit  20  allowing access to the regulated air  64 . 
         [0018]    The CO detector  31  is configured to detect a certain level of CO, such as the OSHA limit of 50 ppm or NIOSH level of 35 ppm. If the CO detector 31 measures CO within a specified parameter, such as greater than 35 or 50 ppm, a logical output “1” signal is generated and fed to a logical OR gate  60 ; otherwise, the CO detector  33  outputs a logical “0.” An example of a suitable CO detector is circuitry based on the Integrated Circuit (IC) RE46C800 made by Microchip of Chandler, Ariz. 
         [0019]    The soot detector  32  senses the presence of soot through use of photoelectric means. Specifically, an infrared LED is used to flash infrared pulses into a chamber containing the regulated air  64 . If soot particulate is present, the IR light pulses reflect off the soot particulate and are detected by an optical transistor or photodiode composing the detector  32 . If the soot detector  32  detects a level of soot based on a predetermined parameter, a logical output “1” signal is generated and fed to the logical OR gate  60 ; otherwise, the soot detector  32  outputs a logical “ 0 .” An example of a suitable soot detector is circuitry based on the Integrated Circuit (IC) RE46C140 manufactured by Microchip brand of Chandler, Ariz. 
         [0020]    The ion detector  33  detects the presence of ions that are typically generated by flame combustion. The ion detector  33  senses a current flow based on radioactive emissions from a source pellet of Americium 241. Ionized smoke particles, if present, disrupt the current flow. If the ion detector  33  detects a disruption of current of a predetermined amount, a logical output “1” signal is generated and fed to the logical OR gate  60 ; otherwise, the ion detector  33  outputs a logical “0.” An example of a suitable ion detector is the circuit described by Freescale Semiconductor of Tempe, Ariz. utilizing the IC known in the art as MC14668. 
         [0021]    After regulated air  64  passes through the safety sensors  30  via conduit  20 , it passes through the HEPA filter  34 . The HEPA filter  34  works downstream from the safety sensors  30  to insure that airborne soot particles are not provided to the ventilation interface  50 . 
         [0022]    The safety sensors  30  are individually directly connected to the OR gate  60 . The OR gate  60  generates an output signal of logical output “1” if it receives a logical output “1” from any of the safety sensors  30 . Once activated, the OR gate  60  sends a signal to the safety alarms  40 . This activates the strobe light  41 , the horn  42 , the piezo buzzer  43 , and the third-party emergency notification system  44 . Thus, each of the strobe light  41 , horn  42 , piezo buzzer  43 , and notification system  44  is indirectly connected to each of the CO detector  31 , soot detector  32 , and ion detector  33  through the OR gate  60 . 
         [0023]    The strobe light  41  provides a visual cue, and the horn  42  provides an auditory cue, to awaken and alert the user. The strobe light  41  and horn  42  may be physically connected to the device or placed remotely. 
         [0024]    The piezo buzzer  43  is located within the sidewall  21  of the conduit  20 . When activated, the piezo buzzer  43  modulates the regulated air  64  being supplied to the user, effectively transmitting sound waves  66  into the oral and/or nasal cavities. The sound waves  66  create a vibration that will awaken or alert the user. 
         [0025]    The third-party emergency notification system  44  ties into an existing home alarm system or other commercially available alarm system that provides notification to the whole home and/or a third-party system that contacts emergency first responders. In this embodiment, for example, the system  44  provides a contact closure  68  or a DC signal  70  to tie into an existing fire alarm system. 
         [0026]    In alternative embodiments, the strobe light  41 , horn  42 , piezo buzzer  43 , and third-party emergency notification system  44  may be activated through wireless means such as RF transmission. For example, the OR gate  60  may send a signal to a transmitter that is wirelessly connected to receivers located on the strobe light  41 , horn  42 , piezo buzzer  43 , and the third-party emergency notification system  44 . 
         [0027]    The present invention is described in terms of a specific embodiment of a breathing apparatus with one or more safety sensors. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus can be used in carrying out the present invention and may be applied to any breathing device, including those that draw air from a designated supply tank. For example, this invention may be applied to any self-contained breathing apparatus such as those used in SCUBA diving and by first responders such as fire fighters. Moreover, while the present invention teaches the use of specific safety sensors to monitor the regulated air being delivered to a user, other safety sensors may be implemented to detect other types of air contaminants. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.