Avalanche survival device comprising a breathing apparatus

A device, method and system improve the breathable air quality of the environment in the region of a specific part of a body, such as around the mouth and nose area of a person buried in an avalanche. The device includes at least one inlet, at least one pump, at least one power resource, a controller, and at least one outlet. An inlet of the pump is constructed to act as a chamber. A first end of the chamber is connected to the inlet and a second end of the chamber is an opening towards the outside of the device. When the pump is activated, the pump will provide a vacuum in the chamber and suck air from the surroundings into the pump through the second end of the chamber and the chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35. U.S.C. § 371 of International Application PCT/NO2018/050272, filed Nov. 13, 2018, which claims priority to Norwegian Patent Application No. 20171795, filed Nov. 13, 2017 and No. 20181446, filed on Nov. 12, 2018. The disclosures of the above-described applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, method and system for improving the breathable air quality of the environment in the region of a specific part of a body, such as breathable air quality around the mouth and nose area of a person being buried in an avalanche.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow avalanches in alpine and mountainous areas kill many people and animals each year, and have been the inspiration for development of many rescue and survival technologies. Some of these comprise radio equipment transmitting beacons of distress signals for aiding rescuers quickly to the right spot of the person in trouble. Other comprises floating devices, like airbags, for improving a person's ability to float on top of an avalanche in progress, and thus never become buried. Others again promote equipment comprising oxygen tanks and breading equipment.

The problems in prior techniques are that they are unreliable, for example because many require awareness of the person in need, and specific actions to be taken to make use of the equipment. Other problems relate to lack in sufficient efficiency, or they are too complex to wear/use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a solution reducing or eliminating one or more of the problems described above.

The present technology is based on the knowledge that the quality and content of for example breathable air in snow is sufficient for keeping a body of a person alive for a long time. The challenge in for example instances where a person is buried in an avalanche is not the air content in the surrounding snow, but the fact that heat and condense of the air breathed out by the person creates a layer around the mouth and nose area which becomes either water saturated or, even worse, freezes to ice and thus becomes non-permeable for the air. The oxygen in the layers of snow on the opposite side of the non-permeable layer created by the breathing activity of the person thereby becomes unavailable for the person.

The inventors of the present invention has further realized that most of the persons actually being victims of avalanches most often quickly lose control of limbs movement, for example the arms cannot operate any emergency equipment, or the victim may even be knocked unconscious in the process of being caught by an avalanche. Therefor most of the devices presented by the prior art, and certainly those techniques requiring physical activation procedures to be followed by the victim, is not very efficient or even fails completely to work in a real life situation.

The present invention reduces, and may even eliminate, required conscious action of the victim, and operates as long as the device receives sufficient power. It further relies on the abundancy of breathable air comprised in the surrounding of the victim.

It shall be understood that the embodiments only describe the principle of the invention, and that there may be additional ways to implement the present invention. It is the associated claims that shall define the protection scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Breathable air is used in this document to illustrate one type of embodiments, but it should be understood that the device may be used in a variety of environments

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the non-limiting drawings.

In one embodiment of the present invention as outlined inFIG.1, the breathable air quality improvement device10comprise at least an inlet4, a pump3, a power source5and an outlet1, and a pipe or conduit7′,7″,7′″ connecting the elements for providing a path for flow of a breathable air, from the inlet4, via the pump to the outlet1. The pump3, when activated by sufficient power from a power source5, such as a battery, will provide a flow of breathable air from the inlet4to the outlet1.

The at least one inlet4is connected to a pump inlet31of the pump3, and the at least one outlet1is connected to a pump outlet32of the pump3, the pump may when activated pump air from the inlet4to the outlet1.

The pump may be activated by a controller6which may be comprised of a manual switch11′ or automatic activation unit11. Typically the controller6comprises an avalanche situation detection mechanism/sensor8, which automatically activates the switch11, and thus activates the breathable air quality improvement device. The avalanche situation detection mechanism/sensor8may be overridden to activate breathable air quality improvement device10,20in non-avalanche situation where improved breathable air quality is wanted.

A manual switch11′ may be arranged to be latched onto a carrying strap of the breathable air quality improvement device10.

The pump may be operated in more than one mode, for example high, medium and low, where the low mode can be a power save mode. The controller6may comprise detectors and activators for automatically regulation of mode of operation of the pump, for example as a result of power resource capacity, such as battery capacity reserve, detected by a detector (not shown). As an example only, this may be facilitated such that the pump3has full effect until 50% of power resource remains, and switches automatically to medium mode which lasts until 25% of the power resources remain, and then the mode of pump operation automatically switches to a power save mode, low mode.

The mode of pump operation selection may be manually selected by a local or remotely connected regulator switch11′.

Such a mode controlling regime may prolong the operation time considerably when a limited power resource capacity for the breathable air quality improvement device10is available.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention as illustrated inFIG.2, a dual breathable air quality improvement device20is provided. In such a system the capacity of the breathable air, such as air provided may be increased to be adapted to an environment requiring distributed load of the environment around the inlets4. For example in an emergency situation where a person is trapped in a snow avalanche, the surrounding snow may not provide sufficient amount of air/oxygen in one spot only, and it may be necessary to provide inlets in more than one location.

The invention may have multiple numbers of instances of breathable air quality improvement device10arranged to work together to improve the quality of breathable air in an environment around the outlets1.

Another reason for duplicating or having a plurality of breathable air quality improvement devices10may be redundancy. An arrangement providing redundancy may also comprise a test function implemented in for example the controller6. The test function frequently tests the operation status of a main breathable air quality improvement device10, and if an operation malfunction is detected activates another breathable air quality improvement device10available in the redundancy setup.

A controller6in a redundancy setup with multiple breathable air quality improvement devices10may serve all or some of the breathable air quality improvement devices10, as indicated inFIG.2. It shall be understood that the controller in other embodiments may be arranged in more than one device, for example one for each breathable air quality improvement device10,20, or the operation switch11may be comprised in a multifunction unit6, whilst sensors8may be arranged in a separate module/device, and may be organized in unique modules/devices for each breathable air quality improvement device. If there is more than one controller6, it may be possible to couple these in a hierarchical way, such that for example a secondary controller may be the first to identify an emergency situation, and activation of the first air quality improvement devices10may be initiated by this. Sensors may be connected to one, more or all controllers6in a hierarchical setup. These setups may increase the redundancy capacity.

The breathable air quality improvement device10may improve the quality of output breathable air by comprising a filter2for cleansing the breathable air. The filter may be arranged to be in the pipe or conduit7′,7″,7′″, for example in the outlet pipe7′″. The filter may be arranged at locations of the breathable air quality improvement device10, for example in the inlet duct7′.

When air is supplied by the breathable air quality improvement device10, a typical filter may be a CO2filter. Other filters may be provided, such as for example water/snow/ice removal filter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the breathable air quality improvement device10,20comprise a feedback duct110, for fetching air from the space around the outlet1and recirculate it through the pump (3) and CO2filter (2). The controller6may control the operation of the feedback duct110supplying air to the pump3when the level of CO2detected in the outlet1area reaches a preset level.

The filter(s), such as a CO2filter, may for different reasons be malfunctioning, and prohibit air flow through the filter. One embodiment of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20may comprise a bypass duct111, which is activated by the controller6to supply air directly from the pump to the outlet1when the filter is detected to be malfunctioning, for example by detecting a lower than expected flow of air through the pump. Other sensors may detect malfunction of the filter(s). The bypass duct111may also be activated when for example air quality level in the outlet1surroundings are safely below critical levels and the air flow through the pump3has acceptable quality.

A typical CO2filter may be chosen to have a capacity of many times the possible air volume pumped by available power resource5, such as battery.

Power resource5, may be comprised of a battery, or other power generating device, for example a fuel cell instead of or in combination with a battery.

A typical embodiment of the breathable air quality improvement device10will also comprise an inlet4comprising an inlet protection device4′ for protection of the inlet against being clogged by snow, water or other substances. The inlet protection device may be formed by a light weight protection mesh, for example by a hard plastic or carbon material, and the mesh may be filled with a gas permeable material such as a polyurethane sponge or other. In a further embodiment the inlet protection device4′ will be gas permeable, but fluid non-permeable. The protection device may be shockproof.

The outlet1may be arranged in wearable device/equipment114to ensure a position close to nose/mouth of person wearing the breathable air quality improvement device10,20. Wearable device may comprise a fastening device (not shown) arranged on for example the jacket collar/the backpack strap or inside for example a helmet.

Now a typical embodiment of a breathable air quality improvement device10will be discussed.

A typical use for the breathable air quality improvement device10of the invention is to provide an emergency pack for mountaineers spending time in avalanche prone areas. In an avalanche situation, a person trapped below the surface of the snow has oxygen supply from the surrounding snow only a maximum of a few minutes. The snow itself will in most cases comprise sufficient oxygen surplus for a person to be able to survive, if the person could access the oxygen enclosed in the snow in the vicinity of the mouth/nose. This is however not the case, since condense from the breath of the person buried in the snow very quickly saturates the surrounding environment around the head with humidity, which very often creates an ice layer or water saturated layer transforming the close by snow to a non-permeable material. This non-permeable shell around the mouth/nose area will prohibit the oxygen from the close by snow volume to reach the buried person, and the person will very quickly suffocate because of the CO2buildup in the breathing environment. To carry an oxygen supply for emergency use might postpone the inevitable outcome if the victim is not rescued, but it is cumbersome to carry oxygen supplies able to supply life sustaining oxygen for a long period.

FIG.3Aillustrates the breathable air quality improvement device10of the present invention worn by a skier/mountaineer as a backpack40. A backpack40assembly is illustrated in one embodiment inFIG.3B. The backpack40provides an inlet4,4′ environment away from the face area of the backpack40wearer. The outlet1is arranged to be located close to the face area of the backpack40wearer. The pump3, power source5, such as a battery, and controller6may be arranged inside the backpack40.

The backpack40comprising the breathable air quality improvement device10, may further provide a protective case around the parts of the invention to avoid malfunction due to external forces or impacts. The pipe and/or the conduit7′,7″,7′″ may be designed to be resistant to bending and also enforced to avoid breakage or leaks when the wearer is in an emergency situation, such as when caught by an avalanche or when buried under snow.

The breathable air quality improvement device10of the invention is typically in one of: shut off, stand by or active state.

When shut off, typically when stored, none of the elements of the air quality improvement device10are active.

When in a stand by state, the breathable air quality improvement device10controller6is monitoring status of the switch11, both the automatic activation unit and the manual on/off switch11′. If either is activated, the controller6starts the pump3, and air is pumped from the inlet4to the outlet1. The air quality improvement device10has switched into the active state.

The controller6may comprise a gyrosensor8, that will detect a movement pattern equal to what would be expected to be caused by an avalanche. For example if the bearer is caught by an avalanche as exemplified inFIG.4, the automatic activation unit may be activated by the gyrosensor8, and the controller starts the pump3. The pump will pump air form the inlet4on the backside of the person carrying the backpack40to the outlet1close to the face area, and thus transfer oxygen from the surroundings, outside the ice layer or water saturated layer to the face area of the victim. This way the ice barrier built up by the victimized persons breathing will not prohibit the environment around the face to close the access to the surrounding oxygen rich air contained in the snow. The pumped airflow will also displace the CO2saturated air around the nose and mouth.

In such an instance there will be advantageous if the inlet is arranged as far from the nose and mouth area of the bearer, for example as low as possible in the backpack40. The inlet4would further improve efficiency if the inlet was enclosed by an inlet protection device4′ such as a filter or material preventing the snow to be packed closely around the inlet. The bigger the area of the inlet protection device4′ is, the more surface is provided for catching air from the surrounding snow.

When the breathable air quality improvement device10,20is activated and an ice layer is built up around the head region of the victim the CO2level will quickly increase in the berating environment. The breathable air quality improvement device10,20may advantageously comprise one or more filters2for purifying the air, such as filter for catching CO2. Filters2may be arranged close to the outlet1, but could also be arranged close to the inlet4for prohibiting “bad” air to pollute the inflow air quality.

Optionally, the controller6may also initiate a distress signal transmitter, not shown, and other signal transmitting devices or visual/physical tracking devices, not shown. The optional transmitter may even transmit data from the various sensors8of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20, such as from sensors provided in the device10,20for measurement of power level, filter status, operation malfunctions.

In an optional embodiment the breathable air quality improvement device10,20is provided with one or more sensor input interfaces8′, for connection to for example body attached sensors8, able to detect physical condition of the person carrying the breathable air quality improvement device10,20. The controller6may be able to process and optionally convey the information to a remote communication unit101,104,105, and also receive control instructions from the remote communication unit101,104,105as illustrated inFIG.7. The controller may be able to alter the level of air supply through the breathable air quality improvement device10,20based on changes or levels in the data provided by the sensors8.

The breathable air quality improvement device10,20can be adapted for a number of advantageous usage scenarios such as the above discussed backpack40for avalanche emergency use. The backpack40or other, such as a bag, embodiments of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20could be optimized for use in for example an emergency snow-cave or tent camp50as exemplified inFIG.5. If a skier or the like is for example surprisingly caught by a storm, and time allows only digging a rude/shallow snow cave, the air supply may be a critical factor for survival. The breathable air quality improvement device10,20could then be used to fetch air from away from the face area by either providing an extendable outlet pipe7′,7″ such that the breathable air quality improvement device10,20could be arranged outside the shallow snow cave, and the extendable outlet pipe7″,7′″ could be arranged close to the face area of the skier, or providing an extendable inlet pipe7′ which could be placed in a sufficient distance from the face area, for example from the outside of the cave/tent50, and further a manual switch11′ of the controller6may be provided to switch the breathable air quality improvement device10,20to desired pump mode. Depending on the volume of free space the person in distress has been able to dig around himself, the mode of operation may be variably set to provide sufficient air supply, but at the same time save energy for longest possible use.

Other uses may for example be tent50which may be buried in snow in a snowstorm, thus closing normal ventilation features. The inlet may be extended to the outside far enough to fetch air supply form outside the ice buildup around the tent cloth.

The automatic activation unit11may be triggered of a various detected events, for example by one or more sensors/detectors8connected to the automatic activation unit11, comprising but not limited to: movement caused by an avalanche, CO2level above preset threshold, weight load/pressure, g-forces, or other sensor8input crossing activation threshold such as: an oxygen content in a person's blood stream, heart rate or body temperature, or other.

In one embodiment wherein the invention is used as a backup oxygen supply device, for example when a person is spending time in a shallow snow cave. A person spending time in an environment with high CO2content might not realize the danger, and may suffocate. The present invention, breathable air quality improvement device10,20, may comprise a sensor8for CO2content and upon reaching a level considered dangerously low automatically start supplying air fetched from outside the restricted area. The breathable air quality improvement device10,20may additionally comprise an alarm112, such as a sound alarm, visible light alarm or other, the alarm112may be activated by the controller6to alert the person of the detected dangerous level of CO2. The alarm112may be incorporated in the controller6or be arranged as a separately connected alarm device. The alarm112may ensure a better power use scheme of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20, since it may enables the user or controller6to switch the breathable air quality improvement device10,20on and off, manually or automatically, based on the quality of air in the outlet1area.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the breathable air quality improvement device10,20can be used in combination with one or more further lifesaving equipment features/devices, such as for example a balloon safety device which is provided to inflate in a snow avalanche situation. The further lifesaving equipment may be controlled by the automatic activation unit11of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20, or by the manual switch11′ of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20. Other further lifesaving features may be for example: distress beacon radio signal, emergency flash light, sirens, or other.

In a further embodiment of a breathable air quality improvement device10,20wherein a combination with a balloon safety device which is activated by expansion of oxygen from a compressed O2tank, it is provided an additional inlet115arranged to connect the inside of the balloon with the pump3, wherein the flow of oxygen from inside the balloon is opened when the balloon has been filled with oxygen, and surplus of oxygen from the other inlets4,4′ is not providing sufficient oxygen flow through the breathable air quality improvement device10,20.

In yet a further embodiment of a breathable air quality improvement device10,20, a container116filled with compressed oxygen may be added to provide oxygen through the pump when the inlet4,4′ is not providing enough oxygen. The additional supply may be controlled by the controller and sensors identifying unacceptable levels arranged on the inlet4,4′measuring flow rate or oxygen level or in the outlet environment measuring CO2.

In yet a further embodiment of a breathable air quality improvement device10,20, the balloon backup feature vis additional inlet115and the additional container116holding compressed oxygen may be combined to provide even further operation time span of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20.

In yet a further embodiment of a breathable air quality improvement device10,20, a second life saving equipment may be arranged to co-work with the breathable air quality improvement device10,20, the second life saving equipment may for example be air inflating balloon for avalanche buoyancy, container comprising compressed oxygen, airbag for body protection, body heating equipment optionally powered by the power resource5of the breathable air quality improvement device10,20, or other.

FIG.6is a flow diagram explaining the method of operation for on optional embodiment of the invention wherein once the breathable air quality improvement devices10,20is turned on the control switch activation200awaits either an automatic emergency detector201input signal for activation or a manual controlled signal from a switch202. When such input signal is received, the control unit may initiate operation by performing a self-test and/or reading power status203of the battery. If the invention comprises more than one breathable air quality improvement devices10,20, the controller will select which devices204is to be activated. This decision may be influenced by the power level or other sensor inputs. If the pump(s) can be ran at different capacity levels, the data read by sensors and power level may additionally be evaluated for defining at which level205the pump is to operate. If pump level is to be changed, the pump is then instructed206to run at the new level. The controller6reruns the self-test to pump activation operations203-206at a preset time interval, for example—every 30 second.

One regime controlling the pump capacity level setting may consider lowering the power consumption by only providing enough breathable air as to barely keep the person alive in order to maximize the lifetime of the power source. If sensors detect disturbing heartbeat, the rate of breathable air may be increased for a period of time. Another regime may include communication with a remote rescue group, which may estimate the time of arrival, and the power consumption may be averaged over the time until estimated rescue.

The breathable air quality improvement device10,20may provide advantageous and lifesaving aid in further environments than in the avalanche/snow environments discussed above. Such environments may for example be: tight environments wherein workers executing work with limited air supply such as well, pipes, crawling spaces, caves, manure bin, and other.

FIG.7illustrates a system embodiment of the invention wherein the controller6comprises a wireless communication unit able to communicate a beacon106searchable by a searching party105. The wireless communication unit may also be able to transmit103sensor8readings, in order for the searching party to be able to take intelligent decisions, such as send for emergency transport107. The communication unit may further be able to communicate with a cloud or wide area network100, and through this communicate102with a server service101, the searching teams105, the transport107or a local alarm station104. This can typically be an emergency service able to react to distress signals, and which may communicate102with appropriate control rescue teams105and emergency transportation107.

Communication transfer medium102,103,106may be one of, wireless LAN or WAN, Bluetooth, WIFI, mobile network, radio communication, or other communication medium.

A further system feature may comprise a local alarm station104provided on site, for example at selected mountain locations. Each invention device10,20may at preset intervals communicate103with a local alarm station104to identify presence and no-distress signal. When an emergency situation is detected, the local alarm station104may be programmed to provide a list of persons out of danger, and who's in a danger zone.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIG.8. An inlet channel is integrated with a frame, such as for example the back plate of a backpack40, wherein the inlet channel is constructed as a plurality of distributed inlet channels82comprising at their most peripheral end corresponding inlet openings83which are set apart arranged in a distributed pattern enabling air to be collected from the different surroundings of each of the inlets opening83. Thereby, enabling collecting air from a larger volume of surrounding area than if the inlet was only in one location. The plurality of the distributed inlet channels82is in its central end coupled to a pump85, optionally via a central inlet channel81. Each distributed inlet channel82may connect at its peripheral end the corresponding air inlet (83) to the central inlet channel81in a connecting junctions81′, the central inlet channel81may have one or more connecting junctions81′ connecting to each of, or group of, distributed inlet channels (82). In one embodiment some or all of the central inlet channel81and/or the plurality of the smaller distributed inlet channels82and corresponding inlet openings83may be constructed for and be filled with a formable air permeable foam material, such that the air transported by the channels is at the same time filtered. Filter properties may vary depending on need, pump capacity and other. The formable foam material may also partially contribute to maintain the form of the channels81,82, and thereby also lower the requirements to the material used in the walls of the channels81,82. For example it could suffice to use channel wall material of light weight poly based materials, light weight woven airtight material or the like.

In the example of integrating the central inlet channel81and the plurality of the smaller inlet channels82in the frame of a backpack40as shown inFIG.8, the smaller inlets are arranged in the periphery of the back plate, and the inlet openings83are either on the side of the back plate of the back pack40, or in the close vicinity of the side edge of the back plate on the side facing towards the person carrying the backpack40. Each inlet opening83is coupled to the central inlet channel81by the distributed inlet channel82, such that air easily can be sucked into the central inlet channel81from each inlet opening83.

The pump85may be integrated with a battery in an enclosed casing84attached to the inlet openings83via the distributed inlet channels82and the central channel81. The pump85will when activated generate a vacuum in the distributed inlet channels82and the central channel81, combined forming or acting as a chamber, and by that suck air from the surrounding via the inlet openings83and through the distributed inlet channel82and the central channel81. The combined strength of the channels81,82and the optional filling comprising the formable foam material must be able to maintain a form sufficient to withstand the vacuum without collapsing.

A further advantage of the embodiments shown in the figures is achieved by integrating an air supply pipe89for transporting air from the pump85to the facial area in the backpack40and one or more of shoulder harness91, sternum strap92, stabilizer straps or the like. Thus the air supply from the pump85may be transported through the air supply pipe89wherein the air supply pipe89will be concealed in the back plate, and/or shoulder harness, and/or sternum strap, and/or stabilizer straps of the backpack40, and thereby be protected from damage from the surroundings.

An outlet device80providing an outlet opening90for the air supply pipe89may be provided at the end of the air supply pipe89, at the opposite end of the air supply pipe89than the end being connected to the pump85. The outlet80being arranged close to a carrier's facial area. The outlet device80may be provided with further outlet filtering material to ensure the outlet is not packed with snow and ice. The outlet filter material may additionally be provided with a heating device (not shown) to prohibit icing clogging the air outlet opening90.

In order to facilitate providing improved air at more precisely defined enclosures, such as when the user of the air quality improvement device wears a full face helmet93and air must be supplied inside the helmet, a pipe extender94may be connected, for example by a quick snap locks, in one end to the outlet opening90of the outlet device80, and in the other end connected to the inside of the helmet93, for example to a helmet outlet device (not shown). In one embodiment the helmet outlet device may be integrated in the helmet, for example in the jaw protection portion95.

In a further embodiment, the pump, battery and distributed inlet channels and openings as shown inFIG.8may be comprised in a combined pump unit120comprising a chamber120′, a pump85, a battery, an air inlet being comprised of the opening123of the chamber120′ facing towards the surroundings, and a filter, all in one device adapted for integration into the side of a backpack or the like as shown inFIG.10andFIG.11. In this latter embodiment parts of or the hole side of the carrying device, such as the backpack40, may be used for encompassing the inlet opening. An integrated side cover providing an air permeable barrier between the inlet of the combined pump unit may advantageously be provided, the side cover providing an extra protection towards external forces and items. The pump85in the pump unit120then will suck air from the surrounding into the pump inlet82from the inlet opening, and feed the air supply pipe89which is connected to the outlet122of the pump85and which transports the air to the outlet device80. Further air filtering and support in the chamber may be provided by filling the chamber partially or completely with a formable air permeable foam material, thus providing a further barrier for debris, snow, fluids and other particles to be sucked into the pump.

The device shown inFIG.8may be implemented in a wearable jacket provided with a back plate for encompassing the inlet channels and the central channel, or a carry on back plate (not shown), or the like.

The use scenarios shown inFIGS.12,13and14all show the latter embodiment of the pump unit120, for convenience of the drawing clearly identifying this unit. It is however the inventors intention that the embodiment shown inFIG.8comprising the inlet openings83via the inlet channels82and the central channel81integrated in the back frame of for example the back pack could be used in the scenarios shown where a downhill skier wears the back pack as shown inFIG.12, or the version shown inFIG.13worn by a snowmobile driver also using a helmet93and comprising the pipe extender94connected in one end to the outlet device80, or as shown inFIG.14, where a person has been buried in an avalanche.

The following embodiments may define present invention wherein:

A first embodiment of the device10,20for improving the breathable air quality in an environment, comprise:at least one inlet4,at least one pump3,at least one power resource5,a controller6, andat least one outlet1whereinthe at least one inlet4is connected to a pump inlet31of the pump3, andthe at least one outlet1is connected to a pump outlet32of the pump3,the pump will, when activated, pump air from the inlet4to the outlet1.

A second embodiment of the device10,20according to the first embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the connection between the at least one inlet4and the pump inlet31further comprise an inlet pipe segment7′ for enabling a more distant arrangement of the inlet4relative the pump inlet31.

A third embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to second embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the connection between the at least one outlet1and the pump outlet32further comprise an outlet pipe segment7″,7′″ for enabling a more distant arrangement of the outlet4relative the pump outlet32.

A fourth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to third embodiment of the device10,20, wherein any of the pipe segments7′,7″,7′″ inlet4, outlet1or the pump3is further comprising a filter2for filtering the air supplied by the device10.

A fifth embodiment of the device10,20according to the fourth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the filter2is a CO2filter for removal of CO2from the air supplied by the device10.

A sixth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to fifth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the controller6comprise an automatic activation unit11for setting and controlling an operating mode of the pump3.

A seventh embodiment of the device10,20according to the sixth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising one or more sensors8, wherein the sensors are sensitive to one or more of: movement caused by an avalanche, CO2level above preset threshold, weight load/pressure, g-forces, power resource level such as battery capacity reserve, or sensor input crossing activation threshold such as: an oxygen content in a person's blood stream, heart rate or body temperature, and the one or more sensors8is connected via a sensor input interfaces8′ to the automatic activation unit11of the controller6, wherein the controller6comprise a program for monitoring the sensor8readings and for controlling the operation mode of the device10,20accordingly.

An eighth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to seventh embodiment of the device10,20, wherein automatic activation unit11comprise a manual switch11′, wherein the manual switch11′ can override the sensor inputs8and be used to manually activate the pump3at selected operation modus.

A ninth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to eighth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the inlet4further comprising an inlet protection device4′ for protection of the inlet4against being clogged by snow, water or other substances.

A tenth embodiment of the device10,20according to the ninth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the inlet protection device4′ is formed by a light weight protection mesh.

An eleventh embodiment of the device10,20according to the tenth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the mesh being constructed of one of hard plastic or carbon material.

A twelfth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the ninth to eleventh embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the inlet protection device4′ may be filled with a gas permeable material.

A thirteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to the twelfth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the gas permeable material is a polyurethane sponge.

A fourteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to thirteenth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising a feedback duct110for providing air from the outlet1surrounding environment to be fed into the pump3and hence back through the outlet1.

A fifteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to fourteenth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising a bypass duct111for bypassing the filter2.

A sixteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to fifteenth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the device is arranged in a backpack40assembly, wherein the inlet4and inlet protection device4′ is arranged at the lower end of the backpack40, and the outlet1is arranged to be arranged close to the mouth and nose region of a bearer.

A seventeenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to sixteenth embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the device is arranged in a bag or backpack40assembly, wherein the inlet4and inlet protection device4′ is arranged in the backpack40or bag assembly, and the inlet4comprises an extendable inlet pipe7′ or the outlet1comprise an extendable outlet pipe7″,7′″ such that the device10,20could be arranged such that the inlet4is arranged away from a person, and the outlet1is arranged close to the face area of the person.

An eighteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to seventeenth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising a wearable device, the wearable device114holding the outlet1such that it may be in a position close to nose/mouth of person wearing the device10,20.

A nineteenth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to eighteenth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising an alarm112, wherein the alarm112can be activated by the controller6if a detector8detects too high CO2level close to the outlet1, the power resource level is below a preset threshold, or any detector detects levels outside preset acceptable levels.

A twentieth embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to nineteenth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising an additional inlet115for providing oxygen to the pump3from an inflated balloon.

A twenty-first embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to twentieth embodiment of the device10,20, further comprising an oxygen filled container116for providing oxygen to the pump3from the oxygen filled container116.

A twenty-second embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to twenty-first embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the controller6further comprising a communication device, the communication device being able to transmit device10,20status to a remote communication unit101,104,105,107.

A twenty-third embodiment of the device10,20according to any of the first to twenty-second embodiment of the device10,20, wherein the communication device being able to receive operation instructions from a remote communication unit101,104,105,107.

A first system embodiment for providing extended life support to avalanche victim, wherein the system comprises one or more devices10,20according to any of the previous claim22or23, the system further comprise a remote communication unit101,104,105,107, and a communication transfer medium102,103,106.

A second embodiment of the system according to the first embodiment of the system, wherein the remote communication unit101,104,105,107is one of local alarm station104able to identify presence and no-distress signal of the devices10,20, remote server101able to monitor and communicate with other remote communication units101,104,105,107, search party105able to locate device10,20merely by receiving a beacon106broadcasted by a device10,20, or an emergency transport107.

A third embodiment of the system according to any of the first to second embodiment of the system, wherein the devices10,20if further combined with other lifesaving equipment.

A fourth embodiment of the system according to the third embodiment of the system, wherein other lifesaving equipment is one or more of air inflating balloon for avalanche buoyancy, container comprising compressed oxygen, airbag for body protection, body heating equipment.

A first embodiment of a method for improving the breathable air quality in an environment using a device10,20according to any of the first to twenty-third embodiment of the device10,20, the method comprising the following step:the user turning on the device10,20;activating the device10,20upon one of automatic emergency detector201or the manual switch202being activated;starting the pump206.

A second embodiment of the method according to the third embodiment of the method, wherein the step starting the pump206comprise of one or more of the following steps being performed before starting the pump206:a) the controller6of the device10,20performing a successful self-test and reading power source status and/or sensors status203;b) controller6selecting which device10,20to activate204,c) controller6selecting pump level205of selected pump3,starting the pump206at selected pump level, andrepeating step a to c at preset intervals for adjusting pump level or change device10,20.

It shall be understood that the embodiments only describe the principle of the invention, and that there may be additional ways to implement the present invention. It is the associated claims that shall define the protection scope of the present invention.