Patent Publication Number: US-2022226676-A1

Title: Powered air purifying respirator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/139,170, filed Jan. 19, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to air purifying respirator systems and, more specifically, to wearable, powered air purifying respirator systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) are an important type of respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE). For example, PAPRs are often used during a variety of medical procedures to protect healthcare professionals from dangerous airborne particles, such as viruses and bacteria. Additionally, PAPRs are used in various industrial settings to protect workers from breathing in various types of hazardous particulate. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a respirator system. The respirator system comprises a hood, a breathing tube, and an air purification device. The hood is configured to be worn by a user. The breathing tube is coupled to the hood, the breathing tube having an inner surface provided with an antimicrobial coating. The air purification device is configured to be worn by the user. The air purification device is coupled to the breathing tube and is further configured to deliver filtered air to the hood via the breathing tube. The air purification device comprises a housing, a back pad, a filter, a fan, a power source, and a controller. The housing comprises a front housing component and a rear housing component. The back pad is arranged adjacent to the rear housing component and is configured to provide a cushion between the rear housing component and the user&#39;s body. The filter is arranged within the housing. The fan is arranged within the housing. The fan is configured to pull ambient air through the filter and deliver the filtered air through the breathing tube to the hood. The power source is arranged within the housing. The power source is configured to supply power to the fan. The controller is arranged within the housing. The controller is communicatively coupled to the fan and the power source. The controller is configured to regulate a speed of the fan. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an air purification device configured to be worn by a user and to deliver filtered air to the user via a breathing tube. The air purification device comprises a housing, a back pad, a filter, a fan, a power source, and a controller. The housing comprises a front housing component and a rear housing component. The back pad is arranged adjacent to the rear housing component and is configured to provide a cushion between the rear housing component and the user&#39;s body. The filter is arranged within the housing. The fan is arranged within the housing. The fan is configured to pull ambient air through the filter and deliver the filtered air through the breathing tube to the user. The power source is arranged within the housing. The power source is configured to supply power to the fan. The controller is arranged within the housing. The controller is communicatively coupled to the fan and the power source. The controller is configured to regulate a speed of the fan. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a respirator system. The respirator system comprises a hood, a breathing tube, a heart rate monitor, and an air purification device. The hood is configured to be worn by a user. The breathing tube is coupled to the hood. The heart rate monitor is configured to detect a heart rate of the user. The air purification device is configured to be worn by the user. The air purification device is coupled to the breathing tube and is further configured to deliver filtered air to the hood via the breathing tube. The air purification device comprises a housing, a back pad, a filter, a fan, a power source, and a controller. The housing comprises a front housing component and a rear housing component. The back pad is arranged adjacent to the rear housing component and is configured to provide an ergonomic cushion between the rear housing component and the user&#39;s body. The filter is arranged within the housing. The fan is arranged within the housing. The fan is configured to pull ambient air through the filter and deliver the filtered air through the breathing tube to the hood. The power source is arranged within the housing. The power source is configured to supply power to the fan. The controller is arranged within the housing. The controller is communicatively coupled to the fan, the power source, and the heart rate monitor. The controller is configured to regulate a speed of the fan based on the heart rate of the user. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several implementations in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a respiratory system, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an air purification device of the respiratory system of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a front housing component of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a rear housing component of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the rear housing component of  FIG. 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a back pad of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is front view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , shown with the front housing component removed, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , shown with the front housing component and various battery components removed, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , shown with the back pad and rear housing component removed, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a battery tray of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of an internal seal of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of an outlet duct of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  14 - 14 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view of a quick-disconnect fitting having a battery retention collar, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a partial side view of the air purification device of  FIG. 2 , shown with the quick-disconnect fitting of  FIG. 15 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a partial rear perspective view of the air purification device of  FIG. 16 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of another air purification device for use with the respiratory system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the air purification device of  FIG. 18 , shown with an external seal plate removed. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the external seal plate of the air purification device of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     Reference is made to the accompanying drawings throughout the following detailed description. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative implementations described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other implementations may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a respirator system for providing a positive-pressure purified or filtered air supply to a user. The respirator system includes, among other things, a hood, a breathing tube, and an air purification device. During use, the air purification device is configured to be strapped or otherwise attached to the user&#39;s lower back and used to deliver the positive-pressure purified air supply to the user. In particular, a respirator system according to one or more embodiments set forth herein is provided to enhance safety, comfort and ease of use, as appreciated from the following discussion of various exemplary features. 
     Beneficially, the breathing tube has an inner surface coated with an antimicrobial coating to prevent cross-contamination between uses. Additionally, the breathing tube includes quick-disconnect fittings configured to allow for increased ease of attaching the breathing tube to the air purification device and/or the hood. Further, the breathing tube includes self-sealing openings at both ends that are configured to automatically provide a hermetic seal upon disconnecting the breathing tube from the air purification device and/or the hood. The self-sealing openings are thus configured to protect an inner cavity within the breathing tube from being exposed to the environment, thereby preventing contamination of the breathing tube. Similarly, the air purification device includes a self-sealing valve configured to automatically provide a hermetic seal when the breathing tube is detached. 
     In some instances, the respirator system includes a heart rate monitor, and a controller of the air purification device is beneficially configured to adjust a speed of a fan configured to deliver the positive-pressure purified air supply to the user based upon a sensed heart rate of the user. Accordingly, the user may be provided with a higher supply of purified air in the case that they are physically exerted or otherwise working in a stressful environment while using the respirator system. 
     Additionally, the respirator system is generally configured to be used for extended periods of time. For this reason, the air purification device includes a back pad configured to provide an ergonomic cushion between the user and the air purification device. The back pad is configured to allow for the respirator system to be used for extended periods of time while mitigating discomfort and/or strain that the user may otherwise experience if the air purification device were in direct contact with the user&#39;s lower back. 
     The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the described concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. 
     Various numerical values herein are provided for reference purposes only. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of properties, parameters, conditions, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations. Any numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. The term “approximately” when used before a numerical designation, e.g., a quantity and/or an amount including range, indicates approximations which may vary by (+) or (−) 10%, 5%, or 1%. 
     As will be understood by one of skill in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a respirator system  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the respirator system  100  is a powered air-purifying respirator system configured to provide a positive-pressure purified air supply to a user. For example, in some instances, the positive-pressure purified air supply provided by the respirator system  100  may be used to prevent a user (e.g., a health professional) from breathing in or otherwise being exposed to aerosolized fluids, airborne pathogens, contaminants and/or other hazardous particulates during a variety of medical procedures. In other embodiments, the respirator system  100  may be used in a variety of other settings as desired for a given application. 
     The respirator system  100  includes an air purification device  102  (an air purifier), a breathing tube  104 , and a hood  106 . As a general overview, during use, the hood  106  is configured to be worn on the user&#39;s head and the air purification device  102  is configured to be strapped to the user&#39;s lower back using body straps. The air purification device  102  is then configured to provide the positive-pressure air supply, through the breathing tube  104 , into the hood  106  to the user. 
     In some instances, the breathing tube  104  includes one or more quick disconnect fittings  107  to allow for the user to easily attach the breathing tube  104  to the air purification device  102  and/or the hood  106 . In some embodiments, an inner surface of the breathing tube  104  may be coated with an antimicrobial and/or biocidal material. For example, in some instances, the inner surface of the breathing tube  104  may be coated with a silver ion (Ag+) coating. The silver ion coating has biocidal properties, allowing for reuse of the breathing tube  104  with a lower risk of contamination. By coating the inner surface of the breathing tube  104 , the breathing tube  104  may be reused without the concern of contamination between uses. 
     Additionally, the breathing tube  104  further includes self-sealing ends  108  including valves (e.g., disposed within the quick disconnect fittings  107 ) that are configured to automatically seal when the breathing tube  104  is disconnected from either the air purification device  102  and/or the hood  106 . By including self-sealing ends  108  having the valves configured to automatically seal when disconnected from the air purification device  102  and/or the hood  106 , the inner cavity of the breathing tube  104  is effectively protected from the environment when the breathing tube  104  is detached from the air purification device  102  and/or the hood  106 , which thus prevents contaminants from being collected within the inner cavity of the breathing tube  104 . 
     The hood  106  is configured to be worn by the user during use of the respirator system  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hood includes a hood shield  109  made of a transparent material. Accordingly, the hood shield  109  is configured to allow the user to see out of the hood  106  during use. In some instances, the entire hood  106  may be made of a transparent material to enhance interpersonal interaction between the user and others during use of the respirator system  100 . In some embodiments, the hood  106  may further include a port that enables one or more magnifying loupes to be utilized by the user during use without interfering with the hood shield  109 . This may be particularly beneficial for certain procedures, e.g., dental procedures. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the air purification device  102  includes a housing formed by a front housing component  110  and a rear housing component  111 , a quick-disconnect fitting  112 , and a back pad  114 . In some instances, the housing, including the front housing component  110  and the rear housing component  111 , may be formed of a plastic material. For example, each of the front housing component  110  and the rear housing component  111  may be formed using a plastic injection-molding process. The front housing component  110  comprises a filter cover  116  and a battery compartment  118 . The filter cover  116  includes a plurality of intake apertures  119  configured to allow for air to be pulled through the filter cover  116  during use. As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the filter cover  116  is coupled to the battery compartment  118  by a filter cover hinge  120 . As such, the filter cover  116  is configured to swing on the filter cover hinge  120  between an open position (e.g., out of the page with respect to  FIG. 2 ) and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to allow for a filter  122  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) of the air purification device  102  to be replaced. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a pair of removable screws  124  are configured to retain the filter cover  116  in the closed position during use. Specifically, the pair of removable screws  124  are configured to extend through corresponding apertures  126  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) in the filter cover  116  and be threadably received by corresponding threaded apertures  128  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) in the rear housing component  111  to selectively lock the filter cover  116  in the closed position. The pair of removable screws  124  are further configured to be optionally manually tightened or loosened to lock or open the filter cover  116 , without the use of external tools. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the battery compartment  118  is configured to house a battery  129  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the air purification device  102 . The battery compartment  118  includes a battery slot  130  at a top end  131  of the battery compartment  118 . The battery slot  130  is configured and sized to removably receive the battery  129 , which is inserted into the battery compartment  118  to power the components of the air purification device  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the rear housing component  111  includes the threaded apertures  128  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), an air channel  132 , body strap attachment features  133 , an outlet port  134  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), a power button aperture  136  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and a battery retention mechanism slot  138  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The air channel  132  is recessed into a front surface  140  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of the rear housing component  111 . The air channel  132  is configured to provide a channel for purified air to pass through from the filter  122  to a fan  142  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) to be provided through the breathing tube  104  and into the hood  106  during use (as best illustrated in  FIG. 14 ). The body strap attachment features  133  are disposed on lateral sides  144  of the rear housing component  111 . The body strap attachment features  133  are configured to receive and be attached to body straps used to secure the air purification device  102  to the user during use. The outlet port  134  is configured to receive the quick-disconnect fitting  112  to allow for purified air to flow out of the air purification device  102 . 
     In some instances, the quick-disconnect fitting  112  and/or the outlet port  134  may additionally include a self-sealing valve mechanism configured to hermetically seal the air purification device  102  when the breathing tube  104  is disconnected. The self-sealing valve mechanism may thus be configured to prevent contamination and enable aerosol-based cleaning methods. The power button aperture  136  is configured to receive a power button  146  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) used to turn the air purification device  102  on or off. The battery retention mechanism slot  138  is configured to receive a battery retention mechanism  148  (shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The battery retention mechanism  148  may be configured to swivel within battery retention mechanism slot  138  to selectively retain the battery  129  within the battery compartment  118 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the back pad  114  includes a central opening  150  and a pair of body strap slots  152 . When assembled, the back pad  114  is arranged adjacent to the rear housing component  111 , and the air channel  132  of the rear housing component  111  extends into and slightly through the central opening  150  of the back pad  114  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The body strap slots  152  are arranged on lateral sides  153  of the back pad  114 . In some embodiments, the back pad  114  may be formed of a soft (e.g., ergonomic) material. For example, the back pad  114  may be formed of a foam material, a gel material, or any other suitably soft material, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the back pad  114  may comprise memory foam that retains shape characteristics corresponding to a portion of the body of the individual user. The back pad  114  provides lumbar support for the user. 
     During use, the pair of body strap slots  152  are configured to receive the body straps, which are then attached to the body strap attachment features  133  of the rear housing component  111 . As such, when the user uses the body straps to secure the air purification device  102  to the user&#39;s body, the back pad  114  gets pulled into contact with the user&#39;s lower back, thereby providing an ergonomic cushion between the user and the rear housing component  111 . Additionally, the body straps may slightly bend the back pad  114  around the user&#39;s body, thereby also providing an ergonomic cushion between the user and portions of the body straps themselves. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10  generally, various internal components stored within the housing (i.e., arranged between the front housing component  110  and the rear housing component  111 ) of the air purification device  102  are shown. Specifically, the air purification device  102  includes the filter  122 , the battery  129 , the fan  142 , a battery tray  154 , a battery docking circuit  156 , a battery charging circuit  158 , an internal seal  160 , an outlet duct  162 , and a controller  164 . It should be appreciated that the internal components may be arranged differently than the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 8-10  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in some embodiments, the air purification device  102  may include different or additional components. In some embodiments, filter  122  may include a plurality of filters. 
     In some embodiments, the filter  122  may be an air purifying filter configured to filter various particles out of air pulled through the filter  122  by the fan  142 . For example, the filter  122  may be configured to filter particles sized between about 0.1 to about 0.3 microns, as desired for a given application. In some embodiments, filter  122  may filter 95% or more of particles sized larger than about 0.3 microns. In some embodiments, filter  122  may filter 99% or more of particles larger than about 0.8 microns. In some embodiments, the filter  122  may be configured to meet U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards for air purification by filtering 99.97% or more of particles 0.3 microns or larger. In some instances, the filter  122  may be carbon-based to additionally allow for chemical threat protection. As discussed above, the filter  122  is configured to be replaced, as appropriate, during operation. In some instances, the filter  122  may be held in place by an injection-molded plastic frame within the housing. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 , during use, the battery  129  is inserted into the battery tray  154 , which is then slid through the battery slot  130  into the battery compartment  118 . When fully inserted, the battery  129  interfaces with the battery docking circuit  156  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) to power the various electrical components of the air purification device  102 . For example, the battery  129  is configured to provide power to the fan  142  to pull air through the filter  122  and provide the filtered air to the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the battery tray  154  includes a battery receiving area  166 , a handle  168 , and a battery interface slot  170 . The battery receiving area  166  is configured to removably receive the battery  129 . The handle  168  is configured to provide an effective gripping component to allow for the user to easily insert and remove the battery  129  and battery tray  154  into and from the battery compartment  118  to replace the battery  129 . The battery interface slot  170  is configured to provide an interface opening to allow for the battery  129  to interface (e.g., via a battery pin connector) with the battery docking circuit  156 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the battery docking circuit  156  is configured to interface with the battery  129  (e.g., via the battery pin connector) to effectively transmit power from the battery  129  to various components (e.g., the fan  142 , the battery charging circuit  158 , the controller  164 ) of the air purification device  102 . The battery charging circuit  158  is configured to allow for dual mode charging to enable continuous operation of the air purification device  102 . For example, the battery charging circuit  158  may include a capacitive element configured to independently power the electrical components of the air purification device  102  for a short period of time, thereby allowing for the user to switch out a depleted battery  129  with a charged battery  129  without having to power down or otherwise cease operation of the air purification device  102 . Accordingly, in some instances, the air purification device  102  may include a pair of batteries to allow for one battery to be charged while the other battery is in use. 
     The internal seal  160  is configured to provide an effective seal between the front surface  140  of the rear housing component  111  and each of the filter  122  and the fan  142  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 14 ), such that air pulled through the filter  122  by the fan  142  may only flow within the air channel  132  of the rear housing component  111 . Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the internal seal  160  includes a filter portion  172  and a fan portion  174 . When assembled, the filter portion  172  of the internal seal  160  is configured to contact a periphery of the filter  122  and provide an effective seal between the periphery of the filter  122  and the front surface  140  of the rear housing component  111 . The filter portion  172  includes a filter opening  176  configured to allow filtered air to flow from the filter  122  into the air channel  132  formed by the rear housing component  111 . Similarly, when assembled, the fan portion  174  is configured to contact a periphery of the fan  142  and provide an effective seal between the periphery of the fan  142  and the front surface  140  of the rear housing component  111 . The fan portion  174  includes a fan opening  178 , fan alignment pins  180 , and snap-fit retention prongs  182 . The fan opening  178  is configured to allow filtered air to flow from the air channel  132  formed by the rear housing component  111  into a central opening  183  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) of the fan  142  to be provided to the user. 
     When assembled, the fan alignment pins  180  and the snap-fit retention prongs  182  are collectively configured to properly align and retain the internal seal  160  on the fan  142 . For example, the fan alignment pins  180  are configured to be received within corresponding fan alignment apertures  184  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the fan  142 , and the snap-fit retention prongs  182  are configured to engage corresponding snap-fit engagement features  186  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) of the fan  142  by snapping onto the snap-fit engagement features  186 . Accordingly, with the fan alignment pins  180  inserted into the fan alignment apertures  184  and the snap-fit retention prongs  182  engaged with the snap-fit engagement features  186 , the internal seal  160  is effectively held in place, in the correct alignment, against the fan  142 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the outlet duct  162  includes a fan interface portion  188  and an outlet portion  190 . The fan interface portion  188  is configured to interface with an outlet  192  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) of the fan  142 . Specifically, the fan interface portion  188  is configured to be inserted into the outlet  192  of the fan  142  to direct filtered air from the fan into the outlet duct  162 . The outlet portion  190  is then configured to direct the filtered air, through the outlet port  134  and the quick-disconnect fitting  112 , out of the air purification device  102  into the breathing tube  104 . The outlet portion  190  further includes a flow rate sensor  194  configured to sense a flow rate of the purified air flowing through the outlet duct  162  (i.e., the flow rate of the purified air being delivered to the user). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the controller  164  is in communication with the various electrical components of the air purification device  102 , including, for example, the battery  129 , the fan  142 , the power button  146 , the battery charging circuit  158 , the battery docking circuit  156 , and the flow rate sensor  194 . The controller  164  is communicatively coupled to each of the various electrical components via a wired or a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) connection to allow for various electrical signals and other information to be transmitted between the controller  164  and the various electrical components. It should be appreciated that, in some instances, the air purification device  102  may include additional electrical components in communication with the controller  164 . For example, the controller  164  may additionally be in communication with various internal sensors for monitoring the functionality of and conditions within the air purification device  102 . In some instances, these internal sensors may include any of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, air quality sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors desired for a given application. 
     In some embodiments, the controller  164  includes a processor and a memory. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. The memory may include one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, NVRAM, ROM, Flash Memory, hard disk storage) and may store data, instructions, and/or computer code for facilitating the various processes described herein. Moreover, the memory may be or include tangible, non-transient volatile memory or non-volatile memory. 
     During use, the controller  164  is configured to control various aspects of the operation of the air purification device  102 . For example, the controller  164  is configured to receive a signal from the power button  146  to turn the air purification device  102  on or off. Upon the air purification device  102  being turned on, the controller  164  is further configured to activate the fan  142  to pull ambient air through the filter  122  and the air channel  132 , and to push the filtered air through the outlet duct  162  and out of the air purification device  102 . In some embodiments, the controller  164  may control aspects of operation of the air purification device  102  using pulse-width modulation (PWM) techniques. 
     In some instances, the controller  164  may further utilize a sensed flow rate received from the flow rate sensor  194  to regulate the speed of the fan  142 . For example, in some instances, the controller  164  may regulate the speed of the fan  142  to ensure a flow rate of approximately 6.5 cubic feet per minute (CFPM). It should be appreciated that, in other instances, the controller  164  may regulate the speed of the fan  142  to achieve various other flow rates, as desired for a given application. For example, in some instances, the controller  164  may regulate speed of the fan  142  to achieve a flow rate of between about 6 CFPM and about 9 CFPM. In some embodiments, the controller  164  may regulate the fan speed to have a flow rate of between about 6 CFPM to about 8 CFPM. 
     The controller  164  may be additionally configured to provide various warnings to the user during operation. For example, the controller  164  may be configured to warn the user (e.g., via a visual and/or audible alert) that the battery  129  has a low charge level and needs to be replaced. Further, the controller  164  may be configured to warn the user upon detection of a low or decreased flow rate sensed by the flow rate sensor  194 , which may, for example, indicate that the filter  122  needs to be replaced, that there is a leak within the air purification device  102 , or that there is a blockage within the air purification device  102 . In some instances, the flow rate sensor  194  may additionally or alternatively include an audible and/or visible alarm (e.g., a buzzer and/or a flashing light) configured to alert the user that the air purification device  102  is malfunctioning. 
     In some instances, the controller  164  is in communication with an external remote device  196  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The controller  164  may wirelessly communicate with the external remote device  196  via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other suitable wireless communication method. The external remote device  196  is configured to allow the user to control and manipulate various operational aspects of the air purification device  102 . For example, in some instances, the user may be able to turn the air purification device  102  on or off using the wireless external remote device  196 . Additionally, in some instances, the user may be able to selectively increase or decrease the flow rate of purified air delivered by the air purification device  102  using the wireless external remote device  196 . Accordingly, the external remote device  196  may be configured for manual input (e.g., utilizing a keypad-type button array). In some instances, the external remote device  196  may be additionally configured to receive vocal commands from the user. Accordingly, the external remote device  196  allows the user to control the operation of the air purification device  102  without having to take the air purification device  102  off of the user&#39;s body during use. In some instances, the external remote device  196  may further include a battery indicator configured to visually show the user how much remaining battery life the battery  129  has left. 
     In some instances, the respirator system  100  further includes a heart rate monitor  198  configured to be worn by the user during use. In some other instances, the user may alternatively use a wirelessly-enabled (e.g., Bluetooth-enabled, Wi-Fi enabled) heart rate monitor of their own with the respirator system  100 . In either case, the controller  164  may wirelessly communicate with the heart rate monitor to regulate the speed of the fan  142 . For example, the controller  164  may vary the speed of the fan  142  to provide a higher or lower flow rate based on the sensed heart rate of the user. Specifically, if the sensed heart rate of the user increases during use to be above a threshold, the controller  164  may infer that the user is in a state of stress, and may automatically increase the speed of the fan  142  to provide a higher flow rate of the purified air being supplied to the user. The controller  164  may decrease the speed of the fan to provide a lower flow rate of air in response to a determination that the heart rate is below a second threshold. This may be particularly useful in situations where users physically exert themselves, experience physiological stress, or are in an environment where they may need a higher supply of purified air than otherwise needed under normal circumstances. In some instances, the heart rate monitor  198  may include some or all of the same functionality as the external remote device  196  discussed above. As such, in some instances, the user may use the heart rate monitor  198  to power the air purification device on and/or off, as well as to selectively increase and/or decrease the flow rate of purified air delivered by the air purification device  102 . The heart rate monitor  198  may similarly further include a battery indicator configured to visually show the user how much remaining battery life the battery  129  has left. 
     In some instances, the housing further includes one or more internal cleaning baffles configured to be selectively slid or rotated to seal off various portions of the housing. For example, in some instances, various components or surfaces within the air purification device  102  may be damaged if exposed to ultra-high throughput aerosol-based cleaning methods. In these instances, the controller  164  may be configured to selectively actuate various actuation controls to selectively seal off portions of the housing using the one or more internal cleaning baffles to allow for the aerosol-based cleaning methods to be used on the remaining portions of the air purification device  102 . For example, the user may be able to press a cleaning activation button (e.g., disposed on the air purification device  102  or on the external remote device  196 ) or provide a vocal command (e.g., to the external remote device  196 ) to selectively actuate the internal cleaning baffles to allow for aerosol-based cleaning methods to be used to clean the air purification device  102  after use. Upon activation, the movement of the baffles effectuates self-sealing of portions of the air purification device  102 . 
     The controller  164  may further be configured to continuously monitor and store information pertaining to the functionality of the air purification device  102  during operation. For example, the controller  164  may be configured to continuously monitor and store information concerning various system events, including flow rate changes, fan speed changes, heart rate changes, battery charge level changes, and/or changes in any other sensed measurements (e.g., internal temperature, internal pressure, internal humidity, internal air quality). 
     In some instances, the controller  164  may be configured to wirelessly upload the monitored information to a remote computing system to allow for remote monitoring and/or analysis of the respirator system  100  during use. Further, the controller  164  may be configured to log such information as historical event data. The controller  164  may be programmed to compute metrics of interest, e.g., statistical data such as the standard deviation of a data set including event data relating to one or more of the flow rate, fan speed, heart rate, temperature, etc., or the average time between when a heart rate above a first threshold is detected to when the heart rate decreases below a second threshold following an increase in fan speed, for example. A history of logged events may be uploaded wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth or over Wi-Fi) to a receiver (e.g., to a mobile device, a computing device, or a network such as a cloud computing network). The history may be cleared by the user or at periodic intervals, for example. 
     The arrangements of the various components described with reference to the respirator system  100  of  FIG. 1  and the air purification device  102  of  FIG. 2  are shown for illustrative purposes only. Many alternatives and combinations are possible without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. For example, in some instances, the filter  122 , the battery  129 , the fan  142 , the internal seal  160 , and/or any of the electronic components of the air purification device  102  may be arranged differently within the housing of the air purification device  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-17 , an alternative quick-disconnect assembly  1500  for use with the air purification device  102  is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As best shown in  FIG. 15 , the quick-disconnect assembly  1500  includes a male body portion  1502 , a female quick-disconnect portion  1504 , a tube connection portion  1506 , and a battery retention collar  1508 . The male body portion  1502  is configured to extend through the outlet port  134  of the rear housing component  111  and provide an airflow passage between the outlet duct  162  and the female quick-disconnect portion  1504 . The female quick-disconnect portion  1504  is configured to be selectively coupled to the male body portion  1502  by sliding the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  onto the male body portion  1502 . The female quick-disconnect portion  1504  includes a quick-disconnect slide mechanism  1510  configured to selectively de-couple the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  from the male body portion  1502 . The tube connection portion  1506  coupled to the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  and is configured to engage the breathing tube  104 . 
     Accordingly, during use, a user may push the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  onto the male body portion  1502  to quickly couple the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  to the male body portion  1502 , thereby creating a continuous airflow path from the outlet duct  162 , through the male body portion  1502 , through the female quick-disconnect portion  1504 , through the tube connection portion  1506 , and into the breathing tube  104  to be delivered to the user via the hood  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , during operation, the battery retention collar  1508  may be disposed around the male body portion  1502  between the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  and a top surface of the battery tray  154  (as best shown in  FIG. 17 ) when the female quick-disconnect portion  1504  is slid onto the male body portion  1502 . The battery retention collar  1508  is thus configured to prevent the battery tray  154  from being removed during operation, thereby preventing the air purification device  102  from being inadvertently powered off during use (e.g., in a contaminated area). 
     In some instances, the battery retention collar  1508  may be a separate component slid over the male body portion  1502  prior to connecting the female quick-disconnect portion  1504 . In some other instances, the battery retention collar  1508  may be affixed to a lower end of the female quick-disconnect portion  1504 , such that the battery retention collar  1508  is slid over the male body portion  1502  with the female quick-disconnection portion  1504 . In either case, the battery retention collar  1508  may be made of a variety of materials, such as, for example, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. Additionally, in some instances, the battery retention collar  1508  may vary in diameter and/or thickness. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 18-20 , another air purification device  1800  is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The air purification device  1800  is substantially similar to the air purification device  102  discussed above. Accordingly, the following description will focus on the differences between the air purification device  1800  and the air purification device  102 . 
     For example, the air purification device  1800  similarly includes a rear housing component  1811  (shown in  FIG. 19 ). However, instead of a front housing component (e.g., similar to the front housing component  110  discussed above), the air purification device  1800  includes a front external seal  1802  configured to create a hermetically sealed interior space within the air purification device  1800 . For example, the rear housing component  1811  includes a sealing gasket  1804  that extends around a periphery of the rear housing component  1811 . When assembled, the front external seal  1802  has a rearwardly extending peripheral edge configured to rest against and create a hermetic seal with the sealing gasket  1804  of the rear housing component  1811 . With the front external seal  1802  in place against the sealing gasket  1804  (shown in  FIG. 19 ), the front external seal  1802  may be tightened against the sealing gasket  1804 , and thereby fixed to the rear housing component  1811 , via a plurality of threaded fasteners  1806 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the front external seal  1802  further includes a filter seal contact portion  1808  that is recessed into a front surface  1810  of the front external seal  1802 . The filter contact portion  1808  further includes a filter opening  1812  configured to permit air to be pulled into the air purification device  1800  through a filter  1822  (e.g., similar to the filter  122  discussed above). 
     In some instances, the filter  1822  may be disposed within the air purification device  1800  (as shown in  FIG. 19 ). In these instances, when the front external seal  1802  is fastened onto the rear housing component  1811 , an inner surface of the filter seal contact portion  1808  is configured to contact a front peripheral edge  1814  of the filter  1822 , thereby creating a hermetic seal between the front external seal  1802  and the front peripheral edge  1814  of the filter  1822 . In other instances, the filter  1822  may be disposed external to the air purification device  1800  (as shown in  FIG. 18 ), within the filter contact portion  1808 . In these instances, the filter  1822  may have an adhesive applied to a rear peripheral edge that is configured to contact an outer surface  1816  of the filter seal contact portion  1808  (shown in  FIG. 20 ), thereby creating a similar hermetic seal between the front external seal  1802  and the rear peripheral edge of the filter  1822 . By having the filter  1822  arranged externally with respect to the air purification device  1800 , the filter  1822  may be quickly replaced by pulling the filter  1822  out of the filter seal contact portion  1808  and placing another in its place. 
     Accordingly, the front external seal  1802  allows for the air purification device  1800  to have a substantially hermetically-sealed internal cavity, where only air pulled through the filter  1822  is allowed to enter the internal cavity within the air purification device  1800  while the air purification device  1800  is operating. As such, the air purification device  1800  having the hermetically-sealed internal cavity may utilize a fan  1842  (shown in  FIG. 19 ) that optionally does not have a sealed housing. Further, the air purification device  1800  may have all associated electronics (e.g., a battery similar to the battery  129 , the fan  1842 , etc.) configured to operate the air purification device  1800  housed within the hermetically sealed internal cavity. As such, the electronics of the air purification device  1800  may beneficially be protected from moisture (e.g., the air purification device  1800  may be substantially waterproof or water resistant). 
     It should be noted that the term “example” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     As utilized herein, the term “substantially” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed (e.g., within plus or minus five percent of a given value for a distance, speed, rate, angle or other parameter) are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. 
     The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular embodiments. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.