US 11,918,837 B2
Fit-test method for respirator with sensing system
Richard C. Webb, St. Paul, MN (US); Andrew S. Viner, Roseville, MN (US); Daniel B. Taylor, White Bear Lake, MN (US); Jessica L. T. Hauge, St. Paul, MN (US); Jennifer L. Kamarainen, St. Paul, MN (US); Jacob P. Vanderheyden, St. Paul, MN (US); Silvia G. Guttmann, St, Paul, MN (US); and Kenneth B. L. Stanford, Blaine, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Appl. No. 16/642,045
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
PCT Filed Aug. 31, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/049082
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 26, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/046712, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 7, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/553,569, filed on Sep. 1, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/553,566, filed on Sep. 1, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/553,567, filed on Sep. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0346053 A1, Nov. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. G01M 3/16 (2006.01); A61B 5/08 (2006.01); A61M 16/00 (2006.01); A61M 16/06 (2006.01); A62B 9/00 (2006.01); A62B 18/08 (2006.01); A62B 27/00 (2006.01); G01M 3/04 (2006.01); G01M 3/32 (2006.01); G01M 3/38 (2006.01); G01N 15/06 (2006.01); G01N 27/12 (2006.01); G01N 27/22 (2006.01); A62B 18/02 (2006.01); A62B 23/02 (2006.01); G01N 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC A62B 27/00 (2013.01) [A61B 5/082 (2013.01); A61M 16/0003 (2014.02); A61M 16/021 (2017.08); A61M 16/06 (2013.01); A62B 9/006 (2013.01); A62B 18/08 (2013.01); G01M 3/04 (2013.01); G01M 3/16 (2013.01); G01M 3/3209 (2013.01); G01M 3/3236 (2013.01); G01M 3/38 (2013.01); G01N 15/0656 (2013.01); G01N 27/12 (2013.01); G01N 27/227 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0227 (2013.01); A61M 2205/0233 (2013.01); A61M 2205/13 (2013.01); A61M 2205/15 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3317 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3569 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3653 (2013.01); A62B 18/02 (2013.01); A62B 23/025 (2013.01); G01N 2015/0053 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fit testing method comprising:
providing a respirator donned by a wearer, the respirator defining an interior gas space for the user and including an exterior surface;
providing a sensor in electrical communication with a sensing element, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a particulate concentration parameter of a gas space within the respirator, and a second particulate concentration parameter of a gas space outside the respirator, wherein the sensing element is configured to sense fluid-soluble particulate matter when a liquid layer is disposed in a gap between at least two electrodes on at least a part of the surface of the sensing element, wherein a fluid ionizable particle partially dissolves or partially ionizes in the liquid layer resulting in a change in an electrical property between at least two electrodes of the sensing element, and wherein the sensor is attached to the respirator such that the weight of the sensor is supported by the respirator, either inside the respirator or mounted substantially on the exterior surface of the respirator; and
providing a reader configured to communicate with the sensor, wherein the reader is configured to provide a respirator fit parameter based on a comparison of the particulate concentration within the respirator to the particulate concentration parameter outside the respirator.