Respirator devices with source control mechanisms and associated systems and methods

Abstract

The present technology relates to respirator devices including source control features. In some embodiments, a source control mask device can include a shield that substantially covers the mouth and nose of a user and a mechanism that can actively extract air as it is exhaled by the user. The extracted exhaled air can then be sanitized before the mask device discharges it into the atmosphere. The mask device may selectively form a seal to the user's face dependent on air flow conditions.

1 . A respirator device, comprising:
 a mask section comprising a shield and defining a breathing chamber, wherein the mask section is configured to fit at least partially over a user's face with a gap spacing a periphery of the mask section apart from the user's face;   a source control mechanism in fluid communication with the breathing chamber and configured to sanitize air exiting from the breathing chamber to an external environment; and   a fan unit in fluid communication with the breathing chamber, wherein the fan unit is configured to maintain a negative pressure relative to the external environment within the breathing chamber to form a seal that prevents air from exiting the breathing chamber through the gap, and wherein the fan unit is configured to create an air flow path through the breathing chamber, the air flow path including (i) an air inflow entering the breathing chamber via the gap and (ii) an air outflow exiting the breathing chamber via the source control mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The respirator device of  claim 1  wherein the source control mechanism is configured to sanitize the air exiting the breathing chamber using one or more of the following: filters, fibers, ozone, electric discharge, electrostatic attraction, electrostatic precipitation, magnetic attraction, chemical inactivation, or temperature inactivation. 
     
     
         3 . The respirator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure level in the breathing chamber, wherein the fan unit is configured to adjust an air outflow rate based on the detected pressure level. 
     
     
         4 . The respirator device of  claim 1  wherein the source control mechanism is configured to sanitize the air exiting the breathing chamber by filtering droplets from the air exiting the breathing chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The respirator device of  claim 1  wherein the source control mechanism includes the fan unit. 
     
     
         6 . The respirator device of  claim 1  wherein the air outflow has a flow rate greater than an exhalation flow rate of the user during one or more of the following: breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing. 
     
     
         7 . The respirator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member coupled to the mask section at or near the gap, wherein the sealing member is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The respirator device of  claim 7  wherein the sealing member is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration when a pressure level in the breathing chamber increases above a threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The respirator device of  claim 8  wherein the sealing member is configured to remain in the closed configuration until the pressure level falls below the threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The respirator device of claim  7111  wherein the sealing member is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to one or more of the following: a detected cough, a predicted cough, a detected sneeze, or a predicted sneeze. 
     
     
         11 . A respirator device, comprising:
 a mask section comprising a shield and defining a breathing chamber, wherein the mask section is configured to fit at least partially over a user's face with a gap spacing a periphery of the mask section apart from the user's face, and wherein the device is configured to maintain a negative pressure within the breathing chamber such that air enters the breathing chamber via the gap; and   an outflow pathway for removing air from the breathing chamber, wherein the outflow pathway includes a source control mechanism configured to sanitize the air exiting from the breathing chamber via the outflow pathway.   
     
     
         12 . The respirator device of  claim 11  wherein the outflow pathway is distinct from the gap. 
     
     
         13 . The respirator device of  claim 11  wherein the source control mechanism is configured to sanitize the air exiting the breathing chamber using one or more of the following: filters, fibers, ozone, electric discharge, electrostatic attraction, electrostatic precipitation, magnetic attraction, chemical inactivation, or temperature inactivation. 
     
     
         14 . The respirator device of  claim 11 , further comprising a sealing member coupled to the mask section at or near the gap, wherein the sealing member is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The respirator device of  claim 14  wherein the sealing member is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration when a pressure level in the breathing chamber increases above a threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The respirator device of  claim 15  wherein the sealing member is configured to remain in the closed configuration until the pressure level falls below the threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The respirator device of  claim 14  wherein the sealing member is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to one or more of the following: a detected cough, a predicted cough, a detected sneeze, or a predicted sneeze. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a respirator device having a mask section defining a breathing chamber around a user's face, the method comprising:
 maintaining a negative pressure within the breathing chamber, wherein the breathing chamber is fluidly coupled to an environment external to the breathing chamber via a gap between the user's face and a periphery of the mask section, and wherein air enters the breathing chamber via the gap for user inhalation; and   withdrawing exhaled air from the breathing chamber, wherein withdrawing the exhaled air from the breathing chamber includes sanitizing the exhaled air before releasing the exhaled air into the external environment.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein withdrawing the exhaled air includes withdrawing the exhaled air through an outflow pathway distinct from the gap, the outflow pathway including a source control mechanism configured to sanitize the exhaled air. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein sanitizing the exhaled air includes sanitizing the exhaled air using one or more of the following: filters, fibers, ozone, electric discharge, electrostatic attraction, electrostatic precipitation, magnetic attraction, chemical inactivation, or temperature inactivation.