WO2022064311A1

WO2022064311A1 - Device, system and method for monitoring respirator

Info

Publication number: WO2022064311A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan B. Arthur; Karl BATTLE; Nathan E. Smith; Thaine W. FULLER; Caroline M. Ylitalo; Richard C. Webb
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2020-09-28
Filing date: 2021-09-09
Publication date: 2022-03-31

Abstract

A device and a system for monitoring usage of a respirator, and a method of monitoring the respirator are disclosed. The device includes one or more sensors and a computing unit. The one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator. The computing unit is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors. The computing unit includes a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor. The first memory includes at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to an external computing device during the use of the respirator.

Description

DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING RESPIRATOR

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a device and a system for monitoring usage of a respirator, and a method of monitoring the respirator.

Background

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, are widely used for respiratory protection by users. In some applications, the users may wear the respirators for several hours a day. One of the goals for the respirators is to provide effective sealing. A good fit may help to achieve effective sealing. A poor sealing and/or a poor fit of the respirators may hamper an effectiveness of the respirators resulting in leakage and a possibility of contaminant inhalation. Thus, a good fit of the respirator is important to make sure the user is well protected against harmful gases, aerosols, and particulates.

Conventionally, a user goes through a fit training and a fit testing with a training expert to become competent in proper usage of the respirator. After the completion of the training, the users have to ensure proper usage of the respirators on their own. In some cases, the users may have to try different types and sizes of the respirators to ensure effective sealing and a good fit. However, in some situations, the users may not be able to judge whether a particular type and/or size of the respirators provide effective sealing. Moreover, the users may not wear the respirators as intended, which may cause ineffective sealing.

Summary

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a device for monitoring usage of a respirator. The device includes one or more sensors and a computing unit. The one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator. The computing unit is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors. The computing unit includes a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor. The first memory includes at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to an external computing device during the use of the respirator.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a respirator including the device of the first aspect. The respirator includes a facemask disposed on a face of a user. The device is detachably coupled to the facemask. In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for monitoring usage of a respirator associated with a user. The system includes a device disposed on the respirator and an external computing device spaced apart from the device. The device includes one or more sensors and a computing unit. The one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator. The computing unit is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors. The computing unit includes a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor. The external computing device includes a second processor, a second memory communicably coupled to the second processor, and a second communication module communicably coupled to the second processor. The first memory includes at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to the second communication module during the use of the respirator. The second memory stores the sensor data transmitted by the first communication module. The second processor analyzes the sensor data stored in the second memory to determine a condition of the respirator.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of monitoring a respirator associated with a user. The method includes providing one or more sensors associated with the respirator. The method further includes generating sensor data during use of the respirator by the one or more sensors. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator. The method further includes transmitting the sensor data to an external computing device during the use of the respirator. The method further includes storing the sensor data transmitted to the external computing device. The method further includes analyzing the sensor data stored in the external computing device. The method further includes determining a condition of the respirator based on the analyzed sensor data. The method further includes transmitting an alert based on the condition of the respirator to the user.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for monitoring usage of a respirator, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device for monitoring usage of the respirator;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a user and the respirator during use of the respirator;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic rear view of the respirator including the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 A shows a schematic front view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B shows a schematic exploded view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective front view of an enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B shows a perspective rear view of the enclosure of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a computing unit, an external computing device, and a user computing device;

FIGS. 8A-8E are exemplary graphs depicting various parameters associated with the respirator;

FIG. 9 shows a user computing device displaying one of the exemplary graphs of FIGS. 8A-8E; and

FIG. 10 is flowchart for a method of monitoring a respirator associated with a user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) are commonly worn by people who work in areas where air may be contaminated with toxic substances, such as, airborne particulates, gases, and vapors. A type of PPE used in a particular environment depends on an amount of the toxic substances and type of protection required by a user. One such type of PPE is respirators. The respirators may serve to protect the user from breathing in contaminants in the air, thus preserving the health of the user. The respirators may be of two main types. A first type of the respirator functions by filtering out chemicals and gases, or airborne particles, from the air breathed by the user. Some examples of the first type of the respirators are gas masks and particulate respirators (such as, N95 masks, N96 masks, N97 masks, N98 masks, and N99 masks, etc.). A second type of the respirator protects users by providing clean and respirable air from another source, such as an air tank. Some examples of the second type of the respirators are airline respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In hazardous work environments, the respirators may be relied upon, when adequate ventilation is not available or other engineering control systems are not feasible or inadequate. Therefore, a good fit of the respirator ensuring effective sealing is important to protect the user against harmful gases, aerosols, and particulates. In some cases, the users may not be able to judge whether a particular type and/or size of the respirator provides effective sealing. In some cases, the users may not wear the respirators as intended, which may cause ineffective sealing.

The present disclosure provides a device, a system, and a method for monitoring usage of a respirator.

The system disclosed herein includes the device disposed on the respirator and an external computing device spaced apart from the device. The device includes one or more sensors and a computing unit. The one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator. The computing unit is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors. The computing unit includes a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor. The external computing device includes a second processor, a second memory communicably coupled to the second processor, and a second communication module communicably coupled to the second processor. The first memory includes at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to the second communication module during the use of the respirator. The second memory stores the sensor data transmitted by the first communication module. The second processor analyzes the sensor data stored in the second memory to determine a condition of the respirator.

The device, the system and the method of the present disclosure allow monitoring usage of the respirator in a hazardous work environment. Specifically, the device, the system and the method of the present disclosure allow monitoring usage of the respirator for determining the condition of the respirator and transmitting an alert based on the condition of the respirator. The alert may warn the user of the condition of the respirator. The condition of the respirator may include a fit of the respirator on a face of the user, or a condition of filters of the respirator. The user may receive the alert based on the condition of the respirator in a hand-held, portable, and/or compact device easily accessible by the user during the use of the respirator in the work environment. In some cases, the alert may further include instructions for the user. The instructions may provide guidance to the user for responding to the condition of the respirator. In some examples, the alert may include instructions for proper fit of the respirator. In some other examples, the alert may include instructions for the user to replace one or more components, such as the filters of the respirator. In some examples, the alert may include instructions for the user to leave the work environment. In some examples, the alert may warn safety personnel, located in the work environment, about the condition of the respirator. In such cases, the instructions may provide the safety personnel personal details of the user of the respirator. In some examples, the instructions may provide location of the user of the respirator.

The device, the system, and the method may ensure a proper fit of the respirator on the face of the user. The device, the system and the method may further enable analysis of the sensor data for future purposes.

Referring now to figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for monitoring usage of a respirator 102 associated with a user 104 (shown in FIG. 3). The system 100 includes a device 200, an external computing device 300, and a user computing device 400.

The device 200, the external computing device 300, and the user computing device 400 are connected to a network 108. The network 108 may transmit computer program instructions, data structures, program modules or other data over a wired or wireless substance by propagating a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, over the wired or wireless substance. The term “modulated data signal”, as used herein, means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal, thereby changing the configuration or state of the receiving device of the signal. The network 108 may be a computer network, a cloud-based network, a wireless network, a wired network, and/or any other network that may communicably couple the device 200, the external computing device 300, and the user computing device 400. In some other embodiments, the network 108 may be a cellular network. The cellular network may be one or more of global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), 3G, evolution- Data Optimized (EVDO), long-Term Evolution (LTE), 4G, 5G, mesh, or any other network. In some embodiments, the network 108 may also include a communication device(s) such as a computer or any other device similar to the computer through which a device communicates with other devices over a communication medium, such as the network 108. In some other embodiments, the network 108 may further include a network interface or a radio transmitter. The network interface may be a software or hardware between two of the devices, or between two protocol layers in the network 108.

In some embodiments, the device 200, the external computing device 300, and the user computing device 400 may include inlet and outlet ports to connect the device 200, the external computing device 300, and the user computing device 400 to the network 108.

The external computing device 300 is spaced apart from the device 200. In some embodiments, the external computing device 300 may include personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, workstations, or the like.

In some embodiments, the user computing device 400 is associated with the user 104. The user computing device 400 may be a hand-held, portable, and/or compact device easily accessible by the user 104 during the use of the respirator 102 in a hazardous work environment. The user computing device 400 may include a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a smartphone, digital monitors, laptops, or the like. In some other embodiments, the user computing device 400 may be associated with safety personnel of the work environment.

The device 200 is disposed on the respirator 102. The device 200 includes one or more sensors 202. The device 200 further includes a computing unit 208 communicably coupled to the one or more sensors 202. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 may be fixedly coupled to the device 200. For example, the one or more sensors 202 may be permanently embedded in the device 200. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 may be detachably coupled to the device 200. In such embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 may be disposable. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the computing unit 208 is communicably coupled to the one or more sensors 202 via a communication link 205. In some embodiments, the communication link 205 may be a physical or a virtual communication channel between the computing unit 208 and the one or more sensors 202.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 of the device 200 include one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. However, the one or more sensors 202 can include any other type of sensor for detecting a desired parameter. The one or more sensors 202 generate sensor data during use of the respirator 102. The device 200, the external computing device 300, and the user computing device 400 may transmit and/or receive the sensor data in form of data packets to communicate therebetween through the network 108.

The device 200 is further illustrated in FIG. 2, and explained in detail below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the device 200 includes the one or more sensors 202, the computing unit 208 and a power source 210.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 include at least one internal sensor 204 disposed within the respirator 102 (shown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 may include only one internal sensor 204 disposed within the respirator 102. In such embodiments, the one internal sensor 204 may include a pressure sensor.

In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 may be attached to the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 202 further include at least one external sensor 206 disposed outside the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 and the at least one external sensor 206 may be attached to the device 200. In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the at least one external sensor 206 includes one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 includes the gyroscope, while the at least one external sensor 206 includes the accelerometer. In some other embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 includes the accelerometer, while the at least one external sensor 206 includes the gyroscope. The types of the at least one internal sensor 204 and the at least one external sensor 206, as described above, are exemplary and the at least one internal sensor 204 and the at least one external sensor 206 can include any other type of sensor for detecting a desired parameter.

The at least one internal sensor 204 may generate one or more of internal temperature data, internal pressure data, internal humidity data, internal light intensity data, location data, and motion data. The at least one external sensor 206 may generate one or more of external temperature data, external pressure data, external humidity data, external light intensity data, location data, and motion data. In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 and the at least one external sensor 206 may be a standard altitude sensor or a barometric pressure sensor. The one or more sensors 202 generate the sensor data during use of the respirator 102. The sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator 102. For example, the parameters may include temperature, pressure, humidity, and/or light intensity associated with the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the parameters may further include location, acceleration, and/ or specific radio identifiers or MAC address of the device 200 disposed on the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the sensor data, indicative of the one or more parameters, is analyzed to allow calibration of the device 200. For example, the one or more parameters, such as the location of the respirator 102, may further allow look-up of various weather and atmospheric data of the location to enhance calibration of the device 200 for the location.

The power source 210 is electrically connected to the one or more sensors 202 and the computing unit 208. In some embodiments, the power source 210 may include electrochemical cells, coin cells, batteries, battery packs, portable power stations or portable power supplies, or the like. In some embodiments, the power source 210 may include replaceable or rechargeable batteries. In some embodiments, the power source 210 may be an external power source, such as a plug-in power source or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the user 104 and the respirator 102 during the use of the respirator 102. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic rear view of the respirator 102 including the device 200.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the device 200 is disposed on the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the device 200 is detachably coupled to the respirator 102. In such embodiments, the respirator 102 may be a disposable respirator. In some other embodiments, the device 200 may be fixedly coupled or glued to the respirator 102. The respirator 102 further includes a facemask 106 disposed on a face of the user 104. In some embodiments, the device 200 may be detachably coupled to the facemask 106. In some other embodiments, the device 200 may be fixedly coupled or glued to the facemask 106.

The facemask 106 includes a nose portion 140 extending from an upper portion of a body portion 142. The body portion 142 is shaped to conform generally to the shape of the face of the user 104, and is at least partially convex in shape. The body and nose portions 140, 142 may be large enough so that the facemask 106 may be positioned at a comfortable distance from the face of the user 104 during the use of the respirator 102, but may be small enough to provide a secure fit between the facemask 106 and the face of the user 104. The size and shape of the nose and body portions 140, 142 may vary widely, depending on the particular aesthetic and functional requirements of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the facemask 106 may further include a harness 110 for securing the facemask 106 to head of the user 104. In some embodiments, the harness 110 may include fabric sleeves. In some other embodiments, the facemask 106 may further include any other mechanism for securing the facemask 106 with the head of the user 104. The facemask 106 may be made of any of a variety of materials, including flexible materials, such as silicone, rubber, or thermoplastic elastomers. In some embodiments, the facemask 106 may be made of materials with various flexibilities appropriate for facemask 106.

In this embodiment, the facemask 106 has multiple openings/ports for the inlet and outlet of air. Specifically, the facemask 106 has two openings/ports 240 to which air inlet assemblies 242 are fitted or secured for inlet of the air, and one opening/port 244 to which an exhalation valve assembly 246 is fitted or secured for the outlet of the air. The air inlet assemblies 242 includes the one or more filters for the filtration of the air entering the respirator 102. However, in some other embodiments, the air inlet assemblies 242 may further include chemical cartridges, air lines, particulate filters, or other various components. The air inlet assemblies 242 may also include a combination of several components to achieve specific qualities of the air entering breathing space of the user 104.

As illustrated, the air inlet assemblies 242 are positioned on opposite sides or ends of the facemask 106 and are positioned low on the facemask 106 so as to not obstruct the view of the user 104 wearing the respirator 102. However, in some embodiments, the facemask 106 may have a single opening/port substantially similar to one of the openings/ports 240. The single opening/port is fitted or secured to a single air inlet assembly substantially similar to one of the air inlet assemblies 242 for inlet of the air. In some embodiments, the opening 244 to which the exhalation valve assembly 246 is fitted or secured is located in a central area of the facemask 106 so that the opening 244 is generally in front of the mouth or breathing zone of the user 104. In some embodiments, the opening 244 may be located at a bottom of the facemask 106 near a chin of the user 104. Each of the openings/ports 240, 244 may extend into an interior area 248 of the facemask 106. Each of the openings 240, 244 may be designed to receive a mating fitting (not shown) of one of the air inlet assemblies 242 to allow for a secure attachment of the air inlet assemblies 242 to the facemask 106. The design may allow easy detachment of the air inlet assemblies 242 from the facemask 106 when desired. However, it is understood that any of a number of alternate configurations may be used to secure the air inlet assemblies 242 to the facemask 106 where the air inlet assemblies 242 may be removable and replaceable, or may be permanently secured.

In this embodiment, the facemask 106 is a half face mask. In some other embodiments, the facemask 106 may be a full-face mask. In some embodiments, the facemask 106 may be a conventional facemask with a headgear, headgear clips, a cushion, a frame structure, and an elbow. The headgear may be worn on the face of the user 104 using the headgear clips and connected to an air supply tank by a supply line and the elbow.

In some embodiments, a power cable 220 may provide power to the one or more sensors 202. The power cable 220 may be electrically connected to the external power source (not shown). In some other embodiments, the device 200 may be powered without the power cable 220, for example via the power source 210 (shown in FIG. 2).

The device 200 includes the at least one internal sensor 204 disposed within of the respirator 102. The device 200 further includes the at least one external sensor 206 disposed outside of the respirator 102. Specifically, the at least one internal sensor 204 is disposed in the interior area 248 of the facemask 106. Further, the at least one external sensor 206 is disposed outside the interior area 248 of the facemask 106.

FIG. 5A is a schematic front view of the device 200. FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the device 200.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the device 200 further includes a housing 222 at least partially receiving the computing unit 208 therein. The housing 222 further includes an enclosure 224 and a cover 226. In some embodiments, the power source 210 (shown in FIG. 2) may be disposed within the housing 222. In some embodiments, the power source 210 may not be disposed within the housing 222 and may be disposed externally, for example, on the waist of the user 104. In some embodiments, the housing 222 may be fabricated by 3-D printing, additive manufacturing, layer manufacturing, rapid manufacturing, or stereolithography (SLA). FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate different schematic views of the enclosure 224.

Referring to the FIGS. 3, 4, 5A-5B and 6A-6B, the housing 222 is detachably coupled to the respirator 102. In some other embodiments, the housing 222 may be fixedly coupled to the respirator 102. The cover 226 is attached to the enclosure 224. The cover 226 may be attached to the enclosure 224 by any suitable attachment mechanism, for example, a snap-fit mechanism. The cover 226 includes a first surface 228 facing the enclosure 224 and a second surface 230 opposing the first surface 228. In some embodiments, the at least one internal sensor 204 may be attached to the second surface 230 of the cover 226. In some embodiments, the cover 226 includes a through-hole 231 that allows connection of the at least one internal sensor 204 attached to the second surface 230 of the cover 226 with other components of the device 200. Specifically, the through-hole 231 may allow passage of wires or cables for connecting the at least one internal sensor 204 to connect with one or more of the power source 210 and the computing unit 208. In this embodiment, the through-hole 231 has a circular shape. However, in some other embodiments, the through-hole 231 may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, an oval shape, an elliptical shape, or any other shape based on application requirement.

In some embodiments, the cover 226 may be a sheet with a thickness of at least 5 millimeters (mm), at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, or at least 20 mm. The cover 226 is placed on the enclosure 224 such that the cover 226 may envelope the computing unit 208 inside the enclosure 224. In this embodiment, the cover 226 has a substantially triangular shape with curved portions at vertices of the cover 226. However, in some other embodiments, the cover 226 may have a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or any other shape suitable for covering the enclosure 224 and enclosing the computing unit 208 therein.

In some embodiments, the enclosure 224 further includes a receptacle 232 disposed outside the respirator 102. Specifically, the receptacle 232 is disposed on an outer surface 218 of the enclosure 224. In some embodiments, the receptacle 232 may at least partially receive the power source 210 therein. In some other embodiments, the receptacle 232 may completely receive the power source 210 therein. The power source 210 may be easily removed and/or replaced from a first side RS of the enclosure 224. In this embodiment, the receptacle 232 is open from the first side RS of the enclosure 224. In some embodiments, the receptacle 232 may be open from a second side LS opposite to the first side RS of the enclosure 224. In some embodiments, the receptacle 232 may further include a holder to hold the power source 210. The holder may be a clip holder, such as a coin cell holder, battery clip holder, or the like, for the power source 210. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B, the receptacle 232 is substantially Y-shaped. In some other embodiments, the receptacle 232 may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or any other shape suitable for receiving the power source 210.

In some embodiments, the enclosure 224 further includes an opening 234. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 234 is disposed on a top side TS of the enclosure 224. The enclosure 224 further includes another opening 236 disposed on the second side LS of the enclosure 224. In some embodiments, the power cable 220 passes through the opening 234. In some embodiments, the power cable 220 passes through the opening 236. In some other embodiments, the openings 234, 236 may facilitate passage of other wires or cables to communicably couple the computing unit 208 and the at least one internal sensor 204. In this embodiment, the openings 234, 236 have a substantial rectangular shape. In some other embodiments, the openings 234, 236 may have a triangular shape, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or any other shape based on application requirement. In some embodiments, the openings 234, 236 may have different shapes.

In some embodiments, the enclosure 224 also includes a groove 238. The groove 238 may secure the computing unit 208 in the enclosure 224. In some other embodiments, the enclosure 224 may include any other attachment mechanism to secure the computing unit 208 in the enclosure 224.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the computing unit 208, the external computing device 300 and the user computing device 400.

The computing unit 208 of the device 200 includes a first processor 212, a first memory 214 communicably coupled to the first processor 212, and a first communication module 216 communicably coupled to the first processor 212. In some embodiments, the first communication module 216 includes at least one of a Bluetooth module, a Wi-Fi Radio, a 5G Radio, or any other radio network unit. In some embodiments, the computing unit 208 may communicate with the external computing device 300. The communication with the external computing device 300 may be wireless or remotely operated using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G radio or any other radio network unit, such as the network 108 (shown in FIG. 1).

The external computing device 300 includes a second processor 312, a second memory 314 communicably coupled to the second processor 312, and a second communication module 316 communicably coupled to the second processor 312. In some embodiments, the second communication module 316 includes at least one of a Bluetooth module, a Wi-Fi Radio, a 5G Radio, or any other radio network unit.

The first memory 214 includes at least a first instruction 219 that, when executed by the first processor 212, causes the first communication module 216 to transmit sensor data 260 to the external computing device 300 during the use of the respirator 102 (shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, the first instruction 219, when executed by the first processor 212, causes the first communication module 216 to transmit the sensor data 260 to the second communication module 316 during the use of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the first communication module 216 may transmit the sensor data 260 to the second communication module 316 in realtime. In some other embodiments, the first communication module 216 may transmit the sensor data 260 to the second communication module 316 periodically in time intervals during the use of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the time interval may be less than about 5 seconds, about 10 seconds, about 20 seconds, about 30 seconds, about 40 seconds, about 50 seconds, or about 60 seconds. The second memory 314 stores the sensor data 260 transmitted by the first communication module 216. In some embodiments, the second memory 314 stores the sensor data 260 transmitted by the first communication module 216 in real-time. In some embodiments, the sensor data 260 may be stored in the second memory 314 for future analysis.

The user computing device 400 is configured to include one or more electronic components 402 for outputting communication to the user, such as speakers, vibration devices, Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), buzzers or other devices for outputting alerts, audio or visual messages, sounds, indicators, and the like. In some examples, the output may be repeatedly provided after fixed intervals. The user computing device 400 may further include a user interface 404 configured to receive user input from a user, for example, the user 104 shown in FIG. 3. The user interface 404 may be communicably coupled with the one or more electronic components 402. The user input may be tactile, audio, kinetic, and/or optical input, to name only a few examples. The user interface 404 of the user computing device 400 may include a mouse, keyboard, voice responsive system, video camera, buttons, control pad, microphone, or any other type of device for detecting input from a user. In some examples, the user interface 404 may be a pressure-sensitive input component, which may include a pressure-sensitive screen, touch-sensitive screen, or the like.

In some embodiments, the user interface 404 may also be used to control other features of the user computing device 400. In some other embodiments, the user computing device 400 may include any other input device (for example, touch input on a touch-enabled device) through which the user may provide the user input.

In some embodiments, the user may provide voice commands to the user computing device 400. The voice commands provided by the user may be processed by a voice command component that may perform natural language processing or other recognition techniques on audible sounds received from the user. Based on the processing of the audible sounds, the voice command component may perform one or more operations. For instance, the voice command component may send a message to one or more devices, change the operation of one or more devices, or send the audible sounds to one or more other devices, to name only a few example operations that may be performed by the voice command component in response to receiving the user input.

In some other embodiments, the user interface 404 may be configured for outputting communication to the user. In some examples, the user interface 404 may provide one or more of data, tactile, audio, and video output. Output components of the user interface 404, in some examples, may include a pressure-sensitive screen, sound card, video graphics adapter card, speaker, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type of device for generating output to a human or machine. The output components may further include display components, such as cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), LED or any other type of device for generating tactile, audio, and/or visual output.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7, the second processor 312 analyzes the sensor data 260 stored in the second memory 314 to determine a condition of the respirator 102. In other words, an analyzed sensor data may determine the condition of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 includes one or more of a fit of the respirator 102 on the face of the user 104 (shown in FIG. 3), a condition of the one or more filters of the respirator 102, and removal or donning of the respirator 102 in an ambient environment, such as the work environment.

In some embodiments, the second processor 312 analyzes the sensor data 260 from the at least one internal sensor 204 disposed within the respirator 102 and the corresponding at least one external sensor 206 disposed outside the respirator 102 to determine the condition of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the second processor 312 analyzes the sensor data 260 to calculate a difference between the sensor data 260 from the at least one internal sensor 204 disposed within the respirator 102 and the corresponding at least one external sensor 206 disposed outside the respirator 102 to determine the condition of the respirator 102. The at least one internal sensor 204 and the corresponding at least one external sensor 206 may include a pair of pressure sensors, a pair of temperature sensors, a pair of humidity sensors, a pair of light sensors, and so forth. In such embodiments, the analyzed sensor data may include a pressure difference between the internal pressure data and the external pressure data, a temperature difference between the internal temperature data and the external temperature data, a humidity difference between the internal humidity data and the external humidity data, and a light intensity difference between the internal light intensity data and the external light intensity data. Comparison between the data from the at least one internal sensor 206 and the data from the corresponding at least one external sensor 206 may indicate various parameters associated with the user 104 and the respirator 102.

In some embodiments, the analyzed sensor data (for example, the pressure difference, the temperature difference, the humidity difference, and the light intensity difference, or combinations thereof) may help to determine the fit of the respirator 102 on the face of the user 104. For example, the light intensity difference may indicate removal or donning of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the sensor data 260, such as one of more of the internal temperature data, the external temperature data, the internal pressure data, the external pressure data, the internal humidity data, the external humidity data, the internal light intensity data, and the external light intensity data, may be calibrated for various weather and atmospheric data with the help of the location data.

In some embodiments, the external computing device 300 generates an alert 360 based on the condition of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the second communication module 316 transmits the alert 360 to the user computing device 400. In some embodiments, the alert 360 includes at least one of an audible indication, a visual indication, and a tactile indication. In some embodiments, the alert 360 may provide output via at least one of the one or more electronic components 402 and the user interface 404 of the user computing device 400. In some embodiments, the audible indication may include an alarm, a load sound, a pre-recorded message, etc. The visual indication may include a blinking LED, a display message, etc. The display message may show temperature data, pressure data, humidity data, and/or light intensity data, inside and outside of the respirator 102. The display message may further show rate of breathing of the user 104. In some embodiments, the display message may further include the location data, the motion data, and/or the specific radio identifiers or Media Access Control (MAC) address of the device 200 disposed on the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the visual indication may be provided by selectively illuminating a number of LEDs, different types of LEDs, different colors of LEDs. In some embodiments, the different colors of LEDs may be used to indicate the different conditions of the respirator 102 during the use of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the visual indication may be provided by a heads-up display (HUD) to indicate the alert 360. In some embodiments, the heads-up display (HUD) may display any other warning messages or any necessary information. Further, the tactile indication may include vibration of the user computing device 400 or any other haptic feedback. In some cases, the tactile indication may include other ways to alert blind or visually impaired users. In some embodiments, the alert 360 further includes one or more instructions for the user 104 based on the condition of the respirator 102. The instructions may provide guidance to the user 104 for responding to the condition of the respirator 102. In some examples, the alert 360 may include instructions for enabling a proper fit of the respirator 102. In some other examples, the alert 360 may include instructions for the user 104 to replace one or more components, such as the one or more filters of the respirator 102. In some examples, the alert 360 may include instructions for the user 104 to leave the work environment. In some embodiments, the user computing device 400 may be associated with the safety personnel associated with the work environment. The instructions may provide the safety personnel with personal details of the user 104 of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the instructions may provide the location data of the user 104 of the respirator 102 to the safety personnel.

FIGS. 8A-8E are exemplary graphs depicting various parameters associated with the respirator 102 (shown in FIG. 3). The exemplary graphs depict parameters, but are not limited to, pressure, temperature, humidity, and light intensity.

FIG. 8A shows an exemplary graph 800. The graph 800 is between the pressure difference on an axis of ordinates and time on an axis of abscissas. The graph 800 includes a pressure curve 802 representing the pressure difference. The graph 800 further includes a pressure threshold 804. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based the pressure difference exceeding the pressure threshold 804.

FIG. 8B shows an exemplary graph 810. The graph 810 is between the temperature difference on an axis of ordinates and the time on an axis of abscissas. The graph 810 includes a temperature curve 812 representing the temperature difference. The graph 810 further includes a temperature threshold 814. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based the temperature difference exceeding the temperature threshold 814.

FIG. 8C shows an exemplary graph 820. The graph 820 is between the humidity difference on an axis of ordinates and time on an axis of abscissas. The graph 820 includes a humidity curve 822 representing the humidity difference. The graph 820 further includes a humidity threshold 824. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based the humidity difference exceeding the humidity threshold 824.

FIG. 8D shows an exemplary graph 830. The graph 830 is between the light intensity difference on an axis of ordinates and time on an axis of abscissas. The graph 830 includes a light intensity curve 832 representing the light intensity difference. The graph 830 further includes a light intensity threshold 834. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based the light intensity difference exceeding the light intensity threshold 834.

In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based on one or more of the pressure difference, the temperature difference, the humidity difference, and the light intensity difference exceeding the pressure threshold 804, the temperature threshold 814, the humidity threshold 824, and the light intensity threshold 834, respectively.

In some embodiments, the sensor data 260 may be analyzed to generate other analyzed data. In some embodiments, the other analyzed data may include one or more of a rate of breathing, a breathing pattern, a number of days remaining to replace one or more components of the respirator 102 (for example, the one or more filters of the respirator 102), an amount of air remaining in the air tank (not shown) associated with the respirator 102.

FIG. 8E shows an exemplary graph 840. The graph 840 includes an other analyzed data curve 842 representing the other analyzed data. The graph 840 further includes a threshold 844. In some embodiments, the condition of the respirator 102 may be determined based the other analyzed data exceeding the threshold 844.

In some embodiments, the second processor 312 (shown in FIG. 7) compares the sensor data 260 with historic data to determine the condition of the respirator 102 during the use of the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the pressure threshold 804, the temperature threshold 814, the humidity threshold 824, the light intensity threshold 834, and the threshold 844 may be determined based on the historic data. In some embodiments, the historic data may be the sensor data 260 corresponding to the device 200. In some embodiments, the historic data may be sensor data corresponding to a plurality of devices in the work environment. In some embodiments, the historic data may be sensor data corresponding to a plurality of devices similar to the device 200, stored in the second memory 314.

In some embodiments, the sensor data 260 may further be transmitted to the user computing device 400. In some embodiments, the analyzed sensor data and the other analyzed data are also transmitted to the user computing device 400.

FIG. 9 illustrates the user computing device 400 displaying a graph 900 on the user interface 404 (shown in FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the graph 900 may be one of the exemplary graphs 800, 810, 820, 830, 840 described above with reference to FIGS. 8A-8E. In some embodiments, the user computing device 400 may include a software. In some embodiments, the software may be an application software, a presentation software, etc. which may facilitate monitoring the usage of the respirator 102.

In some embodiments, the graph 900 displays the sensor data 260 (shown in FIG. 7) or the analyzed data in real-time. In some embodiments, the user 104 may monitor the sensor data 260 and the analyzed data using the user computing device 400. In some embodiments, the safety personnel may monitor the sensor data 260 and the analyzed data using the user computing device 400.

In some embodiments, the user computing device 400 may further display a battery level of the power source 210, the location data, and the motion data.

In some embodiments, the user computing device 400 may be communicably coupled to a casting/mirroring device which allows the user 104 to the duplicate displayed information on the user interface 404 on a larger display device (not shown). FIG. 10 is a flow chart for a method 1000 of monitoring a respirator associated with a user.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the present disclosure includes the method 1000 of monitoring the respirator 102 associated with the user 104.

At Step 1002, the method 1000 includes providing the one or more sensors 202 associated with the respirator 102. In some embodiments, providing the one or more sensors 202 further includes providing the at least one internal sensor 204 disposed within the respirator 102. In some embodiments, providing the one or more sensors 202 further includes providing the at least one external sensor 206 disposed outside the respirator 102.

At Step 1004, the method 1000 further includes generating the sensor data 260 during use of the respirator 102 by the one or more sensors 202. The sensor data 260 is indicative of the one or more parameters associated with the respirator 102. In some embodiments, the sensor data 260 includes at least one of the pressure data, the motion data, the humidity data, the light intensity data, the location data, and the temperature data of the respirator 102.

At Step 1006, the method 1000 further includes transmitting the sensor data 260 to the external computing device 300 during the use of the respirator 102.

At Step 1008, the method 1000 further includes storing the sensor data 260 transmitted to the external computing device 300.

At Step 1010, the method 1000 further includes analyzing the sensor data 260 stored in the external computing device 300. In some embodiments, analyzing the sensor data 260 stored in the external computing device 300 further includes comparing the stored sensor data with the historic data.

At Step 1012, the method 1000 further includes determining the condition of the respirator 102 based on the analyzed sensor data of Step 1010.

At Step 1014, the method 1000 further includes transmitting the alert 360 based on the condition of the respirator 102 to the user 104. In some embodiments, the alert 360 includes at least one of the audible indication, the visual indication, and the tactile indication.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 further includes generating periodic reports based on the sensor data 260 obtained from the one or more sensors 202.

In some embodiments, the method 1000 further includes providing the one or more instructions to the user 104 based on the condition of the respirator 102.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 7, 10, the device 200, the system 100 and the method 1000 of the present disclosure allow monitoring usage of the respirator 102 in the hazardous work environment. Specifically, the device 200, the system 100 and the method 1000 of the present disclosure allow monitoring usage of the respirator 102 for determining the condition of the respirator 102 and transmitting the alert 360 based on the conditions of the respirator 102. The alert 360 may warn the user 104 about the condition of the respirator 102. The condition of the respirator 102 may include the fit of the respirator 102 on the face of the user 104, or the condition of one or more filters of the respirator 102. The user 104 may receive the alert 360 based on the condition of the respirator 102 in the user computing device 400.

In this manner, the device 200, the system 100, and the method 1000 may ensure a proper fit of the respirator 102 on the face of the user 104. The device 200, the system 100 and the method 1000 may further enable analysis of the sensor data for future purposes. The proper fit may help the user 104 to achieve effective sealing. The effective sealing may ensure there is no leakage and contaminant inhalation by the user 104. Thus, the user 104 is well protected against harmful gases, aerosols, and particulates in the work environment.

In the present detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, “proximate,” “distal,” “lower,” “upper,” “beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on top,” if used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over or flipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements would then be above or on top of those other elements.

As used herein, when an element, component, or layer for example is described as forming a “coincident interface” with, or being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled with,” “stacked on” or “in contact with” another element, component, or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled with, directly stacked on, in direct contact with, or intervening elements, components or layers may be on, connected, coupled or in contact with the particular element, component, or layer, for example. When an element, component, or layer for example is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled with,” or “directly in contact with” another element, there are no intervening elements, components or layers for example. The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of computer devices, such as servers, laptop computers, desktop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, hand-held computers, smart phones, and the like. Any components, modules or units have been described to emphasize functional aspects and do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. The techniques described herein may also be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Any features described as modules, units or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. In some cases, various features may be implemented as an integrated circuit device, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset. Additionally, although a number of distinct modules have been described throughout this description, many of which perform unique functions, all the functions of all of the modules may be combined into a single module, or even split into further additional modules. The modules described herein are only exemplary and have been described as such for better ease of understanding.

If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed in a processor, performs one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable medium may comprise a tangible computer-readable storage medium and may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials. The computer-readable storage medium may comprise random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like. The computer-readable storage medium may also comprise a non-volatile storage device, such as a hard-disk, magnetic tape, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disk, holographic data storage media, or other non-volatile storage device.

The term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated software modules or hardware modules configured for performing the techniques of this disclosure. Even if implemented in software, the techniques may use hardware such as a processor to execute the software, and a memory to store the software. In any such cases, the computers described herein may define a specific machine that is capable of executing the specific functions described herein. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements, which could also be considered a processor.

In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media, or communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer- readable storage media, which is non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for implementation of the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer program product may include a computer-readable medium.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. It should be understood, however, that computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but are instead directed to non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk and disc, as used, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor”, as used may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described may be provided within dedicated hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.

The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.

It is to be recognized that depending on the example, certain acts or events of any of the methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain examples, acts or events may be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi -threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors, rather than sequentially.

In some examples, a computer-readable storage medium includes a non-transitory medium. The term “non-transitory” indicates, in some examples, that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium stores data that can, over time, change (e.g., in RAM or cache).

Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring usage of a respirator, the device comprising: one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator, wherein the sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator; and a computing unit communicably coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the computing unit comprises a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor; wherein the first memory comprises at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to an external computing device during the use of the respirator.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one internal sensor disposed within the respirator.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one external sensor disposed outside the respirator.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one internal sensor comprises one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one external sensor comprises one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a housing at least partially receiving the computing unit therein.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the housing is detachably coupled to the respirator.

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8. The device of claim 6, wherein the housing further comprises an enclosure and a cover attached to the enclosure, wherein the cover comprises a first surface facing the enclosure and a second surface opposing the first surface.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one internal sensor is attached to the second surface of the cover.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the one or more sensors and the computing unit, wherein the enclosure further comprises a receptacle disposed outside the respirator, the receptacle at least partially receiving the power source therein.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first communication module comprises at least one of a Bluetooth module, a Wi-Fi Radio, a 5G Radio, or any other radio network unit.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is detachably coupled to the respirator.

13. A respirator comprising the device of claim 1, the respirator comprising a facemask disposed on a face of a user, and wherein the device is detachably coupled to the facemask.

14. A system for monitoring usage of a respirator associated with a user, the system comprising: a device disposed on the respirator, the device comprising: one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors generate sensor data during use of the respirator, wherein the sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator; and a computing unit communicably coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the computing unit comprises a first processor, a first memory communicably coupled to the first processor, and a first communication module communicably coupled to the first processor; and an external computing device spaced apart from the device, wherein the external computing device comprises a second processor, a second memory communicably coupled to the second processor, and a second communication module communicably coupled to the second processor; wherein the first memory comprises at least a first instruction that, when executed by the first processor, causes the first communication module to transmit the sensor data to the second communication module during the use of the respirator, wherein the second memory stores the sensor data transmitted by the first communication module, and wherein the second processor analyzes the sensor data stored in the second memory to determine a condition of the respirator.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one internal sensor disposed within the respirator.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one external sensor disposed outside the respirator.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one internal sensor comprises one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one external sensor comprises one or more of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a chemical sensor, an electric sensor, a position sensor, an environmental condition sensor, a radiation sensor, an optical sensor, a humidity sensor, a light intensity sensor, a gyroscope, and an accelerometer.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the device further comprises a housing at least partially receiving the computing unit therein.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing is detachably attached to the respirator.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the housing further comprises an enclosure and a cover attached to the enclosure, wherein the cover comprises a first surface facing the enclosure and a second surface opposing the first surface.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one internal sensor is attached to the second surface of the cover.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the one or more sensors and the computing unit, wherein the enclosure further comprises a receptacle disposed outside the respirator, the receptacle at least partially receiving the power source therein.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the first communication module comprises at least one of a Bluetooth module, a Wi-Fi Radio, a 5G Radio, or any other radio network unit.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the second communication module comprises at least one of a Bluetooth module, a Wi-Fi Radio, a 5G Radio, or any other radio network unit.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the second memory stores the sensor data transmitted by the first communication module in real-time.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the second processor further compares the sensor data with historic data to determine the condition of the respirator during the use of the respirator.

28. The system of claim 14, wherein the condition of the respirator comprises one or more of a fit of the respirator on a face of the user, a condition of one or more filters of the respirator, and removal or donning of the respirator in an ambient environment.

29. The system of claim 14, wherein the external computing device generates an alert based on the condition of the respirator.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the second communication module transmits the alert to a user computing device, and wherein the user computing device is associated with the user.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the alert further comprises one or more instructions for the user.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the alert comprises at least one of an audible indication, a visual indication, and a tactile indication.

33. The system of claim 14, wherein the device is detachably coupled to the respirator.

34. A method of monitoring a respirator associated with a user, the method comprising: providing one or more sensors associated with the respirator;

- 26 - generating sensor data during use of the respirator by the one or more sensors, wherein the sensor data is indicative of one or more parameters associated with the respirator; transmitting the sensor data to an external computing device during the use of the respirator; storing the sensor data transmitted to the external computing device; analyzing the sensor data stored in the external computing device; determining a condition of the respirator based on the analyzed sensor data; and transmitting an alert based on the condition of the respirator to the user.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein providing the one or more sensors further comprises providing at least one internal sensor disposed within the respirator.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein providing the one or more sensors further comprises providing at least one external sensor disposed outside the respirator.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising generating periodic reports based on the sensor data obtained from the one or more sensors.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the sensor data comprises at least one of pressure data, motion data, humidity data, light intensity data, location data, and temperature data of the respirator.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein analyzing the sensor data stored in the external computing device further comprises comparing the stored sensor data with historic data.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing one or more instructions to the user based on the condition of the respirator.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the alert comprises at least one of an audible indication, a visual indication, and a tactile indication.

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