Patent Application
20210228410
Aspects of this disclosure are generally related to eye protection.
Outbreaks of viruses can be a public health emergency. Of particular concern is the Corona Virus outbreak.
All examples, aspects and features mentioned in this document can be combined in any technically possible way.
The purpose of this invention is to improve barrier precautions through development of a low cost eye protection to prevent the spread of disease.
The preferred embodiment of this invention is an apparatus worn on a user's face. More specifically, the preferred embodiment is a device that is most similar appearing to ski goggles; however, it is equipped with a high efficiency air filter to prevent dangerous viruses (e.g., Corona virus) or particles in the air from contacting the surface of the eyeballs. The preferred embodiment provides a safe medium of air outside the eyeballs free of viruses and particles. The preferred embodiment is comfortable to wear, which will encourage good compliance. Thus, the user may wear the goggles for long periods (e.g., 16 hours) during the day time and then go home and take them off for the evening time (e.g., per user discretion). Furthermore, the preferred embodiment may include a removable filter component, such that it can be cleaned or replaced at the end of the day. The preferred embodiment includes a set of goggles, a divider, which is placed between the lenses of the goggles and the skin, and a filter placed within the divider. The divider separates an air mass that touches the user's eyes and an external air mass wherein at least some portion of the divider contains a highly effective air filter.
Some embodiments of the divider comprise wherein the entire divider is comprised of a filter, which would maximize air exchange between the inner air mass touching the eyeballs and the outer air mass from the external environment. Some embodiments of the divider comprise wherein at least one portion of the divider is impermeable to gas and at least one portion of the divider is permeable to gas (e.g., via the filter). The purpose of the air exchange is to allow for comfort over long periods of wear. Without any air exchange, it is possible that the inside of the lenses of the goggles fogs up over time. This may make it difficult for the user to see through the goggles and limit daily activities. The preferred embodiment is meant to be worn in conjunction with a high efficiency air filter mask (e.g., N95 mask). This preferred embodiment is more comfortable and has higher compliance than a set of hermetically sealed swimming goggles and N95 mask, since the swimming goggles fogged up after 5 minutes for a user.
In some embodiments, the bioactive substances can be placed in the filter, such as colloidal silver. Other substances such as activated charcoal can be placed.
Some embodiments further comprising wherein the divider forms a substantially hermetic seal to at least one of the group comprising the skin on the user's face and the goggles. Some embodiments comprise wherein the hermetic seal comprises at least one of the group of rubber, plastic, silicone, tape, metal fixation devices, non-metal fixation devices or other similar materials.
Some embodiments comprise wherein the goggles comprises at least one of the group of thin plastic surface(s), prescription eye glasses, and sunglasses. Some embodiments comprise wherein the air gap in front of the eyeballs is large enough for a user to wear his or her own glasses underneath. Some embodiments comprise wherein a hole in the divider creates an air-tight seal with the frame of the glasses, so as to prevent a tiny air gap from forming near where the user's glasses meet the side of the face.
Some embodiments comprise wherein the air filter comprises at least one of the group of an N95 filter and N99 filter. A large array of high efficiency filters could be incorporated into the overall design.
Some embodiments comprise wherein a device is used to keep the divider or seal firmly pressed against the skin of the face comprising at least one of the group of string, ties, rope, springs, magnets, or other similar type devices. The preferred embodiment is a strap extending around the top, sides and back of the user's head.
Some embodiments comprise wherein a one way valve is placed at a portion of the divider and wherein the filter is placed in proximity to the one way valve. Some embodiments comprise wherein multiple one way valves are placed. Some embodiments comprise wherein a one way valve is placed in close proximity to a filter, so that air is filtered prior to entering from the external environment into the air mass compartment touching the eyeballs. Some embodiments comprise wherein a one way valve is placed in close proximity to a filter prior to air exiting from the air mass compartment touching the eyeballs to the external environment, so that any backwards airflow (i.e., opposite of the direction of that air is supposed to flow through the one way valve) would be filtered.
Some embodiments comprise wherein the filter is a small (e.g., quarter sized) filter placed over the one way valve. Some embodiments comprise wherein the small e.g., quarter sized) filters can be removed and replaced on a daily basis.
Some embodiments comprising wherein the filter can be sterilized. Processes such as chemical sterilization (e.g., Clorox bleach) and non-chemical sterilization (e.g., light, heat, etc.). can be used for sterilization.
An alternative embodiment includes wherein an apparatus worn on a user's face comprising: a set of goggles wherein there is at least one portion that is hermetically sealed to the user's face and wherein there is at least one portion that is not hermetically sealed; and a filter placed over the at least one portion of the goggles that is not hermetically sealed.
Another alternative embodiment comprises wherein an apparatus worn on a subject's face comprises a set of goggles wherein at least one lens of the set of goggles contains holes and an air filter placed at the sites of the holes. The benefit of this embodiment would be that a standard hermetically sealed pair of goggles (e.g., a pair of swimming goggles) could be converted to a pair of non-hermetically sealed pair of goggles, which is safe to wear over long periods of time due to the fact that there is a high efficiency filter in place. In this embodiment, the air filter placed at the sites of the holes can be replaced. For example, an air filter can be manufactured in a circle and the outer circumference of the circle having a small (e.g., 0.5 cm) region of tape, such that it can be stuck onto the goggles.
The preferred embodiment is to incorporate a version of this apparatus into daily life. For example, the embodiment would ideally be comfortable enough (e.g., light weight, does not fog up, wide field of view, etc.) for 12 hours of continuous wear. Additionally, the device would need to be able to be disinfected easily (e.g., from chemical wipe down) or from heating sources (e.g. heating to temperature between 165-212 degrees Fahrenheit).
