Automated respirator fit testing method and system

• US 6,955,170 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Mullins, Haskell E., Johnston, Alan R., Martinson, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIEKER, AMANDA FLYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/698,412
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/201.23, 128/200.24, 128/202.22, 128/203.21, 128/205.23, 128/206.14, 128/206.24, 73/38, 73/40, 424/74.3
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 27/00 Methods or devices for testing respiratory or breathing apparatus for high altitudesapparatus for testing gastightness in general G01M

Abstract

A system and method for the remote administration of respirator fit tests are disclosed, along with a system and method for administering qualitative respirator fit tests to two or more test subjects simultaneously. Remote administration of respirator fit tests involves the testing of test subjects located at one facility by a test administrator located at a different facility. The two facilities may be located, for example, in the same city, in different countries, etc. As a result, a single test administrator may, for example, be able to administrate fit tests with test subjects located in a variety of facilities in one day without traveling. Qualitative respirator fit testing systems and methods of the invention include multiple test stations and an aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations. The aerosol generator system may be capable of delivering aerosol to the test stations in repeatable, selected amounts and may also be capable of delivering the aerosols to some or all of the stations simultaneously.

Claims

1. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations, wherein the automated aerosol generator system comprises a set of independent aerosol generators, with at least one of the independent aerosol generators in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol; and

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating two or more test subjects at the plurality of test stations and conducting a qualitative fit test on each of the two or more test subjects simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein delivering the test aerosol further comprises simultaneous delivery of the test aerosol to the two or more test subjects.

4. The method of claim 1, where in providing the test aerosol further comprises delivering a selected amount of the test aerosol to each of the test subjects at predetermined intervals using the aerosol generator system.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising delivering the selected amount of the test aerosol to each of the test subjects simultaneously.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising delivering different selected amounts of the test aerosol to at least two of the test stations.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the test feedback in a database.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing information regarding the test aerosol delivery to each of the test subjects in a database.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring each of the test stations during exposure of the test subjects to the test aerosol.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising prompting the test subjects at each of the test stations to perform specified activities during exposure of the test subject to the test aerosol.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising simultaneous prompting of at least two test subjects to perform the specified activities.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving activity feedback from each of the test subjects indicating completion of the specified activities.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising:

capturing at least one image of at least one test subject at one of the test stations during exposure of the test subject to the test aerosol; and

storing the at least one image in a database.

14. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol;

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol;

monitoring each of the test stations during exposure of the test subject to the test aerosol to each of the test stations;

capturing at least one image of the test station during the monitoring; and

storing the at least one image in a database.

15. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol;

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol;

delivering sensitivity aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system, wherein the test subject is exposed to the sensitivity aerosol; and

receiving sensitivity feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the sensitivity aerosol.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising simultaneous delivery of an initial selected amount of the sensitivity aerosol to each of at least two test subjects.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising preventing delivery of the sensitivity aerosol to at least one test subject after receiving sensitivity feedback from the test subject indicating detection of the sensitivity aerosol by the test subject after delivering the initial selected amount of the sensitivity aerosol.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing the sensitivity feedback in a database.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising storing information regarding the sensitivity aerosol delivery to each of the test subjects in the database.

20. A qualitative respirator fit testing system comprising:

a plurality of test stations; and

an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations, wherein the automated aerosol generator system comprises a set of independent aerosol generators, wherein at least one of the independent aerosol generators is in fluid communication with each of the test stations.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein each of the aerosol generators comprises a nebulizer.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein each of the test stations comprises a respirator fit testing hood.

23. A method of remote automated respirator fit testing comprising:

providing an automated respirator fit testing system at a first location, wherein the automated respirator fit testing system comprises at least one test station and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the at least one test stations;

locating at least one test subject wearing a respirator at the test station of the respirator fit testing system at the first location;

operating the automated respirator fit testing system from a remote location to perform a respirator fit test on the at least one test subject by delivering a test aerosol to the at least one test station using the automated aerosol generator system, wherein the at least one test subject is exposed to the test aerosol;

monitoring the at least one test station while performing the respirator fit test;

capturing at least one image of the at least one test station during the monitoring; and

storing the at least one image in a database.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein operating the respirator fit testing system comprises receiving test feedback at the remote location from the test subject at the first location after exposure to the test aerosol.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising storing the test feedback in a database.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing information regarding the test aerosol delivery in a database.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising prompting the at least one test subject to perform specified activities while performing the respirator fit test.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving activity feedback from the at least one test subject indicating completion of specified activities while performing the respirator fit test.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising simultaneous prompting of at least two test subjects to perform specified activities.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing a second automated respirator fit testing system at a second location remote from the first location, wherein the second automated respirator fit testing system comprises at least one test station and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the at least one test stations;

locating at least one test subject wearing a respirator at the test station of the second automated respirator fit testing system at the second location; and

operating the first and second automated respirator fit testing systems from the remote location to perform a respirator fit test on the at least one test subject located at each of the first and second automated respirator fit testing systems, wherein each respirator fit test comprises delivering a test aerosol to the at least one test station using the automated aerosol generator system, wherein the at least one test subject is exposed to the test aerosol.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising conducting respirator fit tests using the first and second automated respirator fit testing systems at the same time.

32. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering different selected amounts of test aerosol to at least two of the test stations using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on test subjects at the at least two of the test stations, wherein the test subjects are exposed to the different selected amounts of test aerosol at the same time; and

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations.

34. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations, wherein each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol; and

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol.

35. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations, wherein each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol;

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol;

delivering sensitivity aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system, wherein the test subject is exposed to the sensitivity aerosol; and

receiving sensitivity feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the sensitivity aerosol.

36. A qualitative respirator fit testing system comprising:

a plurality of test stations; and

an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

wherein each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations.

37. A qualitative respirator fit testing system comprising:

a plurality of test stations, wherein each of the test stations comprises a respirator fit testing hood; and

an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations;

wherein the respirator fit testing hood at each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations.

38. A method of remote automated respirator fit testing comprising:

providing an automated respirator fit testing system at a first location, wherein the automated respirator fit testing system comprises at least one test station and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the at least one test stations;

locating at least one test subject wearing a respirator at the test station of the respirator fit testing system at the first location;

operating the automated respirator fit testing system from a remote location to perform a respirator fit test on the at least one test subject by delivering a test aerosol to the at least one test station using the automated aerosol generator system wherein the at least one test subject is exposed to the test aerosol;

providing a second automated respirator fit testing system at a second location remote from the first location, wherein the second automated respirator fit testing system comprises at least one test station and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the at least one test stations;

locating at least one test subject wearing a respirator at the test station of the second automated respirator fit testing system at the second location; and

operating the first and second automated respirator fit testing systems from the remote location to perform a respirator fit test on the at least one test subject located at each of the first and second automated respirator fit testing systems, wherein each respirator fit test comprises delivering a test aerosol to the at least one test station using the automated aerosol generator system, wherein the at least one test subject is exposed to the test aerosol, and wherein each test station comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station cannot be communicated to another test station.

39. A method of qualitative respirator fit testing, the method comprising:

providing an automated qualitative respirator fit testing system that comprises a plurality of test stations and an automated aerosol generator system in fluid communication with each of the test stations, wherein each test station of the plurality of test stations comprises an independent environment wherein test aerosol delivered to one test station of the plurality of test stations cannot be communicated to the other test stations of the plurality of test stations;

locating at least one test subject at one test station of the plurality of test stations; and

conducting a qualitative fit test on each test subject located at one of the test stations, wherein the qualitative fit test conducted at each of the test stations comprises;

delivering a repeatable, selected amount of test aerosol to the test station using the automated aerosol generator system after locating a respirator on the test subject, wherein the test subject is exposed to the test aerosol; and

receiving test feedback from the test subject at the test station after exposure to the test aerosol.