Gas collection device

Claim 2

A gas collection device to be worn by a patient for collecting and removing gas exhaled by the patient, from an area around the mouth and nose of the patient, comprising: first portion means for engaging with the chin of the patient; second concave gas collector portion means projecting from the chin engaging portion means, said gas collector portion means for positioning below the nose and adjacent the mouth of the patient and in the flow path of the gas being exhaled from the mouth and nose of the patient, enabling collection of the exhaled gas, while allowing open communication between the surrounding atmosphere and the mouth and nose of the patient, and free and ready access to the mouth and nose of the patient; attaching means connected to the chin engaging portion means for removably securing the chin engaging portion means to the patient's chin; and gas removal conduit means connected in fluid communication with the concave gas collector portion means for removing collected gas from the concave gas collector portion means.

Claim 3

A gas collection device according to claim 1 wherein said chin engaging portion means and said concave gas collector portion means are made from a soft, dimensionally stable transparent material.

Claim 4

A gas collection device according to claim 1 wherein said attaching means includes a strap for passing around the back of the neck of the patient, and means for connecting the strap to the chin engaging portion means.

Claim 5

A gas collection device according to claim 1 wherein said gas removal conduit means includes suction hose means extending from the concave gas collector portion means for removing collected gas from the concave gas collector portion means.

Claim 6

A gas collection device according to claim 1 including gas deflecting means for extending from said concave gas collector portion means into the flow path of the gas exhaled from the mouth of the patient but still spaced from the patient's mouth, to block outward flowing exhaled gas from the mouth of the patient and to cause turbulent movement thereof, thereby facilitating collection of the exhaled gas by said gas collection portion means.

Claim 7

A gas collection device according to claim 5 wherein said deflecting means is formed from a deformable material that can be bent to orient said deflecting means in a desired position relative to the patient's mouth.

Claim 8

A gas collection device according to claim 1, further comprising side piece means extending from said chin engaging portion means for engaging respective opposite sides of the lower jaw of the patient.

Claim 9

A gas collection device according to claim 1 wherein said concave gas collector portion means comprises a gas collection bowl including a first wall portion connected to the chin engaging portion means and adapted to be positioned below the mouth of the patient, and also including a second opposite wall portion spaced from said first wall portion to define a gas collection opening therebetween and adapted to be positioned below the nose and spaced from the mouth of the patient.

Claim 10

A gas collection device according to claim 13 wherein the gas collection bowl has a portion means projecting at least partially across the gas collection opening for minimizing noise from the flow of collected gases and reducing radial flow of exhaled air over the lower lip of the patient.

Claim 11

A gas collection device to be worn by a patient for collecting and removing gas exhaled by the patient, from an area around the mouth and nose of the patient, comprising: a housing having a first wall shaped and contoured to extend about the chin of the patient, and a second wall parallel to the first wall and connected along edges thereof to respective edges of the first wall, with the second wall spaced from the first wall so as to define an internal gas collection cavity therewith; attaching means connected to the housing for removably securing the first wall of the housing against the patient's chin below the mouth with the second wall spaced therefrom; the first and second walls also having edges adapted to be positioned below and extending adjacent the patient's mouth and being spaced apart to define a slot which is adapted for positioning in the flow path of the gas being exhaled from the mouth and nose of the patient, enabling collection of the exhaled gas, while allowing open communication between the surrounding atmosphere and the mouth and nose of the patient, and free and ready access to the mouth and nose of the patient; and gas removal conduit means connected to the housing in fluid communication with the cavity for removing collected gas from the cavity.

Claim 12

A gas collection device to be worn by a patient for collecting and removing gas exhaled by the patient, from an area around the mouth and nose of the patient, comprising: a housing having a first wall shaped and contoured to extend about the chin of the patient, and a second wall parallel to the first wall and connected along edges thereof to respective edges of the first wall, with the second wall spaced from the first wall so as to define an internal gas collection cavity therewith; attaching means connected to the housing for removably securing the first wall of the housing against the patient's chin below the mouth with the second wall spaced therefrom; the first and second walls also having edges adapted to be positioned below and extending adjacent the patient's mouth and being spaced apart to define a slot which is adapted for positioning in the flow path of the gas being exhaled from the mouth and nose of the patient, enabling collection of the exhaled gas, while allowing open communication between the surrounding atmosphere and the mouth and nose of the patient, and free and ready access to the mouth and nose of the patient; and gas removal conduit means connected to the housing in fluid communication with the cavity for removing collected gas from the cavity.

Claim 13

A gas collection device according to claim 10 including gas deflecting means for extending from said housing into the flow path of gas exhaled from the mouth of the patient but still spaced from the patient's mouth, to block outward flowing exhaled gas from the mouth of the patient and to cause turbulent movement thereof, thereby facilitating collection of the exhaled gas by said slot and said internal gas collection cavity.