Hoover, Alabama Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
OHD, LLLP has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for a groundbreaking safety innovation. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent Application No. 20240390710, titled “Virtual Operator For Respirator Fit Testing” uses real-time software to detect and correct respirator fitting issues without human oversight.
Millions of workers across healthcare, construction, and manufacturing rely on respirators to avoid inhaling hazardous substances. Fit testing ensures these masks form a tight, protective seal. But traditional testing methods, whether human-led or instrument-based, can miss subtle failures that compromise safety.
OHD’s AI-assisted system replaces the need for a human proctor. It not only runs the fit test but also analyzes the results and automatically troubleshoots problems – flagging issues even trained technicians might miss.
The system monitors test signals through a processor and responds instantly when it detects a fault. It identifies both obvious and hidden failures in how the respirator fits, helping users and employers fix problems fast. This shift eliminates human error and streamlines regulatory compliance with safety standards like OSHA’s.
By automating the most critical part of respirator testing, OHD, LLLP offers a safer, faster, and smarter approach to workplace health. The invention promises to raise the bar for respiratory protection – keeping frontline workers safer with every breath.