U.S. patent application number 11/960633 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for medical bib.
Invention is credited to Julianne Paulsen.
Application Number | 20090158487 11/960633 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40672318 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090158487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paulsen; Julianne |
June 25, 2009 |
MEDICAL BIB
Abstract
A disposable medical bib that attaches around the neck of the
patient on one side is disclosed. It not only protects the
patient's chest from unwanted substances, but also includes a
headrest cover and, optionally, the headrest itself. The medical
bib can also optionally include a hairnet to contain the patient's
hair. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a pocket
on the chest portion of the bib to collect unwanted substances, as
well as a pocket on the headrest cover portion to hold items such
as a headrest. A portion of the bib can be elongated to cover the
midsection of the patient.
Inventors: |
Paulsen; Julianne; (Santee,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ERIC HANSCOM
7395 PORTAGE WAY
CARLSBAD
CA
92011
US
|
Family ID: |
40672318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/960633 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/49.2 ; 2/49.1;
2/49.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/10 20130101;
A41B 2400/52 20130101; A61B 46/00 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/49.2 ; 2/49.4;
2/49.1 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/10 20060101
A41B013/10 |
Claims
1. A bib for use in medical or dental procedures comprising: a
hole, a chest protection portion, a means of attachment, and a
headrest cover portion. where the hole is of a sufficient size such
that a patient's neck will fit inside of the hole, and where the
hole is small enough that the areas around the patient's neck are
not unnecessarily exposed, where the chest protection portion is
located over the chest and below the face of the patient when the
bib is worn by the patient, where the width of the chest protection
portion is greater than the width of the hole, where the length of
the chest protection portion is sufficient to protect the patient's
chest area from unwanted liquids and other substances from
contacting his or her clothes or skin, where the means of
attachment secures the bib to the patient, where the means of
attachment is located on one side of the bib, where the means of
attachment secures the bib to the patient by securing together two
overlapping layers of the bib, where the materials used to
manufacture the bib comprise absorbent materials, water repellent
materials, or both, and where the bib is designed and manufactured
to be disposable so that the bib is not intended to be used on
multiple different patients, and where the headrest cover portion
is located behind the head of the patient when the bib is worn by
the patient, where the width of the headrest cover portion is
greater than the diameter of the hole, and where the length of the
headrest cover portion is sufficient to prevent a patient's head
from coming in direct contact with any support located beneath his
or her head, where the headrest cover portion comprises a hairnet,
where the hairnet comprises an elastic portion, where the elastic
portion can stretch around the patient's head.
2. The bib of claim 1, where the means of attachment secures
together the two overlapping layers of the bib through the use of
magnets.
3. The bib of claim 1, where the means of attachment secures
together the two overlapping layers of the bib through the use of
snaps.
4. The bib of claim 1, where the means of attachment secures
together the two overlapping layers of the bib through the use of
hook and loop fasteners.
5. The bib of claim 1, where the means of attachment secures
together the two overlapping layers of the bib through the use of
static electricity.
6. The bib of claim 1, where the means of attachment secures
together the two overlapping layers of the bib through the use of
adhesives on either or both of the two overlapping layers of the
bib.
7. The bib of claim 1, where the chest protection portion comprises
a pocket.
8. (canceled)
9. The bib of claim 8, where the headrest cover portion comprises a
pocket.
10. The bib of claim 8, where the headrest cover portion comprises
a built-in headrest.
11. (canceled)
12. The bib of claim 1, where the bib further comprises a cut-out
tissue, where the cut-out tissue is located within the hole before
use, and is partially or completely removed from the hole before
the patient dons the bib, where the cut-out tissue comprises one or
more materials capable of absorption.
13. The bib of claim 1, where the chest protection portion extends
beyond the waist of the user.
14. A bib for use in medical or dental procedures comprising: a
hole, a chest protection portion, a headrest cover portion, a means
of attachment, and a cut-out tissue, where the hole is of a
sufficient size such that a patient's neck will fit inside of the
hole, and where the hole is small enough that the areas around the
patient's neck are not unnecessarily exposed, where the chest
protection portion is located over the chest and below the face of
the patient when the bib is worn by the patient, where the width of
the chest protection portion is greater than the width of the hole,
where the length of the chest protection portion is sufficient to
protect the patient's chest area from unwanted liquids and other
substances from contacting his or her clothes or skin, where the
headrest cover portion is located behind the head of the patient
when the bib is worn by the patient, where the width of the
headrest cover portion is greater than the width of the hole, and
where the length of the headrest cover portion is sufficient to
prevent a patient's head from coming in direct contact with any
support located beneath his or her head, where the headrest cover
portion comprises a hairnet, where the hairnet comprises an elastic
portion, where the elastic portion can stretch around the patient's
head, where the means of attachment secures the bib to the patient,
where the means of attachment is located on one side of the bib,
where the means of attachment secures the bib to the patient by
securing together two overlapping layers of the bib, and where the
materials used to manufacture the bib comprise absorbent materials,
water repellent materials, or both, and where the bib is designed
and manufactured to be disposable so that the bib is not intended
to be used on multiple different patients, where the cut-out tissue
is located within the hole before use, and is completely removed
from the hole before the patient dons the bib, where the cut-out
tissue comprises one or more materials capable of absorption.
15. The bib of claim 14, where the means of attachment securing
together the two overlapping layers of the bib is selected from the
group consisting of magnets, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, static
electricity, and adhesives.
16. The bib of claim 14, where the chest protection portion, the
headrest cover portion, or both comprise a pocket.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. A bib for use in medical or dental procedures consisting of: a
hole, a chest protection portion, a headrest cover portion, and a
means of attachment, where the hole is of a sufficient size such
that a patient's neck will fit inside of the hole, and where the
hole is small enough that the areas around the patient's neck are
not unnecessarily exposed, where the chest protection portion is
located over the chest and below the face of the patient when the
bib is worn by the patient, where the width of the chest protection
portion is greater than the width of the hole, where the length of
the chest protection portion is sufficient to protect the patient's
chest area from unwanted liquids and other substances from
contacting his or her clothes or skin, where the headrest cover
portion is located behind the head of the patient when the bib is
worn by the patient, where the width of the headrest cover portion
is greater than the width of the hole, and where the length of the
headrest cover portion is sufficient to prevent a patient's head
from coming in direct contact with any support located beneath his
or her head, where the headrest cover portion comprises a hairnet,
where the hairnet comprises an elastic portion, where the elastic
portion can stretch around the patient's head, where the means of
attachment secures the bib to the patient, where the means of
attachment is located on one side of the bib, where the means of
attachment secures the bib to the patient by securing together two
overlapping layers of the bib, where the materials used to
manufacture the bib comprise absorbent materials, water repellent
materials, or both, and where the bib is designed and manufactured
to be disposable so that the bib is not intended to be used on
multiple different patients.
20. The bib of claim 19, where the chest protection portion and the
headrest cover portion each comprise a pocket.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] This invention was not federally sponsored.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the general field of medical bibs,
and more specifically toward a disposable medical bib that attaches
around the neck of the patient on one side. It not only protects
the patient's chest from unwanted substances, but also includes a
headrest cover and, optionally, the headrest itself. The medical
bib can also optionally include a hairnet to contain the patient's
hair. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a pocket
on the chest portion of the bib to collect unwanted substances, as
well as a pocket on the headrest cover portion to hold items such
as a headrest. A portion of the bib can be elongated to cover the
midsection of the patient.
[0004] Bibs have been used in the medical and dental profession for
a long period of time. They are used to protect the patient, or
user, from unwanted substances and materials contacting his or her
clothes or skin located beneath his or her face. Alligator clamps
are commonly used to attach the bib around the patient's neck.
These clips, however, must be sterilized after each and every use
to prevent spread of disease. Sometimes the alligator clips are not
sterilized, or not sterilized properly, and can needlessly spread
disease from one patient to the next.
[0005] Medical and dental offices often have beds or chairs with
headrests for the patient. Sometimes the headrests have coverings
that must be replaced after each use by a patient. Alternatively,
if there is no covering, the headrest must be cleaned after each
use by a patient. Because of the large volume of patients that
medical and dental professionals see each day, it can be
commonplace to forget to replace the covering or clean the
headrest. Failing to replace the covering or clean the headrest can
lead to the spread of disease between patients.
[0006] Hairnets are also used during medical and dental procedures
to restrict the movement of the patient's hair. These hairnets are
generally disposable and separate from any other device. They can
become dislodged or removed from the patient's head as the patient
moves his or her head against a headrest.
[0007] Thus there has existed a long-felt need for a medical or
dental bib that can be economically disposed of after every use.
Further, there is a need for a medical or dental bib that can act
as both a bib and a headrest with an optional hairnet that will
reduce the likelihood that diseases will spread between patients.
It should be easy to use and economical to manufacture so that each
patient can easily use the medical bib and remove and dispose of it
after each use.
[0008] The current invention provides just such a solution by
having a disposable medical bib that attaches around the neck of
the patient on one side. It not only protects the patient's chest
from unwanted substances, but also includes a headrest cover and,
optionally, the headrest itself. The medical bib can also
optionally include a hairnet to contain the patient's hair. An
alternative embodiment of the invention includes a pocket on the
chest portion of the bib to collect unwanted substances, as well as
a pocket on the headrest cover portion to hold items such as a
headrest. A portion of the bib can be elongated to cover the
midsection of the patient.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features,
aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood with reference to the following description and appended
claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is a principal object of the invention to provide a
medical bib that protects the patient from unwanted substances and
materials contacting his or her clothes or skin located beneath his
or her face.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a medical
bib that also acts as a headrest cover to reduce the spread of
disease between patients that use the same headrest over a period
of time.
[0012] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a
medical bib with an integrated hairnet such that the hairnet has a
lower likelihood of accidentally becoming dislodged or removed from
the patient.
[0013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
medical bib that includes a cutout tissue portion conveniently
located near the patient's face that can be used to absorb and
removed unwanted substances without the use of an additional tissue
or cloth.
[0014] It is a further object of this invention to provide a
medical bib that is easy to use such that a patient can quickly and
efficiently put on and remove the medical bib.
[0015] It is a final object of this invention to provide a device
that is disposable so that no portion of the device that comes in
direct contact with the patient or other unwanted matter is reused
with another patient, thereby reducing the possibility of spreading
diseases between patients.
[0016] It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments
of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present
disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and
changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject
matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a
reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of the medical bib.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a blown up cut-away side view of the attachment
portion of the medical bib.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the medical bib with a headrest
cover.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of the medical bib with a headrest
cover that includes pockets.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that also has pockets.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a front view of the medical bib with headrest
cover that has a built in headrest.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that has a built in headrest.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a front view of the medical bib with headrest
cover that includes a hairnet.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that includes a hairnet.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a front view of the medical bib with an
integrated cutout tissue.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with an
integrated cutout tissue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0028] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with
reference to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon
clearly illustrating the components of the present invention.
Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
through the several views in the drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front view of the medical bib. A medical bib 10
includes a hole for the patient's neck 11. The hole for the
patient's neck 11 should be large enough to fit any sized neck of a
patient, yet small enough so that areas around the patient's neck
are not unnecessarily exposed. While the inventor contemplates bibs
with different sized and shaped holes, the inventor has found that
a 10-inch diameter hole is appropriate for most uses. There is also
a chest protection portion 12 that protects the chest area below
the patient's face. A patient dons the medical bib 10 by placing
the patient's neck through the hole for the patient's neck 11 and
then securing the attachment portion 13 of the medical bib 10 such
that the patient's neck is completely surround by the medical bib
10. The medical bib 10 itself can be made of various materials that
are inexpensive to manufacture and use, including both absorbent
and water repellant materials. An absorbent material can be used if
a material that retains liquids is required. A water repellant
material can be used if liquids are not desired to penetrate the
medical bib 10. A combination of materials is also possible, where
one side is absorbent and the other is water repellent. In this
iteration, the absorbent can be used to retain liquids, while the
water repellent side prevents the liquids from penetrating through
the medical bib 10 and contacting the patient's clothes or skin
below the medical bib 10.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a blown up cut-a-way side view of the attachment
portion of the medical bib. The attachment portion 13 includes an
upper attachment portion 20 and a lower attachment portion 21 that
overlap each other. Attached to the upper attachment portion 20 is
an upper means of attachment 22. Attached to the lower attachment
portion 21 is a lower means of attachment 23. The upper means of
attachment 22 and the lower means of attachment 23 can be secured
together, thereby attaching the upper attachment portion 20 to the
lower attachment portion 21. This result can be used to secure the
medical bib around the patient's neck. There are different means to
secure the upper means of attachment 22 to the lower means of
attachment 23. One possible mean is by using magnets. The upper
means of attachment 22 and the lower means of attachment 23 can
each be a magnet, where each magnet is attracted to the other.
Extremely weak magnets can be used because the amount of force
required to keep the upper attachment portion 20 secured to the
lower attachment portion 22 is small. It is envisioned by the
inventor that small, thin sheets of magnetic material be used as
the upper means of attachment 22 and the lower means of attachment
23, as they are small, lightweight, and inexpensive. An alternative
means to attach the upper attachment portion 20 to the lower
attachment portion 21 is by using static electricity. The upper
means of attachment 22 and the lower means of attachment 23 can
each be statically charged, but with opposite polarity. This small
electrical force will cause the upper attachment portion 20 and the
lower attachment portion 21 to stick together when placed in close
proximity. An additional means of attaching the upper attachment
portion 20 to the lower attachment portion 22 is by using snaps.
The upper means of attachment 22 can be a male or female snap and
the lower means of attachment 23 can be the opposite; if the upper
means of attachment 22 is a male snap, then the lower means of
attachment 23 would be a female snap. The opposite is also
possible, where the upper means of attachment 22 is a female snap
and the lower means of attachment 23 is a male snap. Various shapes
and materials can be used for the snaps, so long as the snaps work
together and can secure the upper attachment portion 20 to the
lower attachment portion 21. Adhesive means can also be used as the
means to secure the upper attachment portion 20 to the lower
attachment portion 21. The upper means of attachment 22, the lower
means of attachment 23, or both can be an adhesive. If both are an
adhesive, then the upper means of attachment 22 and the lower means
of attachment 23 stick to each other when placed together, thereby
securing the medical bib around the patient's neck. If either one
is an adhesive, then the opposing means of attachment can be
nonexistent, as the adhesive will stick to the opposing attachment
portion. Various strengths of adhesive can be used depending on its
intended use. Weak adhesives can be used is it is desired that the
medical bib be removed via separating the upper attachment portion
20 from the lower attachment portion 21. On the other hand, strong
adhesives can be used to permanently secure the upper attachment
portion 20 to the lower attachment portion 21, where the medical
bib can be removed form the patient by ripping a portion of the
medical bib. In this embodiment, it may be beneficial to have a
protective sheet over each of the adhesives such that inadvertent
contact between the upper attachment portion 20 and the lower
attachment portion 21 does not cause the two sides to become
secured together. A further means to attach the upper attachment
portion 20 to the lower attachment portion 21 is by using hook and
loop fasteners, otherwise known as Velcro.RTM..
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view of the medical bib with a headrest
cover. A medical bib with headrest cover 30 includes a hole for the
patient's neck 11. There is also a chest protection portion 12 that
protects the chest area below the patient's face. On the opposite
end from the chest protection portion 12 is a headrest cover
portion 31, which keeps the patient's head from coming in direct
contact with a headrest that supports the patient's head. A patient
dons the medical bib with headrest cover 30 by placing the
patient's neck through the hole for the patient's neck 11 and then
securing the attachment portion 13 of the medical bib with headrest
cover 30 such that the patient's neck is completely surrounded by
the medical bib with headrest cover 30.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a front view of the medical bib with a headrest
cover that includes pockets. A medical bib with headrest cover 30
includes a hole for the patient's neck 11. There is also a chest
protection portion 12 that protects the chest area below the
patient's face. On the opposite end from the chest protection
portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which keeps the
patient's head from coming in direct contact with a headrest that
supports the patient's head. A patient dons the medical bib with
headrest cover 30 by placing the patient's neck through the hole
for the patient's neck 11 and then securing the attachment portion
13 of the medical bib with headrest cover 30 such that the
patient's neck is completely surround by the medical bib with
headrest cover 30. In this embodiment, the chest protection portion
12 and the headrest cover portion 31 each include a pocket 40. The
pockets 40 can be used for various purposes. The pocket 40 located
in the chest protection portion 12 can be used to collect fluids or
other substances that would normally slide down the medical bib and
off onto the patient. The pocket 40 located in the headrest cover
portion 31 can be used to house a disposable or reusable headrest.
Different sized disposable headrests can be used to create a
headrest of different heights and support, either to meet the
comfort needs of the patient or the needs of the particular
procedure that the patient is undergoing. A reusable headrest can
be used with multiple patients since it is inserted into the pocket
40 located in the headrest cover portion 31. The patient using the
medical bib with headrest cover 30 will not come in direct contact
with the reusable headrest since it is located inside of the pocket
40, thereby providing the use of a headrest with a lower
possibility of transmission of disease between patients. Means of
closing and securing the disposable or reusable headrest within the
pocket 40 are contemplated by the inventor, and include hook and
loop fasteners, snaps, magnets, adhesives, and static
electricity.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that also has pockets. The patient places his or her
neck through a neck portion 15 of the medical bib with headrest
cover 30. The chest protection portion 12 protects the chest area
below the patient's face. On the opposite end from the chest
protection portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which keeps
the patient's head from coming in direct contact with a headrest
that supports the patient's head. In this embodiment, the chest
protection portion 12 and the headrest cover portion 31 each
include a pocket 40. The pockets 40 can be used for various
purposes. The pocket 40 located in the chest protection portion 12
can be used to collect fluids or other substances that would
normally slide down the medical bib and off onto the patient. The
pocket 40 located in the headrest cover portion 31 can be used to
house a disposable or reusable headrest. Different sized disposable
headrests can be used to create a headrest of different heights and
support, either to meet the comfort needs of the patient or the
needs of the particular procedure that the patient is undergoing. A
reusable headrest can be used with multiple patients since it is
inserted into the pocket 40 located in the headrest cover portion
31. This reusable headrest can be used with multiple patients since
it is inserted into the pocket 40 located in the headrest cover
portion 31. The patient using the medical bib with headrest cover
30 will not come in direct contact with the reusable headrest since
it is located inside of the pocket 40, thereby providing the use of
a headrest with a lower possibility of transmission of disease
between patients.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of the medical bib with headrest
cover that has a built in headrest. A medical bib with headrest
cover 30 includes a hole for the patient's neck 11. There is also a
chest protection portion 12 that protects the chest area below the
patient's face. On the opposite end from the chest protection
portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which keeps the
patient's head from coming in direct contact with a headrest that
supports the patient's head. A patient dons the medical bib with
headrest cover 30 by placing the patient's neck through the hole
for the patient's neck 11 and then securing the attachment portion
13 of the medical bib with headrest cover 30 such that the
patient's neck is completely surround by the medical bib with
headrest cover 30. In this embodiment of the medical bib with
headrest cover 30, the headrest cover has a built in headrest 45.
The headrest 45 should manufactured such that it provides
comfortable support to the patient and at the same time is
inexpensive to create, as the built in headrest 45 will be disposed
of with the medical bib with headrest cover 30 after every use.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that has a built in headrest. The patient places his
or her neck through the neck portion 15 of the medical bib with
headrest cover 30. The chest protection portion 12 protects the
chest area below the patient's face. On the opposite end from the
chest protection portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which
keeps the patient's head from coming in direct contact with a
headrest that supports the patient's head. In this embodiment, the
headrest cover portion 31 each includes a built in headrest 45.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view of the medical bib with headrest
cover that includes a hairnet. A medical bib with headrest cover 30
includes a hole for the patient's neck 11. There is also a chest
protection portion 12 that protects the chest area below the
patient's face. On the opposite end from the chest protection
portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which keeps the
patient's head from coming in direct contact with a headrest that
supports the patient's head. A patient dons the medical bib with
headrest cover 30 by placing the patient's neck through the hole
for the patient's neck 11 and then securing the attachment portion
13 of the medical bib with headrest cover 30 such that the
patient's neck is completely surround by the medical bib with
headrest cover 30. In this embodiment of the medical bib with
headrest cover 30, the headrest cover includes a hairnet 50.
Hairnets are often used when the patient undergoes procedures where
it is desirable to restrict the movement of the patient's hair. The
hairnet 50 should include an elastic portion so that it can stretch
around and fit securely to a patient's head after the patient has
donned the medical bib with headrest cover 30. Because the hairnet
50 is connected to the medical bib with headrest cover 30, it has
less of a chance of becoming dislodged or removed from the
patient's head since the medical bib with headrest cover 30 is also
secured to the patient.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with a
headrest cover that includes a hairnet. The patient places his or
her neck through the neck portion 15 of the medical bib with
headrest cover 30. The chest protection portion 12 protects the
chest area below the patient's face. On the opposite end from the
chest protection portion 12 is a headrest cover portion 31, which
keeps the patient's head from coming in direct contact with a
headrest that supports the patient's head. In this embodiment, the
headrest cover portion 31 each includes a hairnet 50.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a front view of the medical bib with an
integrated cutout tissue. In this embodiment of the medical bib 10,
the hole for the patient's neck 11 contains a cutout tissue 55.
This cutout tissue can be made from the same material as the rest
of the medical bib 10 or of a different material, so long as the
material is absorbent and can be used in the same fashion as a
tissue or cloth. This cutout tissue 55 can be secured to the
medical bib 10 my means of perforation, where the cutout tissue 55
can be torn and completely removed from the medical bib 10 to
create the hole for the patient's neck 11. Alternatively, as shown
in the figure, a portion of the cutout tissue 55 can remain secured
to the medical bib 10 such that when partially removed from the
medical bib 10, the cutout tissue 55 remains close to the patient's
face. There is also a chest protection portion 12 that protects the
chest area below the patient's face. A patient dons the medical bib
10 by placing the patient's neck through the hole for the patient's
neck 11 and then securing the attachment portion 13 of the medical
bib 10 such that the patient's neck is completely surround by the
medical bib 10. The cutout tissue 55 can be used for various
purposes, including as a tissue to absorb substances or as an
instrument tray cover to use during the procedure.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a cut-away side view of the medical bib with an
integrated cutout tissue. The patient places his or her neck
through the neck portion 15 of the medical bib 10. The chest
protection portion 12 protects the chest area below the patient's
face. In this embodiment, the cutout tissue 55 is partially removed
from the medical bib 10 such that the cutout tissue 55 remains
close to the patient's face.
[0040] While the hole for the patient's neck 11 is shown in the
various figures as a circular cutout portion, it is contemplated by
the inventor that this could be any shape, including square,
rectangle, oval, polygon, or the like, so long as the patient's
neck will fit through the hole. The hole for the patient's neck 11
could be empty, or could contain a material that is either the same
as the rest of the bib or different. If the hole for the patient's
neck 11 is not empty, then the material inside of the hole for the
patient's neck 11 must be removed before donning the bib. This
removed material can then be used for other purposes, such as a
tissue, protective cover for an instrument tray, or the like.
[0041] It is also contemplated by the inventor that the chest
protection portion 12 can extend beyond the chest area of the
patient to include the lower torso region, or even to the legs and
feet of the patient. If the chest protection portion 12 does extend
beyond the chest area of the patient, such as when the patient is
undergoing surgery, it is further contemplated that chest
protection portion 12 include one or more straps (not shown). These
straps can be used to secure wires, hoses, or the like in place
while the bib is in use. These straps can be permanently secured to
the bib on one end, and have a means of attachment on the other
end, which could include hook and loop fasteners, magnets,
adhesives, static electricity, or any other means of inexpensive
attachment. The straps could be located in various locations about
the bib with the purpose of securing wires hoses, or the likes,
during the use of the bib. Preferably, a strap is about 2 inches in
length from end to end, and is about 1 inch in width. It is located
in the chest protection portion 12 approximately where the waist of
the patient would be.
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