U.S. patent application number 16/143352 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for placemat system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Neural Analytics, Inc.. Invention is credited to John Arant, Anjan Chatterji, Seth Wilk.
Application Number | 20190282318 16/143352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63833113 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190282318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arant; John ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
PLACEMAT SYSTEM
Abstract
A disposable placemat system is provided. The disposable
placemat system includes a sheet of a first material having a front
surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The
disposable placemat system includes a sheet of a second material
attached to the sheet of the first material at the front surface.
The first material is liquid impermeable and different from the
second material. The second material is absorbent and configured to
absorb a fluid used in conjunction with a medical procedure
utilizing acoustic energy to monitor a subject.
Inventors: |
Arant; John; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Wilk; Seth; (Los Angeles, CA) ;
Chatterji; Anjan; (Los Angeles, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neural Analytics, Inc. |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63833113 |
Appl. No.: |
16/143352 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15923906 |
Mar 16, 2018 |
10105190 |
|
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16143352 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 7/022 20190101;
B32B 15/088 20130101; B32B 29/005 20130101; B32B 2307/7265
20130101; B32B 15/08 20130101; B32B 2439/80 20130101; B32B 15/12
20130101; B32B 23/08 20130101; B32B 27/34 20130101; B32B 2038/047
20130101; B32B 2307/732 20130101; A61B 2050/0071 20160201; B32B
27/283 20130101; B32B 2307/51 20130101; B32B 27/12 20130101; B32B
2250/44 20130101; A61B 8/4281 20130101; B32B 3/02 20130101; B32B
27/40 20130101; B32B 2307/7145 20130101; B32B 15/082 20130101; B32B
23/10 20130101; B32B 2255/26 20130101; B32B 23/042 20130101; B32B
37/1207 20130101; B32B 2307/73 20130101; B32B 27/322 20130101; A61B
2050/3011 20160201; B32B 37/20 20130101; B32B 2250/02 20130101;
B32B 2307/546 20130101; B32B 27/08 20130101; B32B 2255/02 20130101;
B32B 5/26 20130101; B32B 7/08 20130101; B32B 2439/46 20130101; B32B
15/09 20130101; A61B 50/36 20160201; B32B 7/02 20130101; B32B
2307/746 20130101; B32B 2535/00 20130101; B32B 37/203 20130101;
B32B 2037/1215 20130101; B32B 7/09 20190101; B32B 15/085 20130101;
B32B 23/06 20130101; B32B 27/32 20130101; B32B 3/08 20130101; B32B
15/06 20130101; B32B 27/10 20130101; A61B 8/40 20130101; A61B
2046/205 20160201; B32B 7/12 20130101; B32B 37/144 20130101; B32B
15/043 20130101; B32B 2307/726 20130101; B32B 23/046 20130101; B32B
15/14 20130101; B32B 3/06 20130101; B32B 15/095 20130101; B32B
29/02 20130101; A61B 46/23 20160201; A61B 46/40 20160201; A61B
2050/314 20160201; B32B 2262/062 20130101; B32B 25/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 46/23 20060101
A61B046/23; B32B 7/02 20060101 B32B007/02 |
Claims
1. A placemat system, comprising: a sheet of a first material
having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front
surface, wherein the first material is liquid impermeable; and a
sheet of a second material attached to the sheet of the first
material at the front surface of the first material, wherein the
second material is absorbent and an exposed portion of the front
surface of the sheet of the first material is uncovered by the
sheet of the second material.
2. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of
the front surface of the sheet of the first material surrounds at
least one side of the sheet of the second material.
3. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of
the front surface of the sheet of the first material surrounds two
or more sides of the sheet of the second material.
4. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the exposed portion of
the front surface of the sheet of the first material and a surface
of the second material are exposed.
5. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the first material is
elastic.
6. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the first material is
stretchable.
7. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein the second material has
an absorbency, thickness, and size configured to retain ultrasound
gel.
8. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first
material or the second material comprises a shape memory
polymer.
9. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first
material or the second material comprises a metal material.
10. The placemat system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the
first material or the second material comprises a pliable
material.
11. The placemat system of claim 10, wherein the one or both of the
sheet of the first material or the sheet of the second material is
configured to fold to form an interior volume.
12. The placemat system of claim 11, wherein the one or both of the
sheet of the first material or the sheet of the second material is
configured to fold into a basin or a partial basin with the
interior volume.
13. The placemat system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
drawstring disposed at the sheet of the first material.
14. The placemat system of claim 13, wherein one of the at least
one drawstring is disposed at a midpoint of the placemat
system.
15. The placemat system of claim 13, wherein one of the at least
one drawstring forms a loop.
16. The placemat system of claim 13, wherein one of the at least
one drawstring is disposed at the exposed portion of the front
surface of the sheet of the first material.
17. The placemat system of claim 13, further comprising a
drawstring casing at the sheet of the first material, wherein one
of the at least one drawstring extends from the drawstring
casing.
18. The placemat system of claim 13, wherein the placemat system is
configured to form a bag as the at least one drawstring is
pulled.
19. The placemat system of claim 17, wherein the sheet of the
second material forms an interior surface of the bag while the
sheet of the first material forms an exterior surface of the bag
when the placemat system forms the bag.
20. A method of manufacturing a placemat system, comprising:
providing a sheet of a first material having a front surface and a
back surface opposite to the front surface, wherein the first
material is liquid impermeable; and providing a sheet of a second
material attached to the sheet of the first material at the front
surface of the first material, wherein the second material is
absorbent and an exposed portion of the front surface of the sheet
of the first material is uncovered by the sheet of the second
material.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/923,906, filed Mar. 16, 2018, which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For providing more effective healthcare, maintaining hygiene
and cleanliness is a high priority for healthcare providers. One
scenario in which hygiene may be compromised is when medical
materials and instruments (e.g., placemats and sheets) are reused
on different patients, which may enable and/or accelerate the
transfer of bacteria or illness from patient to patient. In
addition, reusable medical instruments and materials may be
cumbersome for use by a healthcare provider, for example, due to
storing, deploying, safekeeping, monitoring, and the like, of the
reusable equipment.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to various arrangements, provided is a placemat
system that is disposable such that it is not reused between more
than one subject. In addition, according to various arrangements,
the placemat system is straightforward to use. As such, hygiene and
cleanliness are increased, while allowing healthcare providers to
more efficiently and easily use the system.
[0004] According to various arrangements, there is provided a
disposable placemat system for containing medical materials and
instruments. The disposable placemat system includes a sheet of a
first material having a front surface and a back surface opposite
to the front surface. The disposable placemat system includes a
sheet of a second material attached to the sheet of the first
material at the front surface. The first material is liquid
impermeable and different from the second material. The second
material is made from an absorbent material configured to absorb a
fluid used in conjunction with a medical procedure utilizing
acoustic energy to monitor a subject.
[0005] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material has a
thickness greater than that of the sheet of the first material.
[0006] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material is
permanently attached to the sheet of the first material.
[0007] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material is
hot-melt glued to the sheet of the first material.
[0008] In some arrangements, the disposable placemat system further
includes one or more anchors attached to the sheet of the first
material.
[0009] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors includes a
plurality of anchors, each of the plurality of anchors attached at
a respective corner of the placemat system at the sheet of the
first material.
[0010] In some arrangements, the plurality of anchors includes four
anchors.
[0011] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors are attached
to the front surface of the sheet of the first material.
[0012] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors include an
adhesive layer and are configured to retain one or more medical
instruments to be used during the medical procedure via the
adhesive layer.
[0013] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors are attached
to the back surface of the sheet of the first material.
[0014] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors include an
adhesive layer and are configured to removably attach the placemat
system to a work surface on which the placemat system is placed via
the adhesive layer.
[0015] In some arrangements, the one or more anchors include a
weighted block for retaining the placemat system at a work surface
on which the placemat system is placed.
[0016] In some arrangements, the placemat system defines a
drawstring casing around a perimeter of the placemat system, and
wherein the placemat system includes a drawstring through the
drawstring casing that extends outside of the placemat system from
the drawstring casing.
[0017] In some arrangements, the placemat system further includes a
length of elastic string extending from the placemat system and
configured to be tied around a bed or gurney for stabilizing the
placemat system to the bed or gurney.
[0018] In some arrangements, the placemat system further includes a
plurality of placemat systems and a roll configured to store the
plurality of placemat systems.
[0019] In some arrangements, each adjacent pair of placemat systems
of the plurality of placemat systems is separated by a perforated
section such that the adjacent pair of placemat systems is
configured to be detached from each other via the perforated
section.
[0020] In some arrangements, the fluid includes ultrasound gel.
[0021] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material
includes an anti-bacterial compound.
[0022] In some arrangements, the placemat system further includes a
layer of a chemical compound at the back surface of the sheet of
the first material, the chemical compound being anti-bacterial and
configured to sterilize ultrasound equipment.
[0023] In some arrangements, a method of manufacturing a disposable
placemat system includes providing a sheet of a first material
having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front
surface; and providing a sheet of a second material attached to the
sheet of the first material at the front surface, the first
material being liquid impermeable and different from the second
material and the second material being absorbent and configured to
absorb a fluid used in conjunction with a medical procedure
utilizing acoustic energy to monitor a subject.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] Features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following description and the
accompanying example arrangements shown in the drawings, which are
briefly described below.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a placemat system according
to various arrangements.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a placemat system including
one or more anchors according to various arrangements.
[0027] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a placemat system
including one or more drawstrings according to various
arrangements.
[0028] FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of a placemat system
including one or more drawstrings according to various
arrangements.
[0029] FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of the placemat
system shown in FIG. 3A that is transformed into a carrying bag
according to various arrangements.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a placemat system including
one or more instruments therein according to various
arrangements.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a roll of placemat systems
according to various arrangements.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a placemat system and a
human head placed thereon according to various arrangements.
[0033] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C illustrate top views of a
placemat system at different folded stages according to various
arrangements.
[0034] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of a placemat system
according to various arrangements.
[0035] FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the
anchor shown in FIG. 8A according to various arrangements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
configurations and is not intended to represent the only
configurations in which the concepts described herein may be
practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for
providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts
may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances,
well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram
form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.
[0037] In the following description of various arrangements,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part
hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific
arrangements in which the arrangements may be practiced. It is to
be understood that other arrangements may be utilized, and
structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the various arrangements disclosed in the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a placemat system 100
according to various arrangements.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, in some arrangements, the placemat
system 100 is made from a sheet of a first material 102 and a sheet
of a second material 104. The first material 102 includes any
suitable flexible material, such as, but not limited to, fabric,
plastic, and the like. In some arrangements, the first material 102
is a stretchable or elastic material. In some arrangements, the
first material includes a slick material or is coated with a slick
material to allow frictionless movement along a surface. For
example, the first material 102 can be made from or coated with a
water-repellent material, hydrophobic material, or a
superhydrophobic (nanoscopic surface) material. In some examples,
the first material 102 is slippery to allow the frictionless
movement of an object (e.g., a head of a subject, a medical
instrument, and the like) on the surface of the first material 102.
Examples of the first material 102 include, but are not limited to,
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), waterproof composite fabric, and
the like. In some arrangements, the second material 104 is made
from any suitable soft, absorbent material, such as, but not
limited to, paper, cotton, rayon, polyester, polyethylene,
polypropylene, fiber, sponge, polyethylene terephthalate, wood
pulp, combinations thereof, and the like. In particular
arrangements, the second material 104 is made from a soft material
that is configured to cushion a subject when placed thereon for
added comfortability of the subject. In that regard, the sheet of
the second material 104 may have a suitable thickness for providing
the cushion. In some arrangements, both the first material 102 and
the second material 104 are made from a relatively inexpensive
material such that the placemat system 100 can be mass-produced and
disposed of after a single use.
[0040] In some arrangements, the second material 104 is configured
to be absorbent with respect to one or more fluids so as to aid in
healthcare administration by, for example, cleaning a patient or
equipment before, during, or after a medical procedure. In some
arrangements, fluids that are used in a medical procedure can be
absorbed by the sheet of the second material 104. Examples of the
fluids include, but are not limited to, an ultrasound gel,
disinfectants (rubbing alcohol or another liquid disinfectant),
water, and the like. In some arrangements, bodily fluids from a
patient can be absorbed by the sheet of the second material 104.
Examples of the bodily fluids include, but are not limited to,
blood, urine, vomit, fecal matter, pus, saliva, and the like. For
example, the sheet of second material 104 can have a large enough
area to encompass a body of an infant or toddler that can be placed
on the sheet of second material 104 for medical examination or
procedure, and any fluids discharged from the infant or toddler or
used in connection with the medical examination or procedure can be
absorbed by the sheet of the second material 104.
[0041] In some arrangements, using the placement system 100 in the
manner disclosed allow a work surface for the medical examination
or procedure on which the placemat system 100 is positioned to
remain clean and sterile from subject to subject, resulting in
increased infection control and higher quality medical care. For
example, in the case where a patient has experienced mild traumatic
brain injury and is to undergo a brain diagnostic (e.g.,
Transcranial Doppler) to confirm, the patient may be bleeding from
the experience and the placemat system 100 can be used to form a
barrier between the patient and a surface (e.g., a surface of a
table, a bed, the ground, and the like) on which medical procedures
occur such that the surface can remain sterile from such bodily
fluids. In addition, the sheet of second material 104 can be
utilized to help absorb and clean the blood from the patient.
[0042] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104
is configured to retain or absorb fluids that are involved in
different medical procedures. For example, in some situations in
which the subject is bleeding, the sheet of the second material 104
is configured to have sufficient absorbency, thickness, and size to
be capable of wiping and retaining the blood from the subject so
that the medical procedure can be properly performed. In such
arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104 is made from
materials capable of absorbing or retaining blood, such as, but not
limited to, cotton, rayon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene,
combinations thereof, and the like.
[0043] As another example, in some situations in which fluids
(e.g., such as but not limited to, ultrasound gel for facilitating
ultrasound signal propagation from an ultrasound probe into a
subject's body) are used in conjunction with a medical procedure,
the sheet of the second material 104 is configured to have
sufficient absorbency, thickness, and size to be capable of wiping,
retaining, and/or absorbing the ultrasound gel from the subject
during or after the medical procedure. Accordingly, in some
arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104 aids in the
administration of healthcare by allowing a user to clean the
patient of any medical fluids (e.g., ultrasound gel) with edges or
corners of the sheet of the second material 104 or physically guide
the fluid applied to the patient or a piece of medical equipment to
optimal locations, by a user via the sheet of the second material
104, for increasing the effectiveness of the medical procedure
(e.g., the ultrasound gel can be physically directed and
constrained, via use of the sheet of the second material 104, to an
acoustic window at a subject's head that is optimal for receiving
the ultrasound signal). Accordingly, in some arrangements, the
sheet of the second material 104 is made from materials capable of
absorbing or retaining ultrasound gel, such as, but not limited to,
wood pulp, resin, paper sheets, cotton, polyester, rayon,
polyethylene, polypropylene, combinations thereof, and the
like.
[0044] In some arrangements, one or more of the first material 102
and the second material 104 can be made from or include a pliable
material, such as, but not limited to, a shape memory polymer or
metal material. In some examples, a sheet of the first material 102
and/or a sheet of the second material 104 include a layer of
pliable material embedded therein to allow bending of the sheet of
the first material 102 and/or the sheet of the second material 104.
In practice, a user can, for example, bend edges or corners of the
sheet of the first material 102 and/or the sheet of the second
material 104 to form raised edges and/or corners. The raised edges
and/or corners can prevent the fluids from flowing to the surface
upon which the placemat system 100 is positioned. The pliable
material may be within the sheet of the first material 102 and/or
the sheet of the second material 104 or on either surface of the
sheet of the first material 102 and/or the sheet of the second
material 104. In some arrangements, the sheet of the first material
102 and the sheet of the second material 104 are made from any
suitable pliable material so that the placemat system 100 can be
positioned on any irregular surface such that the placemat system
100 will conform to the surface. The pliable material allows a user
to fold edges of the first material 102 up to form a basin or
partial basin, trapping all or some of the medical fluids or bodily
fluids within an interior volume defined by the basin or partial
basin. In some arrangements, the pliable material includes, but is
not limited to, plastic (e.g., including a plurality of joints for
forming the shape), leather, nylon, and the like.
[0045] In some arrangements, the sheet of second material 104 is
made from a permeable fabric, and the sheet of first material 102
is made from a fluid impermeable fabric. A resilient absorbent
material is secured between the first and second sheets, for
example, by stitching or quilting the sheets and cushioning the
materials 102 and 104 together using sterile joining practices for
medical mats. The number and combination of sheets can be varied to
accommodate absorption, sterility, volume, density, thickness, and
other material properties. When the placemat system 100 is used to
define a carrying bag (as further discussed below), the sheet of
second material 104 forms an interior surface of the carrying bag,
and the sheet of first material 102 forms an exterior surface of
the carrying bag. In some arrangements, the layer of absorbent
material and/or the second material 104 includes a sterile fluid
retention-capable medical fiber.
[0046] In some arrangements, the sheet of the first material 102 is
fluid-impermeable so that fluids that are absorbed by the sheet of
the second material 104 do not pass beyond the sheet of first
material 102, providing increased infection control because the
fluids are contained within the placemat system 100 that can be
disposed of. For example, the surface upon which the placemat
system 100 is positioned can remain sterile and clean due to the
fluid impermeable first material 102. Any other objects are also
protected as the placemat system 100 is disposed of since the first
material 102 will not allow leakage of fluid outside of the
placemat system 100 (e.g., when the placemat system 100 is cinched
or folded up for disposal). In other arrangements, the second
material 104 is made from any suitable fluid impermeable material,
such as, but not limited to, glass, plastic, metal,
polytetrafluorothylene (PTFE), coated fabrics, silicone,
polyurethane, rubber, rubber-coated textiles, combinations thereof,
and the like. Furthermore, the sheet of the first material 102 and
the sheet of the second material 104 have any suitable thickness to
be sufficiently thin for storage (e.g., when folded up).
[0047] In some arrangements, the first material 102 has a larger
surface area than that of the second material 104. In some
arrangements, the second material 104 has a thickness greater than
that of the first material 102. The first material 102 is affixed
to the second material 104 by any suitable and secure method, such
as, but not limited to, by adhesive (e.g., hot-melt glue), by
thermo-forming, by sewing, by molding, by welding, by Velcro, by
stapling, and the like. In some arrangements, the second material
104 extends along an entire length of the first material 102, but
not along an entire width of the first material 102, or vice versa.
The length of the first material 102 is greater than the width of
the first material 102. In other arrangements, the second material
104 extends along the entire width and the entire length of the
first material 102. In other arrangements, all sides of the sheet
of the second material 104 are encompassed by the sheet of the
first material 102 (e.g., the sheet of the second material 104 has
a square shape within the larger rectangular sheet of the first
material 102). In some arrangements, the placemat system 100 is
designed to have a rectangular shape. In other arrangements, the
placemat system 100 is designed to have any suitable shape (such
as, but not limited to, a circle, a triangle, a hexagon, and the
like) for receiving a patient or a specific body part of the
patient.
[0048] In some arrangements, the placemat system 100 includes one
or more free pieces of string or another component
protruding/extending from one or more corners of the placemat
system 100. In some arrangements, the strings are affixed to the
placemat system 100 by any suitable and secure method, such as, but
not limited to, by adhesive (e.g., hot-melt glue), by
thermo-forming, by sewing, by molding, by welding, by Velcro, by
stapling, and the like. In some arrangements, the strings can be
used to tie up the placemat system 100 after use thereof. For
example, the placemat system 100 can be folded up or otherwise
closed upwards (e.g., around the sheet of the second material 104)
and then tied up with the strings such that the placemat system 100
remains closed and capable of easy disposal.
[0049] In some arrangements, the placemat system 100 has any
suitable size for receiving a body part or the entire body of a
patient. For example, in arrangements where the placemat system 100
is configured to receive a head of a patient, the sheet of the
first material 102 can have a length in a range of about 30
centimeters (cm) to about 95 cm and a width in a range of about 25
cm to about 65 cm. In such arrangements, the sheet of the second
material 104 can have a length in a range of about 30 cm to about
95 cm and a width in a range of about 20 cm to about 50 cm. In such
arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104 has a size and
position at the sheet of the first material 102 such that a first
strip of the first material 102 is located above the sheet of the
second material 104 and a second strip of the second material 104
is located below the sheet of the first material 102 (e.g., the
non-limiting configuration shown in FIG. 1). In some arrangements,
the first strip and the second strip of the first material 102 has
the same width, which is in a range from about 4 cm to about 9 cm.
In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104 has any
suitable weight for absorbing and cushioning a patient, such as,
but not limited to, in a range from about 50 grams per square meter
(gsm) to about 110 gsm. In some arrangements, the sheet of the
second material 104 has any suitable absorbency characteristic for
absorbing fluids thereon, such as absorbency in a range of about 4
grams of fluid to about 30 grams of fluid (e.g., blood or
ultrasound gel). The absorbency can be a measurement of how much
fluid the second material 104 holds before leaking therefrom, as
determined by, for example, the Syngina Test.
[0050] In some arrangements, the placemat system 100 is foldable
(e.g., for simple and easy storage and disposal thereof). In some
arrangements, the placemat system 100 includes at least one
vertical folding guide 106 and at least one horizontal folding
guide 108. In some arrangements, the folding guides 106, 108
provide sections along which the placemat system 100 can be folded
such that the placemat system 100 can be folded into a smaller form
factor to allow convenient, easy storage and transportation of the
placemat system 100. For example, the placemat system 100 includes
a plurality of vertical folding guides 106 and/or a plurality of
horizontal folding guides 108. The placemat system 100 includes any
desired number and orientation of vertical folding guides 106 and
horizontal folding guides 108 to facilitate suitable
miniaturization of the placemat system 100.
[0051] In some arrangements, the second material 104 or an
additional material between the first material 102 and the second
material 104 is or includes a cushioning material for providing a
comfortable experience to a patient. In particular arrangements,
the cushioning material is concentrated in a substantially central
portion of the placemat system 100. For example, the cushioning
material can be located between the two vertical folding guides 106
directly surrounding a center vertical line of the placemat system
100 (e.g., the center vertical line in an example may fall along
the central vertical folding guide 106a). In other arrangements,
the cushioning material is located over an entirety of the second
material 104.
[0052] Accordingly, in some arrangements, the placemat system 100
can be used with respect to a patient, for example, by being placed
underneath the patient (e.g., underneath the patient's head) while
the patient is being treated. For example, the patient may be
scanned by a Transcranial Doppler (TCD) system for which ultrasound
gel needs to be applied to the patient's head or to the system, and
the ultrasound gel can be easily wiped off by the second material
104. As another example, the patient may have experienced head
trauma, and thus the second material 104 can be used to clean the
patient's head (e.g., of dirt, debris, blood, and the like) to be
in a suitable state for use with respect to a medical device (e.g.,
a TCD). Furthermore, in some arrangements, the placemat system 100
serves as a physical barrier between the patient and any
repeatedly-used surface (e.g., a gurney, hospital bed, and so on),
thereby providing increased infection and hygiene control between
patients.
[0053] In some arrangements, the sheet of the second material 104
is pre-soaked or treated with a compound configured to be a
disinfectant or to kill bacteria. In particular arrangements, the
second material 104 is pre-soaked or treated with, for example, but
not limited to, alcohol, ethanol, isoproponal, dodecanoic acid,
triclosan, triclocarban, a combination thereof, and the like. In
some arrangements, the compound at the second material 104 is safe
to contact skin of the subject. In some arrangements, an extra
layer of a disposable thin film is applied to the patient-facing
surface of the sheet of the second material 104 such that the film
prolongs the lifespan of the treated second material 104 such that
the compound therein does not dry out during storage. In other
arrangements, the back surface of the sheet of the first material
102 (e.g., the surface that is opposite to the surface connected to
the sheet of the second material 104) is treated with the compound
such that when the placemat system 100 is positioned on a work
surface, the work surface is disinfected for increased sterility
and hygiene. When the placemat system 100 is positioned on the work
surface, the back surface comes in contact with the work surface.
For example, another sheet of the second material 104 can be
affixed to the back surface of the sheet of the first material 102
and pre-soaked or treated with a disinfecting or antibacterial
compound. Accordingly, by including a layer of disinfecting or
antibacterial compound on the back surface of the sheet of the
first material 102, the placemat system 100 also serves as a
sterilization apparatus that sterilizes the work surface on which
the placemat system 100 is positioned (e.g., a medical examination
bed, gurney, table, and so on). Furthermore, by including a layer
of disinfecting or antibacterial compound on the back surface of
the sheet of the first material 102, the chemical compound does not
contact the skin of the subject, which may otherwise cause
irritation to the subject (e.g., for those chemical compounds that
are not recommended or safe to contact subject's skin). In other
arrangements, the disinfecting or antibacterial compound is
included at both the front and back surfaces of the placemat system
100.
[0054] In some arrangements, the front surface and/or the back
surface of the sheet of the first material 102 includes a
disinfecting wipe that is configured to disinfect ultrasound
equipment without damaging such equipment. In some arrangements,
the disinfecting solution of the disinfecting wipe is soaked or
treated within the sheet of the second material 104 (e.g., at one
or more of the back or front surfaces of the sheet of the first
material 102). In other arrangements, at least one standalone
ultrasound equipment disinfecting wipe is included in the placemat
system 100, such as at a corner, in a packaging stored therein, and
so on. A problem with using other wipes that are not designed for
use with ultrasound equipment is that the non-ultrasound equipment
wipes may damage the equipment. For example, alcohol and solvents
can dry and crack cables, touchscreens can become unresponsive to
touch, and ultrasound probes can be damaged so as to compromise
their imaging effectiveness. Thus, according to some arrangements,
the disinfecting wipes or disinfecting solution soaked or treated
within the placemat system 100 can be compatible with ultrasound
equipment and can be made from such compounds as, but not limited
to, water, decyldimethyloctylammonium chloride,
dimethyldioctylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride,
quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-16-alkyldimethyl,
combinations thereof, and the like. As such, the chemical compound
as described above can have antibacterial, disinfecting, and
ultrasound equipment compatibility characteristics. The
disinfecting wipes can include a membrane, a cover, or a container
for retaining the disinfecting solution.
[0055] In some arrangements, a disinfecting wipe or at least a
portion of thereof is positioned on the patient-facing surface of
the second material 104, such that overflowing disinfecting
solution of the disinfecting wipe can be absorbed by the second
material 104. In that regard, the disinfecting wipe is positioned
sufficiently far away from a center of a plane defined by the
second material 104 so that the bodily fluids and other medical
solutions do not contaminate or mix with the disinfecting solution
of the disinfecting wipe. In some arrangements, a disinfecting wipe
or at least a portion of thereof is positioned on a portion of the
patient-facing surface of the first material 102 that is not
covered by the second material 104. For example, one or more
disinfecting wipe or at least a portion thereof is positioned on
the top and bottom strips or the corners of the first material 102
that is not covered by the second material 104. When a head of the
patient is placed on a center of the placemat system 100, the
placemat system 100 (including the sheets of the first and second
materials 102 and 104) may become concave due to the weight of the
head. This may cause the edges (e.g., the top and bottom strips) of
the first material 102 to become raised as compared to the center
of the placemat system 100. As such, overflowing disinfecting
solution of the disinfecting wipe can flow toward the center of the
placemat system 100 from the first material 102 and become absorbed
by the second material 104 when the overflowing disinfecting
solution of the disinfecting wipe comes in contact with the second
material 104.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a placemat system 200
including one or more anchors 202 according to various
arrangements.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, the placemat system 200 may include at
least the placemat system 100, for example, having a sheet of the
first material 102, a sheet of the second material 104, folding
guides 106, 106a, and 108, and the like. In some arrangements, the
anchors 202 are located at one or more corners of the placemat
system 200. In some arrangements, one of the anchors 202 is located
at each of the corners of the placemat system 200. In some
arrangements, the anchors 202 are configured to restrain the
placemat system 200 to the work surface upon which the placemat
system 200 rests. For example, the anchors 202 can include weights
(e.g., a weighted block of material such as metal or metal alloy)
that are configured to secure the placemat system 200 to the work
surface to provide a more stable area for placing a patient. In
other arrangements, the anchors 202 include an adhesive or adhesive
layer located at a back surface (opposite to the patient-facing
front surface) of the first material 102 such that the placemat
system 200 can be affixed to the work surface via the adhesive
anchors 202. In particular arrangements, each of the anchors
includes an adhesive layer on an outer surface of the anchor 202
for contacting a work surface on which the placemat system 200 is
placed such that the placemat system 200 is removably attached to
the surface. In some arrangements, the anchors 202 are located at
predetermined intervals along the edge of the placemat system 200,
for example, along the top and bottom strips of the sheet of the
first material 102 that do not have any of the second material 104
attached thereto.
[0058] In some arrangements, the anchors 202 are located at the
front surface of the placemat system 200. In such arrangements, the
anchors 202 are configured to receive and hold instruments,
materials, tools, or other objects that are used in a medical
procedure for easy storage and access by a healthcare provider. In
particular arrangements, each of the anchors 202 include an
adhesive layer on its outer surface (the patient-facing surface),
as described above. For example, the anchors 202 can be configured
to retain a gel applicator, pincers, a scalpel, gauze, alcohol
wipes, and any other medical-related object to be used in
connection with a medical procedure. In such arrangements, the
anchors 202 (e.g., front surface anchors) include any suitable
material for retaining one or more objects, such as, but not
limited to, magnets, adhesive (e.g., double-sided tape), Velcro,
sticky gel, hooks, rings, and the like. In some arrangements, the
anchors 202 are located at both the front surface and the back
surface of the placemat system (e.g., the sheet of the first
material 102) for added stability. As such, the anchors 202 may
perform dual functions of stabilizing the placemat system 200 (with
the additional weight of the objects) and holding the objects in
place during a medical procedure. In some arrangements, each of the
anchors 202 includes a guard made of rigid or semi-rigid material
(e.g., disinfected plastic, cardboard, and the like) raised from
and traverses the plane defined by the placemat system 200. The
guard is between the center of the placemat system 200 and the rest
of one of the anchors 202 to prevent the objects retained by one of
the anchors 202 from sliding toward the patient when the patient is
placed in the center of the placemat system 200.
[0059] In some arrangements, the anchors 202 include one or more
strings or bands that are configured to be tied to a work surface
on which the placemat system 200 is positioned (e.g., a bed,
gurney, hospital table, and the like). In some arrangements, the
strings or bands are elastic loops that are configured to wrap
around the work surface. In particular arrangements, one or more
lengths of string extend from the placemat system 200 and are
configured to be tied to each other and around the work surface. In
some arrangements, a first length of string extends from one side
of the placemat system 200 and a second length of string extends
from a second side of the placemat system 200. The first and second
lengths are configured to be tied together and around the work
surface on which the placemat system 200 is placed. In some
arrangements, more than one pair of strings is included such that
each corresponding pair is tied together. In other arrangements,
the length of string is an elastic loop (e.g., rubber band) such
that it can be expanded such that the work surface can be inserted
through the elastic loop such that the elastic loop contracts or
snaps against the work surface, thereby stabilizing the placemat
system 200 with respect to the work surface. In some arrangements,
the elastic loop is positioned at a back surface of the placemat
system 200.
[0060] In some arrangements, the back surface (opposite of the
patient-facing surface) of the placemat system 200 is coated with
an adhesive compound such that the placemat system 200 is
configured to be affixed to the work surface on which the placemat
system 200 is positioned. In some arrangements, the first material
102 is made from a material that tends to cling to a surface (e.g.,
through friction, electrostatic charge, and so on), such as, but
not limited to, Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVC), Low-Density
Polyethylene (LDPE), cellophane, and the like. In some
arrangements, the anchors 202, strings, bands, adhesive, and the
like provide stability of the placemat while underneath the patient
such that movement of the patient does not disturb the positioning
of the placemat system 200, for example, so that the placemat
system 200 falls on the ground, shifts underneath the patient, and
so on.
[0061] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a placemat system 300
including one or more drawstrings 304a, 304b according to various
arrangements.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3A, the placemat system 300 may include at
least the placemat system 100, for example, having a sheet of the
first material 102, a sheet of the second material 104, the folding
guides 106, 106a, and 108, and the like. In some arrangements, the
placemat system 300 includes a hem that extends about the entire
periphery of the placemat system 300 to define a drawstring casing
302 or passageway. In some arrangements, the drawstring casing 302
is formed by sewing or welding the edges of the drawstring casing
together 302 to provide a tunnel therebetween that defines the
drawstring casing 302. For example, at portions where the first
material 102 and the second material 104 overlap, the edges of the
drawstring casing 302 can be sewn or welded shut such that the
drawstring casing 302 is interposed between the sheet of the first
material 102 and the sheet of the second material 104.
[0063] In some arrangements, the placemat system 300 includes a top
drawstring 304a and a bottom drawstring 304b. In some arrangements,
the drawing strings 304a and 304b are different portions of a same
drawstring. In other arrangements, the drawing strings 304a and
304b are different drawstrings. Each drawstring 304a, 304b extends
from the placemat system 300 from the drawstring casing 302. The
top drawstring 304a and the bottom drawstring 304b are located at
substantially central locations along the length of the placemat
system 300 such that the placemat system 300 can be adequately
miniaturized and transformed into a carrying bag form by a user
that pulls on the drawstrings 304a, 304b.
[0064] In some arrangements, the top drawstring 304a is designed as
a loop shape such that a user can easily grab onto and pull the top
drawstring 304a away from the placemat system 300. In some
arrangements, the top drawstring 304a straddles a top midpoint of
the placemat system 300 that is defined by the central vertical
folding guide 106a. For example, the upper edge or portion near the
upper edge of the placemat system 300 defines two openings 303a and
303b that straddle the upper midpoint of the placemat system 300,
and the top drawstring 304a enters the placemat system 300 through
the openings 303a and 303b such that the top drawstring 304a is in
communication with the drawstring casing 302.
[0065] In other arrangements, the top drawstring 304a and the
corresponding openings 303a, 303b are located at a different
location other than proximate the upper midpoint of the placemat
system 300, such as, but not limited to, a side midpoint (e.g., 90
degrees from the upper midpoint), a location that is not a
midpoint, a corner, and the like. In other arrangements, the top
drawstring 304a is not a loop, but any other suitable shape or
design for allowing a user to pull therefrom, such as, but not
limited to, knotted individual strands (e.g., each strand extending
from respective openings 303a and 303b) and the like. In other
arrangements, the placemat system 300 defines one opening 303a
(e.g., at the upper midpoint) from which the drawstring 304a
extends. In some arrangements, the placemat system 300 includes any
suitable number of drawstrings for miniaturizing itself, such as,
but not limited to, one, three, four (e.g., at each horizontal and
vertical edge midpoints), and so on. In some arrangements, the top
drawstring 304a is made from any suitable material, such as, but
not limited to, nylon, cloth, plastic, and the like. In some
arrangements, the bottom drawstring 304b includes similar or the
same features as those described above with respect to the top
drawstring 304a.
[0066] As such, in some arrangements, by providing the top
drawstring 304a and the bottom drawstring 304b, the placemat system
300 can be cinched up and disposed of. For example, any other
disposable materials part of a medical procedure can be placed
within the placemat system 300 and then the placemat system 300 can
be cinched up for disposal of the placemat system 300 and the
materials inserted therein. Accordingly, the placemat system 300
allows for efficient deployment and efficient disposal thereof by a
healthcare administrator.
[0067] In other arrangements, instead of drawstrings 304a, 304b,
the placemat system 300 (and any disposable materials placed
therein) can be folded up and disposed of. For example, the side
edges can include handles attached thereto such that a user can
fold the placemat system 300 and carry it away for disposal.
[0068] FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of a placemat system 350
including one or more drawstrings 354a, 354b according to various
arrangements. Referring to FIGS. 3A-3B, the placemat system 350 is
similar to the placemat system 300 in that the placemat system 350
includes the first material 102, the second material 104, and
folding guides 306 and 308.
[0069] In some arrangements, the placemat system 350 is in a
hexagonal shape. In other arrangements, the placemat system 350 is
any suitable shape for being placed underneath a subject and/or for
enabling transformation into a carrying bag, such as, but not
limited to, a triangle, a square, a pentagon, and so on. The
hexagonal shape may allow the placemat system 350 to readily form a
bag.
[0070] FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of the placemat
system 300 shown in FIG. 3A that is transformed into a carrying bag
according to various arrangements.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3C, in some arrangements, each of
the drawstrings 304a, 304b is a sterile or non-sterile cord or
drawstring and is received in the drawstring casing 302 and is of a
size to extend about the periphery of the placemat system 300. In
some arrangements, the drawstrings 304a, 304b are slidably received
in the drawstring casing 302 so that their movement within the
drawstring casing 302 about the periphery of placemat system 300 is
unrestricted. In some arrangements, to change the configuration of
the placemat system 300 from a placemat to a carrying bag (e.g.,
for disposing), the top and bottom drawstrings 304a, 304h are
pulled away from the drawstring casing 302 through their respective
openings (e.g., 303a and 303b). The drawstrings 304a and 304h are
pulled in a direction out of and away from the drawstring casing
302.
[0072] As the top and bottom drawstrings 304a, 304b are pulled out
of their respective openings, the drawstring casing 302, the first
material 102, the second material 104, and any other layer included
in the placemat system 300 form gathers adjacent the periphery of
the placemat system 300 to permit the periphery thereof to reduce
in size. The drawing together or contraction of the drawstring
casing 302 causes the casing 302 to pucker or ruffle to form the
gathers. The first material 102 and second material 104 (and any
other layer of material, for example, an absorbent material)
adjacent the drawstring casing 302 also pucker or contract together
as the gathers are formed. In some arrangements, the drawstring
casing 302 is located more towards the center of the placemat
system 300, for example, such that the drawstring casing 302 forms
a square shape within the rectangular shape of the placemat system
300.
[0073] In some arrangements, as the periphery of the placemat
system 300 reduces in size and the gathers are formed, the edges of
the placemat system 300 are drawn together to cause the placemat
system 300 to form a carrying bag. When the placemat system 300
defines a carrying bag, the first material 102 forms an outer
surface of the carrying bag and the second material 104 forms an
interior surface of the carrying bag. In some arrangements, when
formed as a carrying bag, procedural equipment, procedural waste,
and other procedural materials (e.g., disposable materials), such
as gel applicators, gel dispensers, protective bags, sanitizing
wipes, and the like, can be carried within the carrying bag. In
some arrangements, because of the pliable nature of the materials
of the placemat system 300, it is a highly efficient carrier of
materials, capable of defining its shape about the articles to be
carried and cushioning the contents therein and having a large
capacity or carrying volume. Also, due to the impermeability and
sterility of the construction of the first material 102, and its
facing opposite of the procedural surface of the second material
104, a containment bag for biohazard waste having a sterile or
non-sterile outer surface is formed without the use of an external
separate containment component having to be employed or the
placemat, and equipment having to be placed within.
[0074] In some arrangements, after the drawstrings 304a, 304b are
pulled from the drawstring casing 302 such that the carrying bag is
formed, a handle portion for the carrying bag is created by
securing the extended drawstrings 304a, 304b together once they
have been pulled out of their respective openings (e.g., openings
303a, 303b). In some arrangements, the extended drawstrings 304a,
304b are secured together by tying them together or by other
suitable fastening methods.
[0075] In some arrangements, by forming the placemat system 300 as
a carrying bag, the placemat system 300 can be easily transported
from the procedural area while carrying equipment, waste, or other
articles. In some arrangements, because the carrying bag has a
layer of absorbent material (e.g., the second material 104) at the
interior surface, the articles carried therein are cushioned and
protected from possible damage during transport as a result of the
density and padding properties of the second material 104. In some
arrangements, the pliable characteristics of the carrying bag
permit it to take the configuration of the articles being
transported as well.
[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a placemat system 400
having one or more instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 placed thereon
according to various arrangements.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the placemat system 400 may include at
least the placemat system 100, for example, having a sheet of the
first material 102, a sheet of the second material 104, the folding
guides 106, 106a, and 108, and the like. In some arrangements, the
instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 include any object for use in
connection with a medical procedure (e.g., an ultrasound scan
operation). The instruments 402, 404, 406, and 408 may be objects
such as, but not limited to, gel (e.g., ultrasound gel), pincers,
sanitizing wipes, gauze, gel applicators, and so on. In some
arrangements, the instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 are placed within
the placemat system 400 after use in a medical procedure, and both
the instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 and the placemat system 400 are
disposed of. For example, the placemat system 400 is folded with
the instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 therein and disposed of, or the
placemat system 400 is cinched (e.g., using the drawstrings 304a,
304b) with the instruments 402, 404, 406, 408 therein and then
disposed of.
[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a roll 502 of placemat
systems 500 according to various arrangements.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, each of the placemat systems 500 may
include at least the placemat system 100, for example, having a
sheet of the first material 102, a sheet of the second material
104, the folding guides 106, 106a, and 108, and the like. In some
arrangements, the plurality of placemat systems 500 is stored in
the roll 502. In particular arrangements, any two adjacent ones of
the placemat systems 500 are separated by a perforated section 504
such that a user can tear away individual ones of the placemat
systems 500 for use. Accordingly, in some arrangements, placemat
systems can be manufactured easily by making an extended sheet of
placemat systems 500 that is separated by perforated sections 504
and then stored as the roll 502 for easy transportation of the
plurality of placemat systems 500.
[0080] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the placemat system 100 and
a subject's head 602 (e.g., a human head) placed thereon according
to various arrangements.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, in some arrangements, the
subject's head 602 is centered on the placemat system 100 so that
there are substantially equal lengths of the placemat system 100
extending horizontally from both sides of the subject's head 602
(e.g., so that any liquid or materials from the medical procedure
are received by the placemat system 100 and not by the surface
underneath the placemat system 100). To this end, the placemat
system 100 serves as a subject placement marker for indicating the
appropriate location to position the head 602. For example, by
placing the placemat system 100, a healthcare administrator can
utilize the central vertical folding guide 106a as a marker for
adequately positioning the subject's head 602 (or any other body
part or piece of medical equipment).
[0082] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C illustrate top views of the
placemat system 100 at different folded stages according to various
arrangements.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7A, in some arrangements, the
placemat system 100 is first folded along the central vertical
folding guide 106a such that the placemat system 100 is folded in
half. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7B, in some arrangements, the
placemat system 100 is then folded along another vertical folding
guide 106 such that all the vertical folding guides 106 have been
folded upon. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7C, in some arrangements, the
placemat system 100 is then folded along each of the horizontal
folding guides 108 so that the top and bottom portions of the
folded placemat system shown in FIG. 7B (e.g., the portion above
the top horizontal folding guide 108 and the portion below the
bottom horizontal folding guide 108, respectively) are folded on
top of each other.
[0084] While the figures illustrate various features of the
placemat systems 100, 200, 300, 350, 400, and 500, one of ordinary
skill in the art can appreciate that the features described with
reference to the different figures can be combined in any suitable
combination or permutation as desired.
[0085] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of a placemat system
800 according to various arrangements.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 8A, in some arrangements, the placemat
system 800 is similar to the placemat system 100, and so the
description above is applicable to the placemat system 800. In some
arrangements, the placemat system 800 includes barrier wings 802, a
first anchor 804, a second anchor 806, a third anchor 808, and a
fourth anchor 810.
[0087] In some arrangements, the barrier wings 802 are foldable so
as to either lay flat on top of a work surface or extend upwards
(e.g., perpendicularly) from the work surface. Accordingly, the
barrier wings 802 are made from any suitable rigid material, such
as, but not limited to, cardboard, plastic, and the like. In some
arrangements, the barrier wings 802 fold along a vertical folding
guide (described above). In some arrangements, by folding and
remaining upwards, the barrier wings 802 prevent any fluid (e.g.,
fluid from a subject or fluid used in connection with a medical
procedure) from leaking beyond the placemat system 800 and onto the
work surface, thereby improving infection control and hygiene with
respect to the different patients that are placed on the work
surface. In some arrangements, the top and/or bottom of the
placemat system 800 include barrier wings 802 such that three or
all four edges of the placemat system 800 are walled off by the
barrier wings 802 to prevent any leakage of fluid from within the
placemat system 802 and onto the work space.
[0088] In some arrangements, the placemat system 800 include the
first anchor 804 that has a slot therein for receiving a piece of
medical equipment. In particular arrangements, the medical
equipment can be a piece of equipment used in conjunction with a
medical procedure for which the placemat system 800 is also used
for. For example, the placemat system 800 can be used in connection
with an automated TCD and the piece of medical equipment can
include a camera that is slotted into the first anchor 804 so that
the camera can monitor the patient or can take a picture of the
patient for optically registering the patient with respect to the
automated TCD.
[0089] In some arrangements, the second anchor 806 includes a
pocket for retaining one or more medical instruments. For example,
the second anchor 806 can retain one or more reflective fiducial
stickers for placing at anatomically significant locations on a
patient's head (e.g., at the corner of the eye and at the tragus of
the patient) so that the patient can be optically registered by a
camera (as discussed above) for use in connection with an automated
robotic TCD system. In some arrangements, the third anchor 808
includes a magnet. Accordingly, various metallic medical
instruments can be retained by the third anchor 808 during, before,
or after a medical procedure. Such metallic medical instruments
include, but are not limited to, pincers, a scalpel, a gel
applicator, and so on. In some arrangements, the first anchor 802,
the second anchor 804, and the third anchor 806 are located at any
suitable and convenient location of the placemat system 800, such
as, but not limited to, the corners, any portion of an edge, at the
central portion, and so on.
[0090] FIG. 8B illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the
fourth anchor 810 shown in FIG. 8A according to various
arrangements.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, the placemat system 800 includes
the fourth anchor 810 located at the back surface thereof, or the
surface that is configured to contact the work surface. The fourth
anchor 810 includes an anchor weight 810a and an adhesive layer
810b on the anchor weight 810. In some arrangements, the anchor
weight 810a is a weighted block configured to anchor the placemat
system 800 to the work surface. In some arrangements, the adhesive
layer 810b is configured to affix the placemat system 800 to the
work surface to provide a stronger anchor by the fourth anchor 810.
As such, the fourth anchor 810 enables the placemat system 800 to
remain stable with respect to a work surface and a patient placed
on the placemat system 800. In some arrangements, any suitable
number of fourth anchors 810 are provided at the back surface of
the placemat system 800 for suitably affixing and stabilizing the
placemat system 800, such as, but not limited to, two, three, four,
or more. In some arrangements, the one or more fourth anchors 810
are located at any suitable location of the placemat system 800 for
suitable stabilization, such as, but not limited to, the top edge,
the bottom edge, the side edges, the corners, and so on.
[0092] The above used terms, including "held fast," "mount,"
"attached," "coupled," "affixed," "connected," "secured," and the
like are used interchangeably. In addition, while certain
arrangements have been described to include a first element as
being "coupled" (or "attached," "connected," "fastened," etc.) to a
second element, the first element may be directly coupled to the
second element or may be indirectly coupled to the second element
via a third element.
[0093] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described
herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims
are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is
to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims,
wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to
mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather
"one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term
"some" refers to one or more. All structural and functional
equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described
throughout the previous description that are known or later come to
be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly
incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed
by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be
construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly
recited using the phrase "means for."
[0094] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of
steps in the processes disclosed is an example of illustrative
approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that
the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be
rearranged while remaining within the scope of the previous
description. The accompanying method claims present elements of the
various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to
the specific order or hierarchy presented.
[0095] The previous description of the disclosed implementations is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
disclosed subject matter. Various modifications to these
implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to
other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of
the previous description. Thus, the previous description is not
intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is
to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
* * * * *