U.S. patent application number 17/190028 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-28 for devices, systems, and methods for protecting healthcare workers from airborne pathogens.
The applicant listed for this patent is INQUIS MEDICAL, INC.. Invention is credited to William Jason FOX, William L. GOULD, Matthew Allison HERRON, Andrew Ivan POUTIATINE, Mojgan SAADAT, Vahid SAADAT.
Application Number | 20210330418 17/190028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005432497 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210330418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAADAT; Mojgan ; et
al. |
October 28, 2021 |
DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING HEALTHCARE WORKERS
FROM AIRBORNE PATHOGENS
Abstract
An isolation barrier and method of using it. The isolation
barrier includes a mask with a face opening and at least one access
opening in front of the subject's nose and/or mouth and an
enclosure having a first enclosure opening attached around the
access opening, a second enclosure opening, and flexible material
extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure
opening and defining an enclosure interior, the flexible material
comprising at least one area through which the enclosure interior
can be viewed, the mask and enclosure interior defining a medical
procedure field extending from the subject's nose and mouth to the
second enclosure opening when the isolation barrier is in place on
the subject's face.
Inventors: |
SAADAT; Mojgan; (Atherton,
CA) ; SAADAT; Vahid; (Atherton, CA) ; FOX;
William Jason; (San Mateo, CA) ; GOULD; William
L.; (Santa Fe, NM) ; HERRON; Matthew Allison;
(Hayward, CA) ; POUTIATINE; Andrew Ivan; (Mill
Valley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INQUIS MEDICAL, INC. |
Atherton |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005432497 |
Appl. No.: |
17/190028 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16998580 |
Aug 20, 2020 |
10952812 |
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17190028 |
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16882413 |
May 22, 2020 |
11000655 |
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16998580 |
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63015429 |
Apr 24, 2020 |
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63019986 |
May 4, 2020 |
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63021033 |
May 6, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B 18/025 20130101;
A61B 46/20 20160201; A61B 90/40 20160201; A62B 18/006 20130101;
A62B 18/10 20130101; A62B 18/08 20130101; A61B 2090/401 20160201;
A41D 13/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 90/40 20060101
A61B090/40; A62B 18/10 20060101 A62B018/10; A62B 18/02 20060101
A62B018/02; A62B 18/08 20060101 A62B018/08; A41D 13/11 20060101
A41D013/11 |
Claims
1. An isolation barrier comprising: a mask comprising a face
opening adapted to rest against the subject's face around a
subject's nose and mouth and an access opening opposite to the face
opening, the access opening being arranged and configured to be in
front of the subject's nose and/or mouth when the mask rests on the
subject's face and to provide access to the subject's nose and/or
mouth, the mask extending away from the face opening to the access
opening to form an interior mask volume between the access opening
and the face opening; a feature adapted to hold the mask on the
subject's face; and an enclosure comprising a first enclosure
opening attached around the access opening, a second enclosure
opening, and an enclosure volume extending between the first and
second enclosure openings, the interior mask volume and enclosure
volume defining a medical procedure field configured to extend from
the subject's nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening when
the isolation barrier is in place on the subject's face.
2. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure further
comprises flexible material extending from the first enclosure
opening to the second enclosure opening and defining an enclosure
interior, the flexible material comprising at least one area
through which the enclosure interior can be viewed.
3. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the second enclosure
opening is larger than the first enclosure opening.
4. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure defines
an expanded maximum internal volume of greater than 0.8 liters.
5. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the second enclosure
opening has a cross-sectional area greater than 20 cm.sup.2.
6. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has an
area greater than or equal to an area of the access opening.
7. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the access opening has
a cross-sectional area greater than 5 mm.sup.2.
8. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a
nose portion adapted to extend over, and rest on, a bridge of the
subject's nose and a chin portion adapted to rest at least
partially beneath the subject's chin.
9. The isolation barrier of claim 8 wherein the mask further
comprises a front portion extending from and along the nose
portion, the chin portion, and the access opening.
10. The isolation barrier of claim 8 wherein at least one of the
nose portion and the chin portion comprises flexible fabric.
11. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask comprises a
seal adapted to engage the subject's face and configured to prevent
air from moving between the mask and the subject's face.
12. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask further
comprises a port adapted to connect a volume between the mask and
the subject's face to a negative pressure source.
13. The isolation barrier of claim 1 wherein the mask further
comprises a one-way valve adapted to permit air to enter through a
port to a volume between the mask and the subject's face and to
prevent air from leaving the volume between the mask and the
subject's face through the port.
14. The isolation barrier of claim 1 further comprising a seal
disposed between the first enclosure opening and the access
opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/998,580, filed Aug. 20, 2020, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
16/882,413, filed May 22, 2020, and claims the benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/015,429,
filed Apr. 24, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/019,986,
filed May 4, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No.
63/021,033, filed May 6, 2020, the disclosure of each of which is
incorporated by reference.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or
patent application was specifically and individually indicated to
be incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of personal
protection equipment (PPE) and more specifically to a new and
useful system for protecting physicians and healthcare workers from
airborne, aerosol-borne and particle-borne pathogens during medical
examinations and medical procedures within or through the nose
and/or mouth. Physicians and other health care professional
performing procedures in and around a subject's airway (e.g., the
nose, the mouth) can be exposed to airborne pathogens carried by
droplets and particles from the subject's exhaled breath,
particularly if the subject sneezes or coughs. Some diagnostic and
therapeutic procedures performed in and around the nose and mouth
can increase the velocity of air in the subject's airway and
thereby increase the creation and dissemination of droplets and
particles in the subject's exhaled breath. Masks and respirators,
such as an N95 respirator, can block such particles, but they can
also block access to the nose and mouth, thereby preventing the
performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the nose
and mouth.
[0004] The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, has the world, and specifically healthcare
workers and governing authorities, reevaluating personal protective
equipment (PPE), and their associated guidelines for utilization,
to slow the spread of the virus and to prepare for similar
pandemics like this in the future. Pathogens, including the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Ebola virus, bacterial, fungi, prions,
micro-organisms and other pathogens are known to spread through the
air by means of convective transport either alone (as in the case
of fungal spores, for example) or attached to or entrapped by
aerosols (such as those produced when a person sneezes or coughs,
for example), airborne particles (such as dust, for example), or
other transport media.
[0005] Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in late 2019,
many authorities have mandated that everyone should cover their
nose and mouth (with PPE such as with an N95 type respirator) to
reduce transmission of airborne pathogens. This use of PPE has been
shown to help reduce the spread of the virus, however there are
many instances where continuous coverage of the nose and mouth is
impractical, such as medical procedures within the airway,
procedures in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and/or dental
exams, surgeries or procedures. In these examples, the person being
examined (the subject) removes their mask, and healthcare workers
and physicians get within inches of the subject's airway to treat
or examine the subject.
[0006] It is well known in the medical and healthcare fields that
normal human respiration can emit particulates, pathogens and/or
aerosols from the nose and mouth. During normal breathing and
talking these emitted particulates, pathogens and aerosols can
travel significant distance, often measured in feet or tens of
feet, from an individual. During episodic respiration events like
coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, burping, clearing the throat,
gasping or heavy breathing patterns, etc. these particulates,
pathogens and/or aerosols may be more abundant and travel farther
from a person. Furthermore, tissue manipulation and some medical
interventions and procedures (such as abrasion type procedures) may
cause these particulates, pathogens and/or aerosols to become more
abundant and travel farther from the subject. Any of the above
mentioned respiratory and medical events can result in a healthcare
worker, medical staff, other subjects and other individuals to
become exposed to an infectious agent or pathogen, and/or result in
contamination of a room, equipment, furniture or other objects,
even while wearing existing PPE.
[0007] Physicians from Stanford University reported on instances of
infectious pathogens being spread to physicians and healthcare
workers during endonasal endoscopic surgeries in their letter of
precaution in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Based on the information
presented in the letter, physicians started only performing only
urgent/emergent surgeries and requiring the utilization of a
powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) if endonasal surgery cannot
be postponed in a COVID-19 positive subject. A powered air
purifying respirator is a piece of personal protective equipment
(PPE) that protects the individual healthcare worker wearing the
piece of equipment by pulling air in, filtering the air and blowing
the filtered air over the individual. This PPE has been shown to be
effective, but the need to have this piece of equipment for every
individual in the room makes this not a long term viable solution.
Since this letter of caution was published, additional physicians
have reported on continued investigations on the aerosolization of
pathogens and particulates from a subject during various airway
procedures. Physicians from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary, the Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts
General Hospital (all in Boston, Mass.) reported on the
aerosolization risk during endonasal instrumentation.
[0008] Physicians in the above-mentioned report identified that
aerosolization of particulates during endonasal procedures is a
risk specifically due to sneezing as well as due to several common
surgical procedures. They also noted that a use of a barrier
significantly reduced the spread of the aerosols. "Endonasal
Instrumentation and Aerosolization Risk in the Era of COVID-19:
Simulation, Literature Review, and Proposed Mitigation Strategies"
(reference: https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.22577) is incorporated in
its entirety by reference.
[0009] The COVID-19 pandemic has brought awareness to the forefront
that there remains an urgent need for the development of new
devices, systems, and methods to prevent and manage the release of
subject-generated airborne pathogens, particulates, and aerosols in
medical and healthcare environments while still allowing diagnostic
and therapeutic procedures to take place in and through the nose
and mouth. What is needed is a barrier to airborne particulates
emanating from a subject during a diagnostic and/or therapeutic
medical procedure performed in and around the subject's nose and
mouth.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] One aspect of the invention provides a method of removing
exhaled material from a medical procedure field adjacent to a
subject's nose and mouth. In some embodiments, the method includes
the steps of: placing an isolation barrier at least partially
surrounding the subject's nose and mouth to define the medical
procedure field; controlling air flow into the medical procedure
field with the isolation barrier; and evacuating air from the
medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate greater than or
equal to the subject's respiratory minute volume. In some
embodiments, the evacuating step includes the step of evacuating
air from the medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate
greater than or equal to 10 liters/minute.
[0011] In some embodiments, the method includes the step of
maintaining a negative pressure of 0.14-68 cm H.sub.2O within the
medical procedure field. In some such embodiments, the method also
includes the step of maintaining a negative pressure within the
medical procedure field when the subject coughs or sneezes.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method includes the step of
filtering air evacuated from the medical procedure field. Some such
embodiments may also include the step of returning filtered air to
the medical procedure field.
[0013] In some embodiments, the placing step includes the step of
placing the isolation barrier against a face of the subject, the
medical procedure field being bordered by the isolation barrier and
the subject's face. Some such embodiments also include the step of
establishing a seal between the isolation barrier and the face. In
embodiments in which the isolation barrier further includes a
drape, the placing step may also include the step of placing the
drape against a neck of the subject.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
performing a procedure in or around a subject's nose or mouth. In
some embodiments, the method includes the steps of: evacuating air
from within an isolation barrier at least partially defining a
medical procedure field adjacent to the subject's nose and mouth at
an air evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's
respiratory minute volume, the isolation barrier controlling air
flow into the medical procedure field; and accessing the subject's
nose or mouth within the medical procedure field to perform the
procedure.
[0015] In some embodiments, the evacuating step includes the step
of evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air
evacuation rate greater than or equal to 10 liters/minute.
[0016] Some embodiments add the further step of maintaining a
negative pressure within the medical procedure field. In some such
embodiments, a negative pressure of 0.14-68 cm H.sub.2O is
maintained within the medical procedure field. Some embodiments
maintain a negative pressure within the medical procedure field
when the subject coughs or sneezes.
[0017] In embodiments in which the isolation barrier has a
transparent portion through which the medical procedure field can
be viewed, the viewing step may include the step of viewing the
subject's nose or mouth through the transparent portion of the
isolation barrier.
[0018] Some embodiments include the further step of filtering air
evacuated from the medical procedure field. In some such
embodiments, the filtered air is returned to the medical procedure
field.
[0019] In some embodiments, the accessing step includes the step of
inserting an instrument through a port in the isolation barrier. In
some such embodiments, the inserting step includes the step of
inserting the instrument through a seal of the port.
[0020] In embodiments in which the isolation barrier includes a
drape, the accessing step may include the step of reaching beneath
the drape.
[0021] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a system for
creating an isolated medical procedure field around a subject's
nose and mouth. In some embodiments, the system includes: an
isolation barrier adapted to at least partially surround the
subject's nose and mouth to form the medical procedure field, the
isolation barrier having an air exit port; and an air mover
operatively connected to the air exit port and configured to remove
air from the medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate
greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory minute volume.
In some embodiments, the air evacuation rate is greater than or
equal to 10 liters/minute. In some embodiments, the air mover is
further adapted to cooperate with the isolation barrier to maintain
a negative pressure within the medical procedure field.
[0022] In some embodiments, the isolation barrier has a seal
adapted to seal against the subject's face. In some embodiments,
the isolation barrier has a drape adapted to be placed against the
subject's neck.
[0023] In some embodiments, the isolation barrier has an instrument
access port arranged and configured to permit a user to insert an
instrument to the subject's nose or mouth. In some such
embodiments, the instrument access port has a seal adapted to seal
around an inserted instrument.
[0024] In some embodiments, the isolation barrier further has an
air inlet port.
[0025] In some embodiments, the isolation barrier is arranged and
configured to provide a laminar airflow pattern through the medical
procedure field.
[0026] In some embodiments, the isolation barrier has a transparent
portion through which the medical procedure field can be
viewed.
[0027] Another aspect of the invention provides an isolation
barrier. In some embodiments, the isolation barrier has a mask
adapted to rest on a face of a subject over a nose and a mouth of
the subject, the mask having a face opening adapted to rest against
the subject's face and at least one access opening arranged and
configured to be in front of the subject's nose and/or mouth when
the mask rests on the subject's face and to provide access to the
subject's nose and/or mouth; a feature adapted to hold the mask on
the subject's face; and an enclosure with a first enclosure opening
attached around the access opening, a second enclosure opening, and
flexible material extending from the first enclosure opening to the
second enclosure opening and defining an enclosure interior, the
flexible material having at least one area through which the
enclosure interior can be viewed, the mask and enclosure interior
defining a medical procedure field extending from the subject's
nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening when the isolation
barrier is in place on the subject's face.
[0028] In some embodiments, the second enclosure opening is larger
than the first enclosure opening. In some embodiments, the mask
and/or enclosure may have dimensions and other features suited to
the medical procedure to be formed, including some or all the
following dimensions and features: the enclosure defines an
expanded maximum internal volume of greater than 0.8 liters; the
second enclosure opening has a cross-sectional area greater than 20
cm.sup.2; the enclosure has an area greater than or equal to an
area of the access opening; the access opening has a
cross-sectional area greater than 5 mm.sup.2.
[0029] In some or all of these embodiments, the mask may have a
nose portion adapted to extend over, and rest on, a bridge of the
subject's nose and a chin portion adapted to rest at least
partially beneath the subject's chin. In some such embodiments, the
mask may also have a front portion extending from and among the
nose portion, the chin portion and the access opening. In some
embodiments, at least one of the nose portion and the chin portion
includes flexible fabric.
[0030] Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention include a
seal adapted to engage the subject's face and configured to prevent
air from moving between the mask and the subject's face. In some
embodiments, the mask may have an optional port adapted to connect
a volume between the mask and the subject's face to a negative
pressure source. In some embodiments, the mask may have an optional
one-way valve adapted to permit air to enter through a port to a
volume between the mask and the subject's face and to prevent air
from leaving the volume between the mask and the subject's face
through the port. Some embodiments of the mask may have a seal
disposed between the first enclosure opening and the access
opening.
[0031] In some embodiments of the isolation barrier according to
this aspect of the invention, the enclosure has a third enclosure
opening disposed between the first enclosure opening and the second
enclosure opening, the third enclosure opening being arranged and
configured to permit a tool to be inserted through the third
enclosure opening and through the mask opening into the medical
procedure field. In some such embodiments, the enclosure may also
have a movable flap having a closed position covering the third
enclosure opening and an open position exposing the third enclosure
opening. All or a portion of the flap of such embodiments may be
transparent or translucent. The enclosure may also have a fastener
holding the movable flap in the open position or the closed
position. The flap may be flexible.
[0032] Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of
performing a procedure in or around a subject's nose or mouth. In
some embodiments, the method includes the following steps:
inserting a tool through a first opening in a flexible enclosure
into an interior volume of the flexible enclosure, the enclosure
extending from a second opening surrounding an access opening in a
mask resting against the subject's face; inserting the tool through
the access opening in the mask to the subject's nose or mouth; and
performing the procedure with the tool.
[0033] In some embodiments, the method also includes the step of
moving the enclosure with the tool. In embodiments in which the
mask and enclosure interior volume define a medical procedure
field, the step of moving the enclosure may include the step of
altering a volume of the medical procedure field.
[0034] In some embodiments, the method also includes the step of
inserting a hand through the first opening in the flexible
enclosure. In some such embodiments, the method includes the step
of moving the enclosure with the hand. In embodiments in which the
mask and enclosure define a medical procedure field, the step of
moving the enclosure may include the step of altering a volume of
the medical procedure field. In some embodiments, the hand is a
first hand, and the method also includes the step of inserting a
second hand through the first opening in the flexible enclosure
while the first hand extends through the first opening in the
flexible enclosure.
[0035] Some embodiments include the step of evacuating air from a
volume between the mask and the subject's face. Some embodiments
include the step of viewing the procedure through at least a
portion of the enclosure. Some embodiments include the step of
accommodating within the mask and the flexible enclosure a volume
of air expelled from the subject during a cough or a sneeze. Some
embodiments include the step of uncovering the first opening prior
to inserting the tool through the first opening.
[0036] Yet another aspect of the invention provides an isolation
barrier having a mask adapted to rest on a face of a subject over a
nose and a mouth of the subject. In some embodiments the mask may
have a top panel with a posterior edge adapted to engage a top
surface of the subject's nose and right and left cheek surfaces on
either side of the subject's nose; a bottom panel having a
posterior edge adapted to engage a surface beneath the subject's
chin; and a front panel having a top edge engaged with an anterior
edge of the top panel as a first seam and a bottom edge engaged
with an anterior edge of the bottom panel as a second seam; the top
panel and the bottom panel together defining a face opening
configured to rest against the subject's face while supporting the
front panel in front of the subject's nose and mouth.
[0037] In some embodiments, the front panel is transparent. In some
embodiments, the top panel and/or bottom panel has a breathable
material. The top panel and the front panel may be rotatable about
the first seam, and the bottom panel and the front panel may be
rotatable about the second seam. In some embodiments the mask may
be configured when worn by the subject to move the front panel up
or down when the subject's jaw closes and opens, respectively.
[0038] Some embodiments of the isolation barrier according to this
aspect also have an access opening in the front panel arranged and
configured to be in front of the subject's nose and mouth when the
mask rests on the subject's face.
[0039] Some embodiments of the isolation barrier also include an
enclosure having a first enclosure opening attached around the
access opening, a second enclosure opening, and flexible material
extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure
opening and defining an enclosure interior, the flexible material
having at least one area through which the enclosure interior can
be viewed, the mask and enclosure interior defining a medical
procedure field extending from the subject's nose and mouth to the
second enclosure opening when the isolation barrier is in place on
the subject's face.
[0040] Still another aspect of the invention provides an isolation
barrier including a mask adapted to rest on a face of a subject
over a nose and a mouth of the subject, the mask having a face
opening adapted to rest against the subject's face and at least one
access opening arranged and configured to be in front of the
subject's nose and/or mouth when the mask rests on the subject's
face and to provide access to the subject's nose and/or mouth; a
feature adapted to hold the mask on the subject's face; and an
enclosure comprising a first enclosure opening attached around the
access opening and a second enclosure opening, the mask and
enclosure interior defining a medical procedure field extending
from the subject's nose and mouth to the second enclosure opening
when the isolation barrier is in place on the subject's face.
[0041] In some embodiments, the enclosure further has material
extending from the first enclosure opening to the second enclosure
opening and defining an enclosure interior. In some such
embodiments, the material has at least one area through which the
enclosure interior can be viewed. In some embodiments, the material
may be flexible.
[0042] In some embodiments, the second enclosure opening is larger
than the first enclosure opening. In some embodiments, the
enclosure defines an expanded maximum internal volume of greater
than 0.8 liters. In some embodiments, the second enclosure opening
has a cross-sectional area greater than 20 cm.sup.2. In some
embodiments, the enclosure has an area greater than or equal to an
area of the access opening. In some embodiments, the access opening
has a cross-sectional area greater than 5 mm.sup.2.
[0043] In some embodiments, the mask includes a nose portion
adapted to extend over, and rest on, a bridge of the subject's nose
and a chin portion adapted to rest at least partially beneath the
subject's chin. In some such embodiments, the mask also includes a
front portion extending from and among the nose portion, the chin
portion and the access opening. In some embodiments, at least one
of the nose portion and the chin portion has a flexible fabric.
[0044] In some embodiments, the mask has an optional seal adapted
to engage the subject's face and configured to prevent air from
moving between the mask and the subject's face. In some
embodiments, the mask has an optional port adapted to connect a
volume between the mask and the subject's face to a negative
pressure source. In some embodiments, the mask has an optional
one-way valve adapted to permit air to enter through a port to a
volume between the mask and the subject's face and to prevent air
from leaving the volume between the mask and the subject's face
through the port. Some embodiments of the isolation barrier have a
seal disposed between the first enclosure opening and the access
opening.
[0045] Still another aspect of the invention provides a method of
performing a procedure in or around a subject's nose or mouth. In
some embodiments, the method includes the following steps:
accessing an interior volume of a flexible enclosure extending
between an enclosure opening and an access opening in a mask
resting against the subject's face; accessing the subject's nose or
mouth through the access opening; and performing the procedure.
[0046] Some embodiments according to this aspect of the invention
include the step of inserting a tool through the enclosure opening
into the interior volume. Some such embodiments also include the
step of moving the enclosure with the tool. In embodiments in which
the mask and enclosure define a medical procedure field, the step
of moving the enclosure includes the step of altering a volume of
the medical procedure field. Some embodiments include the step of
inserting the tool through the access opening to the subject's nose
or mouth. Some such embodiments include the step of performing the
procedure with the tool.
[0047] Some embodiments include the step of inserting at least a
portion of a hand through the enclosure opening into the interior
volume. Some such embodiments also include the step of inserting
the at least a portion of the hand through the access opening. Such
embodiments may also include the step of performing the procedure
with the at least a portion of the hand. Such embodiments may also
include the step of moving the enclosure with the at least a
portion of a hand. In embodiments in which the mask and enclosure
define a medical procedure field, the step of moving the enclosure
may include the step of altering a volume of the medical procedure
field. In some embodiments, the hand is a first hand, and the
method further includes the step of inserting at least a portion of
a second hand through the enclosure opening into the interior
volume while the at least a portion of the first hand extends
through the enclosure opening.
[0048] Some embodiments add the step of evacuating air from a
volume between the mask and the subject's face. Some embodiments
add the step of viewing the procedure through at least a portion of
the enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The novel features of the invention are set forth with
particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of
the features and advantages of the present invention will be
obtained by reference to the following detailed description that
sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the
invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for creating an
isolated medical procedure field around a subject's nose and mouth
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with
the isolation barrier in place on a subject to create the medical
procedure field.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system for creating an
isolated medical procedure field around a subject's nose and mouth
according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier for use
in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field around
a subject's nose and mouth according to another embodiment of the
invention, in place on a subject to create the medical procedure
field.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the isolation barrier of
FIG. 4.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the isolation barrier of
FIGS. 4 and 5 showing a removable patch removed.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier for use
in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field around
a subject's nose and mouth according to yet another embodiment of
the invention, in place on a subject to create the medical
procedure field.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the isolation barrier of
FIG. 7 showing medical instruments being inserted into the medical
procedure field.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an isolation barrier
for use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure
field around a subject's nose and mouth according to yet another
embodiment of the invention, in place on a subject to create the
medical procedure field.
[0059] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
9.
[0060] FIG. 11 is side sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 9
and 10.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of an isolation barrier
for use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure
field around a subject's nose and mouth according to still another
embodiment of the invention, in place on a subject to create the
medical procedure field.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier for
use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field
around a subject's nose and mouth according to another embodiment
of the invention, in place on a subject to create the medical
procedure field.
[0063] FIG. 14A is a front elevational view of an isolation barrier
for use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure
field around a subject's nose and mouth according to yet another
embodiment of the invention, in place on a subject to create the
medical procedure field.
[0064] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
14A.
[0065] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of an isolation barrier
for use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure
field around a subject's nose and mouth according to still another
embodiment of the invention, in place on a subject to create the
medical procedure field.
[0066] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier for
use in a system for creating an isolated medical procedure field
around a subject's nose and mouth according to another embodiment
of the invention, in place on a subject to create the medical
procedure field.
[0067] FIG. 17A is a side partially sectional view of an isolation
barrier for use in a system for creating an isolated medical
procedure field around a subject's nose and mouth according to
another embodiment of the invention, in place on a subject to
create the medical procedure field, showing the isolation barrier
in an open position.
[0068] FIG. 17B is a side partially sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 17A showing the isolation barrier in a closed
position.
[0069] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to an embodiment of this invention with a linear airflow pattern
through the medical procedure field.
[0070] FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to another embodiment of this invention with a linear airflow
pattern through the medical procedure field.
[0071] FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to an embodiment of this invention with a curved airflow pattern
through the medical procedure field.
[0072] FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to an embodiment of this invention with a converging airflow
pattern through the medical procedure field.
[0073] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to another embodiment of this invention with a converging airflow
pattern through the medical procedure field.
[0074] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to yet another embodiment of this invention with a converging
airflow pattern through the medical procedure field.
[0075] FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an isolation barrier according
to an embodiment of this invention with a diverging airflow pattern
through the medical procedure field.
[0076] FIG. 25 illustrates an isolation barrier according to an
embodiment of this invention with a laminar airflow pattern through
the medical procedure field.
[0077] FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of a system for creating
an isolated medical procedure field around a subject's nose and
mouth according to still another embodiment of the invention, in
place on a subject to create the medical procedure field.
[0078] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing aspects of a system for
creating an isolated medical procedure field.
[0079] FIG. 28 is a front view of an isolation barrier according to
still another embodiment of the invention in place on a
subject.
[0080] FIG. 29 is a front view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 28
with the enclosure detached.
[0081] FIG. 30 is a side view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 28
in place on a subject.
[0082] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the isolation barrier of
FIG. 28 in place on a subject.
[0083] FIG. 32 is a side view illustrating an alternative
embodiment of the isolation barrier of FIG. 28 in place on a
subject.
[0084] FIG. 33 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the
isolation barrier of FIGS. 28-32 that adds a tool access port.
[0085] FIG. 34 is a side view of the isolation barrier of FIG.
33.
[0086] FIG. 35 is a side view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 33
with a tool inserted into the tool access port.
[0087] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier
according to yet another aspect of the invention in place on a
subject.
[0088] FIG. 37 is a front view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 36
in place on a subject.
[0089] FIG. 38 is a side view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 36
in place on a subject.
[0090] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier
according to another aspect of the invention in place on a
subject.
[0091] FIG. 40 illustrates components of the isolation barriers of
FIGS. 28-39.
[0092] FIG. 41 is an exploded view of the components of the
isolation barrier shown in FIG. 40.
[0093] FIG. 42A is a cross-section of the isolation barrier of FIG.
39.
[0094] FIG. 42B shows cross-sectional detail of the isolation
barrier of FIG. 42A.
[0095] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an isolation barrier
according to another aspect of the invention in place on a
subject.
[0096] FIG. 44 is a front view of the isolation barrier of FIG.
41.
[0097] FIG. 45 is a front view of the isolation barrier of FIG. 41
with the enclosure detached.
[0098] FIG. 46 is an exploded view of the isolation barrier of FIG.
43.
[0099] FIG. 47 is a side partial cross-sectional view of an
isolation barrier according to still another aspect of the
invention.
[0100] FIG. 48 is a side partial cross-sectional view of an
isolation barrier according to yet another aspect of the
invention.
[0101] FIG. 49 is a side partial cross-sectional view of an
isolation barrier according to another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0102] The present invention is generally directed towards systems
and methods for creating an isolated medical procedure field using
an isolation barrier around at least a subject's nose and/or mouth
and evacuating air from the medical procedure field at a rate equal
to or greater than the subject's respiratory minute volume to
create a negative pressure in the medical procedure field.
Embodiments of the isolation barrier described herein provide
access to the medical procedure field so that medical procedures
can be performed in and around the subject's nose or mouth by,
e.g., inserting in instrument through a port of the isolation
barrier or by reaching around a portion of the isolation barrier,
such as a drape.
[0103] By "medical procedure field" we mean a volume of space
adjacent a portion of a patient's body where a medical procedure is
performed. For example, a medical procedure field may be defined by
patient-facing surfaces of an isolation barrier and tissue surfaces
of the patient bordered by the isolation barrier. The isolation
barriers of this invention provide procedure access to a medical
procedure field around a patient's nose and/or mouth while also
isolating the patient's inhaled air and exhaled air from areas
outside of the medical procedure field.
[0104] By "procedure access to a medical procedure field" we mean
the ability to insert a finger, a hand, and/or an instrument into
the medical procedure field to perform a medical procedure.
[0105] By "instrument" we mean any tool or other object used to
conduct, support, or facilitate a medical procedure, such as
surgical tools, visualization tools, powered tools, unpowered
tools, etc.
[0106] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a system 10 according to
an embodiment of the invention. An isolation barrier 30 such as a
mask may be placed and held against the face of the subject 32
(using, e.g., bands 34 that go around the subject's ears 36). In
this embodiment, isolation barrier 30 covers the subject's nose and
mouth. Edges of the isolation barrier 30 mate with the surface of
the subject's face to provide a seal, optionally using, e.g., seals
31 on the inside surface of the mask, to form a medical procedure
field between the mask and the subject's face. In this embodiment,
the air mover is a fan in housing 38. The fan connects to the
interior of the isolation barrier 30 via a mask outlet 35 and an
outlet hose 40 of the air management system. In this embodiment,
the fan generates volumetric flowrates at least greater than 10
liters/min (e.g., greater than 30 liters/min or greater than 50
liters/min) so as to evacuate air from inside the isolation barrier
at a rate higher than the subject's exhalation rate (often defined
as the subject's "respiratory minute volume"), thereby creating a
negative pressure between the inside of the isolation barrier and
the subject's face. The air mover may include a user interface 39
as well as data storage, a control system, communication components
(e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth), a controller running software, and/or a
battery or other power source.
[0107] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the air mover may
exhaust the filtered air into the room after going through a filter
41, and the isolation barrier allows air in through openings 44 in
the isolation barrier, as shown by arrows 45 in FIG. 1. The number
of openings 44 may be increased to, e.g., provide laminar flow
through the medical procedure field, as shown in FIG. 25. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3, the air is filtered by a filter 41 in the
outlet hose 40, (or within housing 38 or within inlet hose 42), and
the filtered air is returned to medical procedure field via an
inlet hose 42 and one or more ports 44.
[0108] In these embodiments, two access ports 50 are disposed on
the front of isolation barrier 30. Access ports 50 may be formed of
slits in resilient material to permit insertion of instruments
and/or diagnostic tool at the desired sagittal or coronal angles,
seal around those instruments and tools while they are being used,
and seal completely after removal of the tools. In addition, the
access ports 50 may be in one or more optional removable flaps 52
that can be opened to provide a larger access port for wider access
to the subject's nose and/or mouth. When flap 52 is removed, the
air flow from the air mover is sufficiently high to maintain a
negative pressure in the medical procedure field to capture and
remove any droplets or particulates in the subject's exhaled
breath.
[0109] The air mover is designed to produce these flowrates with
minimal noise pollution having a sound rating less than 60 dBA,
preferably less than 50 dBA. In some embodiments, the air mover
also has sensors that monitor the system and isolation barrier.
Examples of parameters that the system will monitor are pressure,
temperature, humidity, and particulate count. The system also has
ways of retrieving this data for reporting and storing. Example of
retrieving data is physical connection (e.g., USB) and/or wireless
transmission (e.g., Bluetooth).
[0110] In some embodiments, the filter 41 is, for example, a one
sub-micron (preferably .ltoreq.0.3 .mu.m) particulate filter (e.g.,
HEPA, ULPA, Charcoal). In some embodiments, the air management
system has fittings and hosing that are connectable to the
isolation barrier.
[0111] In some embodiments, the exterior of the mask fits snuggly
on the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, and chin of the subject and
is secured to the face by straps that go around the head or around
the ears of the subject. The apparatus contacts the nose on the
lateral nasal cartilage and/or nasal bone without touching the
major alar cartilage (tip of the nose) so that the tip of the nose
can be manipulated (e.g., flexed upward, stretched) with nasal
instruments as needed during nasal procedures.
[0112] The sagittal angle of access area provides greater than 60
degrees (preferably greater than 70 degrees) of instrumentation
movement in the sagittal plane from the base of the nostril (nasal
sill) upwards and greater than 10 degrees in either direction from
the center of the nose (septum) in the coronal plane while
minimizing the potential of subject particulates exiting the
subject air environment via exhalation, sneezing or coughing. These
degrees of freedom are important to allow the physician to
visualize and treat the target sites like the frontal recess,
posterior ethmoids, and the nasopharynx.
[0113] The contact points of apparatus on the chin and cheeks allow
the mouth to open without losing the local barrier. In some
embodiments, this is achieved by the exterior of the barrier just
resting on the cheeks and chin allowing movement of the face and
the high-volume evacuation flowrate prevents particulates from
escaping during the movement and in other embodiments the mask is
designed fit and move with the chin and cheeks as the mouth is
opened and closed.
[0114] FIGS. 4-6 show another embodiment of this invention. In this
embodiment, isolation barrier 60 has a clear plastic shell 62
(e.g., made from polycarbonate, polyethylene, PVC) surrounded by a
seal 63. Bands (not shown) may attach the isolation barrier to the
subject's ears or go around the subject's head to create a medical
procedure field between shell 62 and the subject's face. The clear
material of shell 62 permits the medical procedure field to be
viewed by a healthcare provider. Various patches (such as a flat
rubber patch 68 with sealable openings 70) can attach to barrier 60
via a seal (e.g., gel) around an opening 74. An optional movable
flap (not shown) may be disposed in front of patch 68 to enhance
the closure of openings 70. The optional movable flap may be moved
away from patch 68 and openings 70 when access to the openings is
required and moved back when access is not required.
[0115] A hose 76 leads from a port 64 in shell 62 to an air mover,
such as a fan (not shown). Instead of returning filtered air to the
isolation barrier, these embodiments provide air holes 78 in the
isolation barrier for the subject's inhaled air, as shown by the
arrows in FIG. 4. When patch 68 is removed to enable the clinician
to access the medical procedure field through opening 74 to perform
a procedure (e.g., on or in the subject's oral cavity or nasal
cavity), the air flow out of port 64 created by the air mover is
sufficiently high to maintain a negative pressure in the medical
procedure field to capture any droplets or particulates in the
subject's exhaled breath.
[0116] FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the invention. In
this embodiment, the isolation barrier 100 includes an expandable
enclosure portion that can accommodate a sudden increase in the
volume and/or momentum of a subject's exhalation, such as from a
cough or a sneeze, without breaking the seal of the isolation
barrier around the subject's face and thereby exposing a caregiver
to aerosols in the medical procedure field. As in other
embodiments, isolation barrier 100 has a clear plastic shell 102
(e.g., made from polycarbonate, polyethylene, PVC) surrounded by a
seal 103. Bands 105 may attach the isolation barrier to the
subject's ears or go around the subject's head to create a medical
procedure field 101 defined by the space between shell 102 and the
subject's face and by the enclosure portion. A hose 106 leads from
a port 104 in shell 102 to an air mover, such as a fan (not shown).
Air enters the medical procedure field through inlet port 108.
Inlet port 108 may have a filter.
[0117] An enclosure, such as a collapsible inflatable bag 110 made
of thin-walled plastic film, is disposed in the shell 102. Bag 110
may expand to capture a sneeze event and prevent a pressure
increase from a sneeze or a cough from escaping the isolation
barrier. After the cough or sneeze, the negative pressure within
the medical procedure field behind the shell 102 deflates bag 110
as the exhalation, particulates, pathogens and/or aerosols are
removed from the isolation barrier by way of the airflow outlet
port 104. A slit 116 in bag 110 permits the insertion of a tool 118
for performing a procedure in the medical procedure field, as shown
in FIG. 8. Bag 110 may be detached from shell 102 by disconnecting
connectors 112 and 114 on the bag and shell, respectively, to
replace the bag or to leave an opening for accessing the medical
procedure field. Other embodiments may employ one or more of:
expandable or inflatable bags; elastomeric balloons; bellows; or
other containment elements capable of rapid expansion under low
pressure increases in the event of an episodic event.
[0118] FIGS. 9-11 show yet another embodiment of the invention.
Isolation barrier 200 provides a "one-size-fits-all" configuration
that accommodates a large array of facial geometries, facial hair,
facial sizes, facial deformities, etc., and provides unobstructed
movement of the jaw while preventing aerosols from escaping, so as
to allow the subject to open and close his mouth without
compromising the barrier integrity. Isolation barrier 200 has a
support structure 202 with built-in inflow port 204 and outflow
port 206. Support structure 202 and ports 204 and 206 may be
injection molded. Ports 204 and 206 may be equipped with air
filters to filter the air going into and coming out of isolation
barrier 200. In one optional embodiment, the ports 202 and 204 may
be the same size to enable the air flow conduit 208 connected to an
air mover (not shown) to be placed on either side. Straps 209
attach the isolation barrier to the subject's head.
[0119] A forehead pad 210 affixed to the top of the isolation
barrier and a midface pad 212 affixed to the midportion of the
isolation barrier are made of compliant material (e.g., open-cell
or closed-cell foam or a compliant polymer) to provide a secure and
comfortable seal around the subject's face. The pads may be affixed
via, e.g., adhesive or mechanical compression. Alternatively, the
pads 210 and/or 212 may be highly compliant inflatable bladders
filled with air at the time of use to conform to the subject's
face. When the isolation barrier 200 is placed on the subject's
face, the forehead pad 210 makes contact and conforms to the
subject's forehead and the midface pad 212 conforms to the bridge
of the nose and cheeks of the subject, as shown in FIG. 10. These
pads stabilize the isolation barrier on the subject, while the
midface pad additionally creates a sufficient seal on the bridge of
the nose and the cheeks without contacting the anterior portion of
the nose, allowing the tip of the nose move freely (such as my be
required in some medical procedures).
[0120] Isolation barrier 200 has an access window 214 adjacent to
the nose and mouth. An insert 216 may be placed in window 214 to
close the opening, and one or more ports 218 in insert 216 may
permit the insertion of tools to perform medical procedures in the
medical procedure field 220 defined by the isolation barrier 200
and the subject's face. Insert 216 and instrument access port(s)
218 allow access to the subject's nose and/or the mouth while
preventing particulates, pathogens and aerosols from escaping the
medical procedure field 220 during normal breathing or during an
episodic event such as a sneeze or a cough. Insert 216 may be
removed while active airflow is being pulled from the mask giving
open access to the nose and mouth and creating an airflow pattern
serving to prevent particulates, pathogens and aerosols from
escaping the isolation barrier.
[0121] A drape 222 extends from the bottom of the support structure
202 and may be placed against the lower part of the subject's face
and around a portion of the subject's neck, as shown in FIGS. 9-11.
Drape 222 may be affixed to support structure 202 via, e.g.,
stitching, thermal stacking or adhesive. Drape 222 may be made of a
thin flexible polymer film such as urethane, silicone or other
polymer, or of a woven or non-woven fabric such as Tyvek or the
like. The drape 222 is sized to accommodate all jaw geometries,
necks, facial hair, and to be loose and baggy. Around the perimeter
of the drape is an elastic band (not shown), sewn into the drape,
allowing the drape to form a seal around the face and neck. This
seal formed by the drape may be sufficient to prevent the exchange
of airflow across it, or it may affect a partial seal only,
allowing negative pressures within the medical procedure field to
draw air flow through the drape seal in such a manner as to prevent
the escape of particulates, pathogens and aerosols around the
drape.
[0122] In one use scenario, the isolation barrier 200 is placed
around the subject's forehead, and the drape is tied around the
subject's neck with the elastic band or another attachment means.
The subject is then asked to wait in the waiting room of the
physician's office or other healthcare facility. In this passive
(non-powered) state wherein the isolation barrier is not connected
to an air mover, the isolation barrier serves as a surgical mask
comprising air filters on the inlet and outlet air flow ports as
well as the instrument access port seal to maintain a seal. When
the subject enters the exam room and sits down, the healthcare
worker then attaches the air outlet conduit (that is attached to
the filter, which in turn is attached to the air mover) to the
isolation barrier and turns on the air mover, starting the flow of
air. The high volumetric airflow begins replacing air inside the
isolation barrier with air from the room, moving the air within the
isolation barrier into the air conduit through the filter into the
air mover, filtering the air and releasing it back into the room.
The healthcare worker then begins the medical procedure by placing
the instruments through the access port breaking the seal of the
port and inserting the instrument into the airway cavity. During
this procedure, the aerosolization caused by the manipulation of
the airway tissue is captured by the airflow pattern, evacuated
from the isolation barrier through the air outlet port, passed
through the airflow conduit and filtered before allowing the air to
release back into the room. After the procedure is complete, the
local area protection device is run for several minutes, allowing
the air in the isolation barrier to change multiple times. The
isolation barrier is then detached from the air conduit and the
subject can leave with the isolation barrier in the non-powered
state.
[0123] In some embodiments, the midface pad runs completely around
the nose and the mouth creating a seal and stabilizing the
isolation barrier on the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and chin. In
other embodiments, the portion of the support structure above the
eyes and forehead pad are removed and the attachment straps are
affixed to the mid portion of the isolation barrier. The forehead
and midface pad depth and conformability are sufficient to
accommodate various sizes of noses, foreheads, and cheek bones. The
clearance range is 2 to 100 mm (preferably 30-70 mm). This depth
range serves to accommodate a large range of facial geometries
while still ensuring the isolation barrier doesn't impede
instrument access or prevent a healthcare worker from reaching
within the nasal or oral cavity. The height range of the pads are
typically between 2 mm and 50 mm, allowing sufficient seal without
blocking access to the nose or mouth. The pads may comprise uniform
cross sectional geometry and/or dimensions, or they may vary along
the length of the pads. The pads may also be customizable by a
healthcare worker to create a custom fit to the patient in some
embodiments. In some embodiments a pocket may be formed in or
affixed to the drape.
[0124] The isolation barrier systems of the invention are
configured to create airflow patterns in the vicinity of the
patient's face, and more specifically in the vicinity of the
patient's nose and/or mouth. These airflow patterns act to capture
and transport normal and episodic respiratory exhalations, as well
as any associated particulates, pathogens and aerosols emitted by
said patient, from the vicinity of the nose or mouth, in a
controlled manner toward one or more airflow outlet ports, into one
or more airflow conduits, and away from the isolation barrier to be
filtered and collected for later disposal.
[0125] The isolation barrier 250 in the embodiment of FIG. 12 is a
modification to the embodiment of FIGS. 9-11 that replaces the
drape with a pouch 252 to catch removed tissue or other debris.
Pouch 252 also serves as an expansion chamber to accommodate sudden
increases in pressure and flow from the subject due to a cough or
sneeze. Other elements of the isolation barrier remain the same and
therefore retain the same element numbers.
[0126] The isolation barrier 270 of the embodiment of FIG. 13
extends midface pad 212 to a region 272 that rests against the
subject's chin. Like the pads 210 and 212, pad 272 may be made of
compliant material (e.g., open-cell or closed-cell foam or a
compliant polymer) to provide a secure and comfortable seal around
the subject's face. The pad may be affixed via, e.g., adhesive or
mechanical compression. Alternatively, pad 272 may be a highly
compliant inflatable bladder filled with air at the time of use to
conform to the subject's face. When the isolation barrier 270 is
placed on the subject's face, the forehead pad 210 makes contact
and conforms to the subject's forehead, the midface pad 212
conforms to the bridge of the nose and cheeks of the subject, and
the chin pad 272 contacts and conforms to the subject's chin, as
shown in FIG. 13. These pads stabilize the isolation barrier on the
subject. The isolation barrier 270 of FIG. 13 may have an optional
pouch, as in the embodiment of FIG. 12, in which case there would
be an opening in pad 272 to permit tissue and other debris to fall
into the pouch. The other elements of this embodiment are the same
as the like-numbered elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 9-11 and
FIG. 12.
[0127] The isolation barrier 280 of the embodiment of FIGS. 14A-B
is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 13, but it omits the forehead
pad and the portion of the support structure 202 extending to the
forehead region. The other elements of this embodiment are the same
as the like-numbered elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 9-11,
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
[0128] The isolation barrier 290 of FIG. 15 is similar to that of
FIGS. 14A-B but replaces the insert in the opening with a
transparent insert 292 with multiple slits 294 providing access for
tools to perform medical procedures in the medical procedure field.
(FIG. 15 shows insert 292 as opaque in order to illustrate the
vertical slits 294.) The other elements of this embodiment are the
same as the like-numbered elements of the embodiments of FIGS.
9-11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIGS. 14A-14B.
[0129] FIG. 16 shows an isolation barrier 300 that covers the
entire face of the subject to protect both the subject and the
healthcare specialist from exposure. The isolation barrier 300 has
a clear acetate or polycarbonate shield 340, a seal 342 around the
top edge, and a foam skirt 343 at the bottom. The seals are made,
e.g., of open-cell foam in this embodiment. In other embodiments
the seals are made of thin polymeric material such as silicone,
polyurethane or latex. The isolation barrier may be held in place
by band 320 that go around the subject's ears or head. In some
cases, the flat shield 340 can be bent into a semi-cylindrical
shape. In others, the shield 340 can be thermoformed into a more
ergonomic configuration. A hose 344 leading to an air mover clips
on to the shield to provide negative air pressure behind the
shield. The seal 342 and/or skirt 343 allow air to enter through
the periphery of the shield, filtering out some particulate and
airborne droplets. Due to the negative pressure inside the shield
340, the subject's breathing, coughing, etc., does not enter the
room air, but is sucked away through the hose 344 through a HEPA
filter by the air mover. When placed as shown in FIG. 16, isolation
barrier 300 and the subject's face together define a medical
procedure field around the subject's nose and mouth. Access to the
medical procedure field to perform, e.g., a medical procedure in or
around the oral cavity or nasal cavity is gained by means of a slit
346 in the clear portion of the shield, which can be pressed inward
by the healthcare specialist to create an opening. When released,
this slit portion pops back out to its original shape, sealing the
opening in the shield 340. Alternately, the clear portion of the
shield can be formed in such a way that the deflected portion is
bi-stable. When pressed inward, it stays in that position until
pulled outward, where it then stays in the sealed position. The
isolation barrier 300 is disposable. The suction hose 344 and clip
can be re-used for the subsequent subjects. Periodically, the HEPA
filter, suction hose 344, and coupling are replaced to ensure only
well filtered air returns to the room environment via the air
mover.
[0130] FIGS. 17A and 17B depict an isolation barrier 400 according
to another embodiment of the invention. As in other embodiments,
isolation barrier 400 is used with an air conduit (not shown); a
filter (not shown); and an air mover (not shown). The support
structure of the isolation barrier 400 is made of a clear rigid to
semi-conformable polymer such as polycarbonate or transparent
polyvinyl chloride. The barrier is designed to conform to the nose,
cheeks and the chin or upper neck to create a seal around the
perimeter of the barrier. When the support structure is made of a
rigid polymer, a sealing component 402 is added to the outer
perimeter of the isolation barrier, as described with respect to
other embodiments. On the front face of the isolation barrier
adjacent to the nose and mouth there is an open access window 404
that allows the physician free access to the nose and/or mouth of
the subject with, e.g., and instrument 405. The open access window
is covered with a sealing flap 406 that is attached with a hinge
408 to the top of the cutout of the isolation barrier, just above
the nose of the subject, proximal to, or in the vicinity of, the
nasal bone allowing manipulation of the anterior portion of the
nose. The sealing flap 406 is configured to form a seal when it is
in the closed position shown in FIG. 17B, effectively closing and
sealing off the open access window and preventing the release of
particulates, pathogens and/or aerosols from the isolation barrier
system. A snap or other attachment mechanism 407 may hold the flap
in its closed position.
[0131] Although the flap can be affixed and hinged in a variety of
ways that someone skilled in the art could imagine, in this
embodiment, the flap is affixed using one or more tags that extends
from the top of the flap that snap into small openings in the
support structure of the isolation barrier creating hinge 408. The
flap is made of a flexible rubber with a medium durometer
(.about.50-70 shore A). The flap is transparent or translucent. To
allow access to the subject's nose and/or mouth, the flap may be
lifted up from the sealed position, pivoting on the top hinge, and
held up in the open position by the user or by one or more
instruments 405 being used in the procedure, to allow access to
subject's nose and/or mouth. The flap 406 is configured by means of
structure, spring, elastic deformation, magnetic elements, shape
memory, and/or weight to return immediately to the closed and
sealed position when released.
[0132] On the sides adjacent to the hinged edge there are accordion
drapes 410 made of a thin flexible rubber, filter material, or
other material, affixed to the flap and to the isolation barrier
and configures so as to fold, in an accordion fashion, when the
access flat is in the closed an sealed configuration. When the flap
406 is raised to allow access to the subject's nose and or mouth,
the drapes 410 unfold and expand in such a manner as to affect a
baffle or enclosure on the two sides of the isolation barrier
adjacent to the open access window. The accordion type drapes are
of sufficient flexibility so as not to inhibit the physician during
instrument or tool manipulation.
[0133] The flap 406 can be rotated open to roughly 90 degrees or
more, as measured from the closed and sealed position, to allow
physician or healthcare worker access to the subject's nose or
mouth. In some embodiments the flap may comprise one or more
instrument access ports in the face of the transparent flap so as
to provide tool access even in the closed position.
[0134] In one use scenario, the subject enters the exam room and
affixes the isolation barrier 400 onto her face, wherein the
isolation barrier is initially configured such that the flap is
closed and the airflow outlet port is sealed with an air filter
element. The healthcare worker then enters the room, removes the
outlet air filter from the isolation barrier, attaches the airflow
conduit to the airflow outlet port, connects the other end of the
airflow conduit to the air mover and starts the isolation barrier
system so as to create a desired airflow pattern and negative
pressure field in and around the isolation barrier. The high
volumetric airflow in the isolation barrier system begins replacing
the air inside the isolation barrier with air from the room by
means of the airflow input port, moving the subject's air from the
isolation barrier into the air conduit by means of the airflow
output port, through the airflow conduit to the filter, through the
filter, cleaning the air, into the air mover, and releasing the
clean air back into the room, preventing the unintentional release
of respiratory exhalations and associated particulates, pathogens
and/or aerosols from the subject.
[0135] The healthcare worker then starts the exam by lifting up on
the access flap 406 (opening the access port), inserting the tip of
a spray bottle into each nostril, spraying the inside of the nose
and nasal cavity with anesthetic, removing the spray bottle, and
allowing the flap close and seal. During the spraying process, the
airflow within the isolation barrier is traveling at a volume flow
rate and velocity that is greater than the respiratory exhalation
rates from the subject in and around the nose and mouth, so as
prevent unintended release of the subject's exhalation into the
room.
[0136] While the healthcare worker allows the anesthetic to be
absorbed and take effect, the air inside the isolation barrier is
changing over constantly, ensuring the region in front of the
subject's airway is clean of the subject exhalation particulates,
pathogens and aerosols. Next the healthcare worker lifts the flap
using a rigid endoscope and advances the scope into the isolation
barrier. Using the other hand, the healthcare worker follows the
scope with a procedure instrument into the isolation barrier and
advances the instrument into a nasal cavity. The healthcare worker
advances both instruments into the nasal cavity and performs the
needed exam or procedure. The endoscope continues to hold the flap
open and moves against the flap keeping the access window open.
[0137] If the subject feels the imminent occurrence of an episodic
respiration event (such as a sneeze) about to happen during the
procedure, the healthcare worker can rapidly remove the instruments
from the nasal cavity and from the isolation barrier, allowing the
flap to close and seal the isolation barrier. During the episodic
respiration event, the flap acts as a barrier catching any
aerosols, particulates, pathogens and ejecta that are not captured
by the airflow. Once the event is over, the healthcare worker
allows the air inside the isolation barrier to be exchanged for
several minutes, opens the flap, and begins the procedure
again.
[0138] FIGS. 18A-25 show how the placement of the inlet port or
ports and the outlet port or ports can affect the airflow within
the medical procedure field formed between an isolation barrier and
a subject's face. In each of these embodiments, the outlet port or
ports are connected to an air mover that evacuates air from the
medical procedure field formed between the isolation barrier and
the subject's face, and air enters the medical procedure field
through an inlet. The inlet may be open to room air, or it may be
connected to a return line from the air mover. There may be filters
in one or both of the inlet and the outlet. Any of these
arrangements may be employed with any of the embodiments described
above.
[0139] In FIGS. 18A-B, the outlet port 422 of isolation barrier 420
is at the top, and the inlet port 424 is at the bottom. This
configuration provides a substantially linear air flow pattern
within the medical procedure field between isolation barrier 420
and the subject's face, as shown in the transparent view of FIG.
18B.
[0140] In FIGS. 19A-19B, the inlet port 434 and the outlet port 432
are on the sides of isolation barrier 430. This configuration
provides a substantially linear air flow pattern within the medical
procedure field between isolation barrier 430 and the subject's
face, as shown in the transparent view of FIG. 19B.
[0141] In FIGS. 20A-20B, the inlet port 444 is on the side of the
isolation barrier 440, and the outlet port 442 is on the top. This
configuration provides a substantially curved air flow pattern
within the medical procedure field between isolation barrier 440
and the subject's face, as shown in the transparent view of FIG.
20B.
[0142] In FIGS. 21A-21B, there are multiple inlet ports 454 on one
side of the isolation barrier 450 and one outlet port 452 on the
other side. This configuration provides a substantially converging
air flow pattern within the medical procedure field between
isolation barrier 450 and the subject's face, as shown in the
transparent view of FIG. 21B.
[0143] In FIGS. 22A-22B, there is a large inlet port 464 in the
front of the isolation barrier 460 and one smaller outlet port 462
at the top. This configuration provides a substantially converging
air flow pattern within the medical procedure field between
isolation barrier 460 and the subject's face, as shown in the
transparent view of FIG. 22B.
[0144] In FIGS. 23A-23B, there are two large inlet ports 474 at the
top of isolation barrier 470 and one small outlet port 472 at the
bottom. This configuration provides a substantially converging air
flow pattern within the medical procedure field between isolation
barrier 470 and the subject's face, as shown in the transparent
view of FIG. 23B.
[0145] In FIGS. 24A-24B, there is a large inlet port 484 in the
front of the isolation barrier 480 and two smaller outlet ports 482
at the sides. This configuration provides a substantially
converging air flow pattern within the medical procedure field
between isolation barrier 480 and the subject's face, as shown in
the transparent view of FIG. 24B.
[0146] In FIG. 25, there are multiple inlet ports 494 on one side
of the isolation barrier 490 and one larger outlet port 492 on the
other side. An access panel may be opened to access the medical
procedure field. This configuration provides a substantially
laminar flow within the medical procedure field between isolation
barrier 490 and the subject's face.
[0147] In the embodiment of FIG. 26, the isolation barrier system
includes an isolation barrier 500, an air conduit 502, a filter
(not shown), and an air mover 504. A support structure 506 supports
a transparent or translucent drape 508 that, together with the
subject's face, at least partially define a medical procedure field
509. An air inlet port 510 in the drape leads to the medical
procedure field 509, and an outlet port 512 lads to air conduit
502. Air mover 504 draws air from the medical procedure field 509
through outlet port 512 and conduit 502 to maintain a negative
pressure in the medical procedure field. The support structure is
comprised of malleable plastic or metal rods, tubes, bars, or any
other material or shape, and may be formed from a plurality of
small segmented rigid or semi-rigid components affixed together in
a manner so as to allow safely and effectively support elements of
the isolation barrier system. The transparent drape is comprised of
one or more thin film polymer elements constructed from material
such as urethane, polyethylene, PVC, or any other suitable
material, one or more weights, attachments, and/or clips to keep
the transparent drape in the desired configuration during use. The
drape is configured to provide a physical barrier that covers at
least the mouth and nose of a subject and in this embodiment covers
the entire front and sides of the subject's head. The drape is
affixed to the support structure. The support structure creates a
raised scaffolding around the subject's face and head, and attaches
to the subject's forehead and/or rests on the bed or surgical
drapes around the subject's head. The transparent drape may be
sized to cover the support structure and hang down over the
subject's head and rest on the surgical bed or chair. The weight of
the drape or elements within the drape keep the drape in place
affecting the isolation barrier in such a manner as to prevent the
subject's respiratory exhalations and associated particulates,
pathogens and/or aerosols from exiting the barrier. The air inlet
and outlet ports are affixed or built into the drape or support
structure. In this embodiment, the air inlet(s) are sewn in
filtered ports positioned around the face and the air outlet is
positioned above the subject's between the hairline and the tip of
the nose to be out of the way of the procedural instrumentation
field and potential air breathing tubes.
[0148] In one use scenario, the isolation barrier 500 is placed
over the subject's head to form a structure similar to a tent. The
support structure is configured to create an instrumentation access
space within the isolation barrier, having a vertical height of at
least 100 mm above the nasal sill and of sufficient horizontal
dimensions to enable the surgical procedure and associated tools
and instruments. The drape lays over and/or affixes to the support
structure and rest against the surgical drapes placed over the
subject and the surgical bed by means of weights and/or clips. The
healthcare worker then attaches the airflow conduit (that is
attached to the filter that is in turn attached to the air mover)
to the air outlet port and turns on the air mover. The high volume
airflow begins replacing air from inside the isolation barrier with
air from the room, moving the air within the isolation barrier into
the air conduit, through the filter, into the air mover, filtering
the air and releasing it back into the room.
[0149] Once the isolation barrier system is setup, the healthcare
worker reaches her gloved hands under the drape of the isolation
barrier and anesthetizes the subject and intubating the subject.
Once the subject is asleep, the healthcare provider begins the
procedure by placing her hands under the drapes, accessing the
desired airway cavity while viewing her work through the drape.
During this surgical procedure, the aerosolization caused by the
manipulation of the airway tissue is be evacuated from the
isolation barrier through the air outlet conduit and filtered
before allowing the air to release back into the room. After the
procedure is complete, the isolation barrier system is allowed to
run for several minutes, allowing the air in the isolation barrier
to change multiple times. The healthcare worker then wakes up the
subject, removes the breathing tube within the isolation barrier
while viewing through the transparent drape and places a mask on
the subject. The healthcare worked then removes her hands and
allows the air to change within the isolation barrier for a few
more minutes. After that the isolation barrier detached from the
air conduit, the isolation barrier is discarded and the subject is
transferred to the recovery room.
[0150] FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating the components of
the isolation barrier systems of this invention.
[0151] In embodiments described herein, the air mover removes air
from the medical procedure field at a rate equal to or greater than
the subject's respiratory minute volume (e.g., at an air evacuation
rate greater than or equal to 10 liters/minute). In some
embodiments, the removal rate of air from the medical procedure
field creates a negative pressure in that field (e.g., a negative
pressure of 0.14-68 cm H.sub.2O). After the isolation barrier is
placed on a subject to form the medical procedure field, healthcare
providers can perform medical procedures in, through, or on the
subject's oral and nasal cavities via the medical procedure field
without being exposed to aerosols or other ejecta from the
patient's breath.
[0152] FIGS. 28-32 show embodiments of an isolation barrier
providing access for tools, fingers and/or hands to a medical
procedure field in front of a subject's nose and mouth. In these
embodiments, isolation barrier 600 has a mask 602 and an enclosure
604 with an opening 606 detachably attached around an access
opening 619 in the front of mask 602. In some embodiments, a seal
may be provided between opening 606 and access opening 619. In some
embodiments, all or a portion enclosure 604 may be formed from a
material that permits the interior of the enclosure to be viewed
from the exterior. For example, some or all of the enclosure may be
formed from a transparent flexible material such as, e.g., low
density polyethylene, 0.002-0.003 inches thick. Enclosure 604 may
also be formed of a material that is elastic as well as flexible,
such as nitrile. Enclosure 604 has another opening 610 on the end
away from the mask 602. In this embodiment, opening 610 is larger
than opening 606. In some embodiments, opening 610 may be large
enough to permit a healthcare worker to accommodate an instrument
inserted through enclosure 604 and through mask access opening 619
to the subject's nose 612 or mouth 614 and to accommodate any
movement of the instrument necessary to perform a procedure on the
subject. In some embodiments, opening 610 may be large enough to
admit the healthcare worker's hand as well as the instrument. In
some embodiments, opening 610 may be large enough to admit two
hands and two instruments and to accommodate any movement of the
hands and instruments necessary to perform the procedure. Because
enclosure 604 is flexible, the shape and dimensions of opening 610
may change as enclosure 604 is manipulated during the medical
procedure. When fully extended, opening 610 may be circular or
non-circular, and opening 610 may have a cross-sectional area of at
least 20 cm.sup.2.
[0153] The length of enclosure 604 between opening 606 and 610 may
be long enough to cover any inserted instruments and/or hands. In
some embodiments, enclosure 604 is long enough to cover the access
opening 619 when enclosure 604 is empty (i.e., no hands or tools
have been inserted) and is hanging limp from the mask 602. In
embodiments, enclosure 604 extends greater than 10 cm from opening
606 to opening 610.
[0154] In some embodiments, enclosure 604 has an expandable
interior volume 641 large enough to contain sudden increases in
pressure and flow from the subject due to a cough or sneeze. In
embodiments, the interior volume 641 of enclosure 604 may expand to
be between 0.8 liters and 5.0 liters, inclusive.
[0155] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28-32, enclosure 604 is
removable from mask 602. This feature permits the enclosure to be
replaced with a clean enclosure or with an enclosure with different
dimensions. In other embodiments, enclosure 604 may be permanently
attached to mask 602. In some embodiments, enclosure 604 may be
integral with mask 602.
[0156] In some embodiments, mask 602 is formed from three
panels--top panel 616, front panel 618 and bottom panel 620--joined
together at seams 622 and 624. Front panel 618 is transparent and
may be formed from, e.g., polypropylene. An access opening 619 is
disposed in front panel 618 in a position that will be over the
subject's nose and/or mouth when the mask is worn. An attachment
mechanism 621, such as a ridge, surrounds opening 619. A
corresponding attachment mechanism (not shown) surrounding opening
606 of enclosure 604 enables attachment and detachment of enclosure
604 from mask 602.
[0157] One or both of top panel 616 and bottom panel 620 may be
formed from a flexible and breathable material such as non-woven
polypropylene fabric. In this context, "breathable" means that the
material is sufficiently permeable to air to enable the subject to
inhale and exhale through the material while still blocking
droplets and aerosols from the subject's exhaled breath, much like
an N95 mask. In other embodiments, the top and bottom panels may be
made from a flexible non-breathable material, such as transparent
vinyl. In such other embodiments, one or more ports each with a
one-way valve (not shown) may be provided in one or more of the
panels to permit ambient air to enter the mask.
[0158] Top panel 616 has an edge 626 with a nose portion 628 and
cheek portions 630 shaped to rest against the subject's face to
form an effective air seal at the top of the mask. Similarly,
bottom panel 620 fits around the subject's chin and has an edge 632
shaped to rest against the sides of the subject's jaw and against
the subject's neck beneath the chin to form an effective air seal
at the bottom of the mask. In other embodiments, additional sealing
material such as, e.g., foam, may be provided at the edges where
the mask meets the subject's face.
[0159] In use, a mask 602 of an isolation barrier 600 may be placed
on the subject's face. Top panel 616 and bottom panel 620 extend
outward from the subject's face to the front panel 618 to create a
volume 642 forming a medical procedure field, or a portion of a
medical procedure field, in front of the subject's nose and mouth.
An enclosure 604, when attached to the mask access opening 619,
extends the medical procedure field into enclosure volume 641. Mask
602 may be held in place with, e.g., an elastic strap or band 608
that goes around the subject's head or ears. If desired, in some
embodiments the conduit 645 of an air mover can optionally be
connected to a connector 646 to create a negative air pressure
within the medical procedure field, including the portion of the
medical procedure field with in the enclosure, such as by
evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air
evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory
minute volume, as described above. The connector may be disposed
anywhere in the mask, such as in the bottom panel, as shown in
FIGS. 28-31, or in the front panel 616, as shown in FIG. 32.
[0160] To perform a procedure on the subject's nose or mouth, a
healthcare worker may insert a hand and/or a tool through enclosure
opening 610 and mask access opening 619 to the subject's nose or
mouth. In some embodiments, the enclosure is large enough to
accommodate the healthcare worker's hand as well as the tool, and
in some embodiments the enclosure is large enough to accommodate
two hands and two tools. At least part of the enclosure is
transparent or translucent, so that the healthcare worker can see
the tools and the patient's face, and the material is flexible
enough to enable movement of the tools and the healthcare worker's
hands within the enclosure volume.
[0161] FIGS. 33-35 show an alternative embodiment of the isolation
barrier of FIGS. 28-32 that adds a tool access port 652 to the
enclosure 604. Other components of the isolation barrier are the
same as in the prior embodiment and employ the same element
numbers. As shown in FIG. 35, a tool 660 may be inserted through
tool access port 652, enclosure opening 606 and the mask access
opening (not shown) into medical procedure field 642 to perform a
medical procedure on the subject's nose and/or mouth. The
instrument port may facilitate certain medical procedures requiring
the healthcare provider to use two hands, one hand holding the
instrument (e.g., an endoscope to visualize a nasal passage) and
the other hand within the enclosure performing a procedure with a
tool or with the other hand itself.
[0162] Tool access port 652 may have a size and a position in
enclosure 604 matching its intended purpose. For example, tool
access port 652 may be disposed opposite enclosure opening 606 and
may have a fixed or expandable cross-sectional area of at least 5
mm.sup.2, preferably 12 mm.sup.2. Tool access port 652 may have a
seal around its perimeter to seal against an inserted
instrument.
[0163] An optional movable flap 650 may be moved from the closed
position shown in FIG. 34 to an open position exposing opening 652,
as shown in FIG. 35. Flap 650 may be made from a flexible
transparent or translucent material, such as cellulose. An optional
contact adhesive or hook and loop fastener 654 may be provided to
hold flap 650 in the closed position or in the open position. More
than one tool access port may be provided. Alternatives to the
flexible flap 650 include a hinged door, such as, e.g., an
over-center hinge providing bi-stable positioning, a friction hinge
to hold the door in position, or a torsion spring biasing the door
in a closed position.
[0164] FIGS. 36-39 show an embodiment of an isolation barrier with
a mask 603 that omits the enclosure and mask access opening of the
embodiments of FIGS. 28-32 and FIGS. 33-35. Front panel 618 is
transparent so that the subject's mouth and facial expressions can
be seen while the mask is worn. As in some of the earlier
embodiments, top panel 616 and/or bottom panel 620 are made of a
flexible and breathable material such as non-woven polypropylene
fabric so that the subject can inhale and exhale through the mask
603. Some embodiments of the mask 603 have a connector 646 for
connecting to the conduit 645 of an air mover (such as a fan) to
provide a negative air pressure in the volume 642 inside of mask
603. A strap 608 may be provided to hold the mask 603 on the
subject's face. Other elements common to the embodiment of FIGS.
28-32 are shown using the same element numbers.
[0165] In some embodiments of the medical procedure mask 602 of the
isolation barriers of FIGS. 28-32 and FIGS. 33-35 and the isolation
mask 603 of the isolation barrier of FIGS. 36-39, a malleable metal
or plastic nosepiece 643 may be provided either on a top surface of
nose portion 628 or, as shown in FIGS. 40-41, on a bottom surface
of nose portion 628. Nosepiece 643 may be adjusted to fit the nose
portion 628 of the top panel 616 to the shape of the subject's
nose. A pad 644 may be bonded to an underside of nosepiece 643 for
comfort. The strap 608 for holding the mask on the subject's head
may be attached to the two lateral ends 640 of front panel 628. An
optional tab 638 may extend from edge 632 of bottom panel 620 to
aid in removal of the mask from the subject's face. While the
isolation mask 603 is shown in FIGS. 40-41, the nosepiece 643
and/or tab 638 may be used with the medical procedure mask 602 of
the isolation barriers of FIGS. 28-32 and FIGS. 33-35.
[0166] As shown best in FIGS. 42A-B, in some embodiments of the
medical procedure masks 602 of FIGS. 28-32 and FIGS. 33-35 and the
isolation mask 603 of FIGS. 36-39, top panel 616 extends forward
from edge 626 toward an upturned forward end 634. An outer surface
of forward end 634 meets an inside surface of front panel 618 to
form seam 622. Likewise, bottom panel 620 extends forward from edge
632 to a downturned forward end 636. An outer surface of forward
end 636 meets an inside surface of front panel 628 to from seam
624. The top and bottom panels maybe joined to the front panel at
seams 622 and 624, respectively, by heat bonding or adhesive
bonding. Upturned forward end 634 and downturned forward end 636
act as cantilever spring hinges that permit top panel 616 and front
panel 618 to rotate with respect to each other when the subject's
jaw moves. In addition to enabling the mask to fit a variety of
face sizes and shapes, this rotational movement between the panels
enables the subject to move the front panel, and the access opening
in the front panel 618 in the embodiments having an access opening,
up and down with respect to the subject's nose and mouth when the
subject's jaw opens and closes. This ability to move the access
opening may help a healthcare worker access target portions of the
subject's nose and/or mouth during a procedure. Other embodiments
may employ other manners of connecting the three panels of mask 602
or mask 603. For example, other kinds of hinged connections may
replace one or both of seams 622 and 624, such as a compliant
elastomeric material. Also, two adjacent panels, or all three
panels, may be formed as unitary components with hinge areas formed
between them as, e.g., living hinges.
[0167] FIGS. 43-46 show yet another embodiment of an isolation
barrier providing access for tools, fingers and/or hands to a
medical procedure field in front of a subject's nose and mouth. In
these embodiments, isolation barrier 700 has a mask 702 and an
enclosure 704 with an opening 706 detachably attached around an
access opening 719 in the front of mask 702. In some embodiments,
enclosure 704 may be formed from a material that permits the
interior of the enclosure to be viewed from the exterior. For
example, some or all of the enclosure 704 may be formed from a
transparent flexible material such as, e.g., low density
polyethylene, 0.002-0.003 inches thick. Enclosure 704 has another
opening 710 on the end away from the mask 702. In this embodiment,
opening 710 is larger than opening 706. In some embodiments,
opening 710 may be large enough to permit a healthcare worker to
accommodate an instrument inserted through enclosure 704 and
through mask access opening 719 to the subject's nose 712 or mouth
714 and to accommodate any movement of the instrument necessary to
perform a procedure on the subject. In some embodiments, opening
710 may be large enough to admit the healthcare worker's hand as
well as the instrument. In some embodiments, opening 710 may be
large enough to admit two hands and two instruments and to
accommodate any movement of the hands and instruments necessary to
perform the procedure. Opening 710 may be circular or non-circular.
In embodiments, opening 710 may have across-sectional area of at
least 20 cm.sup.2.
[0168] The length of enclosure 704 between opening 706 and 710 may
be long enough to cover any inserted instruments and/or hands. In
embodiments, enclosure 704 extends greater than 10 cm from opening
706 to opening 710.
[0169] In some embodiments, enclosure 704 has an interior volume
741 large enough to contain sudden increases in pressure and flow
from the subject due to a cough or sneeze. In embodiments, the
interior volume 741 of enclosure 704 may expand to be between 0.8
liters and 5.0 liters, inclusive.
[0170] In this embodiment, mask 702 is flexible and compliant, and
it may be injection-molded from transparent vinyl or from a
transparent co-polymer. An inner edge 726 of mask 702 is shaped to
engage skin around the subject's nose and mouth to seal against the
subject's face. In other embodiments, additional sealing material
such as, e.g., foam, may be provided at the edges where the mask
meets the subject's face. Mask 702 extends away from the subject's
face to form an interior volume 742 in front of the subject's nose
and mouth. A port 706 with a one-way valve 707 is disposed on one
or both sides of mask 702 to allow ambient air to enter the volume
742 within mask 702.
[0171] A malleable metal or plastic nosepiece 743 may be attached
to the top surface of mask 702 as shown in FIG. 46. Nosepiece 743
may be adjusted to fit the nose portion 728 of the mask to the
shape of the subject's nose.
[0172] A semi-rigid ring 721 made of a co-polymer aids in
attachment of enclosure 704 to mask 702. During assembly, ring 721
is heat staked around opening 706, and ring 721 is pressed into the
flexible polymer mask 702 around opening 719. In some embodiments,
the flexible enclosure can be attached directly to the flexible
polymer mask 702.
[0173] In use, a mask 702 of an isolation barrier 700 may be placed
on the subject's face. Volume 742 within the mask forms a medical
procedure field, or a portion of a medical procedure field, in
front of the subject's nose and mouth. An enclosure 704, when
attached to the mask access opening 719, extends the medical
procedure field into enclosure volume 741. Mask 702 may be held in
place with, e.g., an elastic strap or band 708 that goes around the
subject's head or ears. If desired, in some embodiments the conduit
745 of an air mover (such as a fan) can optionally be connected to
a connector 746 in mask 702 to create a negative air pressure
within the medical procedure field, including the portion of the
medical procedure field with in the enclosure, such as by
evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air
evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory
minute volume, as described above.
[0174] To perform a procedure on the subject's nose or mouth, a
healthcare worker may insert a tool through enclosure opening 710
and mask access opening 719 to the subject's nose or mouth. In some
embodiments, the enclosure is large enough to accommodate the
healthcare worker's hand as well as the tool, and in some
embodiments the enclosure is large enough to accommodate two hands
and two tools. The enclosure material is transparent, so that the
healthcare worker can see the tools and the patient's face, and the
material is flexible enough to enable movement of the tools and the
healthcare worker's hands within the enclosure volume.
[0175] Isolation barrier 700 may be provided with an optional tool
port and movable flap, as described above with respect to the
embodiment of FIGS. 33-35. Optionally in some embodiments, a tool
port and movable flap could be affixed directly to ring 721 or mask
body 702 and not have flexible enclosure 706 or have a detachable
flexible enclosure 706.
[0176] While the embodiments described above cover the subject's
nose and mouth, other embodiments may cover only the nose or only
the mouth. For example, the isolation barrier shown in FIG. 47
provides a nose mask 802 with a seal 804 surrounding the subject's
nose 806 to form a medical procedure field 808 in front of the
nose. An enclosure 810 extends from a first opening 812 surrounding
an access opening 803 in mask 802 to a second opening 814. An
attachment feature (not shown), such as the head straps described
above, holds mask 802 against the subject's face. As in the
embodiments above, enclosure 810 may be formed from a flexible,
transparent or translucent material. To perform a medical procedure
on the subject's nose 806, a healthcare worker may insert a tool
and/or part of a hand through enclosure opening 814, enclosure
opening 812, and mask access opening 803 to reach the medical
procedure field 808. In some embodiments, the enclosure 810 is
large enough to accommodate the healthcare worker's hand as well as
the tool, and in some embodiments the enclosure is large enough to
accommodate two hands and two tools. Dimensions for the enclosure
and enclosure openings may be the same as described in embodiments
above. In use, the healthcare worker can see the tools and the
subject's nose through the enclosure, and the enclosure material is
flexible enough to enable movement of the tools and the healthcare
worker's hands within the enclosure volume. If desired, in some
embodiments a conduit of an air mover (such as a fan, not shown)
can optionally be connected to mask 802 to create a negative air
pressure within the medical procedure field, including the portion
of the medical procedure field with in the enclosure, such as by
evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air
evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory
minute volume, as described above.
[0177] The isolation barrier shown in FIG. 48 provides a mouth mask
852 with a seal 854 surrounding the subject's mouth 856 to form a
medical procedure field 858 in front of the mouth. An enclosure 860
extends from a first opening 862 surrounding an access opening 853
in mask 852 to a second opening 864. An attachment feature (not
shown), such as the head straps described above, holds mask 852
against the subject's face. As in the embodiments above, enclosure
860 may be formed from a flexible, transparent or translucent
material. To perform a medical procedure on the subject's mouth
856, a healthcare worker may insert a tool and/or part of a hand
through enclosure opening 864, enclosure opening 862, and mask
access opening 853 to reach the medical procedure field 858. In
some embodiments, the enclosure 860 is large enough to accommodate
the healthcare worker's hand as well as the tool, and in some
embodiments the enclosure is large enough to accommodate two hands
and two tools. Dimensions for the enclosure and enclosure openings
may be the same as described in embodiments above. In use, the
healthcare worker can see the tools and the subject's mouth through
the enclosure, and the enclosure material is flexible enough to
enable movement of the tools and the healthcare worker's hands
within the enclosure volume. If desired, in some embodiments a
conduit of an air mover (such as a fan, not shown) can optionally
be connected to mask 852 to create a negative air pressure within
the medical procedure field, including the portion of the medical
procedure field with in the enclosure, such as by evacuating air
from the medical procedure field at an air evacuation rate greater
than or equal to the subject's respiratory minute volume, as
described above.
[0178] The isolation barrier shown in FIG. 49 provides access for
tools, fingers and/or hands to a medical procedure field 902 in
front of the subject's mouth 904 while enclosing and isolating the
mouth from the nose 906. In this embodiment, mask 908 has a first
compartment 910 that seals around the subject's mouth with a seal
912 to form medical procedure field 902. A second mask compartment
914 seals around the subject's nose with a seal 915 extending from
seal 912. An enclosure 916 extends from a first opening 918
surrounding an access opening 920 in mask 908 to a second opening
922. An attachment feature (not shown), such as the head straps
described above, holds mask 908 against the subject's face. As in
the embodiments above, enclosure 916 may be formed from a flexible,
transparent or translucent material. To perform a medical procedure
on the subject's mouth, a healthcare worker may insert a tool
and/or part of a hand through enclosure opening 922, enclosure
opening 918, and mask access opening 920 to reach the medical
procedure field 902. In some embodiments, the enclosure 916 is
large enough to accommodate the healthcare worker's hand as well as
the tool, and in some embodiments the enclosure is large enough to
accommodate two hands and two tools. Dimensions for the enclosure
and enclosure openings may be the same as described in embodiments
above. In use, the healthcare worker can see the tools and the
subject's mouth through the enclosure, and the enclosure material
is flexible enough to enable movement of the tools and the
healthcare worker's hands within the enclosure volume. If desired,
in some embodiments a conduit of an air mover (such as a fan, not
shown) can optionally be connected to mask 908 to create a negative
air pressure within the medical procedure field, including the
portion of the medical procedure field with in the enclosure, such
as by evacuating air from the medical procedure field at an air
evacuation rate greater than or equal to the subject's respiratory
minute volume, as described above. The nose compartment 914 remains
isolated from the mouth compartment 910.
[0179] Other attachment features may be used in place of the
attachment straps described with respect to any of the embodiments
above. For example, instead of straps going around the subject's
head, straps may loop around the subject's ears. Alternatively, the
mask may adhesively attach to the subject's face.
[0180] The foregoing methods and techniques can be similarly
implemented in conjunction with other medical and surgical
procedures in files such as dental, periodontal, orthodontal,
sinus, nasal, laryngeal, and any other nose, mouth, throat, or
upper gastro-intestinal medicine, where the healthcare
professionals work in or around an upper airway cavity of a patient
and may need to ensure that particles, pathogens, and/or aerosols
from the patient are controlled and isolated during the medical
procedure.
[0181] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being
"on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other
feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also
be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to
as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no
intervening features or elements present. It will also be
understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being
"connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element,
it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other
feature or element or intervening features or elements may be
present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as
being "directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly
coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening
features or elements present. Although described or shown with
respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described
or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be
appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a
structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature
may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent
feature.
[0182] Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may
be abbreviated as "/".
[0183] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower",
"over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to
another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It
will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements
described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would
then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of over
and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees
or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors
used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms
"upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are
used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically
indicated otherwise.
[0184] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein
to describe various features/elements (including steps), these
features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the
context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish
one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first
feature/element discussed below could be termed a second
feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed
below could be termed a first feature/element without departing
from the teachings of the present invention.
[0185] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow,
unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and
variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" means various
components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles
(e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods).
For example, the term "comprising" will be understood to imply the
inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of
any other elements or steps.
[0186] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as
used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all
numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word "about" or
"approximately," even if the term does not expressly appear. The
phrase "about" or "approximately" may be used when describing
magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or
position described is within a reasonable expected range of values
and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value
that is +/-0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-1% of
the stated value (or range of values), +/-2% of the stated value
(or range of values), +/-5% of the stated value (or range of
values), +/-10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any
numerical values given herein should also be understood to include
about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates
otherwise. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about
10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is
intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. It is also
understood that when a value is disclosed that "less than or equal
to" the value, "greater than or equal to the value" and possible
ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately
understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value "X" is
disclosed the "less than or equal to X" as well as "greater than or
equal to X" (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed.
It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is
provided in a number of different formats, and that this data,
represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any
combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data
point "10" and a particular data point "15" are disclosed, it is
understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than,
less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered
disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that
each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For
example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are
also disclosed.
[0187] Although various illustrative embodiments are described
above, any of a number of changes may be made to various
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as
described by the claims. For example, the order in which various
described method steps are performed may often be changed in
alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one
or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features
of various device and system embodiments may be included in some
embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description
is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be
interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth
in the claims.
[0188] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way
of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in
which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other
embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that
structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such
embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to
herein individually or collectively by the term "invention" merely
for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the
scope of this application to any single invention or inventive
concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although
specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,
any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be
substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is
intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various
embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other
embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
* * * * *
References