U.S. patent number 3,863,343 [Application Number 05/224,865] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-04 for dental patient drape.
Invention is credited to Oscar Malmin.
United States Patent |
3,863,343 |
Malmin |
February 4, 1975 |
Dental patient drape
Abstract
A lightweight inflatable patient drape including a pair of
opposed impermeable sheets secured together to form an interior
cavity which is divided into longitudinal chambers. The body of the
drape also has a pair of opposed projecting yoke or neck members
adapted to fit around the neck of the wearer and is provided with a
valve for inflation purposes. Due to the existence of the
longitudinal compartments, upon inflation the device will
automatically adopt a curved configuration in cross section
compatible with the curvature of the patient's body thereby
minimizing contact with the body of the patient and permitting
better air circulation and comfort. Due to the cushioning effect of
the air pockets or compartments, greater patient protection is also
provided against sharp or heavy dental instruments that are
commonly exchanged or carried over the body of the patient during
dental operations. In addition, an adhesive layer may be coated to
the outside surfaces of the drape to attach neck bands or towels of
a disposable nature. A modified form is also disclosed wherein the
drape is either filled with lightweight foam material, such as
styrofoam, or entirely molded of such material thereby avoiding the
need for inflation.
Inventors: |
Malmin; Oscar (Akron, OH) |
Family
ID: |
26879219 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/224,865 |
Filed: |
February 9, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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183519 |
Sep 24, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/229; 2/48;
2/463; 2/DIG.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
46/00 (20160201); Y10S 2/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
19/08 (20060101); A61B 19/00 (20060101); A22c
019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/292,82,132D
;2/66,67,68,2,50,51,48,46 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peshock; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Freeman & Taylor
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of Applicant's earlier
filed co-pending application Serial No. 183,519, filed September
24, 1971 and now abandoned, as "Dental Patient Drape."
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An inflatable protective patient drape, comprising;
A. a pair of impermeable membranes secured together at their
peripheries to form an air-tight chamber;
B. means for introducing air into said chamber;
C. said membranes being secured to each other at transversely
spaced intervals to divide said chamber into a plurality of
longitudinally extending compartments
1. whereby said drape assumes a curved cross sectional
configuration upon inflation and;
D. said membranes each having a pair of opposed, integral
inflatable neck-engaging members at one end, with said
neck-engaging members being arcuate in planar and cross-sectional
configuration and substantially encircling the patient's neck
1. whereby said members will support the head and neck of said
patient.
2. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of
adhesive means on the outer surface of one of said membranes
adjacent one end of said drape.
3. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a
plurality of body straps secured to the outer surface of at least
one of said membranes.
4. The drape of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of
attachment means secured to the outer surface of at least one said
membrane.
5. A protective patient drape, comprising;
A. a pair of sheets secured together at their peripheries to form a
substantially closed chamber;
B. said sheets being secured to each other at transversely spaced
intervals to divide said chamber into a plurality of longitudinally
extending compartments; and
C. a quantity of lightweight foam material being received in and
substantially filling said compartments;
D. said sheets each having a pair of opposed foam-filled
neck-engaging members having an arcuate planar and cross-sectional
configuration and substantially encircling the neck of the patient
and projecting from one end of said drape
1. whereby said members will support the head and neck of said
patient.
6. The drape of claim 5 further characterized by the presence of
means for securing said drape to the body of the patient.
7. The drape of claim 5 further characterized by the presence of
attachment means carried on the outer surface of at least one of
said sheets.
8. A protective patient drape comprising;
A. an elongate body of light-weight foam material adapted to cover
at least the upper portion of the body of said patient;
B. said body being arcuate in cross-section
1. whereby only the outboard edges thereof contact the body of said
patient with the remaining surfaces being spaced therefrom; and
C. a pair of opposed neck-engaging members having an arcuate planar
and cross-sectional configuration and substantially encircling the
neck of the patient and projecting from one end of said drape
1. whereby said members will support the head and neck of said
patient.
9. The drape of claim 8 further characterized by the presence of
means for securing said drape to the body of the patient.
10. The drape of claim 8 further characterized by the presence of
attachment means carried on the outer surface of at least one of
said sheets.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention, in general, relates to drapes or other protective
devices utilized to protect the clothes and body of dental
patients. The invention specifically relates to either an
inflatable drape or one filled with foam material which gives
improved protection while also improving the comfort factor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Due to the nature of dental treatment, the body of the patient must
be protected against contact from caustic liquids, splashing water,
flying debris, projectiles from drills, etc., and also the body
must be protected from sharp hand instruments or heavy drills or
handpieces which can easily be dropped onto the patient.
The known forms of drapes for these purposes usually consist of a
thin layer of plastic material cut into the form of an apron. Some
of these may have straps for securing the drape to the neck, or
some of them are secured by clips of various types. These devices,
while protecting the patient's body from liquids and water spray,
offer very little protection against penetration or trauma by
dropped instruments, for example.
Furthermore, due to the material of which these are made, they tend
to cling closely to the body, thereby producing a great deal of
discomfort to the patient, particularly in hot weather since they,
in effect, trap the natural body heat thereby increasing the
possibility of syncope (fainting).
Applicant is also aware of the following patent prior art: Gamble
U.S. Pat. No. 745,007; Ridlon U.S. Pat. No. 876,237; Mooney U.S.
Pat. No. 1,657,866; Sullivan U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,175; Alarco U.S.
Pat. No. 3,550,159;
Most of these patents disclose various types of inflatable devices,
such as athletic chest protectors or life preservers. None of them,
however, disclose the unique construction by which Applicant
obtains substantially complete protection of the body of the
patient while, at the same time, improving the comfort factor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found that an improved patient drape can be provided
which will overcome the above-noted defects in the prior art by
providing a pair of impermeable sheets secured together about their
edges so as to form an interior air-tight pocket. It has been found
that by dividing the drape into longitudinal compartments, that
upon inflation of the same the drape will automatically assume a
curved configuration thereby providing minimal contact between the
drape and the body of the wearer while yet providing substantially
complete protection.
It has also been found that the device can be provided with
projecting opposed curved neck or yoke members which fit around the
neck of the user and, following inflation, serve to cushion and
support the head, again giving greater comfort.
It has also been discovered that equally satisfactory results can
be obtained by providing a filling of lightweight plastic foam
within the drape. In this way the protective and comfort features
above-described are retained, but the potential problem of
punctures or ruptures in the sheets is obviated. It is also, of
course, possible to mold the entire drape of such foam.
Accordingly, production of an improved patient drape of the
character described becomes the principal object of this invention,
with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of
the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in
view of the accompanying drawings.
OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the improved drape.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1
showing the curvature adopted by the drape upon inflation.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1
showing the contact of the neck or yoke portion of the drape with
the neck of the wearer.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1
showing the mating between the opposed yoke portions.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the
foam-filled modification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Considering FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved drape, generally indicated
by the numeral 10, includes opposed impermeable sheets 12,12 which
are secured to each other about their periphery as at 12a,12a. This
has the effect of forming an air-tight interior compartment.
Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the overall
drape is then divided into a plurality of longitudinal chambers
14,14 which are formed by sealing the sheets 12,12 as at 13,13.
It will be noted that at the top of the drape a pair of opposed
yoke members 15,15 are provided and that these are curved so as to
conform substantially to the configuration of the neck of a
patient.
Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that these yoke portions 15,15
meet at their rounded ends, 15a,15a following inflation without the
need for any connecting means although snaps or ties could
obviously be added if desired.
The drape also is indented somewhat as at 16,16a at the point where
the yoke portions join the body. This facilitates bending around
the neck upon inflation; if the indentation is greater as in 16a,
then the bending effect is more propounded.
Reference to FIG. 3 will also disclose that inner surfaces of the
yoke portions 15,15 have radial cross sectional configuration, as
indicated at 17. In this fashion no sharp or rough edges are in
contact with the neck N of the wearer, thus providing improved
comfort.
In use or operation of the improved drape, it is understood that it
would be placed about the patient with the yoke members 15,15 being
brought together at the rear or back of the neck.
Inflation is accomplished by valve 20 which is shown schematically
only because any number of conventional valves could be used with
equal success.
Once inflation has taken place, the longitudinal compartments 14,14
will cause the drape 10 to bow, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
In this fashion, only a small portion of the drape itself will
contact the body of the user, and in this fashion also air
circulation is permitted between the drape and the body.
Furthermore, the yoke portions 15,15 upon inflation will provide
support and cushioning for the head and neck of the patient thereby
increasing his comfort.
Neck bands or towels may also be attached to the drape by pressing
them on the adhesive layer 30 coated on the outside surfaces of the
drape. It is also anticipated that clips or other means of
attaching neck bands or towels could be used with this drape. These
means are shown, for example, in FIG. 1 and are generally indicated
by the numeral 50. They could include straps sewn or otherwise
secured to the drape and have clamps or clips of conventional
constructions to hold the towels or neck bands.
A device of this nature will protect the patient not only from
liquids which might be spilled on him or sprayed on him during the
operation, but will also serve to protect him from instruments
which may be dropped.
Furthermore, this improved protection is achieved with an attendant
improvement in the comfort of the patient.
Finally, body straps 40,40 can also be employed, if desired, to
secure the drape to the body of the wearer.
Turning next then to FIG. 5, a modified form of the invention is
disclosed. Thus, in the form of the invention described in FIGS. 1
through 4, an inflatable drape is provided which achieves two
goals. First, it protects the body of the wearer and his clothes
from damage through spilling, dropping, etc. Second, due to the
arcuate configuration of the drape, an air passage is permitted
between the under surface of the drape and the body of the wearer
for comfort. While this form of the invention is perfectly
acceptable and functional, due to the fact that it does require an
air-tight internal chamber, it is susceptible to mal-function due
to damage such as, for example, dropping a sharp instrument on it
which might cause a puncture.
Accordingly then, the form of the invention shown in FIG. 5 is
intended to achieve the two objects set forth above in connection
with the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, while eliminating any
possibility of mal-function due to puncturing or rupturing of the
membranes 12,12. Thus the form of the invention shown in FIG. 5
includes opposed sheets 112,112 which are stitched together or
heat-sealed together as clearly shown in the drawings. Once more
the longitudinal compartments are formed by means of the seams
113,113 but in this form of the invention rather than filling the
drape with air and inflating it, the drape is manufactured with a
quantity of lightweight foam, such as styrofoam for example,
generally indicated by the numeral 120, within the longitudinal
compartments. Due to the consistency of the foam material, the
lightweight feature of the drape is retained. Furthermore the
arcuate contour which permits the air pocket between the body and
most of the under surface of the drape is also maintained, thus
providing comfort to the wearer. The protective and cushioning
effect is, of course, also still obtained in this form of the
invention, but any damage to the skin or sheet material 112 will
not render the drape inoperative as might be the case in connection
with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 4.
It is also possible to mold the entire drape of this foam material
with a smooth outer surface caused by contact with the mold during
the molding operation. This, of course, would be a less expensive
version of the drape. This form would be molded having the arcuate
cross-sectional configuration which the compartments impart to the
drape in the inflatable version.
It should be also noted here that only a sectional view has been
shown of this modified form of the invention, with it being
understood that all of the other features illustrated and described
in connection with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1
through 4 would be incorporated into the modified drape with the
only basic difference being that the drape is no longer an
inflatable drape but rather is a foam-filled one.
While a full and complete description of the invention has been set
forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it is
understood that modifications may be resorted to without departing
from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.
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