Sterile Plastic Shield

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to improvements in protective shields for application to a body surface area in which an infusion needle has been inserted. An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes a relatively rigid transparent cup-shaped cover or shield member and a laterally flexible circumferential flange radiating from the open margin of the cover member. Surrounding the interior wall of the cover member is a disinfectant impregnated wick-like member. The flange is adapted for adhesive attachment to the above-mentioned surface area.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the problems inherent in the use of infusion type needles, as for example needles employed for intravenous injections, is that of maintaining the sterility of the needle. It has heretofore been common practice to cover the inserted needle with sterile gauze held in place by adhesive tape. It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problem referred to above by providing a protective cover or shield of the improved, practical design which may be applied as a unit to the body surface area surrounding an inserted infusion needle.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates an improved protective shield arrangement of the type set forth above which may be applied with the utmost ease and facility after a protective peel sheet has been removed therefrom.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective shield or cover which will render clearly visible the body surface area in the vicinity of the inserted needle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective shield which will not only adhere firmly to the body surface area but which will also maintain said surface area in an antiseptic condition. To this end, the invention contemplates the retention within a protective shield of means impregnated with an antiseptic solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above mentioned and other objects and advantages will be more clearly appreciated upon consideration of the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective shield representative of one embodiment of the present invention disclosed in association with a conventional intravenous needle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged central sectional view of the protective device taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view disclosing the constituent parts of the protective device in exploded relation;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the protective shell as seen along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding with the left portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 disclosing the manner in which a strip of adhesive tape may be used to further secure the protective shell in place; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 disclosing the manner in which a pair of adhesive tape sections may be employed as additional means for securing the protective shell against loosening.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that one embodiment of the present invention is a protective device designated generally by the numeral 10. The device 10 includes a shallow cup or shield section 12 preferably formed of a relatively rigid transparent plastic sheet, commonly referred to in the packaging field as a "protective blister". Extending radially outwardly on the open margin of the cup 12 is a laterally flexible flange 14. Permanently attached to the under surface of the flange 14 is a double-faced or double-sided pressure sensitive sheet 16. The outer margin of the pressure sensitive sheet 16 is shaped to conform with the outer margin of the flange 14 and a central aperture 18, FIG. 3, conforms with the shape defined by the inner margin of the flange.

Snugly retained within the shield 12 is a rectangularly shaped porous member 20 defining a central aperture 22. The member 20 may be formed of wick like or resilient foam material which has been impregnated with a suitable disinfectant. A peel sheet 24, FIGS. 3 and 5, is adhered to and superimposes the entire underside of the combined shield 12, flange 14 and impregnated member 20. The sheet 24 thus serves to seal the interior of the shield against contamination and may be peeled away from the underside of the adhesive sheet 16 just prior to the application of the protective device 10 to a body surface 26, FIG. 2.

The above described protective device 10 may be applied to body surface areas in the vicinity of a previously inserted infusion needle such as a needle 28. It should be understood that the flange 14 is readily flexible laterally and when pressed over the needle 28 said flange will yieldably impinge the periphery of the needle over a substantial portion of its circumferential extent. In other words, the flange 14 will sealingly impinge the periphery of the infusion needle 28. The disinfectant within the member 20 also functions to maintain the sterile condition of the needle as well as the body surface in the vicinity pierced by the needle. In FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the body to which the protective device 10 is applied is indicated by dot and dash lines 30.

In instances where it is deemed desirable, a strip of adhesive tape 32 may be employed as an auxiliary fastening device, FIG. 6, to further secure the protective shield and flange against dislodgment. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of adhesive tape strips 34 may be employed along the opposed margins of the flange 14. A vent 50 may be provided in the shield section 12 to assure proper ventilation and to permit the egress of gases which may develop within the shield. It will also be understood that the shield should be placed in such a manner as to permit observation of the body area surrounding the inserted needle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the above described protective device functions effectively to maintain contamination free an infusion needle as well as the body surface area surrounding said needle. The peel sheet cooperates in preventing evaporation of the disinfectant with which the member 20 is impregnated and in fact insures the sterile condition of the entire interior of the shield or cup. The ease with which the protective device may be applied and subsequently removed will also be apparent from the foregoing description. The protective device contemplated hereby may be produced very economically. It will also be apparent that the above described protective device has a very practical application in instances where a sutured area, such as might result from an operation, should be observed. Thus, the sterile window of the protective device contemplated by the present invention may be used in place of a bandage after bleeding of a wound has ceased, thereby precluding the repetitive removal of bandages in observing the condition of the wound.

Claims

The Invention is claimed as follows:

1. A protective shield for application to a body surface area in which an infusion needle has been inserted through a puncture in the body surface, including a relatively rigid shallow cup-shaped cover member adapted to be superimposed over said surface area wherein said puncture is inwardly of the periphery of said cup shaped cover member, a circumferential, laterally flexible flange extending outwardly from and integral with the open margins of said cover member, a double-faced pressure sensitive, centrally apertured adhesive sheet permanently adhered to the under side of said flange, an imperforate protective sheet detachably adhered to the other side of said adhesive sheet, said protective sheet being removable from said adhesive sheet without impairing the adhesiveness of the latter, the lateral flexibility of said flange being such as to permit impingement thereof with a substantial circumferential extent of an inserted needle at a point radially outwardly of said puncture whereby to preclude contamination and unauthorized dislodgment of said needle, and a member impregnated with disinfectant positioned within said body adjacent to the inner wall surface of said cup-shaped cover member, said member impregnated with disinfectant having an aperture formed therein defining a central cavity, and providing said member at all locations about the inner periphery with a width sufficient to be adapted to overlie and cover said puncture.

2. A protective shield for application to a body surface area as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shallow cup-shaped cover member is transparent whereby to render visible the body surface area in the vicinity of an inserted infusion needle.