DESCRIPTION

[0001] This invention relates to a protection device for a medical chair .

[0002] A medical chair comprising said protection device is also a subj ect of this invention .

[0003] In the state of the art there are known solutions for protection devices suitable to protect the healthcare team and the patient from the possibility of mutual infection . [0004] Visors are well known, which are useful for protecting in particular the person wearing them . In addition, visors equipped with special lenses are known to facilitate the operations performed by the healthcare team .

[0005] There are also protection devices equipped with a planar-shaped protective shield with a base attached to the floor . However, said shield does not allow for wide- area protection, and in addition, said base may get in the way of caregivers .

[0006] Lastly, protection devices are known which comprise a dome-shaped protective shield supported by a base with wheels and therefore movable . However, said base may also get in the way of the healthcare team .

[0007] The obj ect of this invention is to provide a protection device that solves the drawbacks of the prior art . [0008] In particular, it is the obj ect of this invention to enable caregivers to work in complete freedom of movement , in optimal conditions and in conditions that prevent contagion with patients .

[0009] These obj ects are achieved with a protection device according to claim 1 . Further, said obj ects are achieved by means of a medical chair claimed in claim 11 . The claims dependent on these claims describe preferred variant embodiments involving further advantageous aspects .

[0010] However, the features and advantages of the protection device according to this invention will be apparent from the description below of its preferred example embodiments , given by way of indication and not limitation, with reference to the attached figures , wherein :

Fig . 1 shows a perspective view of a protection device according to this invention, according to a preferred embodiment ;

Fig . 2 illustrates a side view of a protection device according to this invention, according to a preferred embodiment ;

Fig . 3 , 4 and 5 depict a connection system between the chair and the device , according to one embodiment of this invention .

[0011] In said drawings , a protection device of this invention has been indicated in its entirety with 1 . Said protection device 1 is suitable to be engaged to a medical chair 900 .

[0012] The same medical chair 900 , comprising the protection device 1 , is in turn a subj ect of this invention . The medical chair 900 comprises a headrest 910 and a backrest 920 mutually connected by means of a connection member 600 .

[0013] In particular, the protection device 1 is suitable to be attached to said connection member 600 .

[0014] In a preferred embodiment , the connection member 600 is a plate . Said plate extends longitudinally, connecting the headrest 910 and the backrest 920 .

[0015] According to this invention, the protection device 1 comprises a structural frame 2 .

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment , the structural frame 2 is made of aluminum, e . g . , anodi zed aluminum .

[0017] According to the invention, the structural frame 2 comprises a support bracket 21 , which is positionable in support , adhering to the connection member 600 of the medical chair 900 .

[0018] According to the invention, the support bracket 21 is elongated in shape and comprises two ends 200 .

[0019] According to this invention, the structural frame 2 comprises two arms 22 rising in height at each end 200 . In other words, each arm 22 comprises an upper portion 220 distal from said support bracket 21. In other words, each arm 22 comprises a portion proximal to the support bracket 21, said proximal portion being connected to the end 200 of the support bracket 21; and a distal portion, i.e., the upper portion 220.

[0020] Preferably, the two arms 22 are plates, for example elbow- shaped .

[0021] The distance between the axis Y-Y and the support bracket 21 is greater than 20 centimeters, e.g., approximately equal to 26 centimeters.

[0022] For example, the distance between the projection of the axis Y-Y on a plane comprising the support bracket 21, and the support bracket 21 is approximately equal to 13 centimeters.

[0023] According to the invention, the protection device 1 comprises a barrier 3 which extends mainly along a longitudinal axis X-X.

[0024] The barrier 3 is interposed between the patient and the caregiver in such a way as to prevent a possible contagion .

[0025] The barrier 3 has a concave shape towards the face of the patient; for example, according to a preferred embodiment, the barrier 3 is a cylinder section, so that the longitudinal axis X-X is coincident with the axis of the cylinder . In other words , the barrier 3 is a cylinder section obtained by sectioning a cylinder with a plane parallel to the axis of said cylinder .

[0026] According to one embodiment , the barrier 3 comprises an acetate sheet .

[0027] According to this invention, the barrier 3 is anchored to each upper portion 220 by means of a coupling system 40 .

[0028] According to this invention, the coupling systems 40 are arranged along an axis Y-Y . In other words , the upper portions 220 are aligned along said axis Y-Y . Said axis Y- Y is substantially transverse to the axis X-X .

[0029] According to the invention, the barrier 3 may be rotatably adj usted about said axis Y-Y in such a way that the barrier 3 may be oriented for work requirements .

[0030] According to this invention, the protection device 1 further comprises fastening means 400 suitable to mutually fasten the protection device 1 and the medical chair 900 .

[0031] According to one embodiment , the support bracket 21 comprises bracket holes 212 .

[0032] According to one embodiment , the support bracket 21 comprises a plate-like element 210 and a shaped element 211 , so that the support bracket 21 is divided into two portions . In other words , the plate-like element 210 has an end corresponding to the end 200 of the support bracket engaged with an arm 22 ; and a second end mutually engaged with the shaped element 211 . Further, the shaped element 211 has an end corresponding to the end 200 of the support bracket engaged with an arm 22 ; and a second end mutually engaged with the plate-like element 210 .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment , the plate-like element 210 overlaps the shaped element 211 .

[0034] According to one embodiment , the plate-l ike element 210 and the shaped element 211 comprise said bracket holes 212 , so that in a configuration wherein the plate-like element 210 and the shaped element 211 are overlapping, the bracket holes 212 of the plate-like element 210 are concentric to the bracket holes 212 of the shaped element 211 .

[0035] According to one embodiment , the coupling system is formed of a coupling handwheel 401 and a coupling screw 402 . The coupling handwheel 401 and the coupling screw 402 are mutually engageable by screwing .

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment , the barrier 3 comprises slots 31 and each upper portion 220 comprises an eyelet 222 . The barrier 3 and each upper portion 220 are mutually fastened in such a way that each coupling screw 302 extends through a slot 31 and an eyelet 222 .

[0037] In an embodiment, each engagement handwheel 401 is engaged to a coupling screw 402 and sandwiches the barrier 3 and an arm 22 .

[0038] That is to say, there is a mutual mechanical engagement between the barrier 3 and each arm 22 that allows for the translational adj ustment of the barrier to increase or decrease the distance of the barrier from the patient ' s face .

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment , a coupling screw 402 slides along an eyelet 222 so that the barrier 3 slides along the arm 22 . This allows the protection device 1 to be adj usted according to the needs of the patient and the caregiver .

[0040] As mentioned, a subj ect of thi s invention is the medical chair 900 comprising said protection device 1 .

[0041] In particular, the fastening means 400 comprise a locking plate 500 and fastening systems 300 .

[0042] In a preferred embodiment , the locking plate 500 sandwiches , by means of said fastening systems 300 , said connection member 600 on the support bracket 21 .

[0043] According to one embodiment , the fastening system 300 comprises a fastening handwheel 301 and a fastening screw 302 . The fastening handwheel 301 and the fastening screw 302 are mutually engageable by screwing .

[0044] In one embodiment , the locking plate 500 comprises plate holes 501 .

[0045] According to one embodiment , each fastening screw 302 extends through a bracket hole 212 and a plate hole 501 .

[0046] According to one embodiment , each fastening handwheel 301 is engaged to a fastening screw 302 and sandwiches the locking plate 500 and the support bracket 21 .

[0047] That is to say, there is a mutual mechanical engagement between the support bracket 21 and the locking plate 500 .

[0048] In a preferred embodiment , the connecting member 600 is not penetrated by fastening screws 302 . However, each fastening system 300 , by exerting a compressive force between the locking plate 500 and the support bracket 21 , constrains the connection member 600 . In addition, each fastening screw 301 prevents the connection member 600 from sliding longitudinally along the support bracket 21 in a plane substantially parallel to the plane containing the support bracket 21 .

[0049] Innovatively, the protection device of this invention fully ful fills its intended obj ect . Similarly, the medical chair that is the subj ect of this invention, comprising said protection device , also fully ful fills its intended ob j ect .

[0050] Advantageously, the barrier interposed between the face of the patient and the caregiver may be adj usted both in height and rotation .

[0051] Advantageously, the barrier may be handled and oriented according to work requirements in order to counteract any reflections caused by lamps in the work environment .

[0052] Advantageously, movements and/or rotations of the patient ' s head does not af fect the position of the shield and does not compromise the protection of the patient or caregiver .

[0053] Advantageously, the medical team may at the same time use magni fying devices , e . g . , lenses , without the use of visors as the barrier is already present .

[0054] Advantageously, as the protection device is anchored to the medical chair, it leaves the space about the medical chair completely free so that the caregiver may work easily .

[0055] Advantageously, the protection device according to the invention is firmly anchored to the medical chair preventing sudden displacements and vibrations due to accidental shocks .

[0056] Advantageously, the entire device may be easily saniti zed using common detergents .

[0057] Advantageously, according to speci fic work requirements , the barrier of the protection device may be quickly and easily replaced .

[0058] Advantageously, the barrier contains any splashes of bodily fluids , blood, and any other type of material that could be proj ected during visits .

[0059] In addition, advantageously, the barrier not only has a protective function between the medical team and the patient , but also achieves , as it is within a double suction, an ef fective compartmentali zation with internal exhaled air flows , which are continuously removed .

[0060] In addition, this barrier contains the air-water sprays of rotating instruments and powders used in the dental field .

[0061] Advantageously, as the structural frame is made of anodi zed aluminum or stainless steel , the protection device is less susceptible to attack by microorganisms .

[0062] Advantageously, the protection device does not cause any feelings of claustrophobia .

[0063] Advantageously, the use of coupling systems made up of a coupling handwheel and a coupling screw, mutually engageable by screwing, allows the barrier to be adj usted very easily and quickly .

[0064] Advantageously, the use of fastening systems consisting of a fastening handwheel and a fastening screw, which may be mutually engaged by screwing, makes it possible to quickly engage and disengage the protection device and the medical chair i f neces sary .

[0065] Advantageously, the use of fastening means according to the invention allows the protection device to be installed on existing medical chairs .

[0066] To the embodiments of the protection device and the medical chair according to the invention, a person skilled in the art , in order to meet contingent needs , may make modi fications , adaptations , and substitutions of elements with others that are functionally equivalent , without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be obtained independently of the other described embodiments .