GRUBER PAUL (AT)
JPS4849500U | 1973-06-28 | |||
US20170004895A1 | 2017-01-05 | |||
US3465153A | 1969-09-02 | |||
US20090151054A1 | 2009-06-18 |
CLAIMS 1. A protective medical garment (200), configured to be worn by a healthcare professional, in particular a surgeon, and comprising a hood (201 ), configured to be worn over a protection helmet (100) and having a flexible enveloping part (203) and a front vision lens (222) made of a shielding material configured to shield a ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays, said front vision lens (222) being fixed to said enveloping part (203) at a through opening in the enveloping part (203). 2. The protective medical garment (200) according to the previous claim, wherein said front view lens (222) is made, partly or completely, of leaded acrylic. 3. The protective medical garment (200) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising removable hood connection means (241 , 242, 243) configured for reversibly blocking said hood (201 ) with a visor device (1 ) associated with the protection helmet (100). 4. The protective medical garment (200) according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a jacket or toga portion (202). 5. The protective medical garment (200) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said enveloping part (203) of said hood (201 ) and/or said jacket or toga portion (202) is at least partially made of a material configured for shielding from a ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays. 6. The protective medical garment (200) according to any one of the previous claims, that is of the disposable type. 7. A visor device (1 ), configured for use in association with a protection helmet (100) for performing medical procedures, in particular a protection helmet worn by a surgeon, wherein said visor device (1 ) comprises: a vision lens (2) made of a shielding material configured for shielding from a ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays; - removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) to the protection helmet (100), said connection means being configured to block in a reversible manner said vision lens (2) on a front frame (110) of the protection helmet (100) so that the visor device (1 ) closes externally said frame (110). 8. The visor device (1 ) according to the previous claim, wherein said vision lens (2) is made, in part or completely, of leaded acrylic. 9. The visor device (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, comprising further removable connection means (41 , 42, 43) to a hood equipment (201 ) configured to be worn over the protection helmet (100) and the visor device (1 ). 10. The visor device (1 ) according to the previous claim, wherein said removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) and said additional removable connection means (41 , 42, 43) are arranged at one or more same regions of said visor device (1 ), so as to be located on opposite faces of it, respectively on an inner and an outer face area of said vision lens (2). 11. The visor device (1 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) and/or said additional removable connection means (41 , 42, 43) comprise three distinct fixing elements, arranged at three respective distinct fixing regions, preferably a first and a second lateral region and a lower region with respect to the face of the wearing health worker. 12. The visor device (1 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein said removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) and/or said additional removable connection means (41 , 42, 43) comprise fast-coupling means, preferably of the Velcro® type, and/or hooking means (1010), the latter preferably shaped like a slit (1011 ). 13. The visor device (1 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, having a substantially curved,“C”-shaped conformation suitable for enveloping the face of a health worker, having lateral portions (21 , 22) arranged substantially according to a sagittal plane and a central portion (23) arranged substantially according to a frontal plane. 14. The visor device (1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein said removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) and said additional removable connection means (41 , 42, 43) are arranged at both said side portions (21 , 22) and/or said central portion (23). 15. A protection system for medical use, configured to be worn by a health worker, in particular a surgeon, and comprising a protection helmet (100) and a visor device (1 ) according to any one of claims from 7 to 14, said visor device (1 ) being removably associated or associable with said protection helmet (100). 16. The protection system for medical use according to the previous claim, wherein said protection helmet (100) comprises its own removable helmet connection means (131 , 132, 133) to be associated with said removable connection means (31 , 32, 33) of said visor device (1 ) for reversibly locking said vision lens (2) on a frame (110) of said helmet. 17. A protection kit for a health worker, in particular a surgeon, comprising: a visor device (1 ) according to any one of the claims from 7 to 14 or a protection system according to claim 15 or 16; a protective medical garment (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the configuration is such that when said visor device (1 ) and said garment (200) are worn by a health worker, said vision lens (2) of said visor device (1 ) and said front view lens (222) of said hood (201 ) are arranged optically in series for the protection of the eyes of the health worker. 18. The protection kit according to the previous claim, wherein said vision lens (2) of said visor device (1 ) has a protective capacity higher than that of said front view lens (222) of said hood (201 ), in particular a higher thickness. 19. A protection method for a health worker, comprising the steps of: a) providing a protection helmet (100), in particular a surgical helmet; b) providing a visor device (1 ) comprising a vision lens (2) and configured to block said vision lens (2) reversibly on a front frame (110) of the protection helmet (100) so that the visor device (1 ) closes externally said front frame (110); c) providing a medical protective garment (200), configured to be worn by a health worker, in particular a surgeon, and comprising a hood (201 ), configured to be worn over the protection helmet (100) comprising in turn a front view lens (222); d) having the health worker wear, in sequence, said protection helmet (100), said visor device (1 ) and said medical protective garment (200) so that said vision lens (2) of said visor device (1 ) and said front view lens (222) of said hood (201 ) are arranged optically in series for the protection of the eyesight of the health worker, wherein said vision lens (2) of said visor device (1 ) and said front view lens (222) of said hood (201 ) are made of a material suitable for shielding from a ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays. 20. The method according to the previous claim, wherein said vision lens (2) of said visor device (1 ) has a protective capacity higher than that of said front view lens (222) of said hood (201 ), in particular a higher thickness. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, that employs a visor device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a protection system according to claim 9 or 10 and/or a protective medical garment (200) according to any one of the claims from 11 to 16. |
SURGICAL OPERATIONS
DESCRIPTION
Technical field of the invention
The present invention relates, in general, to devices for protection against ionizing radiations for use in the medical field and, more specifically, the surgical field. In particular, the invention relates to methods and systems for the protection of a healthcare professional, notably a surgeon, exposed to ionizing radiation, e.g. X- rays, while performing his professional activity.
Background The need to protect health professionals against ionizing radiation, especially X- rays, delivered to a patient during a medical procedure is known in the art. Procedures involved in this issue may be of a therapeutic, diagnostic and/or surgical type, and related, for example, to the need for imaging a body district during an open surgery, laparoscopy or minimally invasive surgery in general. Even if imaging devices used, for example those for intraoperative fluoroscopy, provide for limited emissions of ionizing radiation, it is required ensuring that the repeated exposure over time does not to lead to exceeding the safety limits established by law, for example in Directive 2013/59/Euratom.
Said need for protection and safeguard has been addressed by providing devices which the healthcare professional wears at localized body regions and which typically consist of glasses or collars.
However, known devices are often uncomfortable to wear, as they come in addition to other instruments or garments the healthcare professional must be provided therewith. Furthermore, dressing and outfitting the operator, especially for surgeons who must enter the operating room, are long and quite complex.
For example, glasses with protective lenses against ionizing radiations constrain, by their nature, the visual field of the user. Furthermore, glasses have the disadvantage of discharging their weight upon the nasal septum and ears, giving rise to possible sensations of itching or pain that cannot be addressed while the operator is performing medical procedures, especially when the latter is wearing also a helmet and a protective hood. Moreover, several procedures, in particular surgical procedures, can last very long over time.
Furthermore, many health professionals are not used to wearing glasses, for example because they usually use contact lenses or because they never needed them.
In addition, the protection against ionizing radiation provided by a certain material is a function of the thickness of the material itself. A pair of glasses intended to ensure a high level of protection must necessarily increase its weight, with a resultant greater occurrence of all aforementioned drawbacks.
The drawbacks explained risk, indeed, discouraging the use of a proper protection.
Furthermore, the disadvantages of the aforementioned known art are also related to the fact that the protection devices currently available are conceived, designed and manufactured independently from the remaining equipment of the healthcare professional and therefore poorly integrated or integratable with it.
Summary of the invention
The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a protection device which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks with reference to the prior art.
Such problem is solved by a visor device according to claim 1.
The invention further provides a system according to claim 15, a kit according to claim 17 and a method according to claim 19. Preferred features of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
The present invention provides several remarkable advantages.
The main advantage lies in that the protection systems of the invention are directly connectable or connected, in a removable way where appropriate, to the structure of a protection helmet and to a medical garment, in this regard ensuring a perfect integration with the equipment of the surgeon, or healthcare professional in general, who wears them.
Furthermore, the proposed protection systems are more comfortable to wear than a known type of safety glasses, since there is lack of bars under the helmet, which may create discomfort, and it is avoided to discharge the glasses’ weight upon the operator's nose.
Furthermore, the protection systems of the invention, precisely by virtue of the presence of a dedicated connection to the helmet or to a medical garment, provide greater guarantees for completely shielding the face and further ensure a broad and complete field of vision.
Other advantages, features and methods of use of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example. Brief description of the figures
Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
■ Figure 1A shows a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the visor device according to the invention, in a configuration where it can be connected to a protection helmet, in particular a surgical helmet (the latter being depicted only partially);
■ Figure 1 B shows a side view of the visor device of Figure 1A, in the same configuration as this latter figure;
■ Figure 2A shows another front perspective view of the visor device of Figure 1A, in a configuration of connection to the protection helmet;
■ Figure 2B shows a side view of the visor device of Figure 2A, in the same configuration as this latter figure;
■ Figure 3 shows a front perspective view, in a worn condition, of an equipment for a healthcare professional comprising a protection garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention associated with the visor device and the helmet of Figure 1A;
■ Figure 4A shows a front perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the visor device according to the invention, in a configuration where it can be connected to a protection case, in particular a surgical helmet (the latter being depicted only partially);
■ Figure 4B shows a side view of the visor device of Figure 4A, in the same configuration as this latter figure;
■ Figure 5A shows another front perspective view of the visor device of Figure 4A, in a configuration for connection to the protection helmet; ■ Figure 5B shows a side view of the visor device of Figure 5A, in the same configuration as this latter figure;
■ Figure 6 shows a front perspective view, in a worn condition, of an equipment for a healthcare professional comprising a protection garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention associated with the visor device and the helmet of Figure 4A.
Thicknesses and curvatures shown in the above-introduced figures are intended as purely exemplary and are not necessarily shown in proportion.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
With initial reference to Figures 1 A, 1 B, and 2A, 2B a visor device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally denoted by 1.
The visor device 1 is configured for use in association with a protection helmet, the latter denoted as a whole by 100, and intended to be worn by a healthcare professional during the execution of a medical procedure.
In the present example, reference will be made to a surgical procedure and therefore to a helmet 100 dedicated thereto.
In particular, the protection helmet 100 may be of the type described in WO2012/111030A1 or in WO2017/120562A1 , herein incorporated via this reference. For example, the helmet 100 may be equipped with an active or passive ventilation system.
As shown in the figures, the helmet 100 comprises a front structural element 110, which may further be indicated as a frame or mask, which defines a front opening of the helmet itself. The frame 110 is shaped in such a way as to reproduce the perimeter of the face of the user wearing the helmet 100, defining an enveloping shape, in particular substantially“C”-shaped. The frame 110 thence has two lateral branches or wings 111 and 112, which extend, in use, substantially according to a sagittal plane, and a central part 113 which develops, in use, substantially on a frontal plane. The visor device 1 comprises a vision lens 2 defining a main body of the device itself.
The lens 2 is made of a material shielding an ionizing radiation, in particular X- rays. The lens 2 can be made, in part or completely, of leaded acrylic.
In a variant embodiment, the lens is made of a material shielding a laser radiation, selected as a function of the wavelength.
The lens 2 has a conformation complementary and which can be integrated into the conformation of the frame 110, in such a way as to be associated therewith by closing the front window defined by the frame 110 itself.
In particular, the lens 2, and therefore the main body of the visor device 1 , has a substantially“C”-shaped conformation suitable for enveloping the face of a healthcare professional wearing it. The lens 2 hence has a curved conformation which defines a concavity facing inward, i.e. suitable for receiving the professional's face, and an external convexity. It bears two portions, branches or lateral wings, respectively 21 and 22, arranged, in use, substantially according to a sagittal plane and a central portion 23 arranged, in use, substantially according to a frontal plane.
The visor device 1 further comprises removable connection means with the helmet 100, configured to reversibly block the lens 2 on the frame 110, so that the visor device 1 externally closes the frame 110 itself, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.
Advantageously, the connection means comprise three separate fixing elements, respectively denoted by 31 , 32 and 33, arranged at three respective different fixing regions, preferably a first and a second lateral region on the portions 21 and 22 of the lens 2 and a lower region with respect to the face of the healthcare professional on the portion 23 of the lens 2.
The three fixing elements 31 , 32 and 33 are arranged at an inner face of the lens 2, i.e. at the concavity thereof.
The helmet 100 may have its own removable connection means of helmet, which may be associated with said removable connection means of the visor device and configured to cooperate with the latter in order to reversibly block the lens 2 on frame 110.
In the present example, the helmet connection means is made complementary to the viewer connection means and comprises three elements, respectively denoted by 131 , 132 and 133, reversibly associable with the elements 31 , 32, 33 respectively.
In several applications, the helmet connection means may correspond to those already provided in several well-known helmets for connection to a protection hood worn by the health professional.
The visor device 1 also comprises further removable connection means, which in this case is analogous to the previously described means and in particular comprises three different fastening elements, respectively denoted by 41 , 42 and 43. Such additional fixing means is configured for the reversible connection with a hood equipment which will be described shortly. The further fixing elements 41 , 42 and 43 are arranged on the same regions of the elements 31 , 32 and 33, on the opposite side of the latter, i.e. at the outer face, or concavity, of the lens 2.
In other words, the removable connection means 31 , 32, 33 and the additional removable connection means 41 , 42, 43 are positioned on opposite faces of the vision lens 2 and therefore of the visor device 1.
Advantageously, one or more of the fixing elements 31 , 32 and 33 and/or of the further fixing elements 41 , 42, 43 and/or of the fastening elements of helmet 131 , 132, 133 consist of, or comprise, fast-coupling means, preferably of the Velcro® type.
According to another aspect of the invention, Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a protective medical garment, overall denoted by 200, configured to be worn by a healthcare professional, in particular a surgeon, as part of its equipment.
Garment 200 mainly comprises a hood 201 , configured to be worn over a protection helmet, in particular the helmet 100, and a portion in a jacket, toga or "hood" 202 shape.
In general terms, the garment is entirely or partially made of a flexible natural or synthetic fabric, such as TNT.
The hood 201 in turn bears an enveloping part 203 in fabric and a front vision lens 222 which closes a window or through opening of the enveloping part 203, in particular being permanently fixed to the latter for example by gluing. Also the lens 222 is made of a material shielding an ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays, and is preferably made, partially or completely, of leaded acrylic. Typically, lens 222 will be obtained from a thin sheet of shielding material. Advantageously, lens 222 retains a certain degree of flexibility, to facilitate wearing the hood 201 and, in general, the garment 200.
Advantageously, also the fabric part of the garment 200 may provide a realization in fibers shielding the ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays.
The garment 200 further comprises removable hood connection means, configured to reversibly block the hood 201 by a visor device associated with the protection helmet, in particular the visor device 1 above described.
Also the hood connecting means is, in the present example, made of a complete and analogous way with respect to the further connecting means 41 , 42, 42 of the visor device 1.
In particular, the hood connecting means also comprises three separate elements, respectively denoted by 241 , 242 and 243, which for example consist of, or comprise, fast-coupling means, preferably of the Velcro® type. The garment 100, or parts thereof, may be of the disposable type.
The visor device 1 , the helmet 100 and/or the garment 200 may be provided or used in the form of a protection kit. The configuration is such that, when the visor device 1 and the garment 200 are worn by a healthcare professional, the vision lens 2 of visor device 1 and the vision lens 222 of hood 201 are optically arranged in series for eye protection.
According to an example of realization, the vision lens 2 of the visor device 1 has a protective capacity higher than that of the vision lens 222 of the hood 201 , in particular a higher thickness.
Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B and 6 are respectively homologous to those above introduced and refer to a second embodiment of the visor device, herein overall denoted by 1000. This embodiment will be described only in conjunction with the differences from the first embodiment previously illustrated.
Specifically, the visor device 1000 has a hooking element 1010 arranged at a central portion thereof, here denoted by 2300. In the present example, the hooking element 1010 is configured as an upper part protruding from the central portion 2300 and has a slot 1011 which is suitable for being engaged by a hanger or hook 120 being on the helmet 100 above described. Advantageously, the slot 1011 has a substantially elongated slot-shaped conformation along a horizontal direction.
The hooking connection system between visor device and helmet herein described is advantageously used in association with the connection means 31 - 33 and 131 -133 previously introduced. Simplified embodiments may however provide the use of the sole hooking system as an alternative connection means.
The hanger or hook 120 of the helmet 100 may be already provided on a known helmet for connection to a medical garment. This same hanger or hook connection element may also be used for connection to the garment 200, in particular to its vision lens 222, even in this case possibly in association with the further connecting means 41 -43 and 241 - 243 above introduced.
The invention, particularly in the embodiments above described, therefore provides a modular protection system, which allows the healthcare professional, and in particular a surgeon, with different wearing options, i.e. an articulated equipment that may be used according to one of the methods illustrated below.
(i) With a multipurpose anti-ionizing radiation (RX) protective visor, in particular the vision lens 2 associated with the helmet 100, and with a hood equipped with a clear transparent polycarbonate visor (not anti-RX), thus obtaining a protection equal to Y.
(ii) Without the multiuse anti-ionizing radiation (RX) protective visor and with a disposable anti-ionizing radiation hood (RX) equipped with transparent visor also anti-ionizing radiation, in particular the hood 201 with lens 222, thus obtaining a protection equal to Z, where preferably Z<Y and with minimum weight.
(iii) With the anti-ionizing radiation (RX) protective visor, in particular the vision lens 2 associated with the helmet 100, and with a disposable anti-ionizing radiation hood (RX) equipped with transparent visor also anti-ionizing radiation, in particular the hood 201 with lens 222, thus obtaining a protection equal to Y + Z, i.e. a maximum protection as illustrated above.
In another aspect, the invention further provides a method of protection of a healthcare professional, comprising the steps of: a) providing a protection helmet, in particular a surgical helmet, even more particularly the helmet 100 described above; b) providing a visor device, in particular the device 1 described above, equipped with a vision lens and configured to block said vision lens reversibly on a front frame of the protection helmet in such a way that the visor device externally closes said frame; c) providing a protective medical garment, in particular the garment 200 above described, configured to be worn by a healthcare professional, in particular a surgeon, and comprising a hood, the latter configured to be worn over a protection helmet and bearing a front vision lens; d) letting the health protection professional wear, in order, the protection helmet, the visor device and the protection garment, so that said vision lens of said visor device and said vision lens of said hood are optically arranged in series for eye protection of the healthcare professionals, wherein said vision lens of said visor device and said vision lens of said hood are made of a material shielding an ionizing radiation, in particular X-rays.
The present invention has been hitherto described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments which refer to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set forth below.
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