Dental mask

Details Dental mask Dental mask

2002-02-07

2004-04-13

Lo, Weilun (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Means for removing substance from respiratory gas

C128S205270, C128S205290, C128S206130, C128S206230

Reexamination Certificate

active

06718981

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a dental mask that is designed to be worn by members of a dental staff, and more specifically to a dental mask having dual chambers, one for inhaling and the other for exhaling.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The environment in a dental office can be detrimental to the health of both the patient and the dental staff. In addition to harmful aerosols, which studies have shown may contain up to 100,000 bacteria per cubic foot of air within three feet of the patient, the dental office may regularly contain nitrous gases, disinfectant fumes, mercury vapors, sterilization fumes, tooth dusts, fillings dust, sulfates, polyether fumes, viruses, saliva droplets, etc. The aerosols generated by air polishers are particularly harmful. High speed cutting instruments (200,000 to 300,000 rpm) generate considerable heat which can cause injury to the tooth pulp. To prevent this, water spray is employed as a coolant and a lubricant. As a result, there are microbial aerosols which are generated from the patient's mouth during dental operations which are comparable in bacterial concentrations to those produced during coughing and sneezing.
Transmission of infection requires a series of factors: a source of reservoir for the pathogen, a pathogen of sufficient infectivity and number, a mode of escape from the host, and a portal of entry. Infection-control techniques seek to eliminate one or more links in the chain of infection. Barrier products such as masks are viewed as a means of protecting both patients and dental staff from pathogens in potentially infectious sprays, splash, and spatter. Masks must be worn when risk of spray or splash of fluids can be anticipated. The FDA recommends that surgical masks have a 95 percent or greater bacterial filtration efficiency. Masks of glass or synthetic fiber demonstrate great filtering efficiency. However, almost all the particles that can penetrate an efficient filtration mask are so small in diameter that they will be hazardous if they penetrate the alveoli of the human lungs. It is important to consider that bacterial aerosols do remain airborne for many hours after certain dental procedures, unless they are removed by an efficient ventilation system.
The prior art is well documented with masks that attempt to solve the above problems. In addition to filtration, masks seek to solve the problems such as fogging of eye glasses. Some short comings in prior art masks are masks that do not adapt very well to different sizes and shapes of faces, especially along the ridge of the nose or chin. Many masks do not provide any measure near the 95 percent FDA requirement. The fogging of glasses is due to the carbon dioxide along with warm moisture that accompanies the breath in exhalation. Lack of proper venting of the mask may cause members of the dental staff to breath in his/her own exhaled carbon dioxide, thereby diminishing the percentage of oxygen with each breath. This lack of oxygen can cause symptoms of hypoxia; that is the state in which there is inadequate oxygen to satisfactory meet the needs of tissues. The effects of long term state of hypoxia can be seen in drowsiness, inattentiveness, apathy, delayed reaction time, severe fatigue and reduced work capacity.
For an average person the intake of air with each inhaled breath is approximately 500 ml, of which about 150 ml is expired before it ever reaches the alveoli. This 150 ml of air is considered useless from the point of view of oxygenating the blood and the respiratory passageways are thereby called dead space. Thus for each breath only about 350 ml of air are actually utilized. Since the average person needs about 4200 ml of new air per minute, this will require about 12 breaths per minute. In a dental procedure, if the mask does not properly ventilate the exhaled breath, then the dentist will breathe in a percentage of his own carbon dioxide with each breath, thereby requiring far more respirations per minute to satisfy his/her oxygen requirements to thereby prevent a state of transient hypoxia.
There are basically two types of masks used in dental procedures. One is a semirigid cup-shaped mask that fits over the nose and mouth, usually with some form of a malleable soft metal to pinch over the ridge of the nose to prevent fogging. The other is a softer mask which is predominantly made of pleated layers of filter material. The main advantage of the semirigid mask is that it will keep the inner surface away from the wearer's face. The biggest disadvantage is that both fresh air and exhale breath can mingle together in the chamber. The main advantage of the softer pleated mask is in comfort to the wearer. The problem is that, when the wearer inhales, these masks have a tendency to be drawn very close to the face, thereby creating a somewhat claustrophobic feeling, as well as the problem created when a very strong inhalation adheres a large amount of particles at the mouth or nose sites.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,796 issued to Kronzer et al. on May 3, 1994, discloses a face mask of the semirigid type that is very commonly found in dental offices. It is generally the least expensive and has only one chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,662 issued to Townsend, Jr. on Aug. 28, 1990, teaches the use of a mask that seeks to eliminate fogging by having a housing adjacent to the mask which has a volume considerably larger than the mask volume, thereby permitting the breath to be substantially removed during each breathing cycle. Townsend, Jr. shows a loop encircling the wearer's neck and suggests the use of a circulating fan to draw in fresh air.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,792 issued to Reese et al. on Dec. 23, 1997, discloses a face mask with enhanced facial sealing. The mask to Reese is typical of the softer pleated masks which are available and address the need for improved facial sealing to protect against bacteria, viruses, particles, blood droplets, contaminants etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,341 issued to Hubbard et al. addresses the importance of keeping the mask from collapsing against the wearer's face, but this patent falls short of suggesting dual chambers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,944 issued to Gazzara on Apr. 18, 1995, teaches the use of an adjustable face protector which provides increased prevention from contaminated fluids. The present invention addresses the use of shields as well as filtration capturing and reflective panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,078 issued to Saboory on Dec. 17, 1996, suggests the use of a detachable/disposable face shield that one can clip to a surgical mask. This patent addresses the need for a shield, mainly for the eyes, in which can be used according to the needs of the wearer.
None of the above inventions and Patents, taken either singly or in combination, is given to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the present invention which provides for a primary disposable face mask, as well as a reusable frame to be used by medical personnel, especially those in the dental profession.
More particularly, the present invention is comprised of a face mask having dual chambers. An upper chamber for inhalation of fresh air and a lower chamber for exhalation of carbon dioxide ladened breath. The lower chamber having vent flap openings on the cheek sides for the removal of spent air. Embodiments of the present invention may have tubing attached to the vent openings for releasing of the exhaled breath away from the work site. In some embodiments the tubing can be attached to an exhaust suction lines or filtration systems. The dual chambers are created by mask design and by having a band of soft elastic material across the philtrum (area between naris and upper lip) which effectively seals the two chambers from each other. By inhaling through the upper chamber, the incoming air to the lungs will not be contaminated or mixed with exhaled carbon dioxide and other unwanted substances. In lieu of the vent

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Dental mask does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Dental mask, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dental mask will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3234534