Disposable surgical face mask with retractable eye shield

Details Disposable surgical face mask with retractable eye shield Disposable surgical face mask with retractable eye shield

1998-05-07

2001-04-17

Ruhl, Dennis (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Means for removing substance from respiratory gas

C128S206120, C128S206230, C128S201150, C128S201170, C128S857000, C002S009000, C002S432000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06216695

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a surgical mask, the term “surgical” as used herein being intended to encompass uses other than strictly surgical procedures, including, by way of example, industrial, hygienists, dental assistants, and the like. The filter could also be a polarizing filter. More particularly, the device of the instance invention is directed to a disposable, relatively inexpensive mask which will protect the user against air-borne infections, and will also protect the eyes against harmful rays generated in procedures such as dental bonding, laser surgery, and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
It is conventional practice for dentists, doctors, hygienists and the like, who work in proximate relation to patients carrying possible commutable diseases, to wear a mask which covers the nose and mouth to filter air-borne bacteria. It is also known that infectious elements may be communicated to the body by lodging in the mucus membranes of the eye. To guard against infection from these sources, it is known to provide, in combination with a respiratory filtering mask, a transparent panel which will prevent air-borne particles and bacteria elements from contacting the mucus membranes.
In particular, in certain types of dental procedures, including, in particular, bonding procedures, compliance with OSHA requirements mandate the use of a mask which protects the eyes of the operative. Most dentists practicing bonding procedures do not utilize masks having eye shields because they must frequently don and take off protective eyeglasses during the bonding procedure. This is true despite the fact that a mask having a built-in shield will provide better protection than a mask and separate glasses.
In the course of practicing procedures such as bonding procedures, it is desirable to have a mask providing clear, unfiltered vision during certain aspects of the procedure and readily accessible filtered vision during components of the bonding procedure where harmful rays are encountered, without removing the mask. While its feasible to fabricate a permanent and reusable mask having these features, such devices are expensive and require sterilization between uses.
Accordingly, there is a need for a surgical mask which is inexpensive and disposable, which protects the wearer against both respiratory mucus membrane contaminants, which may be shipped flat-wise, and which enables the wearer to have visual access to the patient through both a transparent component and, as required, through a filtered component without removing the mask.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention may be summarized as directed to a disposable surgical mask adapted to be shipped flat-wise and being arcuately deflectable to encompass the face of the user. The device includes a filtering arrangement for the nose and mouth in conjunction with a visual protection assembly incorporating a clear flexible lens area and a filtering lens area. The clear and filtering lens components are movably interconnected, preferably by a unique hinge, such that the filtering component, without removing the mask, can be shifted to an overlapping relation with the clear component to selectively provide a filtered and unfiltered visual access to the patient.
The filtering lens may be designed specific to the intended procedure, i.e., an orange colored filter for bonding procedures, etc. A significant feature of the invention resides in the manner in which the filtered component is connected to the clear component of the mask; and specifically unique, a hinge connection is utilized, enabling a 180° relative movement of the filter and clear lenses in the arcuate, as worn, condition of the lenses.
Importantly, the mask structure may be supplied flat-wise, and when arcuately configured or bowed to accommodate the face of the user, the filter component and clear lens component cooperate to define a desirable shape-retaining structure.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a surgical mask which protects the user against contamination which may enter the user's body, either through the respiratory tract or the mucus membranes of the eyes. A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type described, which incorporates an optical filter which may be selectively incorporated in or removed from the visual portion, without removing the mask. Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type described which is inexpensive and hence disposable, which may be shipped flat-wise, and which may, when configured about the face of the user, provide a relatively rigid, stable structure.


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