US3813092A

US3813092A - Shield for downwardly diverting exhaled gases from anesthesiologist

Info

Publication number: US3813092A
Application number: US00288341A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-09-12
Filing date: 1972-09-12
Publication date: 1974-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-28

Abstract

A transparent arcuate panel including anchor structure at one end thereof for attachment to an elevated member extending transversely of the head end portion of an operating table. The other end of the arcuate panel curves downwardly and is engageable with the extendible head piece or rest of an associated operating table. The side edge portions as well as the other end edge of the panel include depending flexible and transparent marginal skirt portions and the panel and skirt portions serve to entrap gases exhaled by children while administering anesthesia to the children with a non-rebreathing valve. The exhaled gases are diverted downwardly by the panel and skirt and thereafter fall to the floor of the operating room.

Description

tlnited States Patent 1191 Foster 1451 May 28, 19M

[ SHIELD FOR DOWNWARDLY DIVERTING EXl-IALED GASES FROM ANESTHESIOLOGIST [76] Inventor: Beatrice D. Foster, 8191 Colony Dr.

Apt. 1., Wyandotte, Mich. 48138 [22] Filed: Sept. 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 288,341

52 U.S.Cl. 269/322, 5/319,,12s/1 B, 128/191 A 51 1m. 01 ..A61 13/0o [58] Field ofSearch.. 269/322, 323,324, 325, 269/326, 327, 328;,128/188, 132, 191 A; 312/1;5/317,319

[ 56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,136,521 12/1956 France 128/191 A Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr.

Assistant ExaminerCraig R. Feinberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A transparent arcuate panel including anchor structure at one end thereof for attachment to an elevated member extending transversely of the head end portion of an operating table. The other end of the arcuate panel curves downwardly and is engageable with the extendible headpiece or rest of an associated operating table. The side edge portions as well as the other end edge of the panel include depending flexible and transparent marginal skirt portions and the panel and skirt portions serve to entrap gases exhaled by children while administering anesthesia to the children with a non-rebreathing valve. The exhaled gases are diverted downwardly by the panel and skirt and thereafter fall to the floor of the operating room.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 I SHIELD ron nowNwAnnLv urvsarnvo EXHALED GASES mom ANESTHESIOLOGIST The shield of the instant invention may be utilized under various conditions by anesthesiologists while administering anesthesia. However, the shield is principally designed for use when administering a pediatric anesthetic with a non-rebreathing valve.

Many recent surveys reveal that anesthetists are having miscarriages, cirrhosis of the liver and other health problems clue to inhalation of anesthetic gases. To date, a valve and large rubber tubing have been devised to carry the exhaled gases from the anesthetic machine to the floor in adult anesthesia.

Pediatric anesthetic is administered in a different way. For children, a non-rebreathing valve is utilized which lets the exhaled gases escape very near the face of the anesthesiologist. Once the anesthetic is discharged from the non-rebreathing valve, it can be rebreathed by the anesthetist, or can be diverted downward. The shield of the instant invention has been specifically designed for this purpose and is effective in diverting the gases discharged from the non-rebreathing valve downward toward floor level, after which the gas is no longer dangerous to the anesthetist.

The shield of the instant invention is inexpensive to produce, can be used'without any advance preparation and is readily attachable to conventional operating table end frames utilized to hold or support sterile sheets above the pediatric patients face. The shield is transparent and therefore allows full view of the patient and the soft and transparent peripheral skirt of the shield provides for easy access to the head area disposed beneath the shield from either side.

The main object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for use in administering pediatric anesthetic and which will be operative to prevent anesthetic gases discharged from non-rebreathing valves from being re- .breathed by the anesthesiologist.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a shield which will be operative in downwardly diverting anesthetic gases discharged from a non-rebreathing valve toward the floor of the associated operating room.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a shield which is to be utilized in conjunction with nonexplosive anesthetic gases and may be readily removably supported from existing operating table equipment.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a shield constructed in a manner whereby ready access to the head of a pediatric patient on an associated operating table will be afforded at all times.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a shield in accordance with the preceding objects and including means by which a suction tube may have its inlet end readily placed within the confines of the shield from the exterior of the latter for continuously or periodically withdrawing exhaled gases.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a shield in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that I will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the anesthetic diverting shield of the instant invention with the shield operatively engaged with the end frame usually supported from the head end of an operating table and utilized to support sterile sheets above the face of a pediatric patient on the operating table;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the head end of an operating table illustrating the manner in which an anesthesiologist may be positioned so as to administer anesthetic to the head of a patient disposed beneath the shield of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the manner in which the anesthesiologist may perform his or her task while in a standing position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of the shield illustrating the manner in which the lower extension of the shield may be locked in the extended position; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through one of the spring clamps utilized to support the shield from the overhead frame carried by the head end of an associated operating table.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates an operating room in which an operating table referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 is disposed. The table 12 includes a head end 14 and a retractable head piece or panel 16 which may be telescoped into the head end 14 of the table 12. Conventionally, the head end 14 of the table 12 includes a downwardly opening inverted U-shaped rod-like frame 18 having

opposite side legs

20 and 22 interconnected by means of an upper bight portion 24. The lower ends of the

legs

20 and 22 are secured through brackets 26 carried by opposite side portions of the head end 14 of the table 12. In this manner, the frame 18 is supported from the head end 14 of the table 12 with the bight portion 24 thereof disposed in an elevated position above the neck or upper torso of a pediatric patient 28 disposed on the table 12.

When the patient 28 is being operated upon, sterile sheet 30 is draped over the patient and the head end of the sheet 30 is usually supported from the bight portion 24 of the frame 18.

However, the shield of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 32 and comprises an arcuate panel 34 having a first end 36 to which a pair of spring clips 38 are secured and the spring clips 38 are releasably engageable with the bight portion 24 in order to support the end 36 of the panel 34 from the frame 18. Of course, the spring clips 38 support the end 36 of the panel 34 from the bight portion 24 for oscillation about the latter. Further, the end 36 of the panel 34 includes spring clips 40 in which the folded or rolled head end of the sheet 30 may be gripped whereby the sheet 30 is maintained in spaced relation above the upper torso of the pediatric patient 28.

The shield 34 curves forwardly and downwardly away from the bight portion 24 and includes an opposite end extension 42 which is hingedly supported from the panel 34 by means of hinges 46. In addition, it will be noted that the hinges 46 support the extension 44 from the panel 34 in a manner such that the lower end of the extension 44 may not be swung further in a clockwise direction from the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The inner surface of the lower marginal portion of the panel 34 has a latch plate 48 pivotally secured thereto as at 50 and the free swinging end of the latch plate 48 includes a thumb engageable tab 52. When the latch plate 48 is in the upstanding position thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, theextension 44 is thereby locked against angular displacement relative to the panel 34.

The opposite side

marginal edges

54 and 56 of the panel 34 have the opposite end portions of an elongated peripherally extending and depending flexible transparent skirt 58 secured thereto and the skirt passes over and is secured to the outer surface of the lower portion of the panel 34. The extension 44 includes side

marginal edges

60 and 62 coextensive with the adjacent portions of the side edges of the panel 34.

The side marginal edge portion 54 of the panel 34 has a laterally outwardly opening notch 66 formed therein beneath the skirt 58 and the corresponding edge portion 60 of the extension 44 has a similar notch 68 formed therein.

As may be seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings, the extension 44 may be locked in the extended position so that the lower free end of the extension 44 abuts the outer end of the head piece or plate 16. In this manner, an anesthesiologist 70 disposed in standing position at the head end of the operating table 12 may slip his 'hands beneath the side portions of the skirt 58 with his arms received in the inwardly recessed portions 54' and 56 of the

side edges

54 and 56 of the panel 34. The inwardly recessed portions 54' are formed in the free end portion of the panel 34 and merge smoothly into the opposite side

marginal edges

60 and 62 of the extension 44. On the other hand, if the anesthesiologist 70 is seated as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lock plate 48 may be swung to a horizontal position so as to release the extension and the latter can be folded inwardly so as to be generally horizontally disposed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In this configuration the shield 32 fits lower and more closely over the head of the patient 28 and is more conveniently positioned for the seated anesthesiologist, see FIG. 2.

The

notches

66 and 68 are provided to enable a suction line to be readily positioned with its inlet end disposed within the confines of the shield 52. Rather than forming openings in the panel 34 and extension 44 so that the suction line must be precisely aligned with such openings in order to be positioned with its inlet end within the confines of the shield 32, the

notches

66 and 68 are provided thereby enabling the inlet end of the suction line to be merely slid along the edge portions 54' and 60 until they drop into and seat within the notch 66 or the notch 68. Thereafter, slight longitudinal displacement of the inlet end of the suction line will be sufficient to place the inlet end within the confines of the shield 32.

In operation, the shield 32 is operatively engaged with the frame 18 merely by advancing the spring clips 38 toward the bight portion 24. Then, after the anesthesiologist has determined whether the extension 44 is to be used, the anesthesiologist may administer anesthetic to the patient 28 by passing his hands beneath the lower marginal portions of the skirt 58.

If for any reason immediate and close access to the face of the patient 28 is demanded, the shield 32 may be readily pivoted upwardly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings whereby the patients head will be fully exposed. In addition, the

spring clips

38 and 40 are readily removably engaged from the bight portion 24 and the sheet 30 so that the entire shield 32 may be quickly fully removed from the head end of the operating table 12.

The shield is to be used with non-explosive gases, because of the possibility of an explosive atmosphere being ignited by a spark generated by a discharge of static electricity. However, if suitable measures are taken to establish a constant ground for the plastic shield, the latter may be used when explosive gases are being administered.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with an operating table including a head supporting end portion and a remote end portion, shield structure for downwardly directing exhaled gases from an anesthesiologist when a rebreathing valve is not being used, said shield structure comprising a transparent arcuate panel, said panel being supported from said table with one end thereof elevated appreciably above and spaced along said table from said head end toward said remote end and the other end of the panel curving downwardly therefrom and supported from the head end of the operating table, said panel including opposite side edge portions having major length portions thereof elevated above said table, and depending flexible skirt portions extending along and supported from said opposite side edge portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said side edge portions has an elongated transversely extending notch formed therein opening outwardly through said one side edge portion.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panel is of considerably less width than said one end thereof.

4. The combination of claim I wherein said panel is of an angular extent of approximately 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said skirt portion is also transparent.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end of said panel includes spring clip means for releasably engaging the head end of a sheet draped over a patient on the associated operating table.

7. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted U-shaped frame supported from said table and including a transverse bight portion extending across the table in elevated position relative thereto and spaced toward said remote end from the head end of said operating table, said one end including spring clip means releasably engaged with said bight portion of said inverted U-shaped frame and supporting said one end of said panel from said bight portion for angular displacement thereabout.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said other end of said panel includes a hinged extension supported therefrom and swingable between a limit position defining an endwise outward extension of said other end of said panel and an inwardly swung generally horizontal position.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means operatively associated with said panel and extension for releasably securing. said extension in the extended position thereof.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the opposite side edge portions of said panel adjacent said other end thereof include inwardly displaced longitudinally extending portions defining a narrow end portion of said panel.

11. In combination with an operating table including a head end, a shield structure for downwardly directing patient exhaled gases away from an anesthesiologist positioned at said head end, said shield structure including a panel portion having first and second lower and upper ends, respectively, spaced longitudinally along said table from said head end toward the other end, said panel including opposite side marginal portions extending between the opposite ends thereof, said table and panel including coacting means supporting said second end of said panel in appreciably elevated position from said table and for angular displacement of said panel about a horizontal transverse axis closely adjacent said second end, said panel including opposite side depending flexible skirt portions extending along and supported from said opposite side marginal portions, said first end of said panel and said head end portion of said table including coacting portions supporting said first end of said panel from said head end of said table, at least major length portions of said opposite side marginal portions of said panel being spaced appreciably above said table.

Claims

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said panel is of an angular extent of approximately 90*.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said skirt portion is also transparent.

9. The combination of claim 8 including means operatively associated with said panel and extension for releasably securing said extension in the extended position thereof.