Abstract:
A disposable hygienic mask which is retrofitable to the nose and mouth contact areas of the face of an existing CPR dummy without damaging or permanently altering the face of the dummy. The mask is provided with filter chambers which are insertable in and indexed to the air passages of a CPR dummy and the chambers are configured to receive replaceable flexible filters. The mask, its securements, and its filters do not appreciably modify the flexibility, the functions, or the features of the CPR dummy to which it is attached.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to devices for establishing and preserving hygienic conditions when using a practice dummy for the teaching of mouth to mouth or mouth to nose resuscitation techniques. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The teaching of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques generally involves the use of CPR dummies rather than a live subject. The acceptability of these dummies is diminished by concerns about the passing of germs, blood, or saliva from user to user of these training devices. 
     The antiseptic wiping of the external contact surfaces of the face of the dummy is a mute witness to the absence in the art of a better way of establishing and maintaining of hygienic conditions in the mouth contact areas of CPR dummies. 
     OBJECTS 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mask that overlays the mouth and nose contact area of a CPR dummy and is sufficiently low in cost to be be disposable after use. 
     It is further an object of this invention to provide the mask described above wherein the mask is easily positioned, remains reliably in place during use, conforms to the contours of the face, is flexible and accommodating so as to permit pinching of nostrils and the opening and the closing of the mouth of the dummy when the mask is in place and the mask is easily removed after use. 
     Other objects will become apparent from the following specifications, claims, and drawings. 
     PRIOR ART 
     The patented prior art known to the inventor is: 
     
         ______________________________________NUMBER        INVENTOR        DATE______________________________________0,240,852 (AUS)         BUCHANAN        OCT 19623,068,590     PADELLFORD      DEC 19623,152,404     CHESHIRE ET AL  OCT 19643,994,075     KOHNKE          NOV 19764,001,950     BLUMENSAADT     JAN 19774,331,426     SWEENEY         MAY 19824,484,896     KOHNKE          NOV 19844,611,998     RAMAMURTHY      SEP 1986______________________________________ 
    
     If broad terminology is used, the prior art can be said to contain subject matter in common with the instant invention. However, the prior art does not teach or suggest the instant invention nor does the prior art achieve the ends achieved by the instant invention. 
     Specifically, the novel ends achieved by the mask of this invention are; 
     (1) the adaptability to use with existing CPR dummies with minimal loss of the original attributes of the dummy such as surface qualities, flexibility and movement, 
     (2) the secure positioning on and attachment to the face portion of the dummy, 
     (3) the provision of a filter structure in the air flow passages of the mask, and 
     (4) the low unit cost of the mask which permits disposal of the mask after use. 
     Novel modes of operation of the mask of this invention are; 
     (1) the establishing of a hygienic barrier between the apparatus of the dummy and the user of the dummy such that germs and fluids such as saliva and blood are not passed from the user to the apparatus or from the apparatus to the user, 
     (2) the quick and sure positioning and securement of the mask on the face of the dummy, and 
     (3) the maintenance of hygienic conditions during use, and the quick and convenient removal and disposal of the mask after use. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     A flexible and accommodating mask which is shaped to conform to the mouth and nose contact and adjacent areas of the lower face surfaces of a CPR training dummy. The mask is indexed to the mouth and nose air passages by means of filtering inserts which are a part of the mask. The mask is provided with a means for attaching the mask to and detaching the mask from the face portion of the dummy. The mask, the filters and the attachment means are completely adaptable to an existing CPR dummy without permanent alterations of the dummy or significant changes in the operation or physical properties of the training device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the mask of this invention in place on the mouth and nose contact area of the face of a CPR dummy. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectioned elevational view of the masked portion of the face of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary pictorial view of the mouth filter chamber of the mask of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectioned fragmentary pictorial view of the nose filter chamber of the mask of this invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectioned elevational view of the snap attachment illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the mask of this invention in place on a form. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the figures, like numbers refer to like objects. In the descriptions and claims when referring to the mask, the term &#34;inside&#34; shall refer to the side of the mask in contact with the face of the CPR dummy and &#34;outside&#34; shall refer to the user contact side of the mask. 
     In FIG. 1 CPR dummy head 1 has hygienic mask 2 indexed to the mouth 3 and nose 4 of head 1. Mask 2 is secured to the face of dummy 1 by snaps 5 which are representative of the mask securement means useful in practicing this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectioned view along section lines 2--2 of FIG. 1. Mouth filter chamber 10 and one of the nose filter chambers 11 are shown in relation to the air passages in mouth 3 and nose 4 of mask 2. 
     In FIGS. 3 and 4 representative structures for filter chambers 10 and 11 are shown along with mouth filter 12 and nose filter 13. 
     FIG. 5 provides a sectioned view of a snap 5 showing the male snap member 6 adhered to the face portion of dummy head 1 and the female snap member 7 adhered to hygienic mask 2. 
     In use, mask 2 is retrofitable to the face portion of a CPR dummy head 1. To serve this utility, mask 2 must be formed from a relatively thin conformable material. Mask 2 should be thin so as not to thicken or appreciably distort the features of the CPR dummy 1. Mask 2 should be accommodating so that the desired manipulations of the features of head 1 are not significantly changed. Such manipulations would include the pinching of nostrils and the opening and closing of the mouth. Relatively thin films of high quality latex rubber or neoprene rubber are presently preferred although other materials are suitable to serve this utility. 
     Untalced latex and neoprene have a strong tendency to cling. One embodiment of this invention leaves the inside of mask 2 untalced while applying talc to the outside of mask 2. In use the inside of mask 2 clings to the face portion of head 1 while the talced outside surface of mask 2 closely approximates the tactile properties of natural facial surfaces. 
     The cling of mask 2 may be sufficient to maintain the mask in position during use. However, for materials with less cling or those in which the cling has been reduced, it is seen as desirable to provide a positive means of positioning and securement. The indexing of nose filter chamber 11 and mouth filter chamber 10 to the openings in mouth 3 and nose 4 serve as positional indexes for the vital portions of the mask. A low cost positive means of attachment which is retrofitable to existing CPR dummy head 1 is represented by snaps 5. 
     One snap member such as male snap member 6 may be adhered or otherwise secured in place at locations around the periphery of the face of CPR dummy head 1. The other snap member, such as female snap member 7 may be incorporated into, or secured to a corresponding location on mask 2. 
     The same utility may be served by replacing snaps 5 with strips of male and female Velcro (TM) a product of the 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minn. or by strips of contact adhesive secured to the inside of mask 2 and protected before use by release strips. 
     When mask 2 is formed of a low cling material such as vinyl, cling can be increased by coating the inside surface of mask 2 or the contact areas of the face of dummy 1 with sterile petroleum jelly or other low aggressiveness adhesives. 
     In one embodiment of this invention, shown in FIG. 6, the inside face contact surfaces of mask 2 are coated with a low aggressiveness bonding agent such as the micro-encapsulated adhesives developed by the 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minn. 
     A stiff or rigid form 20 in the shape of the face area of CPR dummy 1 is coated in the mask receiving area with a release material such as a silicon composition. Mask 2 is placed in position on form 20. Form 20 serves the utility of a release backing for the inside adhesive coated surfaces of mask 2. Form 20 with mask 2 in position serves the additional utilities of protecting the filter chambers 10 and 11 of mask 2 from contamination and provides a practice aid for practicing the basics of CPR before going to the CPR dummy for a more complete simulation. 
     Mask 2 may be employed without filters in filter chambers 10 and 11. Filter chambers 10 and 11 are insertable into mouth 3 and nose 4 openings and are indexed to the mouth and nose geometries of CPR dummy head 1. 
     Filters 12 and 13 may be of the crimped paper type such as those used in cigarette filters or the open cell sponge type similar to those used in filters for small engines and appliances or they may be of a gauze material such as is used in surgical masks and the like. Filters 12 and 13 should possess the flexibility to permit easy insertion into their intended openings and should not significantly restrict the flow of air through the air passages. 
     However, one embodiment of this invention contemplates a filter element with restricted air flow. Such a filter is intended for use with the mask on form 20 and is intended to simulate the resistance to air flow presented by the lungs of an actual patient. The high resistance filters are replaceable with low resistance filters when mask 2 is used for more complete simulation in conjunction with a CPR dummy. 
     The above disclosure is enabling and discloses the best modes known to the inventor for practicing the invention. Numerous variants of the invention are clearly possible while remaining within the scope of the invention. To recite and illustrate the variants would greatly multiply the drawings and cause the specifications to become prolix. 
     Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and variations thereof disclosed, but rather, the scope of this invention should be limited by the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereto that would become obvious to one skilled in the art.