Abstract:
The present invention provides a degree of protection and comfort for animals emerging from post-operative and/or anesthetized states. The pillow is constructed so that it has a rounded hook shape with a shorter end that curls back towards the long end after the manufacturing process. The pillow is designed to be made of a material that is washable, sanitizable and appropriate for use in a veterinary setting. This is usually vinyl, but can be other plastics or polymers. The stuffing should be a synthetic material with a reasonable give and the invention may require vary degrees of give depending on the intended use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60/______, entitled POST-SURGICAL VETERINARY PILLOW, filed Jun. 27, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Often, due to the fact that many animals are not given sedatives or pain medication after surgery, an animal may come out of anesthesia too quickly. Animals such as cats and dogs often go into a series of violent movements called a “death roll” in which they throw their bodies back and forth while the anesthesia is wearing off. These animals are in a delicate state because of the surgery so that some degree of protection is needed while the animal is being restrained. An animal is in a delicate state even when given pain medication or sedation.  
         [0003]     One way to protect the animal is to simply restrain it. This often involves wrapping the animal up in heavy towels and being placed in a “safe” part of a cage. The cages are placed on a slant, so that fluids and wastes from the animal can drain out. However, the cages have no bumpers, so the animal can hurt itself even wrapped in blankets.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a degree of protection and comfort for animals emerging from post-operative and/or anesthetized states. The pillow is constructed so that it has a rounded hook shape with a shorter end that curls back towards the long end after the manufacturing process. The pillow is designed to be made of a material that is washable, sanitizable and appropriate for use in a veterinary setting. This is usually vinyl, but can be other plastics or polymers. The stuffing should be a synthetic material with a reasonable give and the invention may require vary degrees of give depending on the intended use.  
         [0005]     The veterinary pillow is manufactured by first making a flat shell of a washable and sanitizable material, such as vinyl, which can be completed by attaching two halves by various methods. The filling process changes the shape of the pillow to include the inward bend of the second section, creating a pressure or restraining section helping to secure the animal during post operative recovery.  
         [0006]     The invention includes a method for preventing injury to an animal in a post-surgical veterinary setting. The device used in the claimed method is a pillow with elongated straight section and a first curved section which is attached at the top of the straight section and rotating between 165 and 185 degrees. A second section is attached to the first curved section at a first end and has a second end that extends to at least a third of the distance of the elongated section and preferably half, but no more than two-thirds. The production process curves the second end of the second section making it at least 25 percent closer than the first end and usually creating a change in angle between 15 and 50 degrees, with 25 to 45 in a preferred embodiment. The invention includes placing the anesthetized animal such that the back of the animal is along the inner side of the elongated straight section and placing the head of the anesthetized animal such that it at least partially lies across the first curved section. The second section curves such that it creates at least a small amount of pressure on the torso of the anesthetized animal, protected the animal during awakening from anesthesia. Other positions may also be appropriate for various types of veterinary procedures, such as placing the animal with the paws straddling the long portion, or with the pressure point securing the hip area. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of the veterinary pillow before production  
         [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the pillow post-production with the short end reaching back towards the long end.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1D  is another view of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates the veterinary pillow being used in a post-surgical recovery for a small animal.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention for post-surgical recovery for a small animal.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention with the animal secured in a alternate position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a sample of the proportions of a first embodiment of the invention before beginning the filling process or a “shell.” 
         [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the dimensions of a sample first embodiment of the invention after filling.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5C  shows a top view of the dimensions of a sample first embodiment of the invention after filling.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5D  illustrates another top view for the dimensions of first embodiment of the invention after filling.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention with the animal placed in a different position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     The drawings show that the veterinary pillow is a J-hook shaped pillow  100  with an arc that allows a short end to extend back to the long end. This curvature ( FIG. 1B ) can vary but helps to provide an additional degree of security in an animal recovering from surgery. The mild pressure on the area of the animal helps to secure the animal ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), but the shorted end still allows for full movement of the hind legs ( FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 ). As indicated the pillow appears to be highly useful for animals under 75 lbs. The use of this pillow for dogs or animals larger than 75 lbs is contemplated by the present invention and currently being tested.  
         [0020]     The production process of the pillow allows for the advantages for use in a veterinary setting (or for appropriate uses in a convalescent setting with approved materials and construction for human medical use and agency approval). The material is selected from those appropriate for multiple cleanings and sterilization and is a vinyl in a preferred embodiment. Other polymers, polypro or polyethylene or plastics may be appropriate as long as they do not breakdown with standard disinfectants or cleaners used in the veterinary setting.  
         [0021]     The top view cutout or pre-production shell ( FIG. 1A ) appears to be a J-shaped pillow  100 , with a long straight portion  150 , a short semi-straight short portion  250  and a curved portion  200  before production. The proportions of these sections are given for a sample first embodiment below in Table 1.2. Edges and points of relevance to the claimed invention are detailed in Table 1.1.  
                                 TABLE 1.1                           Edges and points of Veterinary Pillow and indicator numbers            FIG.   Num.   Pillow Section   Description               1A   151   First Elongated 150   Outside end point       1A   152   First Elongated 150   Inside base point       1A   154   First Elongated 150   Outside elongated tip       1A   155   First Elongated 150   Inside elongated edge       1A   157   First Elongated 150   Inside elongated tip       1A   158   First Elongated 150   Outside elongated edge       1A   159   First Elongated 150   Top elongated edge       1A   205   Curved section 200   Bottom edge       1A   210   Curved section 200   Outside edge       1A   220   Curved section 200   Inside arc       1A   225   Curved section 200   Ending edge       1A   212   Curved section 200   Top of outside arc       1A   223   Curved section 200   Top of inside arc       1A   255   Second Semi Straight 250   Top edge       1A   270   Second Semi Straight 250   Outside edge       1A   275   Second Semi Straight 250   Inside edge       1A   265   Second Semi Straight 250   Bottom edge       1A   280   Second Semi Straight 250   Inside (pressure) point                   (pre fill)       1A   285   Second Semi Straight 250   Outside point       1A   295   Second Semi Straight 250   Inside point of first end       1C   102   All (curved 200 shown)   Top half       1C   104   All (curved 200 shown)   Bottom half       1C   350   All (curved 200 shown)   Top pillow edge       1C   358   Curved section 200   Widest base point       1C   359   Curved section 200   Widest outside point       1C   355   All (curved 200 shown)   Bottom pillow edge                  
 
         [0022]     However, after being filled with a material appropriate for use in a veterinary setting, the short portion  250  curves back to the long portion  150 . The curvature  300  can be adjusted as needed by different veterinarian suppliers and is dependent on some of the manufacturing materials for the pillow. The difference between the length in the long  150  and short ends is preferably  3 : 1  in a preferred embodiment, but other ratios may be needed for different animals. When the length of the curved portion  200  is added in, the ratio will be generally be 2:1 of long edge to short edge (see  FIG. 5A, 1  compared to  6  or  FIG. 5D   17  and  18 ), but no more than 3:2. The edge  265  of the short end  250  when curved towards the long end  150  creates a soft but secure pressure point  400  which helps protect the animal by use of the restraining zone  450 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a small animal  1001  (a cat generally less than 25 lbs. is shown for illustrative purposes) in a position of the vet pillow  100  for one type of post surgical recovery. The cat  1001  is elevated on the pillow  100  facing downward. The throat area  1007  crosses the top  350  of the curved portion  200 . This type of positioning may be preferred for surgeries where the animal  1001  must be in this position. A higher pillow (an embodiment that has a deeper width) may be appropriate for “taller” animals that require more elevation. The pressure point  400  in  FIG. 2  is on the side of the animal in the hip area  1006  with the back of the animal  1002  facing upward. The front paws  1004  are facing downward and straddle the top of the curved portion  200 , with a paw edge on the outside edge  210  and inside edge  220 . The term “facing upward” is not meant to be restricted to a literal 90 degree angle, but rather should mean that the animal  1001 , may be placed such that the normal  1008  extending from its back  1002  is facing between −45 to +45 from upward on the YZ plane.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows the invention in a preferred embodiment.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the animal in similar positions in which the cat  1001  is placed on its side (to one degree) with the pressure point  400  on the chest or front  1003  of the animal. The neck is draped over the top of the curved portion  200  and the paws straddle the short portion  250 , which the long portions  150  provides the majority of the support to the back of the animal. In this embodiment the front paws  1004  are straddled over the outside  358  of curved portion  200 . The back paws  1005  are left unsecured.  
         [0025]     Of course, for abdominal surgery, if the pressure point  400  interferes with the surgical recovery, such as potentially chafing an injured area, then the animal can be turned to face the inside edge  155  of the long straight portion  150 , while the pressure point  400  helps keep the animal secure from the other side. This embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6  in which the animal&#39;s chest is placed along the inside edge  155  of the long side  150 . The rear paws  1005  straddle the bottom portion of the long side  150  and the front paws  1004  straddle the area at the top  159  of the long portion  150  (bottom of the curved portion  205 ) with the back  1002  secured by pressure point  400 .  
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A-5D  detail the proportions of a first embodiment of the invention contemplate for use in animals between 10 and 40 pounds, but can be used for animals out of that weight range to include the claimed 5 to 75 lbs. in a preferred embodiment. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the proportions may vary as the size needed for particular animals varies.  
                                                   TABLE 1.2                           Pre and post production measurements for a sample first embodiment.       (Refer to FIGS. 5A-5D)                        Post-       Measurement       Pre-production   production       No.   Description   (shell) (in.)   (pillow) (in.)                     1. ( FIG. 5A )   Total length   28   23        2. ( FIG. 5A )   Total Width   15.5   13        3. ( FIG. 5A )   Init. gap width   3.25   N/A        4. ( FIG. 5A )   Distance to inner arc   21   19.25        5. ( FIG. 5A )   Section width   6   4.25        6. ( FIG. 5A )   Init. return length   14   N/A        7. ( FIG. 5A )   Init. inner return length   8   N/A        8. ( FIG. 5A )   Inner edge to outer edge   9.25   N/A        9. ( FIG. 5A )   Short end to long end   13   N/A       10. ( FIG. 5B )   Seam to top   N/A   2       11. ( FIG. 5B )   Circumference (around)   N/A   12.5       12. ( FIG. 5B )   Height   N/A   3.75       13. ( FIG. 5C )   Inner edge to pressure   N/A   1           point       14. ( FIG. 5C )   Upper gap width   N/A   3.75       15. ( FIG. 5D )   First section edge (at tip)   N/A   3           to edge       16. ( FIG. 5D )   Δ (inward)   N/A   3.5       17. ( FIG. 5D )   Pressure pt to top   N/A   11.5       18. ( FIG. 5D )   Outer edge to arc   N/A   13       19. ( FIG. 5D )   Δ (inward) outer edge   N/A   3.75       20. ( FIG. 5C )   Outer edge to base   N/A   10       21. ( FIG. 5C )   Pressure pt. to base   N/A   12       22. ( FIG. 5C )   Inner edge to outer edge   N/A   4.5       23. ( FIG. 5D     Initial arc of curved   165-195   185-240           portion (theta 1) (Deg.)       24. ( FIG. 5D )   Delta theta (Deg.)   N/A   20-45       25. ( FIG. 5D     Total arc (Deg.)   N/A   Varies.       26. ( FIG. 5D )   Inward curvature (Deg.)   85-95 (90)   &gt;80 (&gt;70)       27. ( FIG. 5D )   Delta Gamma (Deg.)   N/A   10-50                    
         [0027]     As indicated above, one of the embodiments of the claimed invention is the resulting inward loop-back shape of the veterinary pillow from the manufacturing process. As seen from Table 1.2, the pillow can be construction from a two or more sewn (or otherwise combined) pieces of material and would lie flat on a surface as seen in  FIG. 5A . Thus, the measurements  1 - 9  would be two-dimensional. As shown in  FIG. 5B , after filling, the dimensions of the pillow are three-dimensional and have depth (height)  10 ,  11 ,  12 . In a preferred embodiment the pillow has a depth ( 12 ) of between  3  and  5  inches, but may adjusted depending on the needs of the veterinary practice.  
         [0028]      FIGS. 5C and 5D  show the post-production curvature of the pillow  100  and sample dimensions  13 - 27  related to the curvature. When the pillow  100  is “stuffed” or otherwise “filled” with appropriate fill for veterinary use. The second section  250  “curves” back towards the first elongated section  150  (measurement  16  or “delta”). This creates the pressure section  450  detailed above. The delta  16  can be adjusted for different contemplated uses by the manipulation of various factors as in the measurements  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6  and  8  (also  5 ) which are show in  FIG. 5A . As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of different types of coverings or poly-fill may also result in changing the delta to the desired curvature (see  24 ,  25 ,  26 ) and the ratio of  24  to  26  (or more properly  24 : 27 ).  
         [0029]     The material selected for the invention allows for the claimed veterinary use. Therefore, it is contemplated that the rigorous requirements for human medical use will not be required. However, some degree of sterilization will be required between uses. The claimed invention therefore will include materials that can be sterilized through chemical, heat, and/or radiation (ultraviolet) means. It is not contemplated that the cover material will have to withstand unusually harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme heat or cold. Resistance to liquids is expected. The filling of the invention is standard poly-fill in a first embodiment, but such poly-fill is generally firmer than that used in pillows for human use (medical). In a preferred embodiment, the shell is sewn in a 4-thread surge stitch which provides appropriate strength and durability. However, other attachment configurations may be appropriate for the claimed invention.  
         [0030]     The fill can also be a combination of natural and synthetic fibers as well. The various properties of fill are generally known in that art and can be selected for the present invention depending on the needs of the end user. Companies, such as Fairfield® make different fill products. The Fairfield® fiberfill and other filling material literature are incorporated by reference insofar as informing the skilled artisan of options for particular variations of the claimed invention.  
         [0031]     In another embodiment, the veterinary pillow is made of a single block of material and covered with a removable and disposable and absorbs some fluids. Thus the polymer body is not a “fill” and is manufactured to be more rigid than poly-fill. However, the manufacturing process must account for and produce the Delta curvature  24 ,  27  to create the pressure point  400 . Thus, it is contemplated that a preferred embodiment of the invention will be manufactured by filling, which creates the configuration.  
         [0032]     The descriptions above have been for illustrative purposes only, and the present invention includes variations that do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the public should respectfully take notice that the invention should be defined by the claims below and not limited to any embodiment detailed above.