Patent Publication Number: US-11049626-B1

Title: Safety scavenge screen assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/935,767, filed Jul. 22, 2020 and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/992,727, filed Mar. 20, 2020 which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective devices, and more particularly to a safety scavenge screen assembly. 
     In general, health care professionals work in close contact to patients. This is particularly true in the case of the dental profession. Given the close contact between a dentist, for example, and a patient, the potential for transmission of air born contagions from a patient suffering from a condition such as, for example, influenza or corona virus, is great. Therefore, there exists a need for a device to protect the treating medical professional from harm. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus including a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, an evacuation collar affixed along a perimeter of a lower side of the splash shield, and a link emanating from the evacuation collar, the link configured to attach to a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield. 
     In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus including a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, the vacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and a link emanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to a vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield. 
     In another aspect, the invention features a system including an overhead rail system, a safety scavenge screen assembly, an articulating arm, the articulating arm linking the safety scavenge screen assembly to the overhead rail system, the articulating arm configured to slide and lock within the overhead rail system, and a vacuum system linked to the safety scavenge screen assembly, the safety scavenge screen assembly including a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, the vacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and a link emanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to the vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield. 
     In another aspect, the invention features a system including a fixation structure, a safety scavenge screen assembly, an articulating arm, the articulating arm linking the safety scavenge screen assembly to the fixation structure, and a vacuum system linked to the safety scavenge screen assembly, the safety scavenge screen assembly including a splash shield incorporating a clear viewing area, a vacuum manifold, the vacuum manifold adapted to releasably engage the splash shield, and a link emanating from the vacuum manifold, the link configured to attach to the vacuum system wherein application of a vacuum creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from the splash shield. 
     These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is another cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary handheld positioning of the safety scavenge screen assembly about a patient. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary system including an adjustable stand. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary overhead system. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary detached safety scavenge screen assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary examination room. 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly affixed to an examination chair. 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly affixed to a stationary or mobile cart. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the present invention. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention is an assembly that includes a removable or fixed splash shield incorporating a clear center viewing area surrounded by an evacuation collar or engaged into a vacuum manifold designed to scavenge all or the majority of patient exhalations as well as any aerosols produced during the treatment process. The apparatus is designed to be connected to a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet (UV) filtration system in order to release medically disinfected exhaust. The apparatus provides an effective physical barrier between a patient and a medical caregiver. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly  10  includes a splash shield  12  that incorporates a viewing area. The splash shield  12  preferably is constructed of a clear plastic. In other embodiments, the splash shield  12  may be constructed of any appropriate clear material, such as glass. Affixed to a perimeter of a lower side of the splash shield  12  is an evacuation collar  14 . The evacuation collar  14  may be permanently or removably attached to the lower side of the splash shield  12 . When removably attached, cleaning is easily accomplished. The splash shield  12  is configured having a slightly curved main surface with a portion on its perimeter to receive and position the evacuation collar  14 . In one embodiment, the evacuation collar  14  is a flexible vacuum tubing. 
     The evacuation collar  14  includes a number of intake orifices  16 . The evacuation collar  14  also includes a link  18 . The link  18  is used to connect the evacuation collar  14  to a vacuum system that preferably includes a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and/or ultraviolet (UV) filtration system (not shown). When a vacuum is applied, air on an underside of the splash shield  12  is drawn through the intake orifices  16  in the evacuation collar  14 , out the link  18  and through the HEPA and/or UV filtration system in order to release medically disinfected exhaust. The safety scavenge screen assembly  10  provides an effective physical barrier between a patient and a medical caregiver. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. In this illustration, edges of the splash shield  12  are more clearly shown to overlap the evacuation collar  14 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , another cross section of the exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. In this illustration, the link  18 , which is used to connect to a vacuum system, is more clearly shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the safety scavenge screen assembly  10  may be manually positioned and held by a caregiver  40  over a patient  42 . Exhalations from the patient  42  are drawn away from the caregiver  40  when vacuum is applied to the safety scavenge screen assembly  10 , protecting the caregiver  40  and the surrounding environment from potential air born contagions emanating from the patient  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an exemplary system  50  includes a safety scavenge screen assembly  52  and an assembly holder  54  connected to an adjustable stand  56 . The safety scavenge screen assembly  52  may be removably placed within the assembly holder  54 . Placement of the scavenge screen assembly  52  in the assembly holder  54  connected to the adjustable stand  56  enables a caregiver to modify/adjust a height and/or orientation of the safety scavenge screen assembly  52  with respect to a patient undergoing treatment. Connection of a vacuum system (not shown) to the vacuum connection  58  of the safety scavenge screen assembly  52  enables removal of potential air born contagions emanating from the patient  42 . 
     A shown in  FIG. 6 , an exemplary overhead mounted system  60  includes a safety scavenge screen assembly  62  linked to an articulating arm  64  of a ceiling assembly  66 . The articulating arm  64  may be moved in any one of three dimensions. The articulating arm  64  slides along a trolley  68  within the ceiling assembly  66  enabling the safety scavenge screen assembly  62  to be placed in multiple positions about a patient (not shown). The system  60  also may include a lighting device and/or camera  70  linked to the trolley  68  with an articulating arm  71 . The ceiling assembly  66  may also include one or more lights  72  to provide illumination. Connection of a vacuum system (not shown) to a manifold  74  of the safety scavenge screen assembly  62  enables removal of potential air born contagions emanating from the patient. In the embodiment shown, the articulating arm  64  includes flex collars  76 , an adjustable extrusion  78  and a downtube extrusion  80 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , an exemplary safety scavenge screen assembly  62  includes a slightly curved face shield  75  that is configured to be removably secured to a manifold  74 . In one specific implementation, the face shield  75  is 20¾ inches in length, 14¾ inches width and has a curve radius of 15 inches. These example measurements include a tolerance of +/−0.25 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the face shield  75  includes slots  90  along its side walls that are designed to engage and lock in corresponding receptacles  92  in the side walls of the manifold  74 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the face shield  75  is engaged within the manifold  74  and vacuum is applied, the manifold  74  creates a laminar flow to draw vapor away from a medical care provider and is best described as a linear pull design. This linear pull design enables an ability to capture and hold two to four times an adult patient&#39;s tidal volume until such time it is carried away by the manifold  74 . This excess volume is available to capture extreme events such as a patient&#39;s cough, sneeze or even vomit in the case of intubating physicians. Thus, the safety scavenge screen assembly  90  provides an effective physical barrier between a patient and the medical caregiver. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , an exemplary examination room  200  includes a patient  202  reclining on an examination chair  204 . A safety scavenge screen assembly  206  is linked to an overhead trolley  208  with an articulating arm  210 . The safety scavenge screen assembly  206  includes a removable face shield  212  engaged to a manifold  214 . In one implementation, the manifold  214  in linked to a vacuum system (not show) within the articulating arm  210 . In another implementation, a vacuum system (not shown) is linked directly to the manifold  214 . The articulating arm  210  includes a collar  216 , a extension tube  218  and a fixed tube  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a safety scavenge screen assembly  300  is affixed to an examination chair  302  with flex collars  304  and articulating arms  306 , both of which enable positioning of the safety scavenge screen assembly  300  in three dimensions. As described above, the safety scavenge screen assembly  300  includes a removable face shield  308  engaged in a manifold  310 . The manifold  310  is adapted to link to a vacuum system (not shown) directly or through a vacuum hose positioned within the flex collars  304  and articulating arms  306 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , a safety scavenge screen assembly  400  is affixed to a stationary or mobile cart  402  with flex collars  404  and articulating arms  406 , both of which enable positioning of the safety scavenge screen assembly  300  in three dimensions. As described above, the safety scavenge screen assembly  400  includes a removable face shield  408  engaged in a manifold  410 . The manifold  410  is adapted to link to a vacuum system (not shown) directly or through a vacuum hose positioned within the flex collars  404  and articulating arms  406 . 
     It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention except as limited by the scope of the appended claims.