Patent Publication Number: US-2023140986-A1

Title: Systems and methods for aerosol protection shield

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for aerosol protection shield. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Emissions from aerosols can remain in the work area following a procedure involving an oral cavity of a subject or facial field. Existing solutions that account for removal of these emissions are expensive, cumbersome, and are not suited for extended patient and provider comfort or safety. 
     These and other deficiencies exist. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol protection shield. The shield may include a headband disposed above a face of a user. The shield may include a pad coupled to the headband. The pad may be disposed above the face of the user. The shield may include a window coupled to the pad. The window may be disposed in front of the face of the user. The shield may include a covering coupled to the pad. The covering may be disposed in front of the window. The covering may be disposed in front of the face of the user. The covering may be draped over and around the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    depicts an aerosol protection shield according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    depicts an aerosol protection shield according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a method of an aerosol protection shield assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description of embodiments provides non-limiting representative examples referencing numerals to particularly describe features and teachings of different aspects of the invention. The embodiments described should be recognized as capable of implementation separately, or in combination, with other embodiments from the description of the embodiments. A person of ordinary skill in the art reviewing the description of embodiments should be able to learn and understand the different described aspects of the invention. The description of embodiments should facilitate understanding of the invention to such an extent that other implementations, not specifically covered but within the knowledge of a person of skill in the art having read the description of embodiments, would be understood to be consistent with an application of the invention. 
     The systems and methods disclosed herein provide a protective shield that effectively blocks aerosol emissions during procedures when working in a subject&#39;s oral cavity or facial field. For example, the protective shield may be configured to block aerosol emissions as well as oral spray and bodily fluid during procedures when working in the subject&#39;s oral cavity or facial field, and such emissions can be blocked which can remain in the work area for 20-30 minutes following a procedure. The protective shield may also be configured to protect the user from certain outside aerosols, and is not limited to aerosols existing only in a dental or medical office. Further, the protective shield may be configured to separate and protect individuals around the user from user-produced aerosols. In addition, the protective shield may be disposable and is cost-effective, with no installation required, to mitigate aerosol dispersals. In contrast to existing solutions, the systems and methods disclosed herein are cost-effective and are configured for extended patient and provider care (for example, including but not limited to a worker), comfort, and safety. 
     The aerosol protective shield may be used in a variety of industries to prevent aerosols from being dispersed throughout a work area and prevent splatter of liquids or materials against a provider&#39;s face or person. Further, this shield may be used in, without limitation, dental or medical applications during procedures or surgeries in the oral cavity or facial field to prevent aerosols from freely being dispersed throughout the work area, and also may be configured to prevent splatter of patient blood or bodily fluids. Therefore, it is most convenient to have disposable low cost aerosol protective shields that may be readily worn by a user, and providers may easily and safely work under while creating aerosols as part of the tools used in the industry. 
     The protective shield disclosed herein includes numerous advantages over existing solutions. For example, the existing solutions available are either worn by the providers or are expensive and include extensive vacuum systems. There is no low-cost disposable system that sufficiently simultaneously blocks aerosols from providers and the surrounding work area. Advantageously, the protective shield is easy to work under and allows for a clear view of the working area. 
     The protective shield also represents improvements over the existing solutions. While some present systems work well, they are not disposable and instead require large machines or extensive vacuum systems alongside the need for spray and sterilization procedures, which yields extensive computing processing and are not cost effective solutions. In addition to the prevention of aerosols, one or more parameters including the material selection, cut, length, cover, channeling design, gauge selection, material porosity and absorption, and chemical composition of each of the components of the protective shield are each selectively taken into account for the construction and operation of the protective shield, and also factor into the rechanneling and management of air and liquids in the zone existing between the patient and the provider and the provider and the provider and individuals in the immediate vicinity or area. For example, the zone may be associated with the area between the face of the user and the protective shield, and the soft shield in the open area between and around developed by the protective shield, which may be the same in case of the provider. The area may include that between the face of the user and in the surrounding shielded area of the hard and soft shields, and the pad where the hard and soft shields attach. In some examples, the provider may need to identify the zone of operation, ensure that the patient remains as still as possible throughout the duration of the operation(s) in order to provide as comfortable of an experience to the patient in order to maintain the trust with them and to simultaneously advantageously achieve the prevention of aerosols dispersal and rechanneling and management of air and liquids in the zone between the patient and the provider. In this manner, the protective shield is configured to mitigate additional concerns, including but not limited to claustrophobic issues, agitation or discomfort associated with material selection and/or placement of any component of the protective shield, such as the headband, the pad, the window, and the covering, as further explained below. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an aerosol protective shield  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. The protective shield  100  may comprise a headband  110 , a pad  120 , a window  130 , and a covering  140 . The protective shield  100  may be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliant and meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as latex and allergen free. Without limitation, the protective shield  100  may be further configured to wrap around the head of a user, or go over and surround the head. Although single instances of each of the components of the protective shield  100  are illustrated, it is understood that the protective shield  100  may include any number of components. 
     The headband  110  may comprise an elastic headband. In some examples, the headband  110  may comprise a non-elastic headband. In some examples, the headband  110  may comprise an adjustable headband. headband. In some examples, the headband  110  may be configured to include one or more attachments, including but not limited to a strap that goes over the head of the user. Without limitation, the headband  110  may include cotton, spandex, nylon, rubber, plastic and/or any combination thereof. In some examples, the headband  110  may include dimensions of length, width, and thickness. For example, the length may include a range of about 22 inches to 24 inches, a width may include a range of about 0.5 inches to 1.0 inches, and a thickness may include a range of about 2 mm to 3 mm. It is understood that these ranges are not limiting, and that modifications to any of these dimensions are within the scope of the invention to aid in construction of and achieving the objectives of the protective shield  100 . 
     The pad  120  may comprise a foam pad. For example, the pad  120  may include a foam forehead pad and comprise material made from a soft flexible foam material. Without limitation, the pad  120  may comprise polyester, polyether, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, vinyl, and/or any combination thereof. In some examples, the pad  120  may comprise absorbent fabrics. In some examples, the pad  120  may include dimensions of length, width, and thickness. For example, the length may include a range of about 1 inches to 7 inches, the width may include a range of about 1 inches to 3 inches, and the thickness may include a range of about 1 inches to 3 inches. It is understood that these ranges are not limiting, and that modifications to any of these dimensions are within the scope of the invention to aid in construction of and achieving the objectives of the protective shield  100 . The pad  120  may configured to be padded as a forehead piece to provide comfort, shield stability, and to absorb moisture. In some examples, the pad  120  may encompass a portion of the face, including but not limited to a forehead, and be disposed above the eyebrows, at the eyebrows, or below the eyebrows. In some examples, the pad  120  may cover any portion of the head and upper torso of the user. Further, the pad  120  may include one or more perforations of varying sizes to accommodate attachments. For example, the one or more perforations may include vertical perforations, horizontal perforations, and/or any combination thereof. 
     The window  130  may comprise a plastic window. For example, the window  130  may comprise a thin less flexible transparent plastic window. The window  130  may comprise a hard shield. In some examples, the window  130  may include dimensions of length, width, and thickness. For example, the length may include a range of about 10 inches to 14 inches, a width may include a range of about 6 inches to 11 inches, and a thickness may include a range of about 1 mm to 10 mm. It is understood that these ranges are not limiting, and that modifications to any of these dimensions are within the scope of the invention to aid in construction of and achieving the objectives of the protective shield  100 . In some examples, the window  130  may be configured as a mask or rigid face shield that is coupled to the pad  120 , and extends therefrom to a throat, or a neck, or a chest portion of a user. Further, the window  130  may be configured to resist excessive fogging, condensation accumulation or build-up or dripping. 
     The covering  140  may comprise a plastic covering. For example, the covering  140  may comprise a larger thin transparent loose plastic covering. In some examples, the covering  140  may include dimensions of length, width, and thickness. For example, the length may include a range of about 28 inches to 33 inches, a width may include a range of about 28 inches to 34 inches, and a thickness may include a range of about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. It is understood that these ranges are not limiting, and that modifications to any of these dimensions are within the scope of the invention to aid in construction of and achieving the objectives of the protective shield  100 . The covering  140  may comprise a soft shield. The covering  140  may comprise a garment resembling a poncho, with or without a hood, that is configured to drape over the patient. In some examples, the covering  140  may be configured to extend toward the feet of the patient, and around the side, front, and/or back portions of the patient. 
     The protective shield  100  may comprise a disposable, limited use shield that is configured to block aerosol emissions, spatter, blood, and any other bodily fluids when working in an oral cavity of facial field of a subject. For example, the protective shield  100  may comprise an aerosol protection shield. In some examples, the protective shield  100  may be limited to a single use. In other examples, the protective shield may be limited to two or more uses. 
     The protective shield  100  may be configured to fit comfortably against the forehead of a subject by being attached to a soft foam member, such as the pad  120 , and held in place by an elastic or nonelastic band, such as the headband  110 , attached to the soft foam member. Attached to the soft foam member, such as the pad  120 , is a thin clear plastic shield piece, such as the window  130 , that does flex but does not crinkle, which provides a more rigid field of vision for the working field and also allows for various degrees for freedom of movement. Attached to the clear plastic shield piece, such as the window  130 , is an additional thin loose plastic cover, such as the covering  140 , that extends on each side and additionally below the window  130 , which allows for additional flexibility and movement while still obtaining coverage needed to prevent unnecessary aerosols and spatter dispersal and protect one or more providers during the procedure. The protective shield  100  is thus designed to allow the provider to work with their hands under the protective shield  100  while the subject being worked on wears it. In some examples, the protective shield  100  may be configured to allow the subject or wearer to work with their hands under the protective shield  100  while the subject wears it. The window  130  and covering  140  portion therefore provides an unobstructed view and field of vision of the working field for the provider and or the wearer. During procedures, when aerosols and splatter are produced and emitted, the protective shield  100  is configured to block this matter from coming into contact with the provider and dispersing freely throughout the operator or working field. As previously explained, usage in non-dental procedures are within the scope of the invention. For example, in non-dental or medical use when aerosols and splatter are produced and emitted, the protective shield  100  may be configured to block this matter from coming into contact with the wearer, including but not limited to their face. 
     The pad  120  may be placed against the patient&#39;s forehead and the headband  110  may be placed around the patient&#39;s head to hold the protective shield  100  in place. The window  130  may be positioned directly in front of the patient&#39;s facial area. The provider may easily reach under the protective shield  100  and maintain a clear field of vision while working in the facial region and oral cavity. The wide loose portion, such as the covering  140 , of the protective shield  100  helps contain the spread aerosol partials because it drapes further around the patient extending out from the sides and bottom of the protective shield  100 . The foam forehead piece, such as the pad  120 , and transparent more rigid plastic shield piece, such as the window  130 , help keep the distance needed and area clear for the working field in the facial region. The elastic or nonelastic piece, such as headband  110 , keeps the protective shield  100  in place. The protective shield may be placed on the patient, such as by a provider. The pad  120  may be placed against the forehead of the patient, and the headband  110  may be placed circumferentially around the head of the patient such that the window  130  is placed directly in front of the facial field of the patient. The provider may reach under the protective shield into the work field to perform the procedure. The protective shield may be removed by the provider for proper disposal. 
     Without limitation, any number of the following additional parameters are specifically taken into account for the configuration of the protective shield: material gauge range represents the ideal balance for both comfort and safety; material represents the ideal selection for tool penetration prevention and heat/moisture resistant-operations: the self-applicability of the protective shield by the patient or wearer for compliance with a variety of safety protocols; providing non-sweat operation and comfort based on the material selection and channeled design of the headband; consideration of hypoallergenic materials selected for all points of contact with the wearer, including but not limited to the headband on the head, and the hard shield to the pad; any point of contact of the protective shield positioned away from operative areas and configured for minimal skin contact; extension of the window, such as further upward and/or outward, to provide more operating room, patient airflow, and patient comfort, operation of the protective shield without need of expensive, loud, distracting or concern of noises associated with vacuum machinery; and operation of the protective shield without sterilizing aerosols, decreasing patient turnover and/or adverse environmental or material reaction. 
     For example, the window may be enlarged and placed over and secured to a metal frame and/or a plastic frame without a pad or headband for use in surgical procedures. In some examples, the metal frame and/or the plastic frame may each comprise a single section that are affixed to each other. In other examples, the metal frame and/or the plastic frame may each comprise a plurality of sections that are affixed to each other. For example, the metal frame and/or the plastic frame may each comprise a plurality of sections with an attachment that is disposed on a disposable headpiece. A plastic extension may be coupled to a disposable face shield. In some examples, the plastic extension may be coupled to a pair of protective eyewear. In other examples, the plastic extension may be coupled to a mask on the facial area. 
     In some examples, the protective shield may include additional material to aid in isolating air and/or air flow around the face of the patient. For example, this may be achieved such that a first tube, such as a silicone tube, is attached to a high evacuation system at a first end, and into a second tube, such as a smaller plastic tube, and a second end that is placed through an aperture through a portion, such as the center, of the pad to create an airflow. For the provider, the same type of connection may be used but from an alternative source, such as a fanny pack, to create negative airflow. In some examples, the protective shield may include ear protection or integrated communication and/or sound barrier devices. In some examples, the protective shield may comprise a lighting apparatus that may be configured to illuminate one or more areas located subjacent to and in front of or in the field of view of the wearer. 
     In some examples, the protective shield may include an area of adjusting magnification, such as increasing or decreasing magnification, within an area of the sight lines of the window. In some examples, the protective shield may include additional material, such as one or more straps, clips, adhesives, hooks, magnets, and/or hook and loop fasteners, and/or any combination thereof, that may be configured to provide attachment of any components of the protective shield, including but not limited to any portion of each of the pad, the headband, the window, and/or the covering. In some examples, the protective shield may include an extended, curved face covering to assist in protection of the barrier between the patient and the provider and may be created due to the need of the window. In some examples, the protective shield may include non-skin-contacting, on-hair, overhead design for patients with sensitive material allergies. In some examples, the protective shield may include a specialized coating to accelerate directionalized liquid disbursement upon shield contact. In some examples, the protective shield may include an equally-disposable, chair-affixed variation requiring no patient contact for operable utility. In other examples, a table-affixed, a headrest affixed, or any other object-affixed variation may be used. In some examples, the protective shield may include a variation such that the rigid protective shield is connected to eyewear and/or nosewear. In some examples, the protective shield may include a dedicated writing area for patient&#39;s name for verification. Without limitation, the writing area may be located for display at any portion or corner of the shield, including but not limited to at the top right or bottom left, and a writing area may also be located on the soft shield. In addition, a warning label or description may be located on any portion of the soft shield, including but not limited to at a top tab section or lower right or lower left corner. In some examples, the protective shield may include a dedicated surface area for agent-reactive components to warn of agent-specific presence. In some examples, any of these components may be attached the undersurface or external surface of the protective shield. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an aerosol protective shield  200  according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  2    may reference and incorporate any number of components and descriptions previously explained with respect to  FIG.  1   . Although single instances of each of the components of the protective shield  200  are depicted, it is understood that the protective shield  200  may include any number of components.  FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective of the protective shield  200 , whereas  FIG.  1    illustrates a side profile perspective of the protective shield  100 . For example, the protective shield  200  may include a headband  210 , a pad  220 , a window  230 , and a covering  240 . As previously explained, the window  230  may be configured to curve inward toward the face of the user. 
       FIG.  3    depicts a method  300  of an aerosol protection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  3    may reference and incorporate any number of components and descriptions previously explained with respect to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   . At block  310 , the method may include the step of cutting a sheet of a first transparent plastic material, such as a window, that covers the face of a user. At block  320 , the method  300  may include the step of cutting a larger thinner loose second transparent plastic material, such as a covering, that is configured to cover and fit around each side and at the bottom of the first transparent plastic material or face shield piece, such as the window. At block  330 , the method  300  may include the step of attaching the second transparent plastic material or larger transparent plastic material, such as the covering, to the first transparent plastic material or face shield piece, such as the window, at each side and bottom of the face shield or window. At block  340 , the method  300  may include the step of attaching a foam member, such as the pad, to the aerosol protection shield piece, such as the window. In some examples, the foam member or pad may be permanently coupled to the aerosol protection shield piece or window. At block  350 , the method  300  may include the step of attaching a first end of the elastic strap, such as a headband, to a first side mounting point of the foam member or pad. At block  360 , the method  300  may include the step of attaching a second end of the elastic strap or headband to a second side mounting point of the foam member or pad. In some examples, the headband may wrap around the head of the user such that the first side mounting point and the second side mounting of the pad are positioned at opposite ends of the pad. 
     In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with references to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the description above is not intended to be limiting. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded as an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The functions described as being performed at various components may be performed by other components, and the various components may be combined or separated. Other modifications also may be made.