Patent ID: 12232918

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The 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 thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a device for dental health care centers which can be used to prevent the spread of harmful germs, bacteria, virus, pathogens and the like. There is also a long felt need in the art for a bacteria spread prevention tool which can be conveniently used by oral care professionals while checking the oral health of their patients or while performing dental treatment procedures. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a barrier device which allows dentists to easily check the oral health of their patients while being protected against transmission of infectious diseases. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a barrier device which prevents droplet splatters and aerosols from the patient's mouth from spreading and possible viral transmission from same. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a bacteria spread prevention tool which enables dentists to easily check their patients without worrying about being infected. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a bacteria spread prevention device which gives a sense of relief to the patients as well as to the oral care professionals, and makes them comfortable during dental check-ups or dental treatment procedures.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool designed to stop the smear or spread of bacteria and viruses. The prevention tool comprises: an outer or top transparent polycarbonic layer; an inner or bottom transparent polycarbonic layer; the top transparent polycarbonic layer and the bottom transparent polycarbonic layer are joined together at a pair of longitudinal edges and a pair of lateral edges; the top transparent polycarbonic layer and the bottom transparent polycarbonic layer are bent or curved up to forty degrees, and can include a space therebetween of ten millimeters; the bottom layer having a pattern of small holes to deflect and collect smears, splatters, pathogens and/or aerosols; the top layer further having a quick connector to attach to a high-volume suction mechanism; and, the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool having a stand placed on a floor including an arm removably attached to the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool to position same at a suitable location. An exemplary suitable position can be up to six inches from the oral cavity of a patient during an oral procedure.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of an oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. The oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is a bacteria spread prevention tool designed to stop the spread of viruses and bacteria by blocking the spread of pathogens while providing access to the oral cavity of a patient by an oral care professional.

The oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100has two layers of transparent polycarbonic layers that can be slightly bent in the middle to form a convex shape for both of the two layers of transparent polycarbonic layers. The top layer102and the bottom layer104are of substantially the same size, and are connected at a pair of opposite longitudinal sides130,140and a pair of opposite lateral sides150,160. A gap114of generally about 5 mm to about 15 mm, for example, is maintained between the top layer102and the bottom layer104, such that the top layer102and the bottom layer104do not touch each other except around a perimeter at the longitudinal sides130,140and the lateral sides150,160.

The bottom layer104has a pattern of small holes122for enabling the transmission of some aerosols, pathogens, viruses, etc. to pass therethrough, while at the same time deflecting droplets and splatters downward, away from the oral care professional. The top layer102does not include any holes or passages. Thus, the aerosols, etc. that pass through the holes122of the bottom layer104become trapped between the bottom layer104and the top layer102. The top layer102includes a quick connector108via a hole110which is attached to a high-volume suction machine112with a suction pipe106. When the suction machine112is turned on, a constant extraction airflow is maintained to the air space between the bottom layer104and the top layer102. Any aerosols or other pathogens are removed from the work area, thereby inhibiting their transmission to the surrounding ambient air and to the other oral care professionals in proximity to the patient.

The oral procedure bacteria prevention tool100is transparent and ergonomically designed such that when placed 4 to 6 inches from the oral cavity of a user during an oral procedure, the oral cavity or the mouth of the user can still be easily accessed by the oral care professional. The oral procedure bacteria prevention tool100allows use of an external vacuum at a convenient distance from the work area without having to manually hold the suction tube106or the connector108, thereby eliminating the potential of pathogen spread and viral transmission. The oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100acts as a physical barrier to minimize direct exposure to both aerosols and droplet spatters during an oral procedure. With the use of the tool100, necessary aerosol-generating oral procedures may also be performed without compromising the safety of the staff and the patient.

To place the oral procedure bacteria prevention tool100at a convenient height and distance from the oral cavity of a patient, an adjustable stand118is arranged to connect to the tool100at one end, and to position at an appropriate place through a stand connector116at another end. The stand118has a base120that can selectively be mounted to the floor, wall or ceiling. The stand118may be detachable from the tool100, and is lightweight and portable. The arm of the stand118is adjustable and may be positioned to meet different reaches and heights based on the position of a patient and the requirements of the oral care professionals.

The top layer102includes the connector hole110positioned close to the lateral edge160and in a central position. The connector hole110allows the high-volume suction pipe106to be attached to the tool100through the suction connector108. The connector hole110can be 5 to 10 mm in diameter to securely accommodate the suction pipe106into the tool100. In one potential embodiment, the quick connector108, connected to the high suction machine112, is 5-10 mm in diameter in order to provide an unobstructed view and a suction mechanism sized for effective air extraction from the space between the bottom layer104and the top layer102. The tool100acts as a shield between the oral care professionals and the patients, while providing a convenient and safe environment for the oral procedure.

The material of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is strong, tough, optically transparent, lightweight, cost-effective and impact-resistant. The top layer102and the bottom layer104can be joined together at the longitudinal edges and the lateral edges by an adhesive, such as an acrylic glue.

The polycarbonate layers are washable and may be sanitized after every use. The longitudinal edges and the lateral edges can comprise heavy plastic, metal or steel. The stand connector stabilizes the tool100while performing the oral procedure. In one embodiment, dimensions of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is 12″ (L)×16″ (W)×1″ (H). Alternatively, dimensions of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is 15″ (L)×18″ (W)×1.5″ (H).

FIG.2illustrates a rear perspective view of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown in theFIG.2, the bottom layer104is present at the side of the tool100, which is closer to the patient's mouth. The bottom layer104comprises a plurality of small holes122which are geometrically-arranged to form a pattern. The holes122can be arranged in straight lines or in any other shape. Each of the holes122can generally be about 1 mm to about 6 mm in diameter. The dimensions of the small holes122and the connector hole110are not so limited, and can be designed to satisfy user need and/or preference.

The bottom layer104and the top layer102are made up of polycarbonate materials and are transparent in appearance. The transparent bottom layer104and top layer102allow dental care professionals to easily view the oral cavity of the patients from a distance, and perform dental procedures while being protected against the transmission of germs and diseases. The spread prevention tool, in another potential embodiment, includes magnifying bottom and top layers to enhance viewing of the oral area of a patient therebelow (not illustrated).

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of the set-up of the oral procedure bacteria prevention tool of the present invention in a dental healthcare center in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is setup in a dental healthcare center300. The oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100is securely held using the stand connector116, which enables the dental care professionals to set the reach and height of the tool via the stand118, and make adjustments as per the requirements for the oral health check-ups and treatment procedures. Typically, the stand118is adjusted at a reach and a height such that the tool100is placed at a distance of 4 to 6 inches from the oral cavity of the patient sitting on a dental chair310.

Additionally, the polycarbonate layer structure is held by the stand connector116in a manner such that the connector hole110is centrally-positioned above the oral cavity of the patient while the patient is seated on the dental chair310for any oral health check-ups or dental procedures. The stand connector116can be a knob-like structure, which can be relaxed to increase a gap in between the knob structure to hold the polycarbonate layer structure, and the knob can be tightened to decrease the gap of the knob structure, to improve the grip for holding the polycarbonate layer structure of the bacteria spread prevention tool100.

FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of a dentist using the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool of the present invention in a dental healthcare center in accordance with the disclosed structure. As shown, the bacteria spread prevention tool100is set up in a dental healthcare center300. A patient410is seated on the dental chair for an oral health check-up or dental treatment procedure, and a dentist400stands beside the patient410for performing the oral health check-up or dental procedures. The tool100is placed at a height of 4 to 6 inches from the patient's mouth or oral cavity412, and forms a barrier between the patient's mouth412and the dentist400in order to stop the spread of bacteria, aerosols, pathogens and viruses.

The dentist400can easily use his/her hands402under the tool100, to perform the dental check-up or procedure on the user's mouth412, while the tool100creates a barrier between the dentist's face404and the patient's mouth412. The suction pipe106can be activated using the suction machine112while performing the dental procedures, to enable the suction pipe106to suck all the germs, bacteria, viruses or other harmful pathogens from the patient's oral cavity that have traveled to the area between the bottom layer104and top layer102, and to reduce the splatter produced during dental procedures. Once the dental procedure is completed, the suction machine can be deactivated to stop the suction mechanism of the suction pipe106. Accordingly, the suction mechanism can be activated and/or deactivated as per the requirements of the dentists.

The pathogen spread prevention tool100of the present invention is advantageous in times of pandemics such as COVID-19, and in other similar situations to stop the spread of bacteria, viruses, germs and other harmful pathogens.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool”, “bacteria spread prevention tool for oral procedures”, “bacteria spread prevention tool”, “pathogen spread prevention tool” and “pathogen smear or spread protection apparatus” are interchangeable and refer to the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100are important design parameters for user convenience, the oral procedure bacteria spread prevention tool100may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.