AU4718700A - Inflatable resuscitation face shield mask - Google Patents

Description

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1 Australia Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent INFLATABLE RESUSCITATION FACE SHIELD MASK The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: INFLATABLE RESUSCITATION FACE SHIELD MASK This invention relates to improvements in devices used for resuscitation, by reducing personal contact and possible cross contamination.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is becoming increasingly popular in today's society as more members of the community value the advantages of acquiring the required skills in the process of saving lives. Our society now embraces this opportunity but is still hesitant to apply resuscitation when needed due to the fear of contamination by transmission of debilitating and possibly fatal viruses and bacterial infections.

There exists some devices that have attempted to deal with this issue.

These devices fit into the following two categories.

The first type of device is the lay over plastic sheet with a non-return ventilation valve that is compact enough to be carried by the rescuer but only allows the ventilation to occur through the patient's mouth. This device does not lift the rescuer above the patient but only acts as a single layer barrier between the rescuer and the patient. The device is o light and highly sensitive to breezes and air turbulence often folding up upon its self resulting in possible cross contamination. These devices do not install a sense of confidence in performing the required CPR task often resulting in tragedy.

The second type of device that is commonly used is the plastic injection moulded mask with a one way ventilation valve that covers the patients nose and mouth. It is not small enough to be easily carried by the person to the scene. These devices are often not used for the set purpose as they are not readily available at the critical moment in time when CPR should be applied. The fear of possible cross contamination reduces the rescuers willingness to proceed without any form of protective barrier resulting in reduced or no assistance for the patient.

These problems are overcome by the present invention which provides a moulded, soft plastic, compact inflatable face SHIELD mask used for the performance of First Responder Patient Resuscitation, comprising of a moulded one way ventilation valve to reduce personal contact and possible fluid and particle exchange between patient and rescuer. The device is easily carried upon the individual as it is capable of being folded up to a size that is small enough to be carried in a purse, a keyring holder, pocket, car accessories area, neck chain satchel or as a belt fixture. At the same time the present invention also inflates to a full size resuscitation mask that allows the patient to be ventilated both through their nose and their mouth. The inflated mask lifts the rescuer above the patient supplying an air barrier incorporating a one way ventilation valve at the top of the mask.

The lifting of the ventilation valve is achieved as the twin-skinned device has a circular shape with a series of vertical contact joints that act as ribbing support. On inflation these ribs are emphasized as the air is forced between them resulting in a firm uplifted cone shape.

The lower edge of the presented device is allowed by design to hold air on inflation resulting in a cushion ring that circumnavigates the complete device. This soft plastic cushion fits firmly across the bridge of the nose, around the cheek area and across the chin. The soft plastic cushion seals the area easily when held in position by the rescuer ensuring maximum effectiveness of ventilation through both the nose and the mouth as required.

*oo o The ventilation valve is the only point of contact for the rescuer to apply their mouth to perform CPR. It closes off when the patient exhales reducing the possibilities of cross contamination.

S"The device is made of soft plastic sheet with basic usage instructions with an additional inflation valve situated on the device.

The one way ventilation valve can be made of any suitable material that can be used to construct an effective mechanism, such as moulded plastic.

In one form of the invention, the device has an eyelet on either side of the mask to include an elasticised or adjustable strap to be attached to secure the device to the patient.

Another form of the invention, the device has a saddle attached to the non return ventilation valve to include an elasticised or adjustable strap to be attached to secure the device to the patient.

To assist with the understanding of the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of the Inflatable Face-Shield Mask device according to this invention.

Figure 2 shows the application of the Inflatable Face-Shield Mask device by the rescuer on the patient.

Referring tofigure 1 it can be seen that the inflatable mask is made of a top sheet and a bottom sheet of soft plastic joined together on the perimeter The inflatable mask sheet is also joined together at one end from the top at the centrally located one way ventilation valve to the bottom seam at the circumference There are a series of joins that run up and down the device from the centrally located one way ventilation valve close to the perimeter of the unit There is an inflation valve that sits on the side of the unit The device also has printed information in various positions on the plastic Referring to figure 2 it can be seen that the inflated mask fits snuggly over the patients face allowing for both nasal and mouth resuscitation (11).

The rescuer(16) holds the device in position (12) and blows into the ventilation one way valve (13) to apply CPR to the patient The devices shape lifts the rescuer above the patient Figure 3a and Figure 3b show a cross section and a 3 dimensional presentation of the packaged device.

Figure 3a is displayed with a keyring(21) to demonstrate the relative size and compactness of the device. The mask device in its deflated form is folded (22) so as to fit inside a small, compact package (23).

This package can be attached to a keyring, belt, placed in pocket, purse or glove box or otherwise on the person in order to be available to the rescuer to meet any possible resuscitation requirements.

Figure 3b shows a 3 dimensional view of the inflatable mask device within its packaging.

Figure 4 shows a cross section of the inflatable mask device. The mask is inflated by blowing into the inflation valve (31) allowing for air to fill between the top sheet (32) and the bottom sheet The joined ridges (34) allow for the cone shape (35) which creates a lifting of the rescuers mouth away from the patient. The ridges (34) do not continue all the way to the perimeter seam (36) of where the top and bottom sheets join allowing for a cushion of air (37) to exist, this cushion will rest on the patients face assisting in forming air seal. The one way ventilation valve is located at the top of the device and has the single direction mechanism to assist in the prevention of the flow of any fluid or particles through the valve from the patient to the rescuer (38).

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Claims (5)

1. A moulded, soft plastic, fully portable, compact, inflatable face SHIELD mask device used for the performance of First Responder Patient Resuscitation, comprising of a moulded one way ventilation valve to reduce personal contact and possible fluid and particle exchange between patient and rescuer.

2. The moulded, soft plastic, fully portable inflatable face SHIELD mask device of claim 1 wherein the device is inflated prior to use by the rescuer using an inflating valve situated on the device.

3. The moulded, soft plastic, fully portable inflatable face SHIELD mask device of claim 1 is tightly folded to a compact transportable package prior to inflation.

4. The moulded, soft plastic, fully portable, compact inflatable face SHIELD mask device as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings Graham Farrell 10 th July 2000 *OW 0- .600 **C o

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