DISPOSABLE SINGLE USE EYE SHIELD

Abstract

Single use, disposable eye shields will eliminate potential transmission of an infectious agent such as COVID to another patient or a technician, nurse or doctor. The product can be made with inexpensive materials readily available—card stock or translucent pliable plastic and elastic thread. An elastic thread can be used to secure the eye shield in place and thereby allow the eye shield to fit all head sizes. All components of the eye shields may be made from biodegradable components. This eye shield does not have any adhesive, so it can be used for the other eye when performing visual field testing for each eye separately. The translucent version has the added benefit of preventing the patient from dark adapting during the visual field test.

Claims

1. A single use disposable eye shield, comprising: a shield having an approximately ovate peripheral shape, said shield having inner surface and an outer surface that form a contoured shape, said shield having first and second sides positioned at distal edges of the ovate shape; a first attachment point situated on the first side of said shield; a second attachment point situated on the second side of said shield; and one or more attachment members having first and second ends, said first end of said one or more attachment members attached to said first attachment point and said second end of said one or more attachment members attached to said second attachment point, wherein the one or more attachment members extends from the first attachment point on the first side of said shield around the head of a patient to the second attachment point on the second side of said shield.

2. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said contoured shape is outwardly convex.

3. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is composed of a moldable transparent material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, moldable plastics or acrylic materials.

4. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is composed biodegradable plastic selected from the group comprising oxo-biodegradable; hydro-biodegradable and photo-biodegradable plastic.

5. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is composed of cardstock, cardboard or compressed foam.

6. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said first and second attachment points are first and second holes punched through the first and second sides of said shield.

7. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, comprising one attachment member.

8. The disposable eye shield of claim 7, wherein said first end of said attachment member is tied to the first hole and said second end of said attachment member is tied to the second hole.

9. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, comprising two attachment members.

10. The disposable eye shield of claim 9, wherein said first end of said first attachment member is tied to the first hole and said second end of said second attachment member is tied to the second hole.

11. The disposable eye shield of claim 10, wherein said first and second attachment members are tied together at a length to fit the patient's head.

12. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is comprised of an extensible material.

13. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the extensible material is selected from elastic, spandex or elastane.

14. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is comprised of a non-extensible material.

15. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said non-extensible material is selected from ribbon, thread, cotton, jute or twine.

16. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein said shield is opaque or translucent.

17. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the single use disposable shield is manufactured in a clean facility.

18. The disposable eye shield of claim 1, wherein the single use disposable shield is sterile.

19. A method of shielding a patient's eye during visual field testing, comprising the steps of: positioning the shield of the single use disposable eye shield of claim 1 over the eye to be shielded; and positioning the one or more attachment members on the patient's head, thereby securing said shield in place over the patient's eye.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the single use disposable eye shield comprises two attachment members, and the method additionally comprises the step of tying the two attachment members together at a length to fit the patient's head

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Devices and methods for carrying out the invention are presented in terms of embodiments depicted within the FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and the configurations shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view 400 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an applied view 500 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Various embodiments of the invention relate to a disposable (single patient use) version of an eye shield that is widely used during visual field testing. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to biodegradable eye shields. Current eye shields that exist are typically reusable and non-biodegradable. Known eye shields are not easy to thoroughly disinfect between patients. Having a disposable version of an eye shield will serve an unmet need for better infection control in medical offices to keep patients and medical staff safe.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. The shield 102 is connected to the attachment member 104 at side of shield with attachment point 106. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is of an essentially ovate shield 102, having a convex front edge. An attachment member 104 is used to attach the disposable eye shield to the patient. The attachment member 104 can be made of either an extensible material such as elastic, spandex or elastane, or of a non-extensible material such as ribbon, thread, twine or the like. When non-extensible materials are used, it is envisioned that the attachment member 104 may be in two separate pieces that can be tied behind the head of the patient.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the shield 102 has two attachment points, the first attachment point 202 on one side of the shield 102 and a second attachment point 204 on the other side. The shield has an upper perimeter of shield 208 that engages with the eyebrow/forehead part of the face, and a lower perimeter of shield 206 which engages with the cheek region of the patient's face.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the shield 102 has a convex outer front edge of shield 302. The curvature renders the shield more comfortable as the inner surface of the shield 102 allows the eye to move freely and the eyelid to open and close unhindered, not touching the eyelashes of the patient.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the shield 102 has a symmetrical shape which enables the shield 102 to be used on either the right or left eye of the patient.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an applied view of an embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that the shield 102 can be positioned comfortably on the face of a patient. The attachment member 104 can then be positioned in the most appropriate orientation for the patient.

[0034] Embodiments of the eye shields of the current invention are intended as single use, eliminating potential transmission of an infectious agent such as COVID to another patient or even a technician or doctor. The product can be made with inexpensive materials readily available—card stock or translucent pliable plastic and elastic thread, cotton or jute. The thread cotton or jute can be used to secure the eye shield in place and thereby allow the eye shield to fit all head sizes. This eye shield does not have any adhesive, so it can be used for the other eye of the same patient when performing visual field testing for each eye separately. The translucent version has the added benefit of preventing the patient from dark adapting during the visual field test.

[0035] The eye patch is very easy to use. They eye shield can be given to the patient to place on their eye themselves. Eliminating the need for the technician or doctor touching the patients face and head in many cases. This allows the technician to spend a shorter period of time in close proximity to the patient and move to a safe social distance quicker.

[0036] The eye shield is substantially spherical in plain view but has a concave contour when viewed from the rear. The concave nature of the shield provides room for the subject's eye to move freely, and the eyelid to open and close unhindered when blinking. The shield is, therefore, very comfortable to wear, such that the patient is happy to wear it for extended periods of time, thereby improving the testing procedure.

[0037] In one embodiment, the eye shield made from a moldable transparent material such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, other types of moldable plastics, acrylic materials, and the like. The shield may be opaque and so does not allow any light to permeate there through at any point.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the eye shield is made from a non-moldable material such as cardstock, cardboard or compressed foam.

[0039] In yet an additional embodiment, when using cardstock, cardboard or compressed foam, a generally ovoid to circular shape is selected for the shield. A scission line extending radially inwardly from a point on the edge of the circular shape toward the center of the shape is either folded or cut. A contact adhesive can then be applied essentially along the scission line to produce a conical configuration.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment a translucent cover may be employed to render the shield suitable for preventing the patient from dark adapting during the visual field test. The 3D cone shape or relatively circular 2D shape requires no assembly beyond positioning the apparatus to the patient's eye. The components are disposable & one-size fits all.

[0041] Another embodiment of the invention, the shield portion is approximately 75 mm oval concave cone shape. It can be white or translucent and made of lightweight cardstock. Attached to thin elastic cord that can secure the patch around the head.

[0042] In one alternative embodiment of the invention, the attachment member or members may be tied to the shield through holes present at either side of the shield. The attachment member or members may be tied, for example, with a single, double or slip knot. In a further embodiment of the invention, the attachment member or members may be secured to the shield via a small smooth fastener, grommet or snap.

[0043] As it is contemplated that the eye shields of the present invention are single use, various embodiments of the invention may be made from biodegradable components. The attachment members can be made from cotton thread or jute and the shield can be made from paper, card or biodegradable plastic.

[0044] Biodegradable plastics decompose faster than the usual plastic as they contain substances that attract microbes to decompose them. Moreover, when they decompose, they do not release harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane into the environment.

[0045] Essentially, there are three main types of biodegradable plastics: oxo-biodegradable; hydro-biodegradable and photo-biodegradable plastics. Oxo-biodegradable plastics are currently made from naphtha, which is a by-product of oil refining. The time it takes for oxo-biodegradable products to degrade can be ‘programmed’ at the time of manufacturing process. It takes several months to a year to degrade, but does not release harmful gases such as methane or nitrous oxide. Hydro-biodegradable plastic is made from plant sources such as starch and the degradation is initiated by hydrolysis. These types of plastic degrade faster than oxo-biodegradable plastic and can be industrially composted. They are temperature resistant, and the only bioplastic that will decompose in both soil and water. Polylactic acid or PLA is the most commonly used bio-degradable plastic and it also does not emit potentially harmful methane gas at any stage. Photo-degradable plastic reacts to ultra-violet light, however it does require initial oxo-degradation prior to successful degradation in the environment.

[0046] All eye shields are to be made in a clean environment. Some indications and usages may require that the shields are individually packaged. Furthermore, some usages may require that the eye shields are sterile. Numerous components, including but not limited to biodegradable plastics, can be heat sterilized and other materials known to those in the filed can be sterilized by gamma irradiation.

[0047] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.