RADIATION SHIELDING EYE MASK

Abstract

An eye mask apparatus for protecting a patient's eyes during dental or other radiography (i.e., x-rays) has an eye covering portion including a lead vinyl sheet. The lead vinyl sheet has a perimeter configured such that the lead vinyl sheet can completely cover a patient's eyes. The eye covering portion includes a first side and a second side. A trim portion extends around the perimeter, with the trim portion extending inward over a portion of the first side and the second side. A retaining band is coupled to the eye covering portion at a first attachment point and a second attachment point. The retaining band is configured to hold the eye covering portion against the patient's eyes when the mask is worn.

Claims

1. An eye mask apparatus for protecting a patient's eyes during dental radiography, the apparatus comprising: an eye covering portion comprising a lead vinyl sheet having a perimeter, the lead vinyl sheet configured to completely cover the patient's eyes; and wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of at least 0.87 mm, a lead equivalent value of at least 0.125 mm, and a weight of at least 2.18 kg/m.sup.2.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet comprises a single unbroken sheet of material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: the eye covering portion having a first side and a second side; a trim portion extending around the perimeter, the trim portion extending over a portion of the first side and the second side; and, a stitching configured to affix the trim portion to the lead vinyl sheet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a retaining band coupled to the eye covering portion at a first attachment point and a second attachment point wherein the retaining band is configured to hold the eye covering portion against the patient's eyes.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 1.02 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.175 mm, and a weight of 2.86 kg/m.sup.2.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 1.26 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.250 mm, and a weight of 3.88 kg/m.sup.2.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 1.57 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.350 mm, and a weight of 5.24 kg/m.sup.2.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 1.73 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.400 mm, and a weight of 5.92 kg/m.sup.2.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 2.05 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.500 mm, and a weight of 7.28 kg/m.sup.2.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lead vinyl sheet has a thickness of 3.62 mm, a lead equivalent value of 1.000 mm, and a weight of 14.08 kg/m.sup.2.

11. A method of protecting a patient's eyes during dental radiography, the method comprising: providing a lead vinyl sheet having a thickness of at least 0.87 mm, a lead equivalent value of at least 0.125 mm, and a weight of at least 2.18 kg/m.sup.2; forming the lead vinyl sheet into a shape configured to cover the patient's eyes when worn by the patient; and, placing the lead vinyl sheet over the patient's eyes to cover the eyes.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a sown in trim portion to the lead vinyl sheet.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing an elastic retaining band secured to the lead vinyl sheet.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring the retaining band to hold the lead vinyl sheet against the patient's eyes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a radiation shielding eye mask.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of the radiation shielding eye mask.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the radiation shielding eye mask.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the radiation shielding eye mask.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a right perspective view of the radiation shielding eye mask.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the eye mask being worn by a patient positioned to undergo x-ray radiation.

DESCRIPTION

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an eye mask apparatus 10 for protecting a patient's eyes during dental or other radiography (i.e., x-rays) has an eye covering portion 12 including a lead vinyl sheet 14. The lead vinyl sheet 14 has a perimeter 16, and the perimeter 16 is configured such that the lead vinyl sheet 14 completely covers a patient's eyes (not shown). The coverage may, for example, be described as similar to, but is in no way limited by the coverage a typical sleep mask provides. Preferably, the coverage includes not only the patient's eyes, but the areas of the patient's face surrounding the patient's eyes. Alternatively, the coverage may be greater, covering a larger portion of the patient's face, including the patient's eyes.

[0023] The eye covering portion 12, and thus the lead vinyl sheet 14 preferably includes a first side 18 and a second side 20 (FIG. 2). A trim portion 22 extends around the perimeter 16 of the lead vinyl sheet 14. The trim portion 22 is configured to wrap around the perimeter 16 of the lead vinyl sheet 14 both to protect perimeter 16, and to present a more aesthetically pleasing configuration of the eye covering portion 12. Preferably, the trim portion 22 wraps around the perimeter 16 and extends inward slightly over the first side 18 and the second side 20 to a first trim edge 24 on the first side 18 of the lead vinyl sheet 14, and a second trim edge 26 (FIG. 2) on the second side 20 of the lead vinyl sheet 14.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a retaining band 28 is provided and coupled to the eye covering portion 12. In one implementation, the retaining band 28 is coupled to the eye covering portion 12 at a first attachment point 30 and a second attachment point 32. The retaining band 28 may be coupled to both the lead vinyl sheet 14 and the trim portion 22 of the eye covering portion 12 for a more secure anchorage. The retaining band 28 is preferably of a size and tensile strength, such that it holds the eye covering portion 12 against the patient's eyes when the eye mask apparatus 10 is worn by the patient.

[0025] Preferably, the lead vinyl sheet 14 may be made from a single unbroken sheet of a lead vinyl material. In some implementations, the trim portion 22 may be a fabric material to provide a softer covering around the perimeter 16 and a more aesthetic appearance to the eye mask apparatus 10. Whether the trim portion 22 is fabric or another material, it may be affixed to the lead vinyl sheet with stitching 34. The stitching 34 may extend entirely around the perimeter 16. Optionally, the stitching 34 may be configured to affix the trim portion 22 and the retaining band 28 to the lead vinyl sheet 14 at the first attachment point 30 and the second attachment point 32.

[0026] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show a top view, a bottom perspective view, and a right side perspective view, respectively, of the eye mask apparatus 10. FIGS. 3 and 5 in particular illustrate how the trim portion 22 extends around the perimeter 16, and is sewn onto the lead vinyl sheet 14. As illustrated, the retaining band 28 is sewn under the trim portion 22 between the lead vinyl sheet 14 and the trim portion 22 to securely anchor it to the eye covering portion 12. In one implementation, the retaining band 28 may extend all the way to the perimeter 16 of the lead vinyl sheet 14.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a user 100 wearing the eye mask apparatus 10 on the user's head 102 in preparation for a dental x-ray or other radiation treatment.

[0028] The lead vinyl sheet 14 is preferably characterized by a thickness between the first side 18 and the second side 20. For radiation protection, the lead vinyl sheet 14 is also preferably characterized by a lead equivalent value. The thickness and lead equivalent value contribute to the weight value of the lead vinyl sheet 14. In one implementation the lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 0.87 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.125 mm, and a weight of 2.18 kg/m.sup.2. Alternative implementations of heavier lead vinyl sheets 14 are described as follows:

[0029] One alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 1.02 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.175 mm, and a weight of 2.86 kg/m.sup.2. Another alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 1.26 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.250 mm, and a weight of 3.88 kg/m.sup.2. Another alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 1.57 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.350 mm, and a weight of 5.24 kg/m.sup.2. Another alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 1.73 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.400 mm, and a weight of 5.92 kg/m.sup.2. Another alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 2.05 mm, a lead equivalent value of 0.500 mm, and a weight of 7.28 kg/m.sup.2. Another alternative lead vinyl sheet 14 has a thickness of 3.62 mm, a lead equivalent value of 1.000 mm, and a weight of 14.08 kg/m.sup.2.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.