Surgical cap to control patient body temperature

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device and a method that maintains a patient's body temperature during surgical exposure and, more specifically, to a surgical, insulative cap that is contoured to the patient's head. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A surgical cap to maintain a patient's optimal body temperature during a surgical procedure, said surgical cap comprises: an insulative element having an entire area that closely fits a portion of said patient's head and ears; a shell component having an inner surface, an outer surface and a lower edge, said inner surface is attached to said insulative element without any voids or pockets formed there between; a first side panel; a second side panel; a top center panel that forms a front, a center and a rear connected to said first side panel and said second side panel; and a means to grip formed of a medial and a lateral side panel adapted to cover in close proximity a mid point of the external auditory meatus bilaterally, said means contains the head from shifting and moving when said surgical cap is laid on the posterior, the medial or the lateral side of the body, wherein said insulative element lining the top center panel comprises material having a thickness greater than 2-mm on the areas adapted to cover the posterior, the anterior and the top portions of said head.

2. A surgical cap to maintain a patient's optimal body temperature during a surgical procedure, said surgical cap comprises: an insulative element having an entire area that closely fits a portion of said patient's head and ears; a shell component having an inner surface, an outer surface and a lower edge, said inner surface is attached to said insulative element without any voids or pockets formed there between; a first side panel; a second side panel; a top center panel that forms a front, a center and a rear connected to said first side panel and said second side panel; and a means to grip formed of a medial and a lateral side panel adapted to cover in close proximity a mid point of the external auditory meatus bilaterally, said means contains the head from shifting and moving when said surgical cap is laid on the posterior, the medial or the lateral side of the body, wherein said insulative element lining the first side panel and the second side panel further comprises material having a thickness less than 2-mm at the areas adapted to cover both lateral side portions of the head.

3. The surgical cap of claim 1, wherein said insulative element is made of a synthetic microfiber having a composition of approximately 65% olefin and 35% polyester.

4. The surgical cap of claim 1, wherein said patient's optimal body temperature during a surgical procedure is a specified temperature range within minus two degrees from the euthermic temperature.

5. The surgical cap of claim 2, wherein said patient's optimal body temperature during a surgical procedure is a specified temperature range within minus two degrees from the euthermic temperature.

6. The surgical cap of claim 2, wherein said insulative element is made of a synthetic microfiber having a composition of approximately 65% olefin and 35% polyester.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and the features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Surgical Cap to Control Patient Body Temperature according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view thereof;

(6) FIG. 5 is a reverse perspective showing the inner portion thereof;

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines VI-VI of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a surgical sap to control patient body temperature according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the surgical cap is shown in cooperation with a wearer's head; and,

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a surgical cap to control patient body temperature according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(10) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1-7.

1. Detailed Description of the Figures

(11) Referring now to FIG. 1-5, a covering unit, generally noted as 10, is shown for covering a patient's head for maintaining the head temperature and core body temperature within euthermic range during surgery. The covering unit 10 covers a substantial portion of the head 70, as will be described in greater detail below and forms a multi-part shell component having an inner surface 12 adapted for closely fitting the contours of a patient's head so as to prevent open air space between the head and an inner surface. The shell component further has an outer surface 14, and forming an opening 16 circumscribed by a gripping lower edge 18. This gripping lower edge 18 forms a gripping means for gripping to a patient's head in a manner such as to impede said the head covering unit from coming off of the patient's head during surgery. The shell component preferrably will provide insulating properties, and may include an insulating filling. However, in greater detail as shown in FIG. 6, the material of the shell component is anticipated as being thicker than 1 mm and less than 2 mm thick and adapted for positioning over both lateral side portions of the head. This shell is of a thickness suitable for maintaining the patient's head temperature within euthermic range.

(12) As additionally anticipated and shown best in conjunction with FIG. 5-6, an additional insulating component 19 lining a portion of the inner surface 12. The insulating component 19 lining the top center panel is provided having a greater thickness to cover areas adapted to cover the posterior, the anterior and the top portions of said head. The thickness may be greater than 2 mm. Further, the lateral portions of the insulating component 19a lining the first side panel and the second side panel further may have a lesser thickness at both lateral side portions of the head. This thickness may be less than 2 mm.

(13) Also illustrated in FIG. 1-7, the cap 10 will preferably cover below the mid point of the external auditory meatus bilaterally in addition to the rear portion of the head and upper neck region. The material covering the head has been designed to be in contact with the head in all covered areas so as to prevent a signification amount of air space between the head and the inner material covering the head. To accomplish this, the shell component is made from a pattern cut that is asymmetric from a section of the covering unit adapted for covering the front of the head and a section of the covering unit adapted for covering the rear of the head covering unit, such that the pattern cut has a concave pattern so as to emulate the shape of the front and rear of the head to prohibit the head covering unit from coming off of the head during surgery.

(14) It is preferred that the shell component comprise insulative properties. The shell component may further include an insulative filling.

(15) It is anticipated that the material of the shell component, as shown in FIG. 6, approximates a thickness no less than 1-mm and preferably between 1-mm and 2-mm or greater. The shell's thickness is not limited to the approximations disclosed herein, but may alternatively comprise any thickness that both maintains euthermic range and adapts to a position over both lateral portions of the patient's head.

(16) It is additionally anticipated that an additional insulative component 19 lines a portion of the inner surface 12, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The insulative component 19 comprises material having a thickness greater than 2-mm at the areas adapted to cover the posterior, the anterior and the top portions of the head. The insulative component 19 comprises material having a thickness less than 2-mm at the areas adapted to cover both of the lateral portions.

(17) The surgical cover 10 insulates a greater portion of the patient's head along approximately the central third, the anterior and the posterior portions. As also illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the surgical cap 10 preferably covers below the midpoint of the external auditory meatus bilaterally in addition to the rear portion of the head and the upper neck region. The inner material that covers the head is designed to be in direct contact with the head to prevent the adverse effects a surgical cap having air gaps has on patient hypothermia. The direct contact is accomplished by means of a shell component made from a pattern cut asymmetrically from a section of the covering unit adapted to cover the front of the head and from a section of the covering unit adapted to cover the rear of the head. The pattern cut is concave to emulate the shape of the front and the rear of a head; it prohibits the surgical cap 10 from falling off during surgery. The pattern forms a gap less than inch, preferably less than inch and most preferably less than inch.

(18) It is additionally contemplated that the surgical cap 10 include material that comprises a temperature regulating microfiber. The enclosed cap may further incorporate a chin strap attached to the lower right and the lower left aspects of the surgical cover 10.

(19) It is envisioned that the cap 10 is manufactured in various sizes, e.g., the standard sizes that include extra-small, small, medium, large, extra-large and the like. For a more efficient fit, the surgical cap 10 may comprise the various standard sizes for different age ranges. Additionally, an adjustment or a take-up mechanism may be used to ensure a close-fit over the patient's head without pressing on the patient's head. The surgical cap 10 laterally grips below the patient's external auditory meatus. Finally, it is envisioned that the material used in the head covering unit does not emit sparks nor is it static conductive. It may even be made of a fire retardant material.

(20) FIGS. 1-3 further illustrate that an embodiment of the disclosed invention can be made from a pattern cut asymmetrically from a section of the surgical cap 10 adapted to cover the front of the head and a section of the surgical cap 10 adapted to cover the rear of the head. Such a pattern is concave to emulate the shape of the front and the rear of the head and to prohibit the head covering unit from falling off during surgery. This embodiment includes a rear panel 20, a front panel 22, a top panel 24, and a medial and a lateral side panel 26 covering the mid point of the external auditory meatus bilaterally. The seams between the sides contain the external aspects to prevent the surgical cap 10 from moving when it is laid on the posterior side, the medial or lateral side of the body.

(21) FIGS. 1-3 further illustrated that an example of the disclosed invention can be made from a pattern cut that is asymmetric from a section of the covering unit adapted for covering the front of the head and a section of the covering unit adapted for covering the rear of the head covering unit. Such a pattern cut has a concave pattern so as to emulate the shape of the front and rear of the head to prohibit the head covering unit from coming off of the head during surgery, and includes a rear panel 20, a front panel 22, a top panel 24, a medial and lateral side panel 26 covering the mid point of the external auditory meatus bilaterally. The seams between the sides containing external aspects so as to contain the head from movement when laying on the posterior side, or the medial or lateral side of the body.

(22) Referring now to FIG. 8, a perspective view of a Surgical Cap for Controlling Patient Body Temperature according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention that includes an additional chinstrap 80 attached to the covering unit 10 across the opening 16 and at the lower edge 18. While the chinstrap 80 is intended to provide additional protection for the prevention of maintaining said head covering on the patient's head during surgery.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

(23) In operation, the present invention the covering unit 10 is anticipated for use in maintaining the head temperature and core body temperature within euthermic range during or after surgery. The patient's head 70 is covered at the forehead, ears and a base having a back portion along a line where the head and neck meet. The covering unit 10 is closely fitted to the head 70 and maintains a close proximity throughout surgery. The head covering 10 provides further additional insulation at least a portion of a patient's head during surgery. The cap 10 is made such as to grippingly engage below the wearer's external auditory meatus bilaterally and conform closely to the patient's head.

(24) The foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive nor are they intended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.