Method of reducing surgeon fatigue during an operation while reducing collection of fluids from the operation on the floor of the operating room by absorbing fluids leaking onto the floor of the operating room and apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method of reducing surgeon fatigue during an operation while reducing collection of fluids from the operation on the floor of the operating room by absorbing fluids leaking onto the floor of the operating room and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Claims

1. An absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat comprising: a support layer to be disposed on the floor of an operating room during performance of an operating room procedure; a fluid-resistant layer being disposed on top of said support layer during performance of an operating room procedure; a fluid-absorbent layer being disposed on top of said fluid-resistant layer during performance of an operating room procedure; a shock-absorbing layer being disposed on top of said fluid-absorbent layer during performance of an operating room procedure; said shock-absorbing layer comprising shock-absorbing foam material to absorb shocks and reduce fatigue on operating room personnel standing on said anti-fatigue operating room mat; said shock-absorbing layer comprising holes to permit passage of operating room fluids, generated during performance of an operating room procedure, through said shock-absorbing layer and to said fluid-absorbent layer; said fluid-absorbent layer comprising a fluid-absorbent material to absorb, capture, contain, and retain operating room fluids that pass through said holes in said shock-absorbing layer to thereby minimize deposition of the operating room fluids on the floor of an operating room; said fluid-resistant layer comprising a fluid-resistant material to resist the passage of operating room fluids, not absorbed by said fluid-absorbent layer, through and out of said anti-fatigue operating room mat; and said support layer comprising an anti-skid material to minimize or prevent unwanted sliding or skidding of the anti-fatigue operating room mat on the floor of an operating room during performance of an operating room procedure.

2. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein: said support layer comprises a first support layer and a second support layer; said first support layer comprises said anti-skid material; and said second support layer comprises said shock-absorbing foam material.

3. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 2, wherein the absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat further comprises a protective layer disposed between said shock-absorbing layer and said fluid-absorbent layer, which protective layer comprises a protective material to minimize mechanical or structural damage to said fluid-absorbent layer.

4. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 3, wherein said protective material is a liquid-permeable polypropylene material.

5. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 4, wherein said protective layer is translucent or transparent or a see-through printed netting.

6. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 2, wherein said anti-skid material is a polyvinyl chloride material or a polyvinyl chloride foam material.

7. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 6, wherein said polyvinyl chloride material or polyvinyl chloride foam material comprises: a coefficient of static friction according to ASTM standard D1894-14 of 1.70+/25%; a coefficient of kinetic friction according to ASTM standard D1894-14 of 0.763+/25%; a density according to Method A of ASTM D792-13 in grams per cubic centimeter of 0.524+/25%; a tensile strength according to ASTM D638-14 of 436 psi +/25%; a modulus of elasticity according to ASTM D638-14 of 4150 psi +/25%; and an elongation percentage according to ASTM D638-14 of 10.9 +/25%.

8. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 2, wherein said shock-absorbing foam material is a closed cell, polyurethane foam.

9. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 8, said closed cell, polyurethane foam comprises: a density according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 9-15, of 21.4 kilograms per cubic meter +/25%; a compression set percentage according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 37-44, of 53.4+/25%; and a ball rebound percentage according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 68-75, of 45.2+/25%.

10. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 2, wherein said first support layer of anti-skid material comprises a mesh formed from a plurality of criss-crossing or intersecting lines or strands of material having a plurality of irregularly-shaped and irregularly-spaced holes or openings therein.

11. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 10, wherein: said mesh comprises 60-90 holes or openings +/25%; and the strands or lines of material in the mesh comprises a thickness and/or diameter in the range of 0.5-2.5 mm +/25%.

12. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing foam material is a closed cell, polyurethane foam.

13. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 12, wherein said closed cell, polyurethane foam comprises: a density according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 9-15, of 21.4 kilograms per cubic meter +/25%; a compression set percentage according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 37-44, of 53.4+/25%; and a ball rebound percentage according to ASTM D3574-11, sections 68-75, of 45.2+/25%.

14. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein said fluid-resistant material comprises a polyethylene or similar material that is resistant to the passage of fluids therethrough.

15. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein said fluid-absorbent material is a polypropylene material or a polypropylene fibrous material.

16. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 15, wherein said polypropylene material or said polypropylene fibrous material comprises a volume of absorbency in the range of 17-20 fluid ounces +/25% of liquid per square foot of material, measured as a linear product.

17. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 15, wherein said polypropylene material or said polypropylene fibrous material comprises a volume of absorbency in the range of 58-61 fluid ounces +/25% of liquid per cubic foot of material, measured in a volumetric manner.

18. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein said holes are 8-15 millimeters in diameter +/25%.

19. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein: said support layer and said shock-absorbing layer comprise essentially the same shape and surface area; each of said fluid-resistant layer and said fluid-absorbent layer comprises a lesser surface area than said support layer and said shock-absorbing layer, such that an outer surface portion of said shock-absorbing layer is in contact with an outer surface portion of said support layer; and said outer surface portions are connected together to enclose or sandwich said fluid-resistant layer and said fluid-absorbent layer therein to minimize and/or prevent the passage of operating room fluids out between said support layer and said shock-absorbing layer.

20. The absorbent, anti-fatigue operating room mat according to claim 1, wherein said fluid-resistant layer comprises a thin, clear film.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a view of a top of a floor mat;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top of the floor mat;

(3) FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the top of the floor mat;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a view of a bottom of the floor mat;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the bottom of the floor mat;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a view of a corner portion of the floor mat with the interior exposed;

(7) FIG. 7 shows an additional view of the corner portion of the floor mat;

(8) FIG. 8 shows another view of the corner portion of the floor mat;

(9) FIG. 9 shows yet another view of the corner portion of the floor mat;

(10) FIG. 10 shows a further view of the corner portion of the floor mat;

(11) FIG. 11 shows still yet another view of the corner portion of the floor mat;

(12) FIG. 12 shows a view of the top of the floor mat with a person standing next to the floor mat;

(13) FIG. 13 shows a view of the top of the floor mat with a person standing on the floor mat;

(14) FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 show testing data;

(15) FIGS. 17 and 18 show additional testing data; and

(16) FIG. 19 shows schematic views of a floor mat.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFICATION OR EXEMPLIFICATIONS

(17) FIG. 1 shows a view of a top of a floor mat 20 that has a first layer 1, a second layer 2, a third layer 3, a fourth layer 4, a fifth layer 5, and a sixth layer 6, arranged sequentially one after the other in a layered or sandwiched style. When positioned on a floor surface or other surface for use, the first layer 1 is the top or uppermost layer, and the sixth layer 6 is the bottom or lowermost layer. The first layer 1 is visible in FIG. 1, as well as a plurality of holes 21 in the first layer 1. This first layer 1 may be a polyurethane foam.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the top of the floor mat 20. The floor mat 20 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners.

(19) FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the top of the floor mat 20. The first layer 1 is foremost in FIG. 3, and has a plurality of the holes 21 therein. The second layer 2 is visible through the holes 21. The second layer 2 may be essentially transparent, translucent, or essentially or substantially see-through such that the third layer 3 is visible or can be seen through the holes 21.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a view of a bottom of the floor mat 20, wherein the sixth layer 6 is visible.

(21) FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the bottom of the floor mat 20, which includes the sixth layer 6. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the sixth layer 6 has a mesh or mesh-like or lattice-like design with holes or openings therein. Portions of the fifth layer 5 are visible through the holes or openings therein.

(22) FIG. 6 shows a view of a corner portion of the floor mat 20 with the interior exposed. A connecting structure 22, which is an adhesive, adhesive film, or similar material, which may be a synthetic adhesive, is disposed about the perimeter of the first layer 1 and/or the fifth layer 5 to join the first layer 1 and the fifth layer 5. The outer edge of the sixth layer 6 and a corner portion of the third layer 3 are visible in FIG. 6. The third layer 3 has a smaller length and width, that is, covers a smaller area, than the first layer 1 and the fifth layer 5, and thus is not contacted by the connecting structure 22. Upon sealing or joining or bonding or connecting of the perimeter portions or edge portions of the first layer 1 and fifth layer 5 using the connecting structure 22, the third layer 3 is essentially or substantially sealed or enclosed or sandwiched inside or within or between the first layer 1 and fifth layer 5.

(23) FIG. 7 shows an additional view of the corner portion of the floor mat 20. In FIG. 7, the third layer 3 has been lifted to expose a portion of the fourth layer 4. FIG. 8 shows another view of the corner portion of the floor mat 20, with a closer view of the portions of the third layer 3 and the fourth layer 4.

(24) FIG. 9 shows yet another view of the corner portion of the floor mat 20. In FIG. 9, the second layer 2 has been lifted away or separated from the third layer 3. The underside of the first layer 1 is visible through the second layer 2.

(25) FIG. 10 shows a further view of the corner portion of the floor mat 20. In FIG. 10, each of the first layer 1, the second layer 2, the third layer 3, and the fourth layer 4 are being held separate from one another so each layer can be seen. FIG. 11 shows still yet another view of the corner portion of the floor mat 20. FIG. 11 is essentially a different view of the layers as shown in FIG. 10.

(26) FIG. 12 shows a view of the top of the floor mat with a person standing next to the floor mat, and FIG. 13 shows a view of the top of the floor mat with the person standing on the floor mat.

(27) FIGS. 14-18 show testing data discussed herein.

(28) FIG. 19 shows schematic views of a floor mat according to the application, with exemplary measurements of different dimensions and material information.

(29) The first layer of the surgical room floor mat may possible be made of a material such as polypropylene.

(30) The third layer 3 may comprise a polypropylene material and may be yellow in color. The connecting structure 22 may be a synthetic adhesive. The fourth layer 4 may comprise a polyethylene material and may be clear. The sixth layer 6 may comprise a polyvinylchloride (PVC) material and may be pink in color.

(31) The ant-fatigue operating room mat of the present application may comprise cross-linked polyurethane foam layers. The holes in the mat may be ten millimeters in diameter, and may be spaced out twenty millimeters between the centerline of each hole. The absorbent polypropylene material may be yellow in color and may be eight millimeters thick. The glue may be placed on the mat twenty-five millimeters inwardly from the edge of the mat on all sides. The mat may comprise an impervious polyethylene backing on the yellow absorbent layer. The backing may be adhered to the yellow material. The non-slip material may be PVC and may be pink in color. The tolerances may be: .XX=+/6.35 on dimensions >=20.00; +/1.00 on dimensions <=20.00.

(32) One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of reducing surgeon fatigue during an operation while reducing collection of fluids from the operation on the floor of the operating room by absorbing fluids leaking onto the floor of the operating room, said method comprising the steps of: providing an anti-fatigue operating room mat; said anti-fatigue operating room mat comprising an at least four layer mat; said at least four layer mat comprising a first foam layer with holes to permit entry of fluids into said mat with said first foam layer comprising a sufficient thickness and composition that absorbs shocks and reduces fatigue on a person standing on said anti-fatigue operating room mat; said first foam layer comprising a ball rebound sufficient to provide anti-fatigue properties to the surgeon; said at least four layer mat comprising a second layer, which second layer comprises an absorbency comprising a volume of absorbency, to sufficiently absorb, capture, contain, and retain operating room fluids otherwise deposited on the floor of the operating room where personnel would be working during performance of a surgical operation; said first foam layer and said second layer being held together by an adhesive layer adapted to the adhesive characteristics of both said first foam layer and said second layer; said at least four layer mat comprising a third layer, which third layer comprises an anti-skid or adhesive-like surface to minimize or prevent sliding or skidding of the anti-fatigue operating room mat; said third layer comprising a mesh or mesh-like structure formed from a plurality of criss-crossing or intersecting lines or strands of material, such that, said third layer comprises a plurality of irregularly-shaped and irregularly-spaced holes or openings thereon; said strands or lines of material comprising thicknesses having a substantially large ranges of thickness and/or diameters providing a coefficient of friction with the floor which is substantial and provides said anti-skid or adhesive-like surface; said at least four layer mat comprising a fourth layer disposed between said second layer and said third layer; and said fourth layer being substantially impervious to the passage of fluids therethrough.

(33) Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a surgical room mat for performing the method, configured to reduce surgeon fatigue during an operation while reducing collection of fluids from the operation on the floor of the operating room by absorbing fluids leaking onto the floor of the operating room, said surgical room mat comprising: at least a four layer mat; said at least four layer mat comprising a first foam layer with holes to permit entry of fluids into said mat with said first foam layer comprising a sufficient thickness and composition that absorbs shocks and reduces fatigue on a person standing on said anti-fatigue operating room mat; said first foam layer comprising a ball rebound sufficient to provide anti-fatigue properties to the surgeon; said at least four layer mat comprising a second layer, which second layer comprises an absorbency comprising a volume of absorbency, to sufficiently absorb, capture, contain, and retain operating room fluids otherwise deposited on the floor of the operating room where personnel would be working during performance of a surgical operation; said first foam layer and said second layer being held together by an adhesive layer adapted to the adhesive characteristics of both said first foam layer and said second layer; said at least four layer mat comprising a third layer, which third layer comprises an anti-skid or adhesive-like surface to minimize or prevent sliding or skidding of the anti-fatigue operating room mat; said third layer comprising a mesh or mesh-like structure formed from a plurality of criss-crossing or intersecting lines or strands of material, such that, said third layer comprises a plurality of irregularly-shaped and irregularly-spaced holes or openings thereon; said strands or lines of material comprising thicknesses having a substantially large ranges of thickness and/or diameters providing a coefficient of friction with the floor which is substantial and provides said anti-skid or adhesive-like surface; said at least four layer mat comprising a fourth layer disposed between said second layer and said third layer; and said fourth layer being substantially impervious to the passage of fluids therethrough.

(34) The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible exemplifications of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

(35) The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(36) The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

(37) The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(38) All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various exemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all of the exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is described herein.

(39) The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(40) All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

(41) The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(42) Some examples of surgical mats or surgeon mats or materials or components relating thereto, which may possibly be used in or incorporated for use in at least one possible exemplification of the present application, may possibly be found in the following U.S. Patents or U.S. Patent Publications: US20140076358; US20040261209; U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,812; U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,410; U.S. Pat. No. 7,785,692; U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,833; U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,519; U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,631; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,382; U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,745; U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,346; U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,468; U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,669; U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,275; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,317. These patents and patent publications are incorporated by reference herein.

(43) It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible exemplification of the present application . . . may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more exemplifications of the application.

(44) The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

(45) All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere in the present application.

(46) Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of all patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the exemplifications therein are not incorporated by reference.

(47) The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more exemplifications of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein.

(48) The description of the exemplification or exemplifications is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the exemplification or exemplifications of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the exemplification or exemplifications may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the exemplification or exemplifications are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(49) The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

(50) The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the exemplification or exemplifications, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(51) The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

(52) The exemplifications of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred exemplifications are not to be taken as limiting the exemplifications of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplifications of the invention.