Abstract
A device for shielding at least part of a limb from the view of a wearer of the device. The shielding device may include a shield with a first configuration in which it is substantially planar and a second configuration in which it has a three-dimensional shape. The shield may include one or more hinge lines, enabling it to be converted from the first configuration to the second configuration. The device also may include an attachment portion with one or more elongate members to attach around a limb of a wearer in use. An edge portion of the shield may include an outer edge opposite the hinge line that is at least partially divided into independently moveable sections such that the edge portion can be flexed to help convert the shield into a three-dimensional configuration.
Claims
1.-62. (canceled)
63. A device for shielding at least a portion of a limb from the view of a wearer of the device in use, the device comprising: a shield part, an adaption part and an attachment part; wherein: the shield part comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; the attachment part comprises at least one elongate member extending away from a lower portion of the shield part; the adaption part is connected to a lower portion of the shield part; the device has a periphery that runs continuously along an outer edge of the adaption part, along an outer edge of the at least one elongate member and along an outer edge of the upper portion of the shield part; and the outer edge of the adaption part is defined by a plurality of cuts or cut-away portions extending into the adaption part towards the lower portion of the shield part to form a plurality of independently moveable sections arranged next to each other along the periphery which are free to move with respect to one another to thereby adapt to a shape of a limb in contact with the adaption part in use; the device being formed from a single sheet of flexible material; and the device having a first configuration in which the periphery extends around the sheet of flexible material in a single plane and a second configuration in which the periphery extends around the sheet of flexible material in multiple planes, one or more of the plurality of independently moveable sections flexing relative to the shield part and relative to one another to adapt to a shape of a limb in contact with the adaption part and thereby change, in use, how the periphery extends in the multiple planes to define a three-dimensional shape for the device in the second configuration.
64. A device according to claim 63, wherein the plurality of cut-away portions are arranged such that the plurality of independently moveable sections are spaced apart with respect to one another.
65. A device according to claim 63, wherein the adaption part has an outer profile extending from one independently moveable section to the next and each of the plurality of cuts or cut-away portions extends substantially orthogonal to a tangent to the profile at the location of the cut or cut-away portion.
66. A device according to claim 63, wherein the adaption part has a curved outer profile extending around the plurality of independently moveable sections.
67. A device according to claim 63, wherein the plurality of cuts or cut-away portions are spaced substantially equally along an outer profile of the adaption part.
68. A device according to claim 63, wherein the at least one elongate member extending away from the lower portion of the shield part extends in a direction away from the upper portion.
69. A device according to claim 63, wherein the at least one elongate member comprises first and second elongate members each extending away from the lower portion of the shield part.
70. A device according, to claim 69, wherein the adaption part is connected to the lower portion of the shield part between the first and second elongate members.
71. A device according to claim 63, wherein the attachment part is adjustable.
72. A device according to claim 69, wherein at least one of the first and second elongate members adjustably fastens to another of the first and second elongate members.
73. A device according to claim 63, wherein in the second configuration the device is self-supporting.
74. A device according to claim 63, wherein the shield part comprises one or more hinge lines to assist in converting the device from the first configuration to the second configuration.
75. A device according to claim 63, wherein the adaption part is connected to the lower portion of the shield part by a hinge line.
76. A device according to claim 75, wherein the hinge line follows a curved path.
77. A device according to claim 75, wherein the hinge line is a line of weakness.
78. A device according to claim 63, where the attachment part or shield part includes an adhesive panel.
79. A device according to claim 63, comprising at least one point of weakness to enable the shield part to be separated from the attachment part after use.
80. A device according to claim 63, wherein the single sheet of flexible material is made from one or more of paper, card, plastic or plastic laminate.
81. A device according to claim 63, wherein the device is includes at least one adhesive patch that is removable from the device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0063] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0064] FIG. 1 relates to an embodiment of a shielding device comprising a removable shield portion;
[0065] FIG. 2 relates to an embodiment of a shielding device comprising a snap-action attachment portion;
[0066] FIG. 3 relates to an embodiment of a shielding device with a tightenable attachment portion;
[0067] FIGS. 4a-4f relate to an embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0068] FIGS. 5a and 5b relate to a first embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0069] FIGS. 6a and 6b relate to a second embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0070] FIGS. 7a and 7b relate to a third embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0071] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a fourth embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0072] FIGS. 9a and 9b-9d show a preferred embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device;
[0073] FIG. 10 shows a dispenser of shielding devices in the form of a pad;
[0074] FIG. 11 shows a dispenser of shielding devices in the form of a packet;
[0075] FIGS. 12a-12d shows a first example of a shielding device being dispensed from a spine;
[0076] FIG. 13 shows a second example of a shielding device being dispensed from a spine;
[0077] FIG. 14 shows a separated stack of shielding devices;
[0078] FIG. 15 shows shielding devices formed in a continuous strip of material;
[0079] FIGS. 16a-16c show an embodiment of a shielding device packaged with one or more pre-procedure patches;
[0080] FIGS. 17a-17c show an embodiment of a shielding device packaged with one or more post-procedure patches;
[0081] FIGS. 18a-18c show an embodiment of a shielding device packaged with both pre- and post-procedure patches;
[0082] FIG. 19 shows a typical workflow using a shielding device according to any of FIGS. 15-17;
[0083] FIG. 20 shows a shielding device packaged with an implant insertion kit; and
[0084] FIGS. 21a-21c show some embodiments of a shielding device comprising different display screens.
[0085] FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device with the shield portion having a softened outer edge;
[0086] FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device with the shield portion having a cut edge portion;
[0087] FIGS. 24a and 24b show shielding devices formed from a strip of material so as to be dispensed from a roll;
[0088] FIGS. 25a and 25b show an alternative embodiment of shielding devices formed from a strip of material for dispensing from a roll;
[0089] FIG. 26 shows an embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device without any hinge lines; and
[0090] FIGS. 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d show an alternative embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device without any hinge lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0091] There is seen in FIG. 1 an embodiment of a shielding device 1 comprising a shield portion 2 that is removable from an attachment portion 4. In this example the shield portion 2 is a rigid piece of material such as cardboard, plastic or a laminate thereof. The shield portion 2 is shown as a planar piece of material but it may instead have a three-dimensional shape. The attachment portion 4 takes the form of an elongate member 6 that wraps around a limb such as an arm. The elongate member 6 may be a bracelet that grips onto the arm. The attachment portion 4 also includes a holder 8 fixed onto the elongate bracelet 6. A chosen shield portion 2 can be slid in and out of the holder 8. The shield portion 2 may therefore be removed and disposed of while the attachment portion 4 is re-used. Different shield portions 2 may be used with the attachment portion 4 for different purposes.
[0092] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a shielding device 10 comprising a shield portion 12 attached to an adjustable attachment portion 14. The attachment portion 14 is in the form of an elongate snap band 16. It can be seen that the snap band 16 can be pushed to reverse its curvature and wrap around a limb. The shielding device 10 readily adapts to limbs of different shapes and sizes. In this example the shield portion 12 may be permanently connected to the attachment portion 14 or it can be removable.
[0093] In FIG. 3 there is shown another embodiment of a shielding device 20. The shield portion 22 may be formed from a flexible but stiff material such as card or sheet plastic. The shield portion 22 in connected to an attachment portion 24 of the same material by a hinge line 28. The hinge line 28 is curved so that the shield portion is bent into a three-dimensional curved shape. The attachment portion 24 is provided with an elongate drawstring 26 that can be tightened around a limb, as shown. The drawstring 26 is adjustable to account for different limb sizes.
[0094] FIGS. 4a-4f show an integrally formed shielding device 30, e.g. made from a piece of plastic, card or paper material. The device 30 has a shield portion 32 and an attachment portion 34 comprising a pair of elongate legs 36. The shielding device 30 may have an initial configuration that is planar (FIG. 4a), but can be converted to a three-dimensional shape by folding along a hinge line 38 (FIG. 4b). The three-dimensional shield portion 32 can be attached to a limb by wrapping the legs 36 around the limb and fastening them together (FIG. 4c). Any suitable fastening means may be used, for example adhesive fastening or hook-and-loop (e.g. Velcro) fastening. The shield portion 32 has an edge portion defined by the hinge line 38 that is folded back to form a base for the upstanding remainder of the shield portion 32. It can be seen that the curved hinge line 38 formed a folded edge that is also curved so that it can be easily wrapped around a limb. FIG. 4d shows the shielding device 30 attached around an arm to shield an injection from view. FIG. 4e shows the shielding device 30 attached around an ankle to shield a wounded foot from view. FIG. 4f shows the shielding device 30 attached around a wrist to shield a wounded hand from view. The shielding device 30 may also have a protective function, especially for wounds or other injuries.
[0095] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate an integrally formed shielding device 40 similar to that seen in FIGS. 4a-4f. The device 40 has a single hinge line 48 that is curved to enable the shield portion 42 to be bent from an initially planar configuration (FIG. 5a) to a curved three-dimensional shape (FIG. 5b). The attachment portion 44 of the device 40 is made up of two legs 46 that are each provided with an adhesive panel 49. Once the legs 46 have been wrapped around a limb then they can be attached to one another, or to the shield portion 42, using the adhesive panels 49. Although not shown, the adhesive panels 49 may optionally be provided with removable covers. In other versions of the device 40, only one of the legs 46 may be provided with an adhesive panel. Furthermore it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the attachment portion 44 to comprise two legs, and instead a single leg could wrap around the limb to fasten to the shield portion 42 on the other side.
[0096] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate an integrally formed shielding device 50 similar to that seen in FIGS. 4a-4f and FIGS. 5a-5b, except that this device 50 has a pair of hinge lines 58. The two straight hinge lines 58 enable the shield portion 52 to be bent from an initially planar configuration (FIG. 6a) to an angular three-dimensional shape (FIG. 6b). As before, the attachment portion 54 of the device 50 is made up of two legs 56 that can wrap around a limb and be fastened to one another. The legs 56 may be fastened using an adhesive panel or any other fastener such as Velcro or even press studs.
[0097] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate an integrally formed shielding device 60 that combines the features of FIGS. 5a-5b and FIGS. 6a-6b. This device 60 is provided with multiple hinge lines 68 that enable the shield portion 62 to be bent from an initially planar configuration (FIG. 7a) to a complicated three-dimensional shape (FIG. 7b). As before, the attachment portion 64 of the device 60 is made up of two legs 66 that can wrap around a limb and be fastened to one another.
[0098] FIGS. 8a and 8b show another embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device 30 that is similar to that seen in FIGS. 4a-4f and FIGS. 5a-5b. The device 30 is made from a single sheet of plastic, card or paper material. As before, the device 30 has a shield portion 32 and an attachment portion 34 comprising a pair of elongate legs 36. The initial configuration of the shielding device 30 is planar, but the device 30 can be converted to a three-dimensional shape by folding along a curved hinge line 38 and then attached to a limb in the same manner as is shown in FIGS. 4b-4f. The legs 36 can be wrapped around the limb and fastened together using an adhesive panel 39 (which may be provided with a removable cover to expose the adhesive during use).
[0099] The dashed lines in FIGS. 8a and 8b represent perforations while the solid lines represent a cut edge. It can be seen that the curved hinge line 38 is perforated, which helps to ensure that the device 30 can easily be folded in either direction into its 3D configuration. The device 30 may have different graphics and/or text displayed on the back and front, so that folding it one way or the other determines which side is displayed to a wearer when the device 30 is attached. The device 30 is integrally formed with a spine 91 that extends down one side. So as to facilitate detachment of the device 30 from the spine 91, this side of the device 30 is cut along part of its length (solid line) and perforated along the rest of its length (dashed line). It may also be seen that three notches 37 are cut into each side of the device 30, located approximately between the shield portion 32 and the attachment portion 34. These notches 37 make it easier to remove the device 30 from a limb after use. Instead of trying to pull apart the legs 36 where they are attached at the adhesive panel 39, the notches 37 can be used to tear the shield portion 32 away from one of the legs 36 and release the device. This means that a relatively strong adhesive can be used for the panel 39. A further advantage of tearing off the device 30 is that it is destroyed and can not be re-used, which is more hygienic.
[0100] FIG. 8b shows an example of a booklet-type dispenser 70 for the shielding devices 30. Each device 30 takes the form of a sheet in the booklet 70, with the sheets being bound together by their spines 91. The booklet 70 has front and back covers 71 to protect the shields 30 and help keep them clean before use. The devices 30 can be dispensed one-by-one by tearing them away from their spines 91. It is advantageous that each device 30 is cut along the spine 91 next to the leg 36 so that a user does not try to pull the leg 36 to release the device 30, which could accidentally result in a leg 36 being torn off. Instead a user pulls the shield portion 32 away from the spine 91 to release the device 30 by tearing along the perforated line, so that the device 30 stays intact. Some alternative dispenser designs will be described in relation to FIGS. 10-14.
[0101] FIGS. 9a and 9b-9d show a preferred embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device 230 that is an improved version of the device 30 seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b. Again the device 230 is made from a single sheet of relatively rigid sheet material such as plastic, card or paper. A thin sheet e.g. 1 mm paper or card is preferred. As before, the device 230 has a shield portion 232 and an attachment portion 234 comprising a pair of elongate legs 236. The device 230 is integrally formed with a spine 220 that extends down one side. The device 230 is connected to the spine 220 by a perforated line 225. It can be seen that three notches 237 are cut into each side of the device 230, located approximately between the shield portion 232 and the attachment portion 234. These notches 237 make it easier to remove the device 230 from a limb after use, as they define a starting point for tearing off the device 230 after use. The leg 236 on the same side as the spine 220 is freed by a cut line 226 extending along the edge of the device 230 to the notches 237. It can be seen from FIG. 9b that the shielding device 230 may take the form of a sheet that is bound by its spine 220 into a booklet dispenser 270, to be dispensed in the same manner as is described above with respect to FIG. 8b.
[0102] The initial configuration of the shielding device 230 is planar, as is seen in FIG. 9a, but the device 230 can be converted to a three-dimensional shape by folding along a curved hinge line 238 (FIG. 9c) and then attached to a limb in the manner shown in FIG. 9d. The legs 236 can be wrapped around the limb and fastened together using an adhesive panel (not shown). The shielding device 230 has an edge portion 239 defined by the hinge line 238 which forms a folded edge of the shield portion 232 when it is converted into its 3D configuration. The edge portion 239 has a curved outer edge opposite the hinge line 238. It can be seen that this outer edge is divided into a number of spaced sections 240, similar to teeth, which are connected by a small internal curve, e.g. of 0.5 mm radius. This allows the sections 240 to move relative to one another, changing the angle between adjacent sections as the edge portion 239 is flexed. As can be seen from FIG. 8b, the spaced sections 240 spread around the limb when the shielding device 230 is attached, so that the edge portion 239 more easily forms a curved base conforming to the shape of the underlying limb and any garments (or other foreign body) changing the geometry of the underlying limb. By separating the edge portion 239 into a number of sections 240, there is increased stability, preventing the shield portion 232 from tipping forwards or backwards towards the limb. In addition, the device 230 can both be attached more tightly around the limb, and moved (e.g. turned) more easily once attached to the limb. This is because splitting the edge portion 239 into sections 240 allows the length of the outer edge to change, so that the edge of the sheet material is not likely to cut into the skin while the device 230 is being tightened or moved.
[0103] Turning now to FIG. 10, there is seen an example of a dispenser 70 in the form of a pad. The dispenser 70 is made up of a stack of shielding devices 72 that are bound together by adhesive panels 74, which may be on their upper and/or lower surface. The shielding devices 72 are each made from a single piece of material, such as a sheet of paper, and may take any of the forms described above with respect to FIGS. 4-9. The shielding devices 72 can be peeled off from the pad one-by-one. If the devices 72 have an adhesive panel 74 on their upper surfaces then the uppermost device 72 in the pad may be provided with a protective cover (not shown) for the adhesive panel 72. However adhesive panels 74 on the devices 72 behind will automatically be protected by the upper devices until they come to be exposed at the top of the pad.
[0104] FIG. 11 shows another example of a dispenser 80, this time in the form of a packet. Sheet-like shielding devices 82 (similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 4-7) are stacked and held in the packet. The shielding devices 82 may be like the ones seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, but without a spine. An advantage of this dispensing arrangement is that the packet can be closed to protect the shielding devices during transport and storage. Only once the packet has been opened are the devices exposed, which can help to meet clinical standards of hygiene. The shielding devices 82 can be removed from the packet one-by-one. The devices may not be attached to one another so that a user is free to select any device rather than only the front one in the stack.
[0105] In the examples seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, a shielding device 90, 90 is dispensed from a spine 91. The spine 91 may be used to hang one or more devices 90, 90. The spine 91 may be used to bind multiple devices 90, 90 together in a pad. As is seen in FIG. 12a, the device 90 may already be cut out from a sheet. Or, as is seen in FIG. 12b, the device 90 and the spine 91 may be formed as a continuous sheet of material. The inner boundary of the device 90 is perforated to allow a portion 95 of spare material to be removed. In FIGS. 12a and 12b the spine 91 is shown connected to the attachment portion 94 of the device 90, 90. However the spine 91 may instead be connected to the shield portion 92, as is shown in FIG. 12c. Of course the spine 91 may be connected to any part of the device 90, 90, for example along a side edge instead of upper or lower edges. In FIG. 12c there are shown the steps for dispensing a device 90, 90 by removing it from the spine 91, for example by tearing along a perforated line. This may include peeling off the cover of an adhesive panel 96. In FIG. 12d there are shown the optional steps for removing the portion 95 of spare material from a device 90. Although this spare portion 95 does not form part of the shielding device 90 in use, it may not be discarded as waste but could serve a purpose as an information carrier, for example being printed with instructions or the like. If the shielding device 90 is designed for use with infants then the spare portion 95 could take the form of a certificate e.g. congratulating a patient for having had an injection. The shielding device 90, or at least the spare portion 95, may therefore be provided with a writeable surface.
[0106] FIG. 13 illustrates how shielding devices 90 that carry an adhesive panel 96 may be dispensed from a spine 91. The adhesive panel 96 is provided with a cover 98 that is connected to the spine 91. When a device 90 is removed from the spine 91, it is also pulled away from the cover 98 which remains with the spine 91. The glue 99 on the adhesive panel 96 is therefore exposed ready for use as the device 90 is dispensed, and without any need to separately remove or discard the cover 98.
[0107] In FIG. 14 there is shown a related example with a stack of separate shielding devices 102 connected to a spine 100. Each device 102 hangs independently from the spine 100 and a user can therefore choose which device 102 to remove rather than having to take the one at the front of the stack. Each device 102 is removably connected at a perforation 106 to one or more stubs 104 (e.g. at the end of the legs) that is/are bound to the spine 100. When a device 102 is torn from the spine 100, the stubs 104 are left behind. The cover(s) 108 also remain behind with the spine 100 so that adhesive 109 on a surface of the device 102 is exposed.
[0108] Finally, it can be understood with reference to FIG. 15 that shielding devices 110 formed from a single piece of material, such as paper, can be manufactured in a continuous run. In this example the devices 110 are formed end-to-end with a spine 112 between adjacent pairs of devices 110. The spine 112 may be severed or folded. Perforation lines 114 are formed between the devices so that they can be separated from one another. Also perforation lines 114 are formed between each device 110 and the spine 112 to enable the devices 112 to be dispensed for use. An adhesive panel 116 (with or without a protective cover) is applied to each device 110. A spare portion 118 of material inside each pair of devices 110 may be cut away during manufacture or left attached with a perforated line to be dispensed together with the devices 110 (as discussed above). One or more hinge i.e. fold lines 120 are scored or otherwise formed e.g. perforated in each device 110 to enable it to be converted from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional shape in use.
[0109] FIGS. 16 to 21 show some further embodiments of an integrally formed shielding device which is similar in its form to the embodiment seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b, e.g. with the shield portion having a curved hinge line enabling it to be converted from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional configuration. Although not shown as having an edge portion with separated sections along its outer edge, the shield portion could combine this feature with the curved hinge line in the same manner as is illustrated in FIG. 9a.
[0110] FIGS. 16a-16c are some embodiments of a shielding device 130 packaged with one or more pre-procedure patches 134, e.g. patches for the topical administration of a pharmaceutical preparation 135 such as a local anaesthetic e.g. EMLA. As can be seen from FIG. 16a, the patches 134 may carried by the shield portion 132 of the device. In this embodiment the device 130 is removably attached to a vertical spine 91 that can allow a number of devices 130 to be bound together e.g. in a pad or booklet. Alternatively, as can be seen in FIG. 16b, the patches 134 may be held on a spare portion of material 131 which will can be removed before the device 130 is used. In FIG. 16c, the patches 134 are instead carried by a back cover 139 connected to the device 130 by means of a vertical spine 91. In the embodiments of both FIGS. 16b and 16c, the patches 134 are not attached to the device 130 itself and therefore all packaging can be disposed of ahead of use of the device 130.
[0111] FIGS. 17a-17c are some embodiments of a shielding device 140 packaged with one or more post-procedure patches 143, for example in the form of an adhesive dressing. The patches may also contain some form of pharmaceutical, but typically they are pressure dressings. In a similar manner to FIGS. 16a-16c, these patches 143 may be carried by the shield portion 142, by a removable spare portion 141, or by a back cover 149 of the device. In FIGS. 17a and 17c the device 140 is removably attached to a spine 91 so as to be dispensed from a pad or booklet.
[0112] Of course, both kinds of patch could be provided together on the same shielding device. FIGS. 18a-18c illustrate some embodiments of such a combination. The patch 154 and dressing 153 can be carried by the device 150 in a number of different ways. In all three embodiments, the post-procedure dressing 153 is carried by the shield portion 152, such that it is easily accessible at the site of the procedure. FIG. 18a shows an embodiment wherein the pre-procedure patches 154 are carried by a removable portion 151 of the device 150, so that the associated packaging can be disposed of before the device 150 is used. In FIG. 18b, the pre-procedure patches 154 are instead carried on one surface of the shield portion 152 while a post-procedure dressing 153 is carried on the opposite side of the device 150. The pre-procedure patches 154 can be removed prior to a procedure so as not to obstruct any design on the side of the device 150 that faces the wearer during use. The post-procedure dressing 153 is then facing a person carrying out the procedure so that it can easily be applied e.g. after an injection. A number of the devices 150 could be bound together in a pad or booklet using the spine 91. FIG. 18c shows another embodiment, in which the pre-procedure patches 154 are carried by a removable back cover 159 of the device 150, while a post-procedure dressing 153 is carried on a back surface of the shield portion 152.
[0113] FIG. 19 shows a typical workflow using a shielding device 150 that is packaged with patches 153, 154 for use before and after an injection or other medical procedure. The shielding device 150 (as seen in FIG. 19a) is the same as that described above in relation to FIG. 18c, where the pre-procedure patches 154 are carried by the back cover 159 and the post-procedure dressing 153 is carried on a rear surface of the device 150. First the pre-procedure patches 154 are removed from the back cover 159, and affixed to a limb of the patient for a period of time e.g. to allow a local anaesthetic to take effect (FIGS. 19a and 19b). Once the patch 154 has been removed (FIG. 19c), the shielding device 150 is detached from the spine 91 of the cover 159 ready for use (FIG. 19d). A cover on the adhesive panel 151 is removed (FIG. 19e) and the device 150 is bent along the curved hinge line 158 so as to convert the shield portion from a planar configuration to a curved shape (FIGS. 19f and 19g) before the device 150 is attached to a limb of the patient (FIG. 19h). The device 150 is fastened around the limb using the adhesive panel 151 (FIG. 19i). The procedure, such as injection, is then able to be carried out away from the view of the patient (FIG. 19j). Once the procedure is finished, the post-procedure dressing 153 is readily available on the back surface of the device 150 and can be removed using one hand e.g. while the other hand holds the needle (FIGS. 19k and 19l). The dressing 153 is peeled off from the back of the device 150 and affixed to the patient's limb (FIG. 19m). The device 150 can be rotated around the limb (FIG. 19n) and then torn off (e.g. at one or more weak points as described in relation to FIG. 8 or 9) in order to be removed from the patient and disposed of (FIGS. 190 and 19p).
[0114] FIG. 20 is one example of a shielding device 170 packaged as part of a sub-dermal implant insertion kit. Similar to FIG. 17a, a post-procedure dressing 173 is carried by the shield itself for easy access. In this embodiment, the shield 170 is bound with two other sheets, one sheet 179a which holds the other items for the procedure, and the other sheet 179b which is printed with instructions for carrying out the insertion procedure. The items carried by the middle sheet 179a of the booklet are a sub-dermal applicator 172 (pre-loaded with an implant), an ID card 174 for the patient to keep (to show that they have had the implant), information 176 about production and lot numbers, and adhesive labels 178 that may be affixed to a patient's medical record. By packaging all the relevant components and information together in such a kit, the procedure can be carried out much more smoothly, and both doctor and patient can be assured that they have all the necessary information.
[0115] FIGS. 21a-21c show some embodiments of a shielding device 180 comprising different display screens 184, 184, 184. This allows for moving images to be shown to the patient in order to distract them from the procedure taking place. The display screen may be integrated with the shielding device 180, or removably attached, e.g. enabling it to be reused for a number of procedures. In one set of examples, a LED or oLED screen 184, 184 is affixed to the shield portion 182 of the device 180, covering varying amounts of the surface, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 21a and 21b. Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIG. 21c, the shield 180 may be formed entirely from a LED or oLED display screen 184. The display screen 184, 184, 184 may be a flexible screen so as to be able to conform with the shape of the device 180 as it is wrapped around a limb of a patient.
[0116] FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device 330 comprising a pair of elongate legs 336 and a shield portion 332 in which the outer edge 340 is corrugated, in order to soften the edge which is in contact with a wearer's skin. When the edge portion (as defined by the hinge line 338) is folded in order to convert the shielding device 330 to a 3D configuration, the corrugation of the edge 340 provides a softer surface in contact with the skin. This reduces the likelihood of the shielding device 330 cutting a wearer while in use, for example when the shielding device 330 is twisted around a limb to adjust the position of the shield portion 332. The device 330 is shown attached to a spine 320, e.g. formed as a sheet in a pad or booklet, but the device 330 may be dispensed by any other suitable means.
[0117] FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment in which an integrally formed shield 430 has a shield portion 432 with a softened outer edge portion 440 between the elongate attachment legs 436. In this embodiment, the edge portion 440 has a number of cuts 442, such that it is divided into a number of sections which are able to move relative to one another, changing the angle between adjacent sections as the edge portion 440 is flexed. This allows the edge portion 440 to fit more easily to a limb, and as previously discussed allows the shielding device 430 to be attached more tightly to a limb as the fringed outer edge portion 440 is less likely to cut into the skin. The device 430 is shown attached to a spine 420, e.g. formed as a sheet in a pad or booklet, but the device 430 may be dispensed by any other suitable means.
[0118] FIG. 24a shows an alternative design of an integrally formed shielding device 330, which is shaped such that it can be tessellated end-to-end in a strip and dispensed from a roll 350 as seen in FIG. 24b. In this embodiment the shield portion 332 comprises an edge portion 340 (defined by a hinge line 338) that is separated into a plurality of spaced apart teeth 344. The shield portion 332 is tapered along its length, such that the shield portion 332 can fit between the elongate legs 336 of an adjacent shield 330. This allows a plurality of shielding devices 330 to be formed from a continuous piece of material, which can then be wound to form a roll 350. This provides an alternative method of dispensing shields, in which it is not necessary to provide an additional spine to detach the shield from.
[0119] FIGS. 25a and 25b show an alternative embodiment in which shielding devices 330 are dispensed from a roll 350. In these embodiments, the shield portion 332 of each device 330 is shaped such that it fits exactly within the legs 336 of an adjacent shield 330, and there is no wasted material. The outer edge of one shield portion 332 matches the toothed outer edge 344 of the edge portion 340 of an adjacent shield 330, e.g. they are formed with meshing teeth. This embodiment minimises the amount of manufacturing that is needed in forming the shielding devices, as there is no waste material that must be removed, either in the formation of the roll 350 or in the removal of an individual shield 330.
[0120] FIG. 26 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device 530. In this embodiment, there are no hinge lines for converting the shield portion 532. Instead, the shield 530 is formed from a flexible material which gives the shield portion 532 a three-dimensional shape due to the way it flexes as the legs 536 are wrapped around a limb. The shield portion 532 has an edge portion, between the elongate legs 536, which includes a number of independently moveable sections 540 on its outer edge which are able to move relative to one another. The combination of the separated sections 540 with a flexible material allows the shield portion 532 to flex into a three-dimensional configuration without the need for any hinge line(s).
[0121] FIG. 27a shows an alternative embodiment of an integrally formed shielding device 530 which also does not have hinge lines. In this embodiment, the independently moveable sections 540 along the outer edge are longer than those in FIG. 26. This creates a different three-dimensional shape when the shield portion 532 is flexed and the legs 536 wrapped around a limb, as demonstrated in FIGS. 27b-27d. The moveable sections 540 remove the need for a hinge line, providing an effective hinged region as they move to adapt to the limb. By changing the size and number of the moveable sections 540, the standing configuration of the shield portion 532 can be adapted. This can be used to create shielding devices 530 which are designed for use on a particular limb, e.g. arranged such they stand at an angle appropriate for their use.
[0122] Although the shielding devices of the various embodiments illustrated herein are generally shown to be plain, it will be understood that one or more of their surfaces may carry graphics and/or text as desired. The shielding devices may be formed from a material, e.g. card, paper or plastic, that can be printed upon during manufacture.
[0123] It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present application and the resultant patent. Numerous changes and modification may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.
