US3820536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for providing clean air at a surgical area
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-11
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1992-12-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to both a method and apparatus for providing a laminar flow of clean air through a removal sterile nozzle, having a removable sterile drape therearound, across the surgical area during an operation. The new method constitutes discharging a flow of virtually sterile air at a velocity of between approximately 350 and 800 fpm across the surgical area from a distance of approximately 2 to 5 feet thus producing a barrier zone across the wound surface to prevent contamination from the surrounding air and the surgical team. The apparatus includes a blower, housing, nozzle, drape means, pre-filter means, a pressure plenum, and a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) capable of discharging, at a velocity of between 350 and 800 fpm, a laminar flow of ''''clean'''' air.
Inventors
- 👤 W Anspach
- 👤 M Bakels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G13/00; A61G13/10; A61G13/108; F; F24; F24F; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/16; F24F3/163; F24F8/00; F24F8/10; F24F8/108; F24F9/00; F24F2221/00; F24F2221/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S55/00; Y10S55/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, means connecting said nozzle means to said housing around said discharge opening so that it can be easily attached or detached, said nozzle means extending outwardly from said housing, arms extending outwardly from each side of said nozzle means, a surgical drape connected to said arms and hanging down therefrom, said drape having a cut-out portion through which said nozzle means extends, said drape being held tightly against said nozzle means around said cut-out portion providing a sterilized barrier preventing air from around the housing being drawn into the air directed out the discharge opening and nozzle means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, means connecting said nozzle means to said housing around said discharge opening so that it can be easily attached or detached, said nozzle means extending outwardly from said housing, arms extending outwardly from each side of said nozzle means, a surgical drape connected to said arms and hanging down therefrom, said drape having a cut-out portion through which said nozzle means extends, said drape being held tightly against said nozzle means around said cut-out portion providing a sterilized barrier preventing air from around the housing being drawn into the air directed out the discharge opening and nozzle means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drape has elastic means around the edge of said cut-out portion to hold said drape tightly against said nozzle means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a flange extending outwardly from the housing around the discharge opening, said nozzle having a second inlet opening slidably engaging said flange, said connecting means including a quick attach-detach latch means for preventing said nozzle means from sliding off of said flange on said housing during use while permitting quick release when necessary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 including an aiming light for indicating the desired usable extent of a clean air zone from the nozzle means, said aiming light being located on said housing above said nozzle means and placed at an angle thereto so that an aiming beam from said aiming light intersects a clean air zone at the desired usable extent, and means for energizing said aiming light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening means between said first and second chambers includes a pressure equalizer for equalizing the pressure in said second chamber adjacent the means for filtering said air flow from said second chamber, said pressure equalizer comprising a plurality of vanes positioned across said opening means, each vane being curved along its length thereby having a concave surface, said vanes being positioned so that alternate vanes have their concave surface facing in opposite directions, the edges of said vanes being spaced equally apart across the opening means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device providing clean air flow set forth in claim 1 including means for filtering air entering said inlet opening into said first chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device providing clean air flow set forth in claim 1 wherein said supporting means includes a yoke having an upstanding arm on each side of said housing, indicating lines positioned on the side of the housing to align an arm therewith to indicate angular position of the housing and discharge opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means connected to said housing around said discharge opening for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, an aiming light for indicating the desired usable extent of a clean air zone from the nozzle means, said aiming light being located on said housing above said nozzLe means and placed at an angle thereto so that an aiming beam from said aiming light intersects a clean air zone at the desired usable extent, and means for energizing said aiming light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means connected to said housing around said discharge opening for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, an aiming light for indicating the desired usable extent of a clean air zone from the nozzle means, said aiming light being located on said housing above said nozzLe means and placed at an angle thereto so that an aiming beam from said aiming light intersects a clean air zone at the desired usable extent, and means for energizing said aiming light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means connected to said housing around said discharge opening for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, said opening means between said first and second chambers including a pressure equalizer for equalizing the pressure in said second chamber adjacent the means for filtering said air flow from said second chamber, said pressure equalizer comprising a plurality of vanes positioned across said opening means, each vane being curved along its length thereby having a concave surface, said vanes being positioned so that alternate vanes have their concave surface facing in opposite directions, the edges of said vanes being spaced equally apart across the opening means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
254 words
In a device providing clean air flow, a housing containing a first and a second chamber, said second chamber containing a discharge opening for directing a flow of air therefrom, means for filtering said air flowing from said second chamber through said discharge opening, said first chamber having an inlet opening for receiving air surrounding said device, opening means between said first and second chambers, means for forcing said air from said first chamber through said opening means to said second chamber and through said discharge opening so that the velocity of the air through said discharge opening is sufficient to prevent entrainment of the surrounding air and produce a clean air zone in front of said discharge opening, means for supporting said housing so that it can be easily positioned at different heights and at different angles therewith so as to position a clean air zone where desired, nozzle means connected to said housing around said discharge opening for extending and maintaining a clean air zone, said opening means between said first and second chambers including a pressure equalizer for equalizing the pressure in said second chamber adjacent the means for filtering said air flow from said second chamber, said pressure equalizer comprising a plurality of vanes positioned across said opening means, each vane being curved along its length thereby having a concave surface, said vanes being positioned so that alternate vanes have their concave surface facing in opposite directions, the edges of said vanes being spaced equally apart across the opening means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein each vane has a chord length of approximately seven-eighths of an inch, the concave surface having approximately a 1/2 inch radius, and said edges being spaced about a distance of approximately 1 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 including an aiming light for indicating the desired usable extent of a clean air zone from the nozzle means, said aiming light being located on said housing above said nozzle means and placed at an angle thereto so that an aiming beam from said aiming light intersects a clean air zone at the desired usable extent, and means for energizing said aiming light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device providing clean air flow set forth in claim 9 wherein a suction forming device is located in said first chamber, a connector projecting from said housing whereby an accessory can be attached needing a suction applied thereto, pipe means connecting said suction forming device to said connector, said suction forming device discharging into said first chamber adjacent said opening means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |