GB2595690A - Apparatus for limiting the spread of infectious diseases - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for limiting the spread of infectious diseases comprising a shielding device 3 made at least partially from transparent material. The shielding device has a connector (53, Fig 6) for connecting the shielding device to a movable support 5 so that the position of the shielding device can be adjusted. The shielding device also has one or more attachment means (31, 33, Fig 2) permitting attachment of a barrier 7 to the shielding device such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the shielding device and barrier together form a space within which at least part of a body 9 may be contained so that at least part of the body may be operated upon whilst contained within the space. A method of locating the apparatus about body of a subject is also taught.

Description

APPARATUS FOR LIMITING THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus for limiting the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in high risk settings such as dentists or hospitals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When an individual is afflicted with a viral or bacterial infection, there is a risk of transmission of the infection to others, and especially to those that come into close and/or prolonged contact with the individual. For infectious diseases that affect the respiratory tract, such as influenza or Covid-19, the risk to others is particularly high when exposed to the breathing, coughing, and sneezing of the infected individual. For example, the sneeze of an individual infected with a respiratory virus may eject up to 200 million viral particles at 320 km/h, thereby dispersing the virus into the surrounding environment. Even the breath of an infected individual can release sufficient viral particles to infect others in close contact, for example, those talking face-to-face or operating on the individual.

For airborne viruses such as influenza and coronavirus, it is thought that the chances of becoming infected depends on the amount of virus an individual is exposed to over a given period of time. For example, if an individual is exposed to a large number of viral particles in a short space of time, that exposure may be sufficient to infect the individual. Likewise, where an individual is consistently exposed to a low number of viral particles but over an extended period of time, the individual's exposure to the virus may exceed the threshold necessary to become infected. Consequently, to reduce the risk of the spread of an infectious disease from an infected individual to an uninfected individual, it is important to limit the quantity of pathogens the uninfected individual is exposed to, even where the number of pathogens being shed by an infected individual at any one time is low.

Healthcare workers such as medical and dental workers are especially vulnerable to infection due to occupational exposure to aerosol borne pathogens (pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi) saliva, blood, and tissue debris. By the nature of their profession, medical workers, such as doctors and nurses, are frequently exposed to sick and infected patients. Often, medical workers must come into close contact with their patients to provide necessary treatment. Where a patient is infected with a respiratory virus, such as coronavirus, the medical worker is required to work in close proximity to the individual's mouth and nose which is the main source of the virus and, hence, the most risky part of the body to treat.

Likewise, dental workers operate in close proximity to the mouths of their patients. Consequently, dental workers are exposed to droplets of fluid such as saliva and blood ejected from a patients' mouths as a result of breathing, speaking, and, especially, treatment which may disperse detritus and relatively large quantities of droplets into the surrounding environment. Whilst dental workers do not specifically treat virally infected patients, since they operate on multiple members of the public in any treatment session, they are inevitably exposed to infected individuals that might be asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic.

Consequently, dental workers operate in an environment in which the risk of transmission of an infectious disease from a patient is high.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by healthcare workers affords some degree of protection from a virus. For example, surgical masks, eye goggles, face shields, gloves and aprons worn by healthcare workers help to reduce the amount of exposure to viral particles shed by an infected individual. Such protective equipment covers the main sites through which the viral particles may enter the healthcare worker, namely the mouth and eyes. However, whilst this type of PPE helps to reduce the risk of infection, since viral particles are generally extremely small (80 to 120 nm in diameter), PPE does not always prevent the inhalation or ingress of such viral particles, which means the risk is not entirely eliminated. Consequently, healthcare workers may still become infected and, for particularly serious diseases such as Covid-19, these healthcare workers can become extremely ill and, in some cases, fatally so.

In dentistry, standard PPE does not always prevent contagion. This is partly due to the nature of the operating environment where high speed drills and scalers in combination with water spray and pressurised air generate a mass of droplets and aerosol particles containing saliva, blood, dental plaque, and microbes. Such particles can transfer from the patient's mouth to the breathing zone or surfaces in proximity to the dental healthcare worker, thereby contributing to the spread of infection.

In view of the above, there is a need for more effective personal protective equipment that limits the exposure of healthcare workers to pathogens and, hence, further reduces the risk of transmission of infection from patient to healthcare worker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for limiting the spread of infectious diseases comprising a shielding device made at least partially from transparent material, wherein the shielding device has a connector for connecting the shielding device to a movable support so that the position of the shielding device can be adjusted, and the shielding device further comprises one or more attachment means permitting attachment of a barrier to the shielding device such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the shielding device and barrier together form a space within which at least part of an animal body may be contained so that at least part of the animal body may be operated upon whilst contained within the space.

Advantageously, the shielding device of the apparatus may be used to capture pathogens that may be ejected by a patient during treatment so as to limit the number of pathogens one or more individuals treating the patient might be exposed to during the treatment. Accordingly, the apparatus may be used to reduce the risk of an individual treating an infected patient from being exposed to pathogens and, thereby, limit the spread of infectious diseases. The apparatus may also reduce the number of pathogens being dispersed into an operating environment, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to sanitise an operating environment and increasing patient turnover.

The shielding device may comprise one or more walls that define an enclosure, wherein the dimensions of the enclosure are chosen to substantially surround at least part of an animal body and permit movement of at least one hand that may be inserted into the space defined by the enclosure so that the animal body may be operated upon.

The enclosure may comprise a mouth having an edge which is shaped to provide access into the space defined by the enclosure. The mouth edge may form one or more arched sections to facilitate access to the enclosure. The mouth edge may comprise two arched sections arranged on opposite sides respectively of the shielding device and a further arched section at one end of the shielding device to facilitate access to the enclosure.

A flange may extend outwardly from the edge of the mouth and one or more attachment means may extend along the flange for attachment of the barrier to the shielding device along the flange. The one or more attachment means may comprise one or more apertures through which corresponding fixings may be inserted to secure a barrier to the shielding device.

At least part of the shielding device may be dome shaped. At least part of the shielding device may be made from, or coated with, a material having antiviral and/or antibacterial properties. The shielding device may have a first port for the attachment of a hose for the insertion of fluid into the space or extraction of fluid from the space. The shielding device may have a second port for the attachment of a hose for the insertion of fluid into the space or extraction of fluid from the space. It will be understood that fluid may refer to one or more gases (e.g. air) and/or liquids. The first port may be formed in the shielding device at a position in which the first port is above the part of a body being operated upon when the apparatus is in use, and the second port may be formed in the shielding device at a position to the side of the part of the body being operated upon when the apparatus is in use.

One or more attachment means may be arranged such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the barrier at least substantially surrounds the enclosure to form a skirt extending from the shielding device.

The apparatus may further comprise the barrier attached to the shielding device. The barrier may comprise one or more slits or openings through which an arm, surgical tray or instrument may be inserted into the space defined by the shielding device and the barrier. One or more slits may be positioned such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the location of a slit is substantially aligned with the location of an arch so that an arm can be inserted via an arch into the space defined by the shielding device and barrier. The barrier may further comprise one or more sleeves each extending from a slit so as to capture an arm extending into the enclosure via a slit. One or more sleeves may be pleated to allow for increased movement of an inserted arm within the space.

The apparatus may further comprise a support to which the shielding device is connected. The support may comprise an articulated arm to enable the position of the shielding device to be manipulated relative to a patient to be operated upon. The support may further comprise an adjustable arm movably connected to the articulated arm, and wherein the adjustable arm comprises a light source so that the position of the adjustable arm can be modified to allow light to be directed toward the shielding device as needed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating a patient using an apparatus comprising a shielding device made at least partially from transparent material, a movable support connected to the shielding device via a connector and supporting the shielding device above a surface, and a barrier attached to the shielding device, the method comprising the steps of: arranging the shielding device, with the support, in proximity to a part of the body of a patient to be treated; and arranging the barrier around the patient to form, together with the shielding device, a substantially closed environment in which the patient or at least part of the patient is contained.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a side view of an apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention when the apparatus is in use; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when in use; FIG. 3 shows an alternative perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when in use; FIG. 4 shows apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention when in a freestanding arrangement; FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.4 when in use; FIG. 6 shows a connection between a support part and a shielding part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 7 shows a connection between two parts of a support; FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a wall-mounted part of an alternative support to that shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 9 shows an accessory connected to the support shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 10 shows a front view of a human arm inserted through a sleeve part of a portion of a barrier of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 shows a side view of a human arm inserted through the sleeve part shown in FIG. 10; and FIGS 12(a)-(c) show a plan view of a dentist treating a patient in three different treatment positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown apparatus 1 for limiting the spread of infectious diseases. In the depicted example, the apparatus 1 is shown in use in a dentistry setting but the apparatus 1 could equally be used in a hospital environment or any other environment in which treatment may be given to an infected or potentially infected individual. The apparatus 1 comprises a shielding device 3 in the form of an elongate, dome shaped shell 3 which is connected to a support 5 comprising a counterweighted, three-point articulated arm 6. The apparatus 1 further comprises a barrier or shroud 7 made from one or more sterile, flexible, surgical drapes that is attached to a part of the shell 3 and arranged to surround the shell 3 and, together with the shell 3, encapsulate or cocoon at least part of the patient supported on a dentist chair 11. Accordingly, to create a relatively sealed operating environment, the shroud 7 is tightly wrapped around a patient 9 and attached to or tucked into or under the dentist chair 11 on which the patient is supported.

In the embodiment depicted, the shell 3 is formed from transparent, rigid plastics material with antiviral and/or antibacterial properties. Accordingly, suitable materials include antiviral polymers or biopolymers. It will be apparent that other suitable materials that are transparent and have antiviral/antibacterial properties could alternatively be used. For example, the shell 3 could be made from tempered glass with an antimicrobial ionic silver coating. In addition, the shell 3 is coated with an anti-fogging or anti-misting treatment to prevent moisture, e.g. due to the breath of a patient, from forming on the shell 3 and restricting visibility through the shell wall 13.

Since the present embodiment is intended for use in a dentistry setting, the shell 3 is dimensioned to surround the head and upper torso area of a human patient 9. Accordingly, the shell 3 is chosen to be approximately 90cm in length, 80cm in width and 40cm in height. With these dimensions the shell 3 defines an enclosure with sufficient 'headroom' for a dentist to insert his/her hands and forearms into the enclosure to perform dental treatment on a patient unhindered. However, it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that other dimensions may be chosen depending on the intended purpose of the apparatus 1. For example, if the apparatus 1 is to be used in a more general surgical environment in which operations might be carried out on one or more different parts of the body, the shell 3 may be chosen with dimensions sufficient to substantially surround that or those body parts, or even the entire body.

The enclosure defined by the shell wall 13 has a mouth 15 with a perimeter edge 17 that forms a boundary between an inner surface 19 of the shell 3 and an outer surface 21 of the shell 3. The shell 3 is configured so that, when in an operating position, the mouth 15 of the enclosure is above the area of the body. Accordingly, any material ejected from the patient during an operation passes through the mouth 15 and is captured by the shell 3. The edge 17 of the mouth 15 is shaped to permit easy access into the enclosure for one or more arms, a surgical tray and one or more instruments. For arm access, the lateral sides of the shell 3 comprise raised arches 23, 25 so that, when the shroud 7 is attached to the shell 3, there is a space via which the arms of one or more healthcare workers can be inserted into the shell enclosure. At one end of the shell 3, there is a further, but shallower, arch or raised section 27 which creates an opening through which a tray or surgical apparatus may be inserted for treatment purposes. In the present embodiment, the position of this tray opening 27 is chosen so that, when the apparatus 1 is in use, the tray opening 27 is at the end of the shell 3 farthest from the head of the patient 9.

A lip or flange 29 extends outwardly from the mouth edge 17 of the shell 3 and forms a narrow platform to which the shroud 7 may be attached. Accordingly, a plurality of attachment means in the form of apertures 31 are arranged at intervals along the flange 29. These apertures 31 create anchor points to which the shroud 7 may be attached to the shell 3 by a plurality of silicon stoppers or studs 33 that are inserted into corresponding apertures 31. To facilitate attachment of the shroud 7 to the shell 3, correspondingly spaced apart buttonhole eyelets are formed in the shroud 7 so that the eyelets may be aligned with the shell apertures 31 for the insertion of corresponding silicon studs 33. By firmly and securely attaching the shroud 7 to the shell 5, a patient may be substantially cocooned by the shell 3 and shroud 7, thereby creating a separate, self-contained environment that contains any pathogens emitted by the patient during a surgical procedure.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that other forms of attachment may be used as appropriate such as snap fasteners, toggles, or string ties. However, the position of attachment of the shroud 7 to the shell 3 and the type of attachment should be such that any space or gap that might be formed between the shell 3 and shroud 7 is minimised and sufficiently small to limit the escape of particles from the operating space defined by the shell 3 and shroud 7. To enhance the ability of the shroud 7 to act as a barrier to the escape of pathogens from the operating space, in addition to the attachment means, a rubber strip (not shown) or other suitable material may be fixed to the shroud 7 and positioned so as to form a seal between the shell 3 and the shroud 7 when the shroud 7 is firmly secured to the shell 3.

Since surgical procedures frequently require instruments such as intubation tubes and air supply or extraction lines, the shell 3 comprises a pair of ports 35, 37 for the attachment and/or insertion of surgical equipment. For example, in a dentistry setting as in the present embodiment, one port 35 may be used as an input port for the attachment of a dry air supply hose 39. The other port 37 may be used as an outlet port for the attachment of an air suction hose 41 for the extraction of air, pathogens, and particulate matter from the shell enclosure. To maximise or at least enhance the effectiveness of the air extraction from the enclosure of the shell 3, the output port 37 to which the suction hose 41 is intended to be attached is positioned at a location on the shell 3 that is substantially above the patient head/mouth area when in normal use in a dentistry setting. In addition, the input port 35 is positioned on a side of the shell 3 that may be adjacent to the patient head/mouth when the shell 3 is positioned in normal use during a treatment. Positioning the input port 35 at this location ensures a steady supply of dry air toward the patient mouth/nose area without creating too much turbulence that may adversely affect extraction of patient borne particles by the air suction hose 41.

Both ports 35, 37 are fitted with high specification anti-bacterial, anti-viral heat and moisture exchange filters (HMEF) 42 or other suitable filter such as a HEPA filter so as to prevent or at least limit pathogens from entering the operating environment defined by the shell 3 and shroud 7, and also to remove from the extracted air any infectious pathogens that may be emitted by the patient during treatment. For the output port 37, whilst in the present embodiment it is fitted with a filter 42, where the air suction hose 41 is part of a suction apparatus that comprises an integrated filter or external filter, such as an extra-oral dental suction unit, the output filter 42 may be omitted. In this case, the output port 37 may be adapted to accommodate suction apparatus that already comprises a filter. To help ensure purified air reaches the patient and also to help ensure air surrounding the patient is effectively extracted and purified by suction apparatus, the input and output ports 35, 37 are positioned on the shell 3 so that they are within 50cm of the patient's mouth when in operational use.

A pair of silicon stoppers (not shown) may be provided for plugging the two ports 35, 37 when any instruments or air supply/suction hoses are not attached so as to maintain the integrity of the shell 3 when the apparatus 1 is in operational use. Whilst in the present embodiment, the input and output ports 35, 37 are intended for attachment of air supply 39 and suction 41 lines, it will be apparent that the ports 35, 37 may be configured according to the intended purpose of the apparatus 1 such as for the supply and monitoring of general anaesthetic or patient intubation.

Advantageously, the shell 3 offers clear visibility, rigidity, and affords adequate patient headroom (distance from mouth borne aerosols and aerosols due to a high speed drill) whilst allowing access for up to two healthcare workers to manoeuvre their arms and hands within the enclosure defined by the shell 3. The arches 23, 25 on each side of the shell 3 facilitate easy access to a patient's head and neck within the protection of the shroud 7 extending from the shell 3 and forming a barrier between the internal, operating environment of the shell 3 and the outside environment in which the healthcare workers are physically present.

As mentioned, the shroud 7 is made from one or more sterile, surgical drapes to ensure a sterile, substantially sealed operating environment. Depending on the operating setting, the surgical drapes may be single or multi-use but, where a multi-use surgical drape is employed, it must be replaced and washed after each treatment to prevent the risk of transmission of infection between consecutive patients. In the embodiment depicted, the shroud 7 comprises a reusable, nonwoven, sterile fibre such as cotton or polyester with fluid resistant properties. The shroud 7 may be attached to the shell 3 along an edge so as to form a skirt or curtain that hangs down and extends from the flange 29 and surrounds the shell 3. Alternatively, the shroud 7 may comprise a sheet of material with a central cut-out or aperture which is shaped to allow passage of the shell 3 therethrough. In this case, the dimensions of the cut-out are chosen so that its perimeter extends around the shell 3 and is aligned with the flange 29 for attachment purposes. A length of elastic or a draw string cord may also be provided around the perimeter of the cut-out to allow the size of the cut-out to be adjusted so that the shroud 7 cinched to the shell 3 when in position for a secure, tight fit.

Additionally, the dimensions of the shroud 7 may be chosen so that when it is attached to the shell 3 and the apparatus 1 is placed in an operating position above an operating chair or table, the shroud 7 extends around the chair 11 or table so that the shroud 7 can be tucked under the chair or table to entirely envelope the patient within the operating environmental the apparatus 1. To ensure a secure fit, the free end of the shroud 7 is also elasticated so that when it is wrapped around the dentist chair 11 or operating table, as the case may be, the shroud 7 is held securely in place. One or more integrally formed or separately provided straps 10 may additionally be used to tightly secure the shroud 7 to the dentist chair 11 and thereby tightly cocoon the patient within the operating environment formed by the apparatus 1.

In the embodiment depicted, a pair of elasticated slits 43 is formed in the shroud 7 on opposite sides respectively of the shroud 7. Each slit 43 provides an aperture through which surgical items/instruments and hands and arms may be inserted into the enclosure of the shell 3. The slits 43 are positioned in the shroud 7 such that, when the shroud 7 is correctly attached to the shell 3, the slits 43 are substantially aligned with the two flared arches 23,25 of the shell 3. Accordingly, the shell wall 13 does not adversely affect movement of a healthcare worker's arms and hands when inserted into the enclosure.

With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, whilst it is expected a healthcare worker will be wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons during treatment, the shroud] further comprises a pair of protective sleeves 45 that are each associated with a corresponding slit 43 on each flank of the shroud 7. Each protective sleeve 45 is incorporated into the shroud 7 by stitching or some other appropriate fastening that ensures minimal or no leakage of fluid from the operating environment of the apparatus 1 to the outside environment. A sleeve 45 comprises a pleated material that extends from the slit 43 and terminates in an elasticated cuff 47 that tightly grips the arm of a healthcare worker when their hand and arm is inserted into the sleeve 45 through the slit 43 until the elasticated cuff is above the elbow. The pleated sleeves 45 allow a high degree of manoeuvrability without overly restricting movement when the operator's arms are inserted into the enclosure.

Although a single slit 43 and sleeve 45 combination per lateral side of the shroud 7 is depicted in the present embodiment, it is envisaged that more slit/sleeve combinations may be provided at each lateral side depending on the number of arms that are needed to be inserted into the enclosure to effectively treat a patient. For example, in a dentistry setting, three slit/sleeve combinations may be provided on one lateral side and two slit/sleeve combinations may be provided on the other lateral side. Referring to Figs. 12(a) to 12(c), with this arrangement, a right-handed dentist may perform treatment from the 8 o'clock position, the 11 o'clock position or the 12 to 1 o'clock position (arm either side of patient's head) by inserting his/her arms through the appropriately positioned slit/sleeve combinations. Depending on the treatment position of the dentist, a nurse/dental assistant may also insert one or two arms from the opposite side to assist the dentist in a so-called 'four handed' dentistry treatment. Likewise, for a left-handed dentist, the shroud 7 may be reversed so that the slit/sleeve combination positions are switched from one side to the other, thereby permitting the dentist to provide treatment from the 4 o'clock position, 1 o'clock position or 12 to 11 o'clock position as the case may be, again whilst being assisted by a dental assistant/nurse from the opposite side via one or two free slit/sleeve combinations. As previously mentioned, the number of slit/sleeve combinations can be adjusted according to treatment requirements. For example, additional slit/sleeve combinations may be provided in the shroud 7 for treatments requiring more practitioners such as in six-handed dentistry in which a dentist is supported by two assistants/dental nurses, in hospital theatre settings, or in facial aesthetic procedures.

The shroud 7 additionally comprises a bisected drawstring or elasticated opening 49 which is formed in the shroud 7 at a position at which the opening 49 is substantially aligned with the tray opening 27 of the shell 3 when the shroud 7 is correctly secured to the shell 3. As with the slits 43, this opening 49 provides access to the shell 3 enclosure whilst maintaining a substantially sealed barrier between the enclosure interior and the external environment. To provide a further layer of protection that limits the leakage of fluid and pathogens from inside the operating environment of the apparatus 1, a flap 51 made from the same non-woven, sterile fabric as the shroud 7 is securely attached to the shroud 7 at a position at which the flap 51 extends over and covers the opening 49. The flap 51 may be weighted to ensure it sits against the opening 49 when in a closed state and is secured to the shell 3 using silicone rubber capped stoppers that pass through the correspondingly positioned apertures 31 along the flange 29 of the shell 3, through the aligned eyelets formed in the shroud] and into correspondingly spaced and aligned buttonholes formed in the flap 51. An additional fringed non-woven fabric or rubber flap (not shown) could be hooked onto the silicone stoppers for additional sealing and securing protection at the tray opening 27.

As an alternative, the shroud 7 may comprise an elasticated tray slit (not shown) that is substantially horizontal and aligned with the tray opening 27 when the shroud 7 is correctly attached to the shell 3. In this case, the tray slit is wide enough to allow a tray to pass therethrough when horizontally aligned with the tray slit. A tray sleeve (not shown) may be attached to or incorporated into the shroud 7 so as to surround the tray slit and extend into the shell 3 enclosure when the shroud 7 is attached to the shell 3. The tray slit and sleeve together form an access port and tunnel through which a tray and required instruments may be inserted into the shell 3 enclosure for treatment purposes. The tray sleeve effectively extends the tray opening to create distance between the operating environment and the external environment, and thereby helps to further reduce the risk of pathogens escaping from the operating environment to the external environment.

Referring in particular to Fig. 6, a plastic connecting plate 53 is fixed to the outer surface 21 of the shell 3 via a plurality of hex screws 54 at a position toward the tray opening 27 end of the shell 3. The connecting plate 53 permits attachment of the articulated arm 6 of the support 5 with a ball and socket joint 55 for 360-degree movement. The connecting plate 53 is specifically adapted to permit attachment of articulated arm systems that are used for dental lights, as well as those found in radiography and hospital monitoring settings. It will be appreciated that the connecting plate 53 may be adapted for attachment to other types of articulated arms depending on the setting or may be replaceable with other connecting plates suitable for attachment to other types of articulated arms that may not attach to the connecting plate 53 in current use on the shell 3.

With particular reference to Fig. 4, the articulated arm 6 has two hinges 6a, 6b and a counterweight 6c, and is attached to a substantially vertical, height-adjustable, wheel-based stand 57 of the support 5. Referring to Fig. 7, the articulated arm 6 may be attached to the vertical stand 57 via a slidable collar 59 which may be fixed relative to the stand 57 via a pair of hex screws 60 so that the height of the articulated arm 6 and its location can be adjusted as needed. The gas spring/friction-based engineering of the articulated arm 6 and movability of the stand 57 together allow a high degree of manoeuvrability of the shell 3 within 3D space so that the position of the shell 3 can be adjusted relative to a patient in order to create a closed operating environment about the site of the body being operated upon. An optional ring handle (not shown) can be fitted to the arm 6 above the terminating ball and socket joint 55 for positioning of the arm 6 and shell 3. Whilst in the embodiment depicted in Figs. land 4, the articulated arm is connected to the wheel-based stand 57, the articulated arm 6 could alternatively be wall-mounted via a wall mounting bracket 59, as shown in Fig. 8. This may be appropriate in situations in which the operating table or chair 11 is fixed and changing the location of the articulated arm 6 is not required. In either embodiment, the mechanical armature of the arm 6 is encased in a boxed bio-plastic outer casing with no exposure for easy cleaning and sanitising.

Referring to Fig. 9, to enhance visibility within the enclosure of the shell 3, an adjustable arm 61 may be connected to the articulated arm 6 via a box collar mount 63. In the embodiment depicted, the adjustable arm 61 comprises two hinging joints 65, 67 for angular adjustment in the vertical plane and terminates with a substantially circular lampshade 69 comprising a ring of LEDs 71 arranged around the circumference of the lampshade 69. Power for the LEDs 71 is provided by a Li-ion battery 73 contained within the box collar mount 63. The adjustable arm 61 allows light from the LEDs 71 to be directed toward various locations within the enclosure of the shell 3 so that, if required, one or more healthcare workers can see inside the enclosure with greater detail and with increased visibility.

In use, the apparatus 1 is positioned using the articulated arm 6 to arrange the shell 3 above part of the body to be treated so that the open mouth 15 is directed toward the treatment zone. In the present embodiment, the shell 3 is supported by the articulated arm 6 above the head and upper torso of the patient 9 when the patient 9 is lying on the dentist chair 11. The shroud 7 is attached to the shell 3 by inserting the silicone rubber studs 33 through the aligned apertures in order to hold the shroud 7 securely in place. The shroud 7 is then tucked under the dentist chair 11 and secured to the chair 11 with the elasticated edge or drawstring cord, as the case may be. The shroud 7 may be further secured using additional belts 10 or tie strings.

When the patient is cocooned by the shell 3 and shroud 7, one or more healthcare workers may insert their arms through the slits 43 and sleeves 45 to gain access to the shell 3 enclosure and begin treatment. A tray with instruments may be inserted into the enclosure via the flap 51, bifurcated opening 49 and tray opening 27 to provide the healthcare worker with the required instruments for treatment. After insertion of the tray, the bifurcated opening 49 and flap 51 may be closed to ensure a substantially sealed operating environment.

When treatment has been completed, the healthcare workers remove their arms, tray and instruments from the enclosure and the shroud 7 is unwrapped from the dentist chair 11 and detached from the shell 3 so that it can be disposed of (if a single use shroud 7 is used) or sanitised for later re-use (if a multi-use shroud 7 is used). The shell 3 can then be moved away from the patient and detached from the support 5 so that it can be sanitised. It is envisaged that the shell 3 can be sanitised using disinfectant (for example, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and/or sodium hypochlorite which can be sprayed and then wiped after a minimum period such as one minute), ultraviolet light or other appropriate sanitisation procedure.

After decontamination and sterilisation, the shell 3 and shroud 7 can be reassembled and connected to the support 5 so that a new patient can be treated in a sterile operating environment. To speed up the turnaround time, it is envisaged that more than one shell 3 can be employed in a treatment setting so that, when one used shell 3 is undergoing sterilisation and decontamination, another already sanitised shell 3 can be brought into operation for treatment of a new patient.

Advantageously, apparatus 1 according to the present invention may be implemented to provide a safe working environment for healthcare workers by maintaining a patient 9 in a substantially sealed and separate environment. Consequently, aerosols and pathogens that may be ejected from a patient 9 are captured and contained by the apparatus land removed by the suction hose 41 before they can infect the treating healthcare workers. Accordingly, the apparatus provides personal protective equipment for the healthcare worker that limits the spread of respiratory viruses. Correspondingly, by separating the environment of the patient 9 from that of the healthcare worker, the apparatus 1 also protects the patient from contracting a respiratory disease from a potentially infected healthcare worker or previously treated patient.

Additionally, reducing or even eliminating the dispersal of airborne particles or pathogens from a patient into the environment of the healthcare worker(s) reduces the amount of time required between consecutive patients. Otherwise, where the patient and healthcare worker(s) share the same, unseparated environment, pathogens and other airborne particles may be dispersed into the environment and require a relatively long period of time between consecutive patients (e.g. 1.1 to 1.2 hours) to allow any airborne particles to settle and for the operating environment to be sanitised e.g. with a number of air cycles. Consequently, apparatus 1 according to the present invention helps to ensure the safety of the patient, the healthcare worker(s) and also increases patient turnover by reducing the amount of time required to sanitise an operating environment. This is particularly important in operating environments such as dentists in which the nature of the treatment generates a relatively high number of aerosol particles.

Various modifications and alternatives will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS1. Apparatus for limiting the spread of infectious diseases comprising a shielding device made at least partially from transparent material, wherein the shielding device has a connector for connecting the shielding device to a movable support so that the position of the shielding device can be adjusted, and the shielding device further comprises one or more attachment means permitting attachment of a barrier to the shielding device such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the shielding device and barrier together form a space within which at least part of an animal body may be contained so that at least part of the animal body may be operated upon whilst contained within the space.
2. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shielding device comprises one or more walls that define an enclosure, wherein the dimensions of the enclosure are chosen to substantially surround at least part of an animal body and permit movement of at least one hand that may be inserted into the space defined by the enclosure so that the animal body may be operated upon.Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the enclosure comprises a mouth having an edge which is shaped to provide access into the space defined by the enclosure. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mouth edge forms one or more arched sections to facilitate access to the enclosure.Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mouth edge comprises two arched sections arranged on opposite sides respectively of the shielding device and a further arched section at one end of the shielding device to facilitate access to the enclosure. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a flange extends outwardly from the edge of the mouth and one or more attachment means extend along the flange for attachment of the barrier to the shielding device along the flange.Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more attachment means comprise one or more apertures through which corresponding fixings may be inserted to secure a barrier to the shielding device.Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the shielding device is dome shaped.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
8. 8.
9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the shielding device is made from, or coated with, a material having antiviral and/or antibacterial properties.
10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shielding device has a first port for the attachment of a hose for the insertion of fluid into the space or extraction of fluid from the space.
11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the shielding device has a second port for the attachment of a hose for the insertion of fluid into the space or extraction of fluid from the space.
12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first port is formed in the shielding device at a position in which the first port is above the part of a body being operated upon when the apparatus is in use, and the second port is formed in the shielding device at a position to the side of the part of the body being operated upon when the apparatus is in use.
13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more attachment means are arranged such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the barrier at least substantially surrounds the enclosure to form a skirt extending from the shielding device.
14. 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the barrier attached to the shielding device.
15. 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the barrier comprises one or more slits or openings through which an arm, surgical tray or instrument may be inserted into the space defined by the shielding device and the barrier.
16. 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein the one or more slits are positioned such that, when the barrier is attached to the shielding device, the location of a slit is substantially aligned with the location of an arched section so that an arm can be inserted via an arched section into the space defined by the shielding device and barrier.
17. 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the barrier further comprises one or more sleeves each extending from a slit so as to capture an arm extending into the enclosure via a slit.
18. 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein one or more sleeves are pleated to allow for increased movement of an inserted arm within the space.
19. 19. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a support to which the shielding device is connected.
20. 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the support comprises an articulated arm to enable the position of the shielding device to be manipulated relative to a patient to be operated upon.
21. 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the support further comprises an adjustable arm movably connected to the articulated arm, and wherein the adjustable arm comprises a light source so that the position of the adjustable arm can be modified to allow light to be directed toward the shielding device as needed.
22. 22. A method of treating a patient using an apparatus comprising a shielding device made at least partially from transparent material, a movable support connected to the shielding device via a connector and supporting the shielding device above a surface, and a barrier attached to the shielding device, the method comprising the steps of: arranging the shielding device, with the support, in proximity to a part of the body of a patient to be treated; and arranging the barrier around the patient to form, together with the shielding device, a substantially closed environment in which the patient or at least part of the patient is contained.