US3804087A

US3804087A - Post cosmetic surgery protector

Info

Publication number: US3804087A
Application number: US00274411A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Sarnoff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-24
Filing date: 1972-07-24
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16

Abstract

A pain relief appliance which is ideally suitable for utilization in post cosmetic surgery or upper neck or head injury or surgery wherein the appliance permits easing of pain because of the support given to the lower neck beneath the skull of the wearer thereof and in the case of the cosmetic surgery patient, a means of protecting the sensitive incision areas in front of, below and behind the ears of the cosmetic surgery patient. The appliance is fabricated of a soft, conformable, foam rubber and is easily adjusted to accommodate heads of various sizes and yet because of its configuration and material construction, allows support of the wearer''s head in a comfortable manner inhibiting sensations of pain and allowing the wearer some measure of comfort especially when in the supine position.

Description

[111 3,804,087 [4 1 Apr. 16, 1974 United States Patent [191 Sarnoff [57] ABSTRACT Apain relief appliance which is ideally suitable for uti- POST COSMETIC SURGERY PROTECTOR Inventor: Caron Sarnoff, 3206 Corinth, Los

, Angeles,- Calif. 90066 July 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 274,411

lization inpost cosmetic surgery or upperneck or head injury or surgery wherein the appliance permits [22] Filed:

easing of pain because of the support given to the lower neck beneath the skull'of the wearer thereof and in the case of the cosmetic surgery patient, a means of protecting the sensitive incision .areas in front 0 f, below and behind the ears of the cosmetic ated of a soft,

s head in aco mforfible 1521;1- ner inhibiting sensations of pain and allowing the surgery patientThe appliance is fabric 6 conformable, foam'rubber and is easily adjusted to ac- 7 com'rnodate heads of various sizes and yet because of ts Confi 22 209 and mat r al se m all w support of the wearer 32 6 1 WB u m M ,m u 4 New 8 n ,2 n 3 m 6 a H NW C an S "H" e c "u n u; ,e ,u ."m a mm d m m R a e n S .L .f C s .w UhF 1]] 2 8 6 555 5 [[rl rl UNITED STATES PATENTS wearer some measure of comfort especially when in the supine position. I

R20.276 Knauth 3,709.225 Sobel 2.728.339 Elmhirst.

Preston Primary ExaminerLucie H. Laud'ensla'ger 20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Attorney, Agent, or FirmMahoney, Schick '&-Cislo O O O O O O O O O PATENTEDAPR 16 1974 00000000000000 joooooooo /OOOOOOOO Maooooooo oooooo POST COSMETIC SURGERY PROTECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to what may be considered a' head protector or neck supportive device and more specifically, to a pain relief appliance which is espepliance which is especially adaptable for useby those who have had rhytidectomy r melo'plasty. This, of course, is the well known cosmetic surgery or facelift which is becoming more and more prevalent in todays youth oriented society.

Generally speaking, the invention has applicability to any instance wherein it 'is desired to have a neck or head support and thus may be utilized whenever and wherever a pillow support or the like may be required for one reason or another, but more specifically, the appliance is intended for and will be described as a It is still another more specific object of the invention to provide a post cosmetic surgery device which is especially suitable for the relief of pain caused by incisions in the ear area.

It is still another more specific and important object of the invention to provide apain'relief appliance which is especially useful or utilization during supine position of the wearer as for example during sleep, and the like. A

It is another still more important and s'pecificobject of the invention to provide a pain relief appliance which is adapted to encircle the'head of the wearer post-cosmetic surgery device it being understood that other myriad of uses will present themselves for which the appliance will have suitable applicability.

. In the case of cosmetic surgery, the patient has an incision line made which extends from above the ear within the hairline down and along the crease just in front of the ear and around and behind the ear lobe and behind the ear and then directly backward into the hair. Of course, this is only one aspect of cosmeticsurgery but the invention will be explained as it relates thereto and is not to be taken as delimiting of the applicability of the inventive appliance.

When this type of surgery is engaged in, because of the sensitivity of the facial tissue, and because it normally takes from 2 to 6 weeks for recovery from the swelling, discoloration and other affects of the surgery, the patient can normally encounter extreme sensitivity in the side of the face adjacent the ear areas. Because of the extreme discomfort, the patient is usually unable. to spend restful nights because during the sleeping process, the ear or ear areas are eventually brushed thereby causing extreme pain and many sleepless nights. Thus, in order to protect this sensitive area and to allow the patient a certain degree of freedom of selection in sleeping positions and to protect the incision area, an appliance has been developed which protects the sensitive area and allows the wearer of the device almost total freedom when sleeping, sitting or otherwise engaging in post operative activities during the healing process.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a pain relief 1 appliance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a pain relief appliance which encompasses a major portion of the head of the wearer thereof in a soft, conformable thereof in a soft, conformable and protective manner.

-It is another more important specific object of the invention to provide a pain relief appliance which is so configured and contoured so as to accommodate the head of a wearer in a protective manner leaving the face uncovered as well as a portion of the head of the wearer..

It is another still more important and more specific object of the invention to provide a pain relief appliance which is selectively, adjustably and removably positioned onto the head of a wearer.

It is another more specific object of the invention to provide an easily positioned pain relief appliance which is adaptable to accommodate various sizes of heads and to encasethem in a protective manner.

It is another and even more specific further object of the invention to provide a pain relief appliance which acts as a head and neck support to inhibit pain due to surgery or other malady.

Generally, the invention pertains to a pain relief appliance comprising the combination of a first lateral portion joined through an intermediate portion to a second lateral portion, said first and second lateral portions being adapted to be selectively, adjustably and removably positioned about the head of a wearer. The upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions are adapted to extend over and adjacent the crown of the head of the wearer and the lower extremities are adapted for selective adjustable and removable juxtapositioning in proximity to the chin of said wearer. The portions are configured to encompass in a soft, flexible and conformable manner, the head of the wearer to expose at least the face thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from reference to the hereinafter drawing and commentary taken in conjunction therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of the painrelief appliance 1 illustrating how it is fitted onto the head of a wearer;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the appliance shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the outer covering removed to better illustrate the features of construction thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view in'partial cross-section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3; 4

FIG. 5 is a view in partial cross-section taken along the line'S-S of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the .appliance with the outer .coverandsecurement means .po-

sitioned thereon; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmented view of another type of material of construction that may be utilized for the appliance of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to the figures of drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout, it will be seen that the appliance 2 is intended for positioning upon the head of a wearer shown'in phantom line in FIGS. 1 i and 2 so as to form a soft, flexible and conformable encasement thereabout. It will be noted that the appliance 2 allows for practically full exposure of the face of the wearer and for a portion of the back of the head thereof, yet still provides adequate protective functions for the base portion of the skull, the neck portion and side face portions of the wearer.

The appliance 2 comprises a first lateral portion 4 shown here joined through an intermediate portion 6 to a second lateral portion 8. It will be noted that the first and second

lateral portions

4 and 8 respectively, have a configuration with the extremities thereof terminating in an upper extremity 10 and a lower extremity 12 for the first lateral portion 4 and similarly, an upper extremity portion 14 and a lower extremity portion 16 for the second lateral portion 8.

It will be noted that each of the

lateral portions

4 and 8 are symmetrical and have an extending spanning portion between the extremities l0 and 12 and 14 and 16 of

lateral portions

4 and 8 respectively. The inside opposed

portions

18 and 20 of

lateral portions

4 and 8 are of lesser dimension and somewhat shaded with respect to the remaining portion thereof so as to better cooperate in overlapping, received relationship as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus, so that the

lateral portions

4 and 8 may be positioned through the upper extremities .10 and 14, adjacent the crown of the head of the wearer, the length of the span between the opposed extremities is such that the majority of the lateral or sides of the face of the wearer are encompassed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The

lower extremity portions

12 and 14 terminate in the tab-

like portions

22 and 24 respectively, which tab portions are adapted to encircle the chin of the wearer in juxtaposed proximity, again as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

To accommodate the general contour of the and neck portion of the wearer, the intermediate portion 6 is somewhat inners et as at 26 with respect to the

edge

28 and 30 of the lower extremities l2 and 16 respectively. It will also be noted that in this instance, the intermediate portion is integrally formed with respectto the

lateral portions

4 and 8. Obviously,-such need not be the case, and in some instances it will be preferred to fabricate the individual portions from separate pieces of material joined by proper means as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Intermediate portion 6 is also provided with a concave section, such as 32, which sectionis adapted to better accommodate the lower skull of the head of the wearer, whereas the innerset'portion 26 is adapted to more closely configure the nape or lower portion of the neck of the wearer. Y

Inthis particularinstance, and in the preferred form,

the material of construction is approximately 1% inch.

thick foam rubber PINCOR, a proprietary product .4 manufactured by the Firestone Rubber Company. It is a molded, elastomeric type of material which is soft, pliable, flexible and conformable to provide a protective encasement for the wearer of the appliance, The

.PINCOR material is provided with disconnected, an-

nular holes, such as 34,.which makes the material somewhat non-rigid and thus especially suitable for the as cutouts in the first lateral portion 4 and the second lateral portion 8 requires a stiffening material to prevent collapsing of the holes 38 and '40 upon themselves. The means taken to prevent the collapse of adjacent material into the ear area holes orrecesses 38 and 40 is by means of a somewhat more

rigid screen member

42 and 44 placed on the

exterior surface

46 and 48 of

lateral portions

4 and 8 respectively. In this instance, the screen or

cover members

42 and 44 takethe form of a synthetic webbing as is used in needlepoint tapestry. It needonly be sufficiently rigid so as to prevent collapse of the material in the area of

ear openings

38 and 40, and should be sufficie'ntly'of open grid construction to allow passage of air therethrough for c'omfortof the wearer. Other means to also contemplated. I

The exterior edges of

lateral portions

4 and 8 may be slightly shaved or shaded in order to present a more comfortable line of abutment with respect to the face of the wearer. To accommodate this comfort and to achieve an appliance which will have useful life, a covering such as 50 in the preferred form of a Banlon type which is of two-way stretch material commonly referred to as of soft fine hand quality, and which is sewn in a zig-zag, small stitch with the exterior lining being slightly smaller at the

areas

52 and 54 of the first and second lateral portions so that the tab ends 22 and 24 assume a natural, curvilinear posture prior to positioning of the appliance on the head of a wearer, is provided. v

In this particular specific instance, the means of providing selective, adjustable and removable positioning of the appliance 2 on the head of a wearer is by means of Velcro tape strips with, of course, other means being desirable and sometimes useful in practicing the invention. However, in this'instance, a pair of

Velcro tapes

56 and 58, and more specifically the male portions thereof having the extending loop-like grasping surface is provided in the upper extremity 14 of lateral portion 8, and are secured to the outer lining 50 by means of thread securement. To the upper extremity 10 is fastened in aligned manner the female portion of the

Velcro fastening assembly

60 and 62. At the lower tab p'ortion area 22 is positioned the male member64 of a Velcro assembly, whereas on the inside lateral edge of tab portion 24, with the female portion adapted to come in proximity'to the chin of-the wearer, is;positioned a Velcrostrip66. Y I v I Thus, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, to put the appliance in place the appliance 2 is positioned over the head and the extending

portions

10 and 14 arebrought into overlapping relationship, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, andsecured thereto by the cooperation of the Velcro provide support are strip cooperation, as is well-known, and thereafter the

lower tab portions

22 and 24 are positioned around the chin of the wearer and securely fastened by

Velcro cooperating strip

64 and 66, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Once the appliance is in place, it will be notedthat the wearer thereof has the base of the skull and the neck protected and in the specific illustration shown, the sensitive incision area in the ear area of the face,- which because of the softness of the Banlon" outer covering or lining, permits the ear area to be received within the ear recesses 38 and 40 to thereby encase the head of a wearer in a soft, conformable and flexible.

manner to prevent andinhibit pain upon movement'of the head of' the wearer when in the supine or sleeping position. 1

vWhile a specific embodiment ofj'the invention has been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other variations and modifications are capable of being madebut all adapted to be selectively, adjustably and removably pojsitioned about the head of a wearer, the upper extremities of said first and second lateral'portions extending about parallel to each other andbeing adapted to exspect to the lower edges of said lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions.

9. The appliance in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second lateral portions are of a sufficient dimensionto span said he'adfrom at least theeararea thereof to and including the lower back portion of said head.

10. The appliance accordance with claim 9 wherein said first and second lateral portions are provided with ear area recesses. I

11. The appliance in accordance with claim 10 wherein said ear area recesses are large enough to accommodate projectionthereinto-of the ears of said wearer.

tend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlapping relationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted for se lective, adjustable and removable juxtapositioning in proximity to the chin of said wearer in overlapping relationship, said portions being resilient and conformable and being configured to encompass in a softfflexible and conformable manner the head of said wearer to ex pose at least the face thereof, said portions being suff ciently thick in crosssection'to define a cushion-like exterior surface.

. 2. The appliance in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second lateral portions are contoured to expose the frontal face area of the wearer thereof.

3. The appliance in accordance with claim 2 wherein 'thelowe'r extremities'of said first' and second lateral portions have tab-like extending end portions thereon.

4. The appliance in accordance with claim 3 'wherein said intermediate portion is a web of materialadapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent the neck of said wearer;

5. The appliance in accordance with claim 4 wherein said intermediate web portion is contoured at opposed:

upper and lower edges thereof.

6. The appliance in accordance with claims wherein the upper edge of said intermediate web portion is concave to accommodate the base of the skull of said wearer. p

7. The appliance in the lower edge of said intermediate web portion is slightly shaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer.

8. The appliance in accordance with claim 7 wherein the lower edge of said web portion is innerset with re- 12. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein said intermediate web is integrally joined to said first and second lateral portions.

' 13. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions overlap each other in the crown area of the head of said wearer. v

14. The appliance in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lower extremities of's'aicl first and second wherein the material construction of said portions comprises a foam rubber having spaced holes.

16 The appliance in accordance with claim 15 wherein said holes extend from one opposed surface to the other;

17. The appliance in accordance with claim l 6 in-. eluding means for securing said appliance in position on the head of said wearer. v t k 18. The appliance in accordance withclaim 17 wherein said means for securing said appliance comprise cooperating Velcro bands of material.

19. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination ofz-a first lateral portion integrally joined through an intermediate portion to a second lateral portion, said first and second lateral portions having ear recess areas large enough to accommodate projection thereinto of the ears of a wearer and being of sufficient dirnension to span the head of said wearer from at least theear area thereof to and including ,the lower back portion of said head, said intermediate portion being a web of material contoured at the upper and lower edges thereof and adapted to be juxtapositionedadjacent the neck of said wearer, the upper edge of said in-,

termediate web portion being concave to accommodate the base of the skull of said wearer and the lower accordance with claim 6 wherein edge of said intermediate web being inner set with respect to the lower edges of the lower extremities of said first and-second lateral portions and being slightly shaded'to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer, said first and second lateral portions havingupper and lower extremities and being" adapted to selectively, adjustably and removably position aboutthe head of said wearer, such first and second lateral pm. tions being contoured to expose the frontalfa'ce area of said wearer, the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted to extend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlapping relationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted for selective, adjus'table and removable juxtapositioning in overlapping 'relationship under the chin of said wearer, said lower ex? lateral portions overlap under said chin of said wearer.

15. The appliance in accordance with claim 14 from one opposed surface to the other, means fors'ecuring said appliance in position'on said head of said wearer and comprising cooperating Velcro bands of 8 material, and an open flexible screen member positioned on the outside surface of said ear recess areas to prevent collapse of the wall of material adjacent thereto.

20. The appliance in accordance with claim 19 includin gva cloth covering of asthetic appearance and havinga configuration toimpart a natural curvingten-v dency to said tablike extending end portions

Claims

1. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination of: a first lateral portion joined through an intermediate portion to a second lateral portion, said first and second lateral portions having upper and lower extremities, said first and second lateral portions being adapted to be selectively, adjustably and removably positioned about the head of a wearer, the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions extendiNg about parallel to each other and being adapted to extend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlapping relationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted for selective, adjustable and removable juxtapositioning in proximity to the chin of said wearer in overlapping relationship, said portions being resilient and conformable and being configured to encompass in a soft, flexible and conformable manner the head of said wearer to expose at least the face thereof, said portions being sufficiently thick in cross-section to define a cushion-like exterior surface.

2. The appliance in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second lateral portions are contoured to expose the frontal face area of the wearer thereof.

3. The appliance in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions have tab-like extending end portions thereon.

4. The appliance in accordance with claim 3 wherein said intermediate portion is a web of material adapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent the neck of said wearer.

5. The appliance in accordance with claim 4 wherein said intermediate web portion is contoured at opposed upper and lower edges thereof.

6. The appliance in accordance with claim 5 wherein the upper edge of said intermediate web portion is concave to accommodate the base of the skull of said wearer.

7. The appliance in accordance with claim 6 wherein the lower edge of said intermediate web portion is slightly shaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer.

8. The appliance in accordance with claim 7 wherein the lower edge of said web portion is innerset with respect to the lower edges of said lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions.

9. The appliance in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and second lateral portions are of a sufficient dimension to span said head from at least the ear area thereof to and including the lower back portion of said head.

10. The appliance in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first and second lateral portions are provided with ear area recesses.

11. The appliance in accordance with claim 10 wherein said ear area recesses are large enough to accommodate projection thereinto of the ears of said wearer.

12. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein said intermediate web is integrally joined to said first and second lateral portions.

13. The appliance in accordance with claim 11 wherein the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions overlap each other in the crown area of the head of said wearer.

14. The appliance in accordance with claim 13 wherein the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions overlap under said chin of said wearer.

15. The appliance in accordance with claim 14 wherein the material construction of said portions comprises a foam rubber having spaced holes.

16. The appliance in accordance with claim 15 wherein said holes extend from one opposed surface to the other.

17. The appliance in accordance with claim 16 including means for securing said appliance in position on the head of said wearer.

18. The appliance in accordance with claim 17 wherein said means for securing said appliance comprise cooperating Velcro bands of material.

19. A pain relief appliance comprising the combination of: a first lateral portion integrally joined through an intermediate portion to a second lateral portion, said first and second lateral portions having ear recess areas large enough to accommodate projection thereinto of the ears of a wearer and being of sufficient dimension to span the head of said wearer from at least the ear area thereof to and including the lower back portion of said head, said intermediate portion being a web of material contoured at the upper and lower edges thereof and adapted to be juxtapositioned adjacent the neck of said wearer, the upper edge of said intermediate web portion being concave to Accommodate the base of the skull of said wearer and the lower edge of said intermediate web being inner set with respect to the lower edges of the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions and being slightly shaded to accommodate the nape of the neck of said wearer, said first and second lateral portions having upper and lower extremities and being adapted to selectively, adjustably and removably position about the head of said wearer, such first and second lateral portions being contoured to expose the frontal face area of said wearer, the upper extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted to extend over and adjacent the crown of said head in overlapping relationship and the lower extremities of said first and second lateral portions being adapted for selective, adjustable and removable juxtapositioning in overlapping relationship under the chin of said wearer, said lower extremities having tab-like extending end portions thereon, said first lateral portion, intermediate portion and second lateral portion being configured to encompass in a soft, flexible and conformable manner the head of said wearer to expose at least the face thereof, the material of construction of said portions comprising foam rubber having spaced holes, said holes extending from one opposed surface to the other, means for securing said appliance in position on said head of said wearer and comprising cooperating Velcro bands of material, and an open flexible screen member positioned on the outside surface of said ear recess areas to prevent collapse of the wall of material adjacent thereto.

20. The appliance in accordance with claim 19 including a cloth covering of asthetic appearance and having a configuration to impart a natural curving tendency to said tab-like extending end portions.