WO2020254515A1

WO2020254515A1 - A protector

Info

Publication number: WO2020254515A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/067005
Authority: WO
Inventors: James GILROY; Mark Wickham
Original assignee: National College Of Art And Design
Priority date: 2019-06-21
Filing date: 2020-06-18
Publication date: 2020-12-24

Abstract

A surgical face protector (1) comprising a slidable visor (4) and a support scaffold (5) for supporting the visor (4) wherein the visor (4) is horizontally and slidably mounted on the support scaffold (5) at a horizontally slidable coupling (20) so that the visor (4) is easily and quickly removable from the support scaffold (5) to provide rapid and emergency access to a patient's face.

Description

Title

A Protector

Introduction

This invention relates to a protector and more particularly to a surgical face protector for use during surgical procedures.

Background of the Invention

During operations on the chest wall, breast or lower neck, operators may need to be positioned with their elbows directly above the face of the patient. Operations can last for several hours and operators and their assistants may be required to work with arms suspended above the patient’s face for a prolonged length of time. As a result, there is an ever-present risk that operators may relax their elbows down onto the patient’s face. Pressure on the tissues of the face can cause several problems. Direct pressure to the eye socket can cause increased intra-ocular pressure, leading to ischaemia of the retinal vessels and temporary or permanent blindness. Pressure directly on nerves can also cause permanent or temporary damage to the nerve (neuropraxia), leading to pain, altered sensation or altered muscle function in the face. Pressure on tissues can also cause bruising which can be aesthetically distressing to the patient while in some cases oedema, ulcers or even facial fractures can result.

In addition, working with arms suspended in such a position can place strain on the operating surgeons, leading to tiredness and upper limb, neck or back pain. The strain of holding arms in this unergonomic pose can also make carrying out fine dissection in the operative field more challenging.

Various attempts have been made to address the above mentioned problems. For example, anaesthetists are often called upon to be vigilant in highlighting inappropriate pressure being exerted on a patient while soft protective fabrics are often placed over a patient’s face. Various surgical face protectors have also been developed. However, known methods and devices also suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, the known methods and devices do not allow any pressure to be applied by the surgeon and rely on the surgeon to not lean on the face whilst continuing to rely on the vigilance of the anaesthetist to notice when inappropriate pressure is being exerted. Known devices are thus prone to failure if the anaesthetist or surgeon becomes distracted during the operation. In addition, known devices do not act as ergonomic supports or aides for surgical teams. For example, US 2015/0257958 describes a face protection device for surgery tables in the form of a receptacle tray for surgical instruments. However, the surgical tray is not adapted to function as an ergonomic support for surgeons. Moreover, the surgical tray is not compact, is obtrusive and is mounted from the sides of the operating table thus causing an obstruction in the field of surgery e.g. on the chest wall, breast and lower neck. US 2016/0150837 also describes a protector to protect the head of a patient. However, the protector is in the form of a face mask which is placed on a patient’s face. Accordingly, the face mask fails to adequately protect the patient’s face in the event of pressure being placed on the face mask by a surgeon and also fails to function as an ergonomic support for the surgeon.

Moreover, known devices are frequently complex in construction and slow to assemble and disassemble whilst still only protecting a relatively narrow band of a patient’s anatomy at any given time - i.e. eyes or lower face - offering less than full face protection and less of a platform upon which a surgeon can rest. Due to their complex construction, known devices cannot be rapidly removed from the key zones around a patient’s airway and head in the event of an emergency, potentially reducing anaesthetist comfort levels and confidence in the apparatus. Accordingly, in short, known devices fail to protect patient’s faces in an unobtrusive manner during surgery that does not compromise the field of surgery whilst also providing ergonomic support as required for surgical teams.

An object of the invention is to overcome at least some of the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In its broadest sense, the invention relates to a surgical face protector comprising: a visor and

a support scaffold for supporting the visor wherein the visor is horizontally and slidably mounted on the support scaffold at a horizontally slidable coupling.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a surgical face protector comprising:

a visor and

a support scaffold for supporting the visor at a height above a patient’s face wherein the visor is horizontally and slidably mountable on the support scaffold at a horizontally slidable coupling and is configured to compactly protect the patient’s face.

Preferably, the visor comprises a low profile facemask. More preferably, the low profile facemask is generally convex in shape.

Suitably, the low profile facemask has a generally semi-circular profile in cross- section having a top edge and an oppositely disposed contoured bottom edge.

In one embodiment, the low profile facemask is inclined downwards between the top edge and the contoured bottom edge.

Optionally, the contoured bottom edge is shaped to define a neck extension to protect a patient’s neck/upper chest area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the visor is configured to define an ergonomic support.

Preferably, the support scaffold is configured to support the visor at a head end of an operating table away from the field of surgery. More preferably, the support scaffold comprises a visor support frame for supporting the slidable visor at a support scaffold mounting. In a preferred embodiment, the visor support frame is extendible from the head end of an operating table.

Suitably, the visor support frame comprises a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm for supporting the visor therebetween. Preferably, the first and second arms are rotatable for rapid removal in an emergency situation.

In one embodiment, the first and second arms comprise an arm lock to lock the first and/or second arms in position.

Suitably, the first and second arms comprise a quick release fitting to quickly release the first and second arms.

Preferably, each arm is formed from a substantially vertical upright and a substantially horizontal rail defining a substantially horizontal axis along which the visor is horizontally slidable.

Advantageously, the visor comprises a quick release coupling for horizontal sliding on and quick release of the visor from the substantially horizontal rail for rapid disassembly in an emergency.

In one embodiment, the quick release coupling comprises at least one sleeve on the visor. Preferably, the quick release coupling comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve offset with respect to the first sleeve. More preferably, the sleeves comprise open tubular sleeves.

Optionally, the open tubular sleeves are closed at one end.

In one embodiment, the at least one horizontal rail comprises a releasable visor stop or lock mechanism to hold the slidable visor in place on the rails. Suitably, the stop or lock mechanism comprises an upwardly extending stop on the rail. Alternatively or in addition, the visor stop or lock mechanism comprises a laterally extending bolt like catch on the rail engageable in a complementary slit defined in the visor. Alternatively or in addition, the visor stop or lock mechanism comprises a generally upwardly extending finger on the rail.

In one embodiment, the support scaffold further comprises a support beam attachable to an operating table at a connector or connectors for detachably supporting the visor support frame at the operating table.

Suitably, the connector or connectors comprise releasable connectors so that the support beam can be released from an operating table. Preferably, the releasable connector or connectors comprise a quick release mechanism so that the support beam is quickly releasable from an operating table.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support scaffold comprises a collapsible support scaffold.

Suitably, the support scaffold mounting is slidably receivable and lockable in a complementary mounting hole in the support beam.

Preferably, the support scaffold mounting is rotatable in the complementary mounting hole in the support beam.

In one embodiment, the support scaffold mounting comprises at least one lug projecting laterally from the substantially vertical upright. Preferably, the support scaffold comprises a series of lugs projecting bilaterally from the substantially vertical upright. More preferably, the complementary mounting hole comprises a slot to receive the lug through the mounting hole. Advantageously, the complementary mounting hole comprises a notch to support the lug at the mounting hole.

In one embodiment, the complementary mounting hole in the support beam is provided with a stabilising collar.

The surgical face protector of the invention acts as a combined anaesthetic and surgical aide. As the surgical face protector is spaced at a height directly above the face of the patient it prevents injury to the patient’s face and eyes caused by inadvertent pressure applied by surgical teams. Additionally, the device of the invention can act as an ergonomic support such as an elbow-rest for surgical teams, improving the ergonomics of the operation, reducing strain on the primary and assistant operators.

The low profile facemask of the protector also ensures that the face protector compactly protects the patient’s face while, in particular, the convex shape of the facemask also ensures compactness. The device of the invention is low profile, minimising encroachment on the space available for the surgeon to efficiently perform the operation, whilst at the same time providing sufficient clearance above the face, which can be varied as required, for passage of the equipment required for the ventilatory support of the patient during the operation. Furthermore, due to the configuration of the surgical face protector, the visor of the surgical face protector can be a full facemask that protects all of the patient’s face whilst providing a large area for the surgeon to use as an ergonomic aide. Accordingly, the low profile/convex configuration of the facemask also serves to enhance the ergonomic support function provided by the face protector. As the surgical face protector, and in particular the visor, can be supported towards or at the head end of an operating table, as opposed to the sides of the operating table, and can extend over the operating table from the head end of the operating table, the face protector is mounted on the operating table away from the field of surgery thus further reducing the obtrusiveness of the device whilst still effectively protecting a patient’s face and neck region in use.

The collapsibility of the surgical face protector ensures that the device is rapidly removable in the event of an emergency involving a patient’s airway or breathing. Whilst providing full support against downward pressure from an operator’s arm, the slidable visor is minimally tethered against an upward pressure. Accordingly, the visor can be removed from the support scaffold within seconds. Furthermore, the visor support frame, and in particular the arms, can be rotated and/or collapsed so that it is completely removable from the patient zone within seconds. Accordingly, the surgical face protector of the invention provides full reassurance to anaesthetists that rapid and easy access to a patient during surgery is unhindered access in an emergency. The surgical face protector of the invention is also minimally disruptive to the existing working practices of both the surgeons and anaesthetists.

The surgical face protector of the invention can be employed in a range of surgical techniques ranging from thoracic wall surgery to neck and cervical spine surgery (ACDF). Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is side elevation of a surgical face protector of the invention mounted on an operating table;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view from one side of the surgical face protector of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the surgical face protector;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the visor of the surgical face protector mounted on a horizontal rail of the of the visor support frame with an alternative visor stop mechanism on the rails in the form of a laterally extending bolt like catch on the rail engageable in a complementary slit defined in the facemask ;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the visor of the surgical face protector mounted on a horizontal rail of the of the visor support frame with an alternative visor stop mechanism on the rail in the form of a generally upwardly extending finger on the rails shaped to stop an edge of the facemask; Figure 6 is a perspective view from one side of the surgical face protector with the visor detached from the visor support frame;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from one side of the first and second arms of the visor support frame detached from the detachable support beam mounted on the operating table;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the operating table and the support beam attached to the operating table at the adjustable support beam connector;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the support beam and adjustable connector of Figure 8 with the support beam detached from the adjustable connector and operating table;

Figure 10 is a further enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the upright of the first and second arms of the visor support frame showing the key like mountings or lugs on the upright and the complementary mounting holes in the support beam;

Figure 10(a) is a schematic plan view from above and a corresponding cross- sectional view of the upright of Figure 10 in the slidable height adjustment position in the mounting hole with the direction of movement of the upright in the mounting hole indicated by an arrow;

Figure 10(b) is a schematic plan view from above and a corresponding cross- sectional view of the upright of Figure 10 in the locking position in the mounting hole with the anti-clockwise direction of rotation of the upright to lock the upright in the mounting hole indicated by the arrows;

Figure 11 is a perspective view from above and one side of the upright of the first and second arms of the visor support frame having key-like lugs similar to those shown in Figure 10 but in which the complementary mounting holes in the support beam are surrounded by a stabilising collar formed on an upper and lower surface of a tubular fitting mounted on the support beam;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the upright, beam and tubular fitting of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the beam and tubular fitting with the upright removed for clarity; Figure 14 is a side elevation of the surgical face protector and operating table of Figure 1 with a patient positioned on the operating table and the surgical face protector protecting the patient’s face, and

Figure 15 is an enlarged side perspective view of the patient’s head and surgical face protector of Figure 11.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Definitions and general preferences

Where used herein and unless specifically indicated otherwise, the following terms are intended to have the following meanings in addition to any broader (or narrower) meanings the terms might enjoy in the art:

Unless otherwise required by context, the use herein of the singular is to be read to include the plural and vice versa. The term "a" or "an" used in relation to an entity is to be read to refer to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein.

As used herein, the term "comprise," or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising," are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited integer (e.g. a feature, element, characteristic, property, method/process step or limitation) or group of integers (e.g. features, element, characteristics, properties, method/process steps or limitations) but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Thus, as used herein the term "comprising" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited integers or method/process steps.

Exemplification

As shown in the drawings, a surgical face protector for protecting a patient’s face during surgical procedures is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 and is adapted for mounting on an operating table 3 having a first side 51 , an opposite side 52, a head end 2 at which a patient’s head is usually positioned and a foot end 53 opposite the head end 2. More particularly, the surgical face protector 1 is adapted for mounting towards or at the head end 2 of the operating table 3 away from the field of surgery. The face protector 1 is made up of a slidable visor 4 mounted on an easily collapsible support scaffold 5 formed from a releasable visor support frame 6 for supporting the slidable visor 4 and a substantially L-shaped support beam 7 attached to the operating table 3 towards the head end 2 on which the visor support frame 6 is detachably mounted. The visor support frame 6 is mounted to be extendible from the head end 2 the operating table 3 over the operating table 3 (and a patient’s head in use).

In an alternative embodiment, the support beam 7 can be differently shaped if desired e.g. the support beam 7 may be C-shaped or otherwise shaped to allow connection at both sides 51 , 52 of the operating table 3.

The slidable visor 4 is horizontally slidable along a horizontal axis defined by the visor support frame 6 to position the slidable visor 4 at a height spaced over and above a patient’s face and is also slidably removable from the visor support frame 6 in a horizontal sliding movement along the horizontal axis. The slidable visor 4 is therefore easily and quickly removable from the visor support frame 6 to provide rapid and emergency access to the patient’s face (e.g. airways) while the collapsible support scaffold 5 ensures that the surgical face protector 1 can be quickly removed from the operating table 3 to provide unhindered access to a patient without requiring the unlocking or opening of complex attachment fittings. The visor support frame 6 is made up of a first support arm 8 and a second support arm 9 spaced apart from and parallel with the first support arm 8. Each support arm 8, 9 is formed from an upright 10, typically a substantially vertical upright 10, and a substantially horizontal rail 11 contiguous with the vertical upright 10 defining the horizontal axis on which the slidable visor 4 can slide horizontally. The first and second arms 8, 9 can include an arm lock to lock the first and/or second arms in position i.e. to ensure no components will move unintentionally during surgery. Additionally, the first and second arms 8, 9 can include a quick release fitting to quickly release the first and second arms so that the arms 8, 9 can be quickly disassembled in an emergency during surgery. In one embodiment, each vertical upright 10 is provided with a support scaffold mounting 12 which can incorporate the arm lock and/or the quick release fitting and which is rotatably and slidably receivable and lockable in a complementary mounting hole 13 defined in the L- shaped support beam 7 so that the height of the horizontal rails 11 over the operating table 2 can be adjusted to vary the vertical positioning of the visor 4 in use. As indicated above and as shall be explained more fully below, the support scaffold mounting 12 can facilitate the rapid collapse and removal of the support frame 6 from the operating table 3. As shown particularly in Figures 2 to 6, the slidable visor 4 is made up of a low profile facemask 14 which has a generally convex shape and in particular a generally semi-circular profile in cross-section having a top edge 15 to be positioned towards the top of a patient’s head, a contoured bottom edge 16 opposite the top edge 15 to be positioned towards a patient’s neck and shaped to define a neck extension 17 to protect a patient’s neck/upper chest area without impinging on the field of surgery, a first side edge 18 and a second opposite side edge 19. The facemask 14 is inclined downwards between the top edge 15 and the contoured bottom edge 16 to further enhance the compactness of the facemask 14 by generally following the inclination of a patient’s face in repose. Each side edge 18,19 is provided with a horizontally slidable and quick release coupling 20 to facilitate horizontal sliding of the visor 4 on the horizontal rails 11 and quick release of the visor 4 from the horizontal rails 11. Each slidable coupling 20 is made up of an open tubular first inner sleeve 21 , an open tubular second outer sleeve 22 and an open tubular intermediate sleeve 23 between the inner sleeve 21 and the outer sleeve 22. The inner, outer and intermediate sleeves 21 ,22,23 are open along their lengths so that the sleeves 21 ,22,23 can be easily positioned on and removed from the horizontal rails 11 while the intermediate sleeve 23 is offset with respect to the inner and outer sleeves 21 ,22 so that the slidable coupling 20 holds visor 4 in place on the rails 11 whilst allowing the visor 4 to slide horizontally on the rails 11. In alternative embodiments, the open tubular sleeves 21 ,22,23 could be replaced by a fully constrained sleeve if desired. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in still further embodiments, the coupling 20 for connecting the visor to the rails 11 can be replaced by other connecting mechanisms e.g. the coupling 20 can be an item manufactured separately to the visor 4 such as an injection moulded connector which is subsequently attached, e.g. with an adhesive, to the visor 4 which itself can be vacuum formed. At least one or each rail 11 can be provided with a releasable visor stop or mechanical lock mechanism 34 to hold the slidable visor 4 in place on the rails 1 1 to ensure that the visor does not move unintentionally during surgery but which can be quickly released or disassembled during surgery if necessary e.g. in an emergency. As shown in Figure 2, the stop mechanism 34 can be in the form of upwardly extending stops 36 positioned on the rails 11. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the visor stop mechanism 34 on the rails 11 can be in the form of a laterally extending bolt-like catch 37 on the rails 11 engageable in a complementary slit 38 defined in the facemask 14. Similarly, in a further embodiment as shown in Figure 5, a visor stop mechanism 34 on the rails 11 in the form of a generally upwardly extending finger 39 on the rails 11 is shaped and sized to stop an edge of the facemask 14. In a still further embodiment, if desired, the ends of the outer sleeve 22 could be closed to prevent the visor 4 from sliding along the rails 11 towards the head end 2 of the operating table 3. The substantially L-shaped support beam 7 is made up of a relatively shorter bar 24 disposable along a side 51 , 52 of the operating table 3 and a relatively longer bar 25 perpendicular to the shorter bar 24 and disposable parallel with the head end 2 of the operating table 3. The mounting holes 13 for the uprights 10 of the visor support frame 6 are defined in the longer bar 25 at the head end of the operating table 3 while the shorter bar 24 is attached to the side 51 ,52 of the operating table 3 at an adjustable connector 26. The adjustable connector 26 is releasable so that the support beam 6 can be quickly released from the operating table 3 and is made up of a bore 27 for receiving the shorter bar 24 and a quick release mechanism in the form of a locking pin 28 for gripping and releasing the shorter bar 24 in the bore 27.

As indicated above, the support scaffold mounting 12 facilitates the rapid collapse and removal of the support scaffold 5 from the operating table 3. As shown particularly in Figures 10, 10(a) and 10(b), the support scaffold mounting 12 is made up of a series of key-like lugs 29 which project bilaterally from the uprights 10 of the visor support frame 6 i.e. from opposite sides of the uprights 10. The complementary mounting holes 13 in the support beam 7 are shaped to define first and second opposite slots 30,31 respectively so that the lugged uprights 10 can pass vertically through the mounting holes 13 (Figure 10(a)). Flowever, as shown in Figure 10(b), the mounting holes 13 are further shaped to define first and second oppositely disposed notches 32,33 respectively so that the uprights 10 (and hence the first and second arms 8,9) can be rotated in the mounting holes 13 to engage the lugs 29 in the notches 32,33 to support and lock the arms 8,9 at a desired height. Conversely, the arms 8,9 can be rapidly removed from the mounting holes 13 by lifting and rotating the arms 8,9 in the mounting holes 13 so that the lugs 29 can pass through the slots 30,31 to rapidly remove the first and second arms 8,9 and hence the visor support frame 6 from the support beam 7 e.g. to collapse the surgical face protector 1 in an emergency.

Figures 11 to 13 show the upright 10 of the first and second arms 8,9 of the visor support frame 6 having key-like lugs 29 similar to those shown in Figure 10 but in which the complementary mounting holes 13 in the support beam 7 are surrounded by a stabilising collar 40 formed on an upper and lower surface 41 ,42 respectively of a tubular fitting 43 mounted on the support beam 7. Like numerals indicate like parts. More particularly, as shown in the drawings, the tubular fitting 43 is shaped and dimensioned to be mounted on the support beam 7 at the mounting holes 13 and is made up of an annular elongate body 44 defining the upper and lower surfaces 41 ,42. Upper and lower upright openings 45,46 contiguous with the mounting holes 13 in the support beam 7 are defined in the upper and lower surfaces 41 ,42 for receiving the uprights 10 through the tubular fitting 43. The stabilising collars 40 surround the openings 45,46 and are segmented by a first and second pair of oppositely disposed collar slots 47,48 respectively for receiving the key-like lugs 29. Each of the first pair of collar slots 47 is also contiguous with a horizontal notch 49 defined in the upper surface 41 and lower surface 42 to complement the slots 30,31 of the complementary holes 13. Similarly, the upper surface 41 of the tubular fitting 43 is provided with oppositely disposed grooves 50 complementary with the oppositely disposed notches 32,33 of the mounting holes 13. Accordingly, in use, the upright 10 can be rotated and vertically slid in the collar 40 and rotated to be supported at the key-like lugs 29 in the collar 40 as previously described. In use, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, a patient 35 is placed on the operating table 3 and the surgical face protector 1 of the invention is collapsibly assembled on the head end 2 of the operating table 3 at a desired height above a patient’s face as previously described with the horizontally slidable visor 4 disposed substantially parallel with the operating table 3 to protect the patient’s face. The slidable visor 4 can be horizontally slid via its slidable couplings 20 along the horizontal rails 11 to correctly position the low profile facemask 14 as desired. The patient’s face is therefore protected during surgery. In the event of an emergency e.g. where rapid access is required to the patient’s airways, the slidable visor 4 can be slidably removed from the rails 11 at speed and the first and second arms 8,9 of the visor support frame 6 can be rapidly slid from the support beam 7 by rotating and lifting the first and second arms 8,9 to withdraw the arms 8,9 from the mounting holes 13 in the support beam 6 thereby collapsing the surgical face protector 1. Alternatively, the first and second arms 8,9 can be rotated and dropped into the mounting holes 13 in the support beam 7, to collapse the surgical face protector 1. Accordingly, access to the patient 35 is unhindered. If desired, the support beam 7 can also be quickly removed from the operating table 3 via the releasable adjustable connector 26. This surgical face protector 1 of the invention ensures a high degree of safety in relation to iatrogenic injury and from unexpected emergencies involving the airway of the patient 35 whilst remaining compact and also serving as an ergonomic support or aide without intruding upon the surgical field. Moreover, the visor 4, being rapidly removable from in front of a patient’s face, gives clear access to the patient 35 in the event of any airway emergency while the support scaffold 5, and in particular the visor support frame 6, is entirely removable from the area around the patient 35 in one movement. In addition, due to its simplicity, a junior member of staff can also remove the apparatus from around the patient 35 in an emergency with only minimal familiarity with the apparatus.

The surgical face protector 1 of the invention can be formed from any suitable materials and can be sized and dimensioned as required. For example, the visor 4 can be made from shatter resistant clear polymer with a foam upper to provide comfort for the surgeon while the support scaffold can be made from a light, strong, inflexible material such as alloys and the like.

Claims

1. A surgical face protector comprising:

a visor and

2. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the visor comprises a low profile facemask.

3. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the low profile facemask is generally convex in shape.

4. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the low profile facemask has a generally semi-circular profile in cross-section having a top edge and an oppositely disposed contoured bottom edge.

5. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the low profile facemask is inclined downwards between the top edge and the contoured bottom edge.

6. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the contoured bottom edge is shaped to define a neck extension to protect a patient’s neck/upper chest area.

7. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the visor is configured to define an ergonomic support.

8. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the support scaffold is configured to support the visor towards or at a head end of an operating table away from the field of surgery.

9. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the support scaffold comprises a visor support frame for supporting the slidable visor at a support scaffold mounting.

10. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the visor support frame is extendible from the head end of an operating table.

11. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the visor support frame comprises a first arm and a second arm spaced apart from the first arm for supporting the visor therebetween.

12. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the first and second arms are rotatable.

13. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the first and second arms comprise an arm lock to lock the first and/or second arms in position.

14. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 wherein the first and second arms comprise a quick release fitting to quickly release the first and second arms.

15. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 14 wherein each arm is formed from a substantially vertical upright and a substantially horizontal rail defining a substantially horizontal axis along which the visor is horizontally slidable.

16. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the visor comprises a quick release coupling for horizontal sliding on and quick release of the visor from the substantially horizontal rail.

17. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the quick release coupling comprises at least one sleeve on the visor.

18. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 17 wherein the quick release coupling comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve offset with respect to the first sleeve.

19. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18 wherein the sleeves comprise open tubular sleeves.

20. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the open tubular sleeves are closed at one end.

21. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 20 wherein at least one horizontal rail comprises a releasable visor stop or lock mechanism to hold the slidable visor in place on the rails.

22. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 21 wherein the stop mechanism comprises an upwardly extending stop on the rail.

23. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22 wherein the visor stop mechanism comprises a laterally extending bolt-like catch on the rail engageable in a complementary slit defined in the visor.

24. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 23 wherein the visor stop mechanism comprises a generally upwardly extending finger on the rail.

25. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 24 wherein the support scaffold further comprises a support beam attachable to an operating table at a connector or connectors for detachably supporting the visor support frame at the operating table.

26. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the connector or connectors comprise releasable connectors so that the support beam can be released from an operating table.

27. A surgical face mask as claimed 26 wherein the releasable connector or connectors comprise a quick release mechanism so that the support beam is quickly releasable from an operating table.

28. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 27 wherein the support scaffold comprises a collapsible support scaffold.

29. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 28 wherein the support scaffold mounting is slidably receivable and lockable in a complementary mounting hole in the support beam.

30. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 29 wherein the support scaffold mounting is rotatable in the complementary mounting hole in the support beam.

31. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 29 or Claim 30 wherein the support scaffold mounting comprises at least one lug projecting laterally from the substantially vertical upright.

32. A surgical face protector as claimed in Claim 31 wherein the support scaffold comprises a series of lugs projecting bilaterally from the substantially vertical upright.

33. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 32 wherein the complementary mounting hole comprises a slot to receive the lug through the mounting hole.

34. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 33 wherein the complementary mounting hole comprises a notch to support the lug at the mounting hole.

35. A surgical face protector as claimed in any of Claims 29 to 34 wherein the complementary mounting hole in the support beam is provided with a stabilising collar.