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EP-4368141-B1 - PROTECTIVE APPARATUSES FOR MINIMIZING RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF INFECTION AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS

EP4368141B1EP 4368141 B1EP4368141 B1EP 4368141B1EP-4368141-B1

Inventors

  • PRINCE, MICHAEL
  • KIM, HYUNCHUL
  • ORRINGTON, James

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20210408

Claims (9)

  1. A protective apparatus (600; 700; 800; 900; 1000) comprising: a substantially transparent shield component (101); and a handle component (102) further comprising a connecting aspect (604; 705); wherein said apparatus is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises at least one juncture where sides of the protective apparatus adjoin, at least one such juncture comprising one or more light emitting diodes (704; 804; 904; 1004), the protective apparatus further comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged as at least one substantially linear row (703; 803; 903; 1003) along at least one side of the protective apparatus, characterized by a control console (603; 805; 1005) comprising: a first control component (1006) to control power to the substantially linear rows of light emitting diodes (703; 803; 903; 1003); a second control component (1007) to control color of the light emitted from the light emitting diodes comprising the substantially linear rows of light emitting diodes; a third control component (1008) which, upon manipulation thereof, increases the intensity of light emitted from the substantially linear rows of light emitting diodes; and a fourth control component (1009) which, upon manipulation thereof, decreases the intensity of light emitted from the substantially linear rows of light emitting diodes, wherein the substantially transparent shield component further comprises a second control console (603; 805; 1005) comprising four control components wherein: a first control component (1006) of said second control console controls power to the light emitting diodes (704; 804; 904; 1004) located at one or more junctures of the sides of the protective apparatus; a second control component (1007) of said second control console controls the color of the light emitting diodes located at one or more junctures of the sides of the protective apparatus; a third control component (1008) of said second control console, upon manipulation thereof, increases the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting diodes located at one or more junctures of the sides of the protective apparatus; and a fourth control component (1009) of said second control console, upon manipulation thereof, decreases the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting diodes located at one or more junctures of the sides of the protective apparatus.
  2. The protective apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a camera (103; 301; 501; 601; 701; 801; 901) communicatively connected to a display screen (104; 602; 702; 802; 902; 1001).
  3. The protective apparatus of claim 2 wherein the camera (601; 701; 801; 901) is integrated into said protective apparatus.
  4. The protective apparatus of claim 3, wherein the display screen (602; 702; 802; 902; 1001) is integrated into said protective apparatus.
  5. The protective apparatus of claim 2, wherein the camera (103) and/or display screen (104) are operatively connected to the protective apparatus by a joint and/or hinge (106).
  6. The protective apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting aspect (604; 705) comprises a substantially cylindrical aperture having an inside diameter of approximately 12,7 cm (five inches).
  7. The protective apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein light emitted from the substantially linear rows of the light emitting diodes (703; 803; 903; 1003) comprises cool white light, warm white light, a combination of cool and warm white light, amber light, or blue light.
  8. The protective apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting diodes (704; 804; 904; 1004) located at one or more junctures of the sides of the protective apparatus comprises cool white light, warm white light, or a combination of cool and warm white light.
  9. A system comprising a protective apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said protective apparatus is operatively attached to an articulating mechanical arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to protective apparatuses and associated systems designed to minimize the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus and/or other sources of infection in environments where there is a high risk of transmission due to individuals being in close physical proximity to one another. More particularly, the disclosure relates to protective apparatuses comprising a substantially transparent shield component and a handle component comprising a connecting aspect installable to, without limitation, a vacuum hose or other substantially cylindrical object. BACKGROUND In the following specification, 1 foot corresponds to 30,48 cm and 1 inch corresponds to 2,54 cm. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in December, 2019, in Wuhan, China. Since that time, the virus has spread throughout the world, resulting in a global pandemic. More than 41 million patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19 across more than 213 countries and territories. As of the date of this disclosure, there have been more than 1.1 million reported deaths due to COVID-19. COVID-19 may be transmitted via droplet contact (e.g., coughing and sneezing); direct physical contact; indirect physical contact (e.g., touching a contaminated surface); and airborne transmission. The primary way through which COVID-19 is transmitted, however, is through small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking, where individuals are in close physical proximity to one another. COVID-19 may be transmitted by persons infected with the virus who have not exhibited any symptoms. Future effects of COVID-19 remain in question, as no known solution exists to mitigate or eliminate these undesirable conditions conducive to ongoing transmission. Close physical proximity between people increases the risk of transmitting COVID-19 because COVID-19 may be transmitted via at least droplet contact (e.g., coughing and sneezing); direct physical contact; indirect physical contact (e.g., touching a contaminated surface); and airborne transmission. Social distancing, also referred to as physical distancing, is one of the primary tactics that have been utilized throughout the world to attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing comprises maintaining certain minimum physical distances between individuals and reducing the number of times that individuals come into close physical contact with one another. However, not all activities permit of maintaining sufficient minimum physical distances. For example, many healthcare workers must come within close proximity to their patients in order to perform their duties. Where close physical proximity between people cannot be avoided, there exists a need for a system that is effective in reducing the risk of transmitting COVID-19. Particles are classified based on size. Coarse particles are 2.5 to 10 microns. Fine particles are less than 2.5 microns. Ultrafine particles are those less than 0.1 microns in size. A human nose generally filters particles larger than 10 microns. If a particle is less than 10 microns, if can enter the respiratory system. If a particle is less than 2.5 microns, it can enter the alveoli. An ultrafine particle can enter the bloodstream and target organs. COVID-19 exists as ultrafine particles. Current research suggests that most respiratory transmission of COVID-19 occurs through large respiratory droplets. Such large droplets typically fall to the ground after travelling approximately six feet at the most. Activity such as coughing and sneezing, however, can aerosolize the droplets so that they can travel further thereby increasing the risk of transmission (i.e., where the droplets are carrying COVID-19). When aerosolized, COVID-19 can travel up to approximately 20 feet and will remain suspended in the air longer than when not aerosolized. In addition to coughing and sneezing, respiratory droplets are routinely aerosolized in the practice of dentistry. Dentists who utilize aerosolization in their practice, and therefore their staff as well, are at a high risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Such dentists' patients are likewise at high risk of becoming infected from the dentist, as well as their dental assistants in the immediate area when being treated. Most such risk results from splatter and droplet transmission to the mid-face of the dentist and assistant and to the nasal area of the patient. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that individuals in other professions may realize the advantages of protective apparatuses and associated systems enabled by this disclosure such as, without limitation, other healthcare professionals who may, in the course of their work, come into close proximity with the nasal and mouth region of individuals whom they are treating. Documents US 2011/318702 A1, US 2014/111977 A1, US 10 420 386 B1 a