Facial support mask accommodating prone position surgery
First Claim
1. Apparatus for supporting a patient'"'"'s forehead and face comprising, in combination:
- a first inflatable cushion for engaging a first surface area of a patient'"'"'s forehead or face;
a second inflatable cushion for engaging a second surface area of a patient'"'"'s forehead or face; and
,apparatus coupled to the first and second inflatable cushions for selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the first and second inflatable cushions so that the first inflatable cushion is pressurized during a first time interval, and the second inflatable cushion is pressurized during a second time interval.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
During a surgical procedure being performed on a patient in the prone (face down) position, the patient'"'"'s head and face are supported by a facial support mask having two or more contoured cushions that are independently inflatable and deflatable with respect to each other. The inflatable cushions are sequentially pressurized and depressurized, thus providing continuous, soft support for the patient'"'"'s head, while alternatively relieving compression forces applied to pressure-sensitive facial areas. Alternately pressurizing and depressurizing the inflatable cushions shifts the location of compressive forces, thus relieving compressed tissues and permitting recovery of normal blood circulation in sensitive facial tissues. The patient'"'"'s head, neck and face are not disturbed while the support cushions are cycled through various pressurization and depressurization states.
121 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for supporting a patient'"'"'s forehead and face comprising, in combination:
-
a first inflatable cushion for engaging a first surface area of a patient'"'"'s forehead or face; a second inflatable cushion for engaging a second surface area of a patient'"'"'s forehead or face; and
,apparatus coupled to the first and second inflatable cushions for selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the first and second inflatable cushions so that the first inflatable cushion is pressurized during a first time interval, and the second inflatable cushion is pressurized during a second time interval.
-
-
2. Apparatus for supporting a patient'"'"'s forehead and face during a medical or surgical procedure comprising, in combination:
-
a base member having a cavity providing clearance for portions of a patient'"'"'s forehead or face; a first inflatable cushion mounted on the base member; a second inflatable cushion mounted on the base member and being spaced from the first inflatable cushion; a compressor for supplying compressed air to the first and second inflatable cushions; and
,control apparatus coupled to the compressor and to the first and second inflatable cushions for selectively pressurizing either the first inflatable cushion or the second inflatable cushion with compressed air from the compressor, and for selectively releasing compressed air from either the first inflatable cushion or the second inflatable cushion. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. Apparatus for supporting a patient'"'"'s forehead and face during a medical or surgical procedure comprising:
-
a first inflatable cushion having portions adapted for engaging the patient'"'"'s forehead or face; a second inflatable cushion having portions adapted for engaging the patient'"'"'s forehead or face; a source of compressed air for supplying compressed air to the first and second inflatable cushions; and control apparatus coupled to the compressed air source and t o the first and second inflatable cushions for selectively admitting compressed air into either one of the first and second inflatable cushions and for selectively venting compressed air out of either one of the first and second inflatable cushions. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for supporting a patient'"'"'s forehead and face comprising:
-
providing first and second inflatable cushions for engaging separate surface areas of the patient'"'"'s forehead or face; selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the inflatable cushions so that the separate surface areas of the patient'"'"'s forehead or face are supported substantially on the first inflatable cushion during a first time interval and then are supported substantially on the second inflatable cushion during a second time interval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification