US4742764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for insulating selected areas from the surrounding atmosphere with clean-room air
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-08-15
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2005-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A selected part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table can be insulated from air in the surrounding atmosphere by a stream of clean-room air which issues from a distributor head and is caused to form a relatively thin layer between the selected part and the surrounding atmosphere. Such relatively thin layer can be established and maintained by heating or cooling the stream so that its temperature deviates from that of air in the surrounding atmosphere by a few degrees centigrade. The direction of flow of a portion of or the entire stream can be changed by one or more secondary streams. The moisture content of the stream of clean-room air can be increased by causing it to flow through a steam chamber. Heating or cooling of the stream can precede or follow sterilization of atmospheric air which is to form the stream.
Inventors
- 👤 Zinon Duvlis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G13/00; A61G13/10; A61G13/108; F; F24; F24F; F24F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of insulating from the surrounding atmosphere a selected area which is occupied by a part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table, comprising the steps of establishing a stream of clean-room air between the selected area and the surrounding atmosphere including causing the stream to flow along a predetermined path and in a predetermined direction substantially tangentially of the selected area; and bundling and confining the stream by thermal stabillization including maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of the surrounding atmosphere without appreciably influencing the temperature in the selected area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of insulating from the surrounding atmosphere a selected area which is occupied by a part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table, comprising the steps of establishing a stream of clean-room air between the selected area and the surrounding atmosphere including causing the stream to flow along a predetermined path and in a predetermined direction substantially tangentially of the selected area; and bundling and confining the stream by thermal stabillization including maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of the surrounding atmosphere without appreciably influencing the temperature in the selected area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of diverting a portion of said stream from said path in a second direction making a predetermined angle with said predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said diverting step includes establishing a second stream of thermally syabilized clean-room air and directing said second stream against the stream in said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said directing step includes conveying the second stream along a second path making a predetermined angle with the stream in said predetermined path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said directing step includes conveying the second stream substantially transversely of said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said directing step includes conveying the second stream substantially at right angles to said first path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of moisturizing the stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said moisturizing step includes contacting the stream with steam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said establishing step includes sterilizing atmospheric air and said sterilizing step precedes said moisturizing step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for insulating from the surrounding atmosphere a selected area which is occupied by a part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table, comprising means for establishing a stream of clean-room air between the selected area and the surrounding atmosphere; and means for bundling and confining the stream by thermal stabilization including means for maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of air in the surrounding atmosphere without appreciably influencing the temperature in the selected area, said establishing means including means for conveying the stream along a predetermined path substantially tangentially of the selected area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for insulating from the surrounding atmosphere a selected area which is occupied by a part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table, comprising means for establishing a stream of clean-room air between the selected area and the surrounding atmosphere; and means for bundling and confining the stream by thermal stabilization including means for maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of air in the surrounding atmosphere without appreciably influencing the temperature in the selected area, said establishing means including means for conveying the stream along a predetermined path substantially tangentially of the selected area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means comprises a housing having an outlet for clean-room air, said outlet being sterilizable in an autoclave.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said means for maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of air in the surrounding atmosphere comprises means for cooling the stream.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said means for maintaining the temperature of the stream below that of air in the surrounding atmosphere comprises means for cooling the stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said bundling and confining means includes means for influencing the temperature of the stream in a predetermined portion of said path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said conveying means comprises means for drawing atmospheric air into said path and said bundling and confining means further comprises means for sterilizing the thus drawn atmospheric air in a predetermined portion of said path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said bundling and confining means comprises at least one heat exchanger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said heat exchanger comprises a tubular component having an external surface which is contacted by the stream and means for conveying a conditioning fluid through said tubular member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said bundling and confining means comprises a refrigerating system with a compressor, a condenser and a supply of refrigerant which expands in response to exchange of heat with the stream.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising means for withdrawing heat from the refrigerant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said bundling and confining means comprises a tubular component which contains copper and is contacted by the stream.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for diverting at least a portion of said stream in a predetermined direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said diverting means comprises means for directing at least one secondary stream of air against the stream of clean-room air.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said diverting means comprises means for directing several secondary streams against the stream of clean-room air in the region of said selected area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said directing means forms part of an operating table.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means comprises means for sterilizing atmospheric air and said stabilizing means is arranged to influence the temperature of sterilized air.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means comprises a distributor which can be sterilized in an autoclave.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means includes at least one conduit which can be sterilized in an autoclave.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means comprises at least one filter which is arranged to sterilize atmospheric air and which can be sterilized in an autoclave.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means includes a housing and a filter in said housing, said filter being arranged to sterilize atmospheric air which is caused to pass therethrough and being removably and replaceably installed in said housing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said establishing means includes at least one conduit, a component which is adjacent to one end of said conduit, and means for separably connecting said end of said conduit to said component, said connecting means comprising a coupling which can be sterilized in an autoclave.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for changing the moisture content of the stream.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said establishing means comprises a clean-room air generator, a distributor arranged to direct the stream against the selected part, and conduit means connecting said distributor with said generator, said moisture changing means including a portion which is installed in said conduit means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said establishing means comprises a clean-room air generator, a distributor having outlet means for said stream, and means for connecting said generator with said distributor, said moisture changing means being installed in said connecting means closely adjacent to said distributor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said moisture changing means comprises a steam chamber and said establishing means comprises means for conveying the stream through said chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |