Surgical personal protection apparatus

#Personal protection systems are used in surgical procedures to provide a sterile barrier between the surgical personnel and the patient. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,480, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference discloses that basic structure of such a system. Specifically, the traditional system includes a helmet that supports a toga or a hood. This assemblage is worn by medical/surgical personnel that want to establish the sterile barrier. The toga or the hood includes a transparent face shield. The helmet includes a ventilation unit that includes a fan. The ventilation unit draws air through the toga/hood so the air is circulated around the wearer. This reduces both the amount of heat that is trapped within the toga/hood and the CO2 that builds up in this space. It is further known to mount a light to the helmet. The light, which is directed through face shield illuminates the surgical site.

#Conventional personal protection systems do a reasonable job of providing a sterile barrier between the surgical personnel and the surrounding environment. However, there are some limitations associated with their use. The toga/hood that covers the wearer blocks sound waves. This means an individual wearing the system may have to speak loudly, even shout, to be heard. This is especially the case when the hooded individual is trying to communicate with another individual similarly attired.

#Furthermore, while it is known to provide light with the helmet, it has proven difficult to provide a workable light. This is because in one proposed system, it is proposed that the actual light be emitted by a source at a static console. The light is supplied to the helmet for emission therefrom through a fiber optic cable. Thus with this system, the wearer is essentially tethered to the light source. This both limits the mobility of the individual and requires other operating room personnel to navigate around the tether. Alternatively, the light source could be mounted in the helmet. Such light sources generate heat. This heat can cause the temperature beneath the toga/hood to rise to an uncomfortable level.

#Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet type personal protection system of this invention fitted over the head of a user;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly;

#Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a personal protection system is generally shown at 10.

#The personal protection system 10 is adapted from the personal protection system 10 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,019 to Diaz et al. and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/664,900, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The personal protection system 10 of the present invention is implemented as a helmet assembly 12 mountable to the head 14 of a user, as shown in FIG. 1.

#The personal protection system 10 filters air between the head 14 and body 16 of a user, e.g., a medical professional, and an environment external to the user. The helmet assembly 12 distributes air about the head 14 of the user as will be described below. More specifically, the helmet assembly 12 distributes air toward both a front of the head 14, i.e., a face of the user, and a back of the head 14, i.e., a neck of the user.