Laser shield
AssigneeMerocel Corporation
InventorSolomon Rosenblatt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Laser shields including the MEROCEL.RTM. brand hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal foam material, for covering an endotracheal tube, for covering parts of a patient's body, and for covering instruments and the like, and laser shields including a micro-corrugated metal foil layer.
Claims52
A method of protecting the body of a patient from laser injury during laser surgery, comprising the steps of:
- determining a surface which may receive laser radiation and thereby injure said patient during said surgery;
- applying a sheet of hydrophilic surgical sponge material comprising polyvinyl acetal foam to said surface;
- and
- applying a layer of a laser-reflective metal foil which is corrugated so as to increase its flexibility, stretchability, and laser-beam diffusivity, between said sponge material sheet and said surface.
A method of protecting an endotracheal tube comprising a first end and a second end, and a balloon cuff intermediate said first and second ends, from laser injury during laser surgery, comprising the steps of:
- placing a metal foil layer around said second end of said tube, said metal foil layer being corrugated so as to increase its flexibility, stretchability, and laser-beam diffusivity;
- placing a layer of hydrophilic surgical sponge material comprising hydroxylated polyvinyl acetal foam around said metal foil layer;
- substantially saturating said sponge material by applying a liquid;
- and
- reapplying said liquid as necessary to maintain substantial saturation of said sponge material during the surgery.
A laser shield for an endotracheal tube comprising a first end and a second end, and a balloon cuff intermediate said first and second ends, said laser shield comprising:
- an elongated hydrophilic surgical sponge layer comprising polyvinyl acetal foam, sized and shaped to be placed upon and thereby substantially cover the second end of said tube;
- an elongated metal foil layer at least partially overlying said sponge layer and sized and shaped to be placed upon and thereby substantially cover said second end, said metal foil layer being corrugated so as to increase its flexibility, stretchability, and laser-beam diffusivity;
- and
- means for securing said layers to said endotracheal tube.
A method of shielding an object from laser beams during laser surgery, comprising the steps of:
- applying a microcorrugated heat-conductive metal foil layer to said object;
- applying a layer of a hydrophilic polyvinyl acetal foam surgical sponge material to said object over said metal foil layer;
- and
- substantially saturating said hydrophilic material with a liquid.
A laser shield for shielding an object from laser beams during laser surgery, comprising:
- a microcorrugated heat-conductive metal foil layer;
- and
- a corresponding layer of a hydrophilic polyvinyl acetal foam surgical sponge material over said metal foil layer;
- said layers being sized and shaped for jointly shielding said object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.