BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a patient lying in the prone position on a surgical operating table where a lead shield of the invention is draped over the patient;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the patient lying on the surgical operating table;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the lead shield of the invention removed from the patient; and
FIG. 4 is a cut-away portion of the lead shield of the invention showing an opening in the shield that can be increased and decreased in size.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a protective lead shield that is used during a surgical procedure is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses. For example, the protective lead shield of the invention has particular application for use during spinal surgery. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the lead shield of the invention will have application for other surgeries.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view and FIG. 2 is a side view of a patient 10 lying in the prone position on a surgical operating table 12. A physician 14 and various assistants 16 are performing a spinal surgical procedure on the patient 10. A fluoroscopic X-ray machine 18, including a monitor 20, is used to take images of the patient's spine and other anatomy during the surgical procedure so that the surgeon 14 can ensure that various instruments, screws, retractors and other devices are accurately positioned to minimize injury to the patient 10. According to the invention, a protective lead shield 22 is draped over the back of the patient 10 to minimize exposure to the surgeon 14 and the assistants 16 from X-rays that may be scattered by anatomical structures in the body of the patient 10 and/or the various instruments in the operating room. The lead shield 22 can include any suitable number of layers including any suitable configuration of materials and have any suitable thickness for the purposes described herein.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the lead shield 22 removed from the patient 10. The lead shield 22 includes a central opening 30 having a desirable shape, here an elliptical shape. Other shapes may also be applicable. Further, the lead shield 22 has a general hour-glass shape where end portions 32 and 34 of the shield 22 are wider than a middle portion 36 of the shield 22, where the middle portion 36 aligns with the opening 30. The opening 30 is positioned relative to the patient 10 so that the surgeon 14 is able to perform the surgical procedure in relative comfort through the opening 30.
Generally, the surgeon 14 will need to see both top view X-ray images and lateral view X-ray images of the spine of the patient 10 to ensure proper progress of the surgical procedure. According to the invention, the opening 30 is large enough so that X-ray images of the surgical area of the patient 10 taken from the top are adequate. Likewise, the middle portion 36 is narrow enough so that X-ray images of the surgical area taken from the side of the patient's spine are adequate. Further, the end portions 32 and 34 are wide enough so that they drape over the sides of the patient 10 so that the shield 22 is better held in place.
Different surgical procedures require access to a different number of vertebras. However, it is desirable to minimize the size of the opening 30 so that more X-rays are absorbed by the lead shield 22. Therefore, it is desirable that the size of the opening 30 only be large enough to expose those vertebras being operated on. According to the invention, the shield 22 includes four slits 42, 44, 46 and 48 that can be attached and detached from their respective edges to increase or decrease the size of the opening 30. In other designs, less or more slits can be employed. Any suitable technique can be used to secure together the edges of the slits 42, 44, 46 and 48 together. In one embodiment, loop and hook strips are used to close and open the slits 42-46. FIG. 4 is a cut-away enlarged view of the slit 42 that includes a loop or hook strip 50 on one side and an opposite loop or hook strip 52 on an opposite side. By selectively connecting and disconnecting the strips 50 and 52 along its length, the slit 42 can be opened and closed to increase or decrease the size of the opening 30 in combination with the other slits 44-48.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20080035159
