Minimally light reflective surgical drape

Abstract

A surgical drape manufactured or fabricated from a polymeric film having a low glare finish and a predetermined coloration for reducing the luminous intensity of light reflected from the surface thereof is provided. Such surgical drape thereby minimizes reflectivity therefrom, and thus eye strain and fatigue. The subject invention includes the use of colorants, dyes, pigments, etc. to form translucent polymeric surgical drapes that absorb a selected range of wavelengths from surface reflected light. More particularly, the use of coloring agents in combination with a textured surface yield a surgical drape possessing reduced luminance and glare, thereby mitigating eye strain and fatigue. The preferred range of reflected light, in order of preference, is 625-700 nm, 520-560 nm, 450-520 nm, 400-450 nm, 600-625 nm, and 560-600 nm.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to surgical drapes, and more particularly to surgical drapes formed from a polymeric film having a low glare finish and a predetermined coloration for selectively reducing the luminous intensity of light reflected from the surface thereof. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The complete visual system requires light, the eye, and a conscious observer. The visual system is especially well adapted for rapid and precise visual extraction of spatial information from a more or less remote external world, doing so by analysis of the continuously changing patterns of radiant flux impinging upon the surfaces of the eyes. Much of this light is reflected from objects which must be discriminated, recognized, attended to, and / or avoided in the environment, all the while transcending enormous variations in intensity, quality and geometry of illumination as well as the vantage point of the observer. [0003] Light (i.e., visible light) represents only...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] A surgical drape manufactured or fabricated from a polymeric film having a low glare finish and a predetermined coloration for reducing the luminous intensity of light reflected from the surface thereof is provided. Such surgical drape thereby minimizes reflectivity therefrom, and thus eye strain and fatigue. The subject invention includes the use of colorants, dyes, pigments, etc. to form translucent polymeric surgical drapes that absorb a selected range of wavelengths from surface reflected light. Furthermore, the subject invention includes such energy absorbing drape having a textured surface to effectuate a reduced reflectivity. More particularly, the use of coloring agents in combination with a textured surface yield a surgical drape possessing reduced luminance and glare, thereby mitigating eye strain and fatigue. The preferred range of reflected light, in order of preference, is 625-700 nm, 520-560 nm, 450-520 nm, 400-450 nm, 600-625 nm, and 560-600 nm. More specific features and advantages will become apparent with reference to the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, appended claims, and the accompanying drawing figures.

Problems solved by technology

Immediate symptoms of eye fatigue and eye strain include headaches and difficulty focusing one's vision.

In the long term, prolonged or severe eye fatigue and strain may decrease the strength of eye muscles and require corrective lenses, or an increased prescription for those already requiring corrective lenses.

When the eyes are not properly relaxed through either visual exercise or rest, the viewer may experience eye fatigue and / or eye strain.

Repeated and / or prolonged convergence can permanently decrease the strength of the eye muscles.

Focusing causes strain to the viewer's eyes.

Thickening the eye's lens is particularly exhausting on the eye muscles, serving to exacerbate the fatigue and strain brought on by the convergence that also accompanies viewing close objects.

One result of eye fatigue and eye strain is a diminished synchronization between a viewer's pair of eyes.

That is, the viewer's left and right eyes are not working synchronously to provide the visual information required to visually perceive one's surroundings.

Some of the most common causes of eye fatigue and / or strain include viewing close objects, viewing objects displayed on a light emitting medium, and simply viewing images for excessive time periods.

Reading or doing close work in extreme light conditions, whether bright or dim, for extended periods forces the eyes to focus under less than optimal conditions, and thereby contributes to eye strain, symptoms of which may include; headaches; blurred vision; pain or soreness of the eyeball; red / watery eyes; dry eyes that feel scratchy; tired, aching heaviness of the eyelids or forehead; back and neck aches; and, muscle spasms.

The contrast between the image being viewed and its background is reduced by reflected light, making it harder for the brain to interpret the image.

Working for long periods of time, anywhere from one to eight plus hours per procedure, under such light conditions is more often than not the cause of eye fatigue and / or strain.

Images