Protection lens for surgical use having removable layers

Abstract

Protective assembly for medical or surgical use, comprising: · a transparent frontal vision lens (10); · an assembly of removable transparent layers (110, 120), applied in correspondence with an outer surface (131) of the vision lens (10) without adhesive and separable at a line of easy tearing (115, 125).

Description

[0001] PROTECTION LENS FOR SURGICAL USE HAVING REMOVABLE LAYERS

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention primarily relates to a front protection lens, or visor, for use in medical procedures, equipped with a multilayer assembly of removable transparent elements.

[0005] In particular, said lens can be made fixed to a hood, cape or gown, of the type used by a healthcare worker, in particular a surgeon, and configured for use in association with a protective helmet or cap. Alternatively, the lens can be used in association with a headband support.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] As known, some current medical-surgical procedures require that the healthcare operator wears a transparent face protection. Such protection can be worn by means of a headband support, or frame, eventually also instrumented, or, for a more complete mutual protection against infectious agents and biological materials between the operator and the patient, integrated into a hood, gown or cape, worn over a helmet, in general instrumented.

[0008] In this latter case, the hood covers the helmet, and therefore the subject's head, as well as the neck and part of the chest. The hood therefore includes a frontal vision lens, i.e. a transparent element or visor, which is positioned at a dedicated opening of the helmet. Above the hood, or rather of the thoracic portion of it, a smock is then worn, generally of the disposable type. Also the hood equipped with the lens can also be of the disposable type.

[0009] During the execution of some medical-surgical procedures, liquid or semi-liquid particles can deposit on the front part of the lens, dirtying the visor to the point of severely limiting the user’s field of vision or at least significantly disturbing it. To solve such problem, there are some solutions in the state of the art that involve the application of one or more transparent, adhesive and removable, layers on the external face of the lens. When the lens becomes too dirty or opaque due to particles / droplets dispersed during the surgical operation, the removal of the outermost transparent adhesive layer also removes any trace of the deposits. This allows the instant cleaning of the surgeon’s view.

[0010] However, the known multilayer assemblies are expensive to produce due to the industrial processing required.

[0011] Moreover, the effectiveness of use is, sometimes, limited by the presence of adhesive between adjacent layers, which may not be completely removed along with the outermost film, leaving deposits that obstruct or fog the view. Additionally, the presence of the adhesive can cause refraction or reflection of light, again to the detriment of the quality of the view. Finally, the presence of the adhesive can hinder a proper sterilization of the involved components, for example, by reducing the penetration of sterilizing agents towards the viewing lens.

[0012] The same issues mentioned above can be found in viewing lenses, or visors, used in other medical procedures.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The technical problem addressed and solved by the present invention is that of providing a frontal protective assembly, or visor, that allows the aforementioned inconveniences to be overcome with reference to the known art.

[0015] This problem is solved by an assembly according to claim 1. Said assembly is preferably made integral with a front part of a hood, cape, or gown of protection for medical use, or with a headband frame. Preferred characteristics of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0016] In the present context, the terms hood, gown, and cape are understood to be interchangeable to denote a medical garment suitable for covering the head, neck, and eventually part of the chest of a user.

[0017] Similarly, in the present context, the terms “lens” and “visor” are understood to be interchangeable to denote a medical parameter suitable for at least partially covering the face and possibly part of the neck of a user.

[0018] The proposed configuration is based on the application of one or more removable layers, without adhesive, at the front portion of the lens, this latter being, for example, part of a hood, cape, or gown for surgical use.

[0019] The sequential removability of the overlapping layers is ensured through a facilitated tear-away, or rupture, line or dots. The mono- or multilayer assembly of the invention realizes therefore a properly “tear away” system, rather than a “peel off’ system as the known art.

[0020] The absence of adhesive between adjacent layers and between the inner layer and the lens eliminates the risk of undesired reflection or refraction of the present light instead of the known art. Moreover, an optimal penetration of the sterilizing agents is guaranteed, in particular ethylene oxide. Finally, there is no risk of adhesive residues remaining attached to the innermost layer of the lens, or to the lens itself, following the removal of an outer layer.

[0021] The invention also refers to the multilayer assembly as provided and claimed independently of the viewing lens.

[0022] Other advantages, characteristics and method of use of the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented for illustrative purposes and not limiting.

[0023] Brief description of the figures

[0024] Reference will be made to the figures in the attached drawings, in which:

[0025] ■ Figure 1 is an exemplary view, in the frontal prospective, of an operator wearing a protective hood, cape or gown with a transparent front lens, according to the field of application of this invention;

[0026] ■ Figure Ibis is an exemplary view, in the frontal prospective, of an operator wearing a protective visor with a transparent front lens, according to the field of application of the present invention;

[0027] ■ Figure 2 shows a front view of a viewing lens of a hood of the same type as Figure 1 , bearing a (partially) removable multilayer assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] ■ Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view, made according to one of the lines exemplified with Ill-Ill in Figure 2, of a variant realization of the lens with a multilayer assembly of the latter figure;

[0029] ■ Figure 4 shows a front view of a viewing lens of a cap of the same type as in Figure 1 , bearing a (partially) removable multilayer assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] ■ Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view, made along one of the lines exemplified with V-V in Figure 4, of a variant realization of the lens with a multilayer assembly of the latter figure;

[0031] ■ Figure 6 shows a front view of a viewing lens of a hood of the same type as Figure 1 , bearing a (partially) removable multilayer assembly according to a third preferred form of realization of the present invention;

[0032] ■ Figure 7 shows a front view of a viewing lens of a hood of the same type as Figure 1 , bearing a (partially) removable multilayer assembly according to a fourth preferred form of realization of the present invention;

[0033] ■ Figure 8 shows a front view of a viewing lens of a cap of the same type as Figure 1 , form of realization a (partially) removable multilayer assembly according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] ■ Figure 9 shows a front view of the viewing lens and part of the assembly in Figure 8, in which an outermost layer has been removed;

[0035] ■ Figure 10 shows a front view of the viewing lens and part of the assembly in Figure 8, in which all removable layers have been removed following the use;

[0036] ■ Figure 11 shows an exemplary front view of a first removable layer of the assembly in Figure 8;

[0037] ■ Figure 12 shows an exemplary front view of a second removable layer of the assembly in Figure 8.

[0038] The dimensions and the curvatures represented in the figures above introduced are to be understood as purely exemplary and are not necessarily shown in proportion.

[0039] Furthermore, in these figures, for illustrative purposes, dashed lines are not used to denote more internal elements, i.e. submitted, to more external elements.

[0040] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0041] Some embodiments and variants of the invention will be described below, this with reference to the figures introduced above.

[0042] Similar components are denoted in the different figures with the same numerical reference or with a corresponding reference.

[0043] In the detailed description that follows, embodiments and further variants with respect to the embodiments and variants already discussed in the same description will be illustrated only limited to the differences with what has already been presented.

[0044] Furthermore, the various embodiments and variants described below can be used in combination, where compatible.

[0045] With reference to Figure 1 , a hood, gown or cape, of the type within the field of application of the present invention is generally denoted by 1. The hood 1 is apt to be worn by a surgeon during an operation in the operating room.

[0046] Application variants may include a use in other contexts where a garment or protective clothing is required, particularly a sterile one, for example a clean room in a laboratory. Cap 1 is apt to be sterilized and supplied folded in a package that is also sterile, according to methods known in the art. In the present embodiment, the hood 1 is disposable.

[0047] Hood 1 is intended to be worn over an instrumented surgical helmet 2, partially visible in Figure 1.

[0048] On the hood 1 , an inner face, or side 15 and an outer face, or side 16 can be identified, so defined as the first, after being put on, is facing, or in direct contact with, the operator's body, while the second is facing the external environment.

[0049] The hood 1 is configured to completely cover the head, the neck and an upper part of the chest of the operator that wears it and this by means of an enveloping main body 11. The latter is made of a flexible material and preferably made of fabric. The material is preferably non-woven fabric (TNT), in particular bi- or tri-laminate.

[0050] The main enveloping body 11 of the hood 1 is advantageously made in only one piece.

[0051] The main enveloping body 11 is fixed, at its own front opening 18, on a peripheral region 12 of a transparent front viewing lens 10. During use, the latter is positioned at least in correspondence of the operator's eyes, preferably extending over a large part of the subject's face so as to ensure an adequate and comfortable field of vision during the surgery. The lens 10 is preferably made of transparent polycarbonate, for example having a thickness in the range 0.20 - 0.40 mm. The lens 10 preferably has one or more of the following characteristics: light transmission > 89% approximately; yellowness index < 1 approximately; turbidity < 0.5% approximately.

[0052] With reference to the variant of Figure Ibis, a protective visor of the type in the field of application of the present invention is indicated overall with 501 . The protective visor 501 is suitable to be worn by healthcare personnel during medical-surgical activities.

[0053] The visor 501 has a transparent front lens, also denoted here with 10 as it has the same, or similar, connotations as lens 10 previously introduced for the case of a hood, toga or cape. Lens 10 of the visor 501 is mounted on a headband 502 support or frame.

[0054] With reference to Figure 2, the lens 10 - here considered as mounted on a hood of the type introduced in Figure 1 - can present means of connection to the surgical helmet 2, in particular means of attachments 21 for example in the form of a through hole. The latter are suitable for engaging a corresponding element, for example a hook-shaped appendage (not shown) of the surgical helmet 2. Other means of connection may be, for example, of the pressure, tear or magnetic type.

[0055] The lens 10 has on an own outer surface 131 an assembly 100 consisting of one or more transparent removable layers. The removable layers are stacked, i.e. superimposed, one on top of the other so that, by removing an outermost layer, the layer immediately below it or the outer surface 131 of the lens remains exposed.

[0056] In the present form of realization, two layers are provided, in particular a first outer layer 110 and a second inner layer 120.

[0057] An inner surface or face of the outer layer 110 is removably constrained to, or applied to, an outer surface or face of the inner layer 120. In turn, an inner surface, or face, of the innermost layer 120 is removably constrained to, or applied to, the outer surface 131 of the lens 10.

[0058] The lens 10 has a central viewing region 13 and the aforementioned peripheral region 12 of connection to the surrounding body 11.

[0059] Each of the removable layers 110 and 120 includes, centrally, a front viewing portion, denoted respectively with 118 and 128, arranged in correspondence with the central viewing region 13 of the lens 10 without adhesive. The adjacent layers adhere to each other and remain adhered by virtue of the chemical-physical properties of the respective materials and of the mechanical properties conferred to them. In an embodiment, the layers 110 and 120 are made, at least at the central portion 118, 128, of a film, in particular of transparent polyester, preferably free of silicone. Alternatively, the removable layers can also be made of an ultra-transparent glossy polyester film or other materials of adequate resistance and transparency known per se to the technician in the field. The adhesion constraint between each layer 110, 120 and the adjacent one, or to the lens 10, at least in the central portion, can be of the type electrostatic or, as mentioned, mechanical, but not chemical, as there is no glue or adhesive between the same layers. Preferably, each layer 110, 120 has, at least at its own central portion 118, 128, a thickness within a range of approximately 45 - 150 pm, even more preferably a thickness of approximately 50-100 pm.

[0060] Each layer 110, 120 includes a pair of peripheral connection appendages, or regions, denoted respectively with 113 and 114 for the first layer 110 and with 123, 124 for the second layer 120. Preferably, the appendages of a same layer are arranged in a mutually opposed position, at the opposite lateral margins of the respective central portion. In general, these peripheral appendages can be arranged along the path of an ideal perimeter frame that defines a zone where the layers are permanently fixed to the lens. Furthermore, the peripheral connecting appendages of a same layer can be advantageously arranged in such a position as to guarantee an adequate adherence of the layer to the layer below or to the lens.

[0061] Each layer 110, 120 is fixed permanently precisely to the layer or underlying lens by means of the aforementioned peripheral appendages.

[0062] Each appendix 113, 114 and 123, 124 is preferably made integral, i.e. in a single piece or body, with the respective central portion 118, 128 and connected to it by means of a facilitated tear-away line, denoted with 115, 116 for the first layer 110 and with 125, 126 for the second layer 120.

[0063] A facilitated tear-away line can be made by perforating the sheet in a series of appropriately-shaped sections, depending on the material and the thickness of the sheet, or by using a suitably-sized “half-cut” technique. In the latter case, the incision will preferably be made on the inner face of the sheet as shown in Figures 3 and 5, described soon here.

[0064] The facilitated tear-away line and the outer margin of the appendix delimit the region of the layer responsible for the permanent attachment to the underlying layer or lens.

[0065] Each lateral connecting appendage 113, 123 and 123, 124 preferably has a substantially polygonal, in particular quadrangular, profile, for example in the form of a tab.

[0066] It will be understood that size, number and position of the connecting appendages can vary in order to allow the best adherence of the layers to each other and to the slurry, and the best tearing conditions along the facilitated tear-away lines.

[0067] Also with reference to Figure 3, the peripheral appendages (123 and 124 in said figure) can be constrained, i.e. blocked, to the viewing lens 10 and / or to the main enveloping body 11 by interposing adhesive 130, applied in the region between the outer margin of the appendage and the respective facilitated tear-away line 125, 126.

[0068] This adhesive can be of a non-removable type, for example thermofusible, non-melting water-based or solvent-based and reactive for cold applications. The peripheral appendages may have perforations, one of which is indicated by way of example with 130' in Figure 3, to allow penetration, and therefore the best tightness, of the adhesive. In the case of a lens integrated into a hood, cap or gown, as shown in Figure 3, the fabric of the surrounding body 11 can overlap the area of the connecting appendage located outside the facilitated tear-away line. In this way, it is possible to mask the permanent connection area from the view from the outside.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, instead of the non-removable adhesive, tape elements with double-sided adhesive properties can be provided. Preferably, in the case of tape with double-sided adhesive properties, the tape is made of a polycarbonate (PC) - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PET-PET laminate.

[0070] Referring again to Figure 2, preferably each removable layer 110, 120 has a gripping flap, or tab, denoted respectively with 111 and 121 , originating from the central portion 118, 128 and arranged at a peripheral portion of the respective layer, for example an upper and lateral region. These gripping flaps 111 , 121 are grasped by the surgeon when he wants to remove the respective layer.

[0071] In the present example, the flaps 111 , 121 have a rounded profile each, in particular substantially semicircular. The flap 111 of the outermost layer 110 overlaps with the flap 121 of the innermost layer 120 and has larger dimensions so as to shield it, preventing it from being grasped when the outermost layer has not yet been removed.

[0072] In this way, it is ensured that the operator can easily remove first the outermost layer 110 and then the innermost layer 120. In other words, the risk of removing two layers together is prevented, because the underlying layer cannot be grasped until the adjacent outermost one has been removed.

[0073] An alternative embodiment may provide that, for the same purposes as above, the gripping flaps of adjacent layers are arranged in a mutually staggered position, for example one on the right side and the one of the adjacent layers positioned on the left side.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 2, the outer removable layer 110 is superimposed on the inner removable layer 120, as mentioned, at the gripping flaps 111 and 121 , and in the central portion 118 the perimeter of the inner layer 120 is also contained within that of the outer layer 110. Alternative configurations are of course possible.

[0075] Advantageously, each removable layer 110, 120, can bear a respective distinctive marker, for example being denoted with a progressive number or letter, to facilitate the identification of the order of removal of the layers from the outermost to the innermost by the operator.

[0076] Furthermore, in one embodiment it is possible to make the flaps or tabs opaque or coloured, to make them more visible.

[0077] Figures 4 and 5 refer to an alternative embodiment, that differs from what has been previously described in the way the lateral appendages of the removable layers are connected to the lens and / or to the main enveloping body. In particular, in this case it is expected that the multilayer assembly, here denoted with 200, has one or more layers of glue, in particular of the hot type and denoted with 230, without overlapping of the fabric of the enveloping body 11 in the area of the connecting appendix located outside the facilitated tear-away line. Also in this case, here limited to the inner layer 120, there are holes for glue penetration, one of which is indicated by way of example with 230'.

[0078] These connection methods can also be applied, for example, to the visor of the Figure I bis.

[0079] Figure 6 refers to an alternative embodiment, which differs from what has been previously described, in that the assembly, here denoted with 300, has facilitated tearaway lines with an inclined development, i.e. oblique, from the top to the bottom, and from the periphery to the inside, to follow the direction of the operator's tearing stress. In Figure 6 only the tear-away lines for the outermost layer are represented and visible, denoted with 315 and 316.

[0080] Figure 7 refers to an additional embodiment in which the assembly, here denoted by 400, includes a plurality of facilitated tear-away points or lines distributed along the periphery of the central portion 418, 428 of each layer 410, 420. Two of these lines or groups of points are denoted by 415 and 415'.

[0081] Figures 8 to 12 refer to a further realization of the multilayer assembly, here denoted by 1100 and formed by one or more removable transparent or mainly transparent layers. The assembly is shown in Figure 8 as applied to the outer surface 131 of a lens, also denoted here with 10 and also in this case associated or associable with a cap of the type introduced in Figure 1. The lens 10 may present means of connection to the aforementioned surgical helmet 2, in particular coupling means 21 for example in the form of a through hole, as already described above.

[0082] For immediate reference and by way of example, in the Figures on lens 10, a pair of mutually orthogonal axes has been represented, in particular a transverse axis T parallel to the greater front extension of the lens - corresponding, in use, to the substantially horizontal direction - and a longitudinal axis L, parallel to the smaller front extension of the lens, corresponding, in use, to the substantially vertical direction, or, in commonly adopted anatomical references, sagittal.

[0083] The removable layers of the 1100 assembly are stacked, i.e. overlapping, on top of each other so that, by removing an outermost layer, the layer immediately below it or the outer surface 131 of the lens remains exposed.

[0084] In the present embodiment, assembly 1100 includes two removable layers, specifically a first outer layer 1110 and a second inner layer 1120.

[0085] An inner surface, or face, of the outer layer 1110 is removably constrained to, or applied to, an outer surface, or face, of the inner layer 1120. In turn, an inner surface, or face, of the innermost layer 1120 is removably constrained to, or applied to, the outer surface 131 of the lens 10.

[0086] As already described in relation to the other forms of realization, lens 10 has a central vision region 13 and a peripheral region 12 connecting to the surrounding body 11.

[0087] Each of the removable layers 1110 and 1120 includes a central frontal viewing portion, denoted respectively with 1118 and 1128, arranged at the central viewing region 13 of the lens 10 without adhesive. The adjacent layers adhere to each other and remain adherent by virtue of the chemical-physical properties of the respective materials and the mechanical properties conferred on them, as already described in relation to the embodiment of Figure 2 and its variants.

[0088] Preferably, as already described for the other embodiments, each layer 1110, 1120 has, at least at its central portion 1118, 1128, a thickness included in a range of approximately 45 - 150 pm, even more preferably a thickness of approximately 50-100 pm.

[0089] Each layer 1110, 1120 includes an appendix, or first peripheral connection region, denoted respectively with 1113 for the first layer 1110 and with 1123 for the second layer 1120. Preferably, the appendages 1113 and 1123 are arranged in a mutually opposed position in the transverse direction T, i.e. at opposite lateral margins of the central portion of the lens 10.

[0090] Each layer 1110, 1120 is fixed in a semi-permanent way to the underlying layer or lens by means of the respective peripheral appendix 1113, 1123.

[0091] With reference mainly to Figure 11 , Appendix 1113 of the first layer 1110 will now be described, it being understood that the same description is also applicable to Appendix 1123 of the second layer 1120. Appendix 1113 includes a lateral end portion 1601 defining a gripping tab, or flap, specifically shaped like an arrowhead.

[0092] At this tab 1601 , a first eyelet 1602 is defined - which can also be denoted or realized as a hole, slot, or through opening - for example, with an overall drop-shaped or ogival shape in frontal view, extending mainly in a transversal direction. The first eyelet 1602 is formed by two portions 1603 and 1604 separated by a bridge, or connecting element, that crosses the eyelet lengthwise.

[0093] The outermost portion 1603 has a substantially arrowhead-like shape that recalls that of the lateral end portion 1601 , while the innermost portion 1604, i.e. more central, has a circular segment or circumference shape. Bridge 1605 is connected to the remaining part of the removable layer 1110, i.e. to the periphery of eyelet 1601 , by means of a pair of facilitated break, or cut (III), dots or lines 1024, 1025, arranged at longitudinally opposite ends of bridge 1605 itself. Each of these elements is denoted, by way of example, as a “connection dot’ in Figure 11.

[0094] Each appendix 1113, 1123, is preferably made integral, i.e. in a single piece or body, with the respective central portion 1118, 1128 and connected to it by means of the aforementioned facilitated tear-away points or lines. Furthermore, each layer 1110, 1120 has a second peripheral connection region, denoted respectively with 1114, 1124, arranged transversally opposite the appendix, or first region, 1113, 1123. Also in this case only the second region 1114 associated with the first layer 1110 will be described. This region 1114 includes a second slot, eyelet, hole or through opening 1606, for example, also substantially in the shape of a circular segment or semi-circle, or in any case with a shape corresponding to and / or superimposable on that of the inner portion of the first eyelet of the second layer 1120, this inner portion being denoted by 1706 in Figure 12.

[0095] The second slot 1606 is connected at predetermined breaking points with a second longitudinal bridge or connecting element 1607, placed in correspondence with one lateral margin of slot 1606.

[0096] In one embodiment, the points or lines that facilitate breaking or tearing of the longitudinal bridges can be oriented differently in the two removable layers. In particular, they can be made in such a way that, following the direction of tear of each layer, the “connection dot’ remains at the final end of the cut, in order to facilitate its correct separation.

[0097] As mentioned, the overall layout is such that, in use, the innermost portion 1604 of the first slot 1602 of the first layer 1110 is superimposed on the second slot, denoted 1707, of the second layer 1120, and similarly, the second eyelet 1606 of the first layer 1110 is superimposed on the innermost portion 1706 of the first eyelet of the second layer 1120. Similarly, the respective longitudinal bridges of the two layers are also superimposed, with the bridges of the second layer 1120 protruding, and therefore exposed, for their own longitudinal section with respect to the corresponding bridges of the first layer 1110. This is visible, for example, in Figure 8, where the bridges of the second layer are denoted with 1801 and 1802.

[0098] In this way, the pairs of overlapping longitudinal bridges 1605-1802 and 1607-1801 introduced above can be locked onto lens 10 by means of a common constraint element, in particular an adhesive label, respectively 1608 and 1609. Each adhesive element 1608, 1609 can be, for example, substantially circular in shape. It is such that it can overlap externally on the longitudinal bridges without interfering with the remaining body of the removable layers.

[0099] As shown in the sequence of Figures 8, 9 and 10, after removing the two layers 1110 and 1120, only the bridges and labels remain applied to the lens 2.

[0100] Advantageously, each removable layer 1110, 1120, bears a respective distinctive marker, for example a progressive number or letter, to facilitate the identification of the order of removal of the layers from the outermost layer to the innermost layer by the operator. In the present case, the first layer 1110 bears the marker “1” at tab 1601 and, similarly, the second layer 1120 bears the marker “2” in an analogous position on its own tab. Based on a different form of realization, the viewing lens and the multilayer assembly described above create a protective assembly that can be associated with a rigid or semirigid frame that can be worn on the head of the healthcare worker, like the one in Figure I bis, instead of a hood, cape or gown as described above. For the multilayer assembly as described herein, protection may be required independently of its association with a main enveloping body and the respective viewing lens.

[0101] The present invention has been described so far with reference to preferred embodiments. It is understood that there may be other embodiments that pertain to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A frontal protective assembly, or visor, configured to be worn by an operator, in particular a surgeon in an operating room or an operator in a clean room, wherein the frontal protective assembly comprises:■ a vision lens (10), configured to be positioned, in use, at least at the operator's eyes and having a central vision region (13) and a peripheral connection region (12);■ one or more removable transparent layers (110, 120), applied at an outer surface (131) of said vision lens (10), in such a way that, upon removal of said removable layer, or of the outermost of said removable layers (110, 120), the outer surface (131) of said lens or the layer immediately underneath the removed layer remains exposed, wherein said one or each of said removable layers (110, 120) comprises a front vision portion (118, 128) constrained, without adhesive, to said central vision region (13) of said lens (10), or to the front portion of a layer below said lens (10), and at least one peripheral connection appendix (113, 123), which peripheral connection appendix (113, 123) is constrained to said lens (10) and connected to said central vision portion (118, 128) by a facilitated tear-away line or by a plurality of facilitated tear-away dots (115, 125).

2. The frontal protective assembly according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of removable transparent layers (110, 120) superimposed on each other without adhesive at the respective frontal vision portions (118, 128).

3. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each peripheral appendix (113, 123) of each of said one or more removable layers (110, 120) is fixedly constrained to said viewing lens (10).

4. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each peripheral appendix (113, 123) of each of said one or more removable layers (110, 120) is constrained to said vision lens (10) by interposition of an adhesive (130, 230) and / or of a bi-adhesive tape.

5. The frontal protective assembly according to claim 4, wherein said bi-adhesive tape is made of a polycarbonate (PC) - Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PET-PET laminate.

6. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each removable layer (110, 120) comprises a pair of peripheral appendixes (113, 123) arranged at mutually opposing positions at opposite edges of the respective central portion (118, 128), in particular at lateral edges thereof.

7. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each peripheral connecting appendix (113, 123) has a substantially polygonal, in particular quadrangular, profile.

8. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each connection peripheral appendix (113, 114; 123, 124) is arranged along a perimeter frame region of the respective layer defining a permanent fixing zone to said vision lens (10).

9. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each peripheral connecting appendix (113, 114; 123, 124) has one or more adhesive penetration holes.

10. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said or each facilitated tear-away line (115, 125) is made by means of a ‘halfcut’ technique, wherein preferably the engraving is made on an inner face of the respective layer (110, 120).

11. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said removable transparent layers (110, 120) are made of transparent polyester, preferably silicone-free.

12. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said removable layers (110, 120) has a gripping tongue, or gripping flap (111 , 121), preferably disposed at its top and side portions.

13. The frontal protective assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each gripping flap (111 , 121) has a rounded profile, in particular substantially semicircular.

14. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said removable layers (110, 120) each having a gripping tongue, or gripping flap (111 , 121), wherein the gripping flaps of adjacent layers are arranged in a mutually offset or opposed position.

15. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said removable layers (110, 120) each having a gripping tongue, or gripping flap (111 , 121), wherein the gripping flap of an outermost layer is superimposed on the flap of the adjacent innermost layer and is larger in size, so as to shield it to prevent gripping.

16. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said removable layers (110, 120) each having a gripping tongue, or gripping flap (111 , 121), wherein each gripping flap has a respective distinctive markerto facilitate identification of the order of removal of the layers, from the outermost to the innermost, by the operator.

17. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the facilitated tear-away lines (115, 125) of the one or more removable layers have an inclined development with respect to the vertical, in particular being aligned with the direction of the operator's tearing stress.

18. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central vision portion (118, 128), the lateral connecting appendix(es) (113, 123), or regions, and eventually a gripping tongue, or gripping flap (111 , 121) of said or each removable layer (110, 120) are made in one piece or body, i.e. integral with each other.

19. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of removable layers (1110, 1120), wherein each removable layer (1110) of said plurality has: said peripheral connecting region (1113), having a first opening (1602) traversed by a longitudinal bridge (1605), said longitudinal bridge (1605) being constrained to the remaining part of the removable layer (1110) by a facilitated tear-away line or by a plurality of facilitated tear-away dots (1024, 1025); and a constraint element (1608) received, in use, within said opening (1602) and overlapped onto said longitudinal bridge (1605) to connect the removable layer (1110) to said lens (10).

20. A frontal protective assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein said constraint element is an adhesive label (1608).

21. A frontal protective assembly according to the preceding claim 19 or 20, wherein each removable layer (1110) of said plurality has a second peripheral connecting region (1114) having a second opening (1606) and a second longitudinal bridge (1607) connected to a lateral edge of said second opening (1606) by means of a line or a series of facilitated tear-away dots.

22. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of claims 19 to 21 , in which the openings (1602, 1606) and / or the longitudinal bridges (1605, 1802; 1607, 1801) of adjacent removable layers, or parts of such openings or bridges, are superimposed, in use, so as to allow these layers to be constrained to the lens (10) by means of a common constraint element (1608, 1609).

23. The frontal protective assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the longitudinal bridge or bridges (1801 , 1802) of an inner layer (1120) closer to the lensprotrude laterally with respect to the bridge or bridges superimposed on them of an outer layer (1110) superimposed on said inner layer (1120).

24. The frontal protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, which is of disposable type.

25. A protective hood (1), configured to be worn above a helmet (2) by an operator, in particular a surgeon in an operating room or an operator in a clean room, which protective hood (1) comprises:■ a protective assembly according to any one of the preceding claims;■ a main wraparound body (11), attached to said viewing lens (10) of said protective assembly at said peripheral region (12) thereof and configured to completely cover at least the head and neck of the operator, which main wraparound body (11) is preferably also constrained to said at least one peripheral connecting appendix (113, 123).

26. The protective hood (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said main wraparound body (11) is externally superimposed upon said one or more removable layers (110, 120) at said one or more peripheral appendixes (113, 123).

27. The protective hood (1) according to claim 20 or 21 , which is of disposable type.

28. A frontal protective visor (501), comprising:■ a protective assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 24;■ a head-circling frame or support (502) constrained to said vision lens (10) of said protective assembly at a peripheral part thereof.