Loupe Light-Compatible Face Shield with Hinged Side Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard disposable face shields do not accommodate medical professionals who wear loupes with loupe lights, as they project out from the face and are not contoured to fit well, providing inadequate protection and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A face mask design with a filter mask portion and a face shield portion that includes a horizontally centered cut out to allow loupe lights to pass through, with hinged side portions and attachment structures for secure fitting over the temples of loupes, providing better wrap-around coverage and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard disposable face shield is used, then full-face protection is provided, but it cannot accommodate loupes and loupe lights that project out from the face
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield is divided into a central portion and two side portions, with the central portion containing a cutout to accommodate the loupe light. This segmentation allows the shield to adapt to equipment on the face while maintaining protection coverage through the hinged side portions that can wrap around the loupes.
Solution Approach 2:
The side portions are hinged to allow movement from a flat configuration to a wrapped configuration around the loupes. This dimensional change enables the face shield to adapt to the three-dimensional space occupied by loupes and loupe lights while maintaining full-face protection.
2Reliability
If a helmet-style shield is used for full wrap-around protection, then complete face coverage is achieved, but it is cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The face shield is segmented into a central portion and two separate hinged side portions. This segmentation allows the side portions to independently wrap around the loupes and conform to the wearer's face, providing wrap-around protection similar to a helmet while maintaining the flexibility and comfort of a lighter design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connection between the central and side portions allows the face shield to dynamically adjust to the wearer's face contours and the presence of loupes. This dynamic adjustment provides complete wrap-around protection while maintaining comfort and ease of wear.
3Ease of operation
If a filter mask with integrated plastic face shield is used, then it is lighter and more comfortable than a helmet, but it provides poor wrap-around coverage and does not contour to the face well
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged side portions can move from a flat position to a wrapped position around the loupes, allowing the face shield to dynamically conform to the wearer's face contours. This provides the comfort of a lighter design while achieving the wrap-around coverage of a helmet-style shield.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the face shield into a central portion and hinged side portions, the design allows the side portions to independently adjust and wrap around the loupes, providing better face contouring and wrap-around coverage while maintaining the lightweight and comfortable characteristics of the integrated shield design.
Data Source
AI summary
A face shield adapted to protect the face from biohazards during medical procedures is disclosed. The central portion of the face shield includes a horizontally centered cut out that extends downwardly from a top edge. The cut out is sized and positioned to allow a loupe light to pass through. The central portion of the face shield may be hingedly connected to a pair of side portions. A pair of side portions extends outwardly from respective sides of the central portion. Each of the pair of side portions includes attachment structure, such as a clip, to attach the face shield to the temples of a pair of loupes.