FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical devices, and in particular, a device for providing a protective shield around a patient when in a hospital bed or other bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical professionals are known to wear personal protective equipment when treating or assisting a patient. The equipment is designed to prevent contact with airborne pathogens, fluids such as blood, or other potential contagions. Personal protective equipment includes medical gowns, masks, gloves, goggles and face shields, all of which function as physical barriers.

Although personal protective equipment will shield the wearer from direct contact with a patient, the environment surrounding the patient will remain unprotected. Any contagious aerosol generated by coughing or sneezing of the patient will contaminate the hospital room and require sanitizing of nearby surfaces.

A need has therefore existed for protective equipment that will shield the airspace around the patient when in a hospital bed yet permit medical equipment, such as an IV or monitor, to be connected to the patient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a foldable protective canopy adapted to be secured to the rails of a hospital bed, the canopy comprising a frame member, the frame member consisting of at least three separate arm members, the respective ends of the arm members are adapted to be pivotally secured to opposite rails of the hospital bed to extend between an unfolded position and a folded position, the width of each of the arms members extends about the width of the hospital bed and the lengths of each arms member is preferably different than the length of the other arms members, a flexible barrier sheet is secured to each of the arm members so as to form a canopy around a patient in the bed, the sheet member does not extend beyond one of the arm members whereby one end of the canopy is maintained open to the patient.

The present invention is also directed to a foldable protective canopy for attachment to a patient's bed, the canopy comprising at least first, second and third generally U-shaped frames including respective ends joined at first and second hinges removably attachable to a bed, the canopy having a deployed position wherein the first and second U-shaped frames extend upwardly and the third U-shaped frame extends horizontally from the first and second hinges, a flexible sheet being secured to the first, second and third U-shaped frames, the sheet forming a top wall and side walls over the patient, the first U-shaped frame defining an opening into the canopy to permit room air to enter the canopy, the canopy including a folded position wherein the first and second U-shaped frames are rotatable about the first and second hinges toward the third U-shaped frame to expose the head of a patient.

