Patient Privacy Partition Canopy

Abstract

A patient privacy canopy formed in accordance with the present invention includes a frame and an opaque material covering the frame to form a canopy. The canopy includes an open bottom and at least one end opening to allow a portion of a patient to extend therefrom. The canopy is adapted to be positioned over an upper portion of a patent lying down on a movable bed or seated in a wheelchair. The patient privacy canopy preferably has a bottom that is substantially rectangular and sides that are arcuate. To accommodate a patient, the end opening is substantially semi-circular. So that the canopy can be packaged in a small, sealed plastic container, the frame is collapsible and the material covering the frame is foldable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A patient privacy canopy comprising:
 a frame;   an opaque material substantially covering the frame to form a canopy, the canopy including an open bottom and at least one end opening to allow a portion of a patient to extend therefrom, wherein the canopy is adapted to be positioned over an upper portion of a patient.   
     
     
         2 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the patient privacy canopy is adapted to be a single use, disposable canopy. 
     
     
         3 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is substantially rectangular to surround the patient and the sides are arcuate to provide space between the patient's head and canopy. 
     
     
         4 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the frame further includes a transverse bar extending between the sides of the canopy at approximately an apex of the arcuate sides to provide further support for the canopy. 
     
     
         5 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the transverse bar is hinged. 
     
     
         6 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the end opening is substantially semi-circular. 
     
     
         7 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame is collapsible and adapted to be shipped for distribution in the collapsed state within a sterile package. 
     
     
         8 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the frame is made of spring steel which pops into an open position when removed from the sterile package. 
     
     
         9 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , further including means for securing the canopy to one of a gurney, hospital bed, and a wheelchair. 
     
     
         10 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material covering the frame is sterile and breathable. 
     
     
         11 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy includes at least one translucent window to view the patient. 
     
     
         12 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the canopy includes graphics on the interior, the exterior, or on both the interior and exterior. 
     
     
         13 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material covering the frame includes an antimicrobial. 
     
     
         14 . A method of providing patient privacy while lying on a bed or gurney, or while sitting in a chair or wheelchair, comprising:
 providing a sealed package including a collapsed patient privacy canopy;   removing the collapsed patient privacy canopy from the sealed package;   constructing the patient privacy canopy to an open position wherein the patient privacy canopy includes a frame and an opaque material substantially covering the frame, the canopy including an open bottom and at least one end opening to allow a portion of a patient to extend therefrom;   placing the opened patient privacy canopy over the patient to thereby cover at least the patient's head and a portion of their upper body;   removing the opened patient privacy canopy when privacy is no longer desired; and   disposing the used patient privacy canopy in the trash.   
     
     
         15 . The method of providing patient privacy as defined in  claim 14 , further including the step of securing the canopy to one of a gurney, hospital bed, and a wheelchair following the placing step. 
     
     
         16 . The method of providing patient privacy as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the frame is made of spring steel and the constructing step includes allowing the canopy to spring into the open position upon removal from the package. 
     
     
         17 . A disposable, single use patient privacy canopy comprising:
 a collapsible frame adapted to be in a collapsed shipping position for placing in a sealed package and an open deployed position;   an opaque material substantially covering the collapsible frame to form a canopy, the canopy in the open deployed position including an open bottom and at least one open end portion to allow a portion of a patient to extend therefrom.   
     
     
         18 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the bottom is substantially rectangular to surround the patient and the sides are arcuate to provide space between the patient's head and canopy. 
     
     
         19 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the frame is made of spring steel which pops into an open position when removed from the sealed package. 
     
     
         20 . A patient privacy canopy as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the canopy includes graphics on the interior, the exterior, or on both the interior and exterior.