Protective mask

Abstract

A protective mask and methods of use for reducing the transmission of pathogens during nasal and/or oral examination or procedure. The protective mask has a facepiece through which a probe, scope, instrument, or device can puncture and/or traverse while the transmission of pathogens remains blocked or mostly blocked between a wearer and a healthcare worker performing a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure. In the parts of the mask corresponding to the wearer's nostrils and/or mouth, the protective mask may have pre-formed holes; a transparent or translucent membrane with pre-formed holes; or a transparent or translucent membrane that can be punctured and/or traversed by a probe, scope, instrument, or device. A probe, scope, instrument, or device that punctures and/or traverses the facepiece forms a tight juncture with the facepiece or translucent membrane of the facepiece, which prevents the transmission of pathogens.

1 . A protective mask comprising a facepiece and headstraps, said facepiece comprising one or more openings in the areas corresponding approximately to a wearer's nostrils and/or mouth and a transparent or translucent membrane sealed over each opening. 
     
     
         2 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable nose clip or nose guard. 
     
     
         3 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said facepiece is rigid or semi-rigid. 
     
     
         4 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material. 
     
     
         5 . The protective mask of  claim 4 , wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material that can filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is not water-penetrable. 
     
     
         8 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of wax. 
     
     
         9 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of polyolefin. 
     
     
         10 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         11 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane is comprised of a blend of wax and either polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The protective mask of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane can be punctured and traversed by a probe or device through application of pressure by a human hand. 
     
     
         14 . A protective mask as in  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane has at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe or device can traverse said membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask. 
     
     
         15 . A protective mask as in  claim 1 , wherein said transparent or translucent membrane has at least one pre-formed hole or slit surrounded by reinforcement material, through which a probe or device can traverse said membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask. 
     
     
         16 . A protective mask comprising a facepiece and headstraps, said facepiece comprising at least one pre-formed hole or slit through which a probe or device can traverse said hole(s) or slit(s) to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, while forming a tight juncture with said probe or device that prevents pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask. 
     
     
         17 . The protective mask of  claim 16 , wherein said pre-formed hole(s) or slit(s) are located in the areas corresponding approximately to a wearer's nostrils and/or mouth. 
     
     
         18 . The protective mask of  claim 16 , further comprising an adjustable nose clip or nose guard. 
     
     
         19 . The protective mask of  claim 16 , wherein said facepiece is rigid or semi-rigid. 
     
     
         20 . The protective mask of  claim 16 , wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material. 
     
     
         21 . The protective mask of  claim 20 , wherein said facepiece is comprised of particulate-filtering material that can filter out at least 95 percent of airborne particles. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of minimizing the transmission of pathogens between patient and healthcare worker during a nasal and/or oral examination or procedure using a protective mask as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one probe or device punctures and traverses the transparent or translucent membrane to access a nasal cavity or passage and/or mouth, each causing an opening in said membrane that forms a tight juncture with the probe or device while preventing pathogens from leaking outside the protective mask.