ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 30 -- United States Patent no. 12,426,980, issued on Sept. 30.
"Dental operatory protection table" was invented by Roberto Mauricio Rodriguez Gutierrez (Amawalk, N.Y.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A protective apparatus for use in medical and dental procedures to prevent exposure and exchange of harmful substances between an area isolated by the apparatus and the environment of use. The apparatus includes a physical shield, a vacuum barrier, and an adjustable support frame. The apparatus further includes a vacuum connector for connecting the apparatus to a vacuum source, a vacuum conduit for flow communicating with the air around the perimeter of the physical shield su...