US2266173A - Method of embalming - Google Patents

Description

'Dec. 16,- 1941;

' I Filed April 10', 1940 H..s. DAY 2,266,173 METHOD OF EMBALMING I balming.

Patented Dec. 16, 1941 .1 UNITED' STATES PATENT @FFl-"(I 1 51 METHOD OF .Harry .S. Dav, Youngstown, Ohio Application A ril 10, 1940, #SeriallNn. :szapoi 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of em- The principal object of this invention is the provision of a method of purging a body of blood and effecting an efficient capillary wash and the subsequent adequate embalming with suitable embalming fluid.

A further objectof the invention is the -provision of a method of obtaining a better cosmetic efiect on a body through the more adequate purging of the blood from the capillaries and the replacement thereof with a suitable embalming fluid.

A still further objectof the invention is the provision of a method of embalming wherein the tissues of the body maybe built up evenly and perfectly to overcome the wasting effects of illness through the application of a partial vacuum which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the methods and mode of procedure and in the details thereof hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise methods and procedure herein disclosed can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Apparatus used in applying the method of embalming hereinafter described and claimed is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein the figure is a perspective view of a suitable pressurabl'e operating chamber showing various details of construction and the several cooperative parts attached thereto.

By referring to the drawing it will be seen that a suitable operating chamber of a size suific'ient to receive a body has been shown. The operating chamber, as indicated by the numeral 10 in the drawing, is shown positioned on'legs II for the suitable elevation of the same, placing it at a convenient height for the operator. A broad peripheral flange I2 is formed about the upper edge of the operating chamber I!) which is itself box like in shape. This broad peripheral flange l2 carries a suitable rubber gasket l3 adapted to form an air tight joint when a loosely hinged lid portion 14 is closed thereupon and a plurality of clamps [5 moved into engagement with the upper surface or the lid M and clamped in position so as to firmly afiix the lid 14 to'the operating chamber ill in an 'air tightamanner. By referring to the lid M it will be seen that a plurality of electric lights 3 have been positioned on the interior surface thereof so a body positioned within the operating chamber may be suitably illuminated thereby. In order that the operator may inspect the body from time to time, a pair of suitable pressure withstanding windows It are positioned within the lid M. The lid I4 is loosely ailixed "to the operating chamber 10 by means of slip hinges It so that they will not interfere withthe tightening action of the clamps t5 when the lid :is in place.

By referring to the structure shown at the right end of the operating chamber I!) it will be seen that :a, rpair .of non-collapsible tubes #8 terminate outside of'zth'e operating chamber H] and lead into the interior thereof. The pair of non-collapsible-tubes tl18 are provided to insure a communication .channei of adequate capacity. A housing is encloses :an electric motor and 'a suitable air pumpcarries on a conveniently shaped surface It thereof ;a pair of gaugeslzl which :are adapted to register vacuum' or air pressure the operating chamber. A lever 22 controls the action of the :air pump so that it either exhausts the air "from the operating chamber and creates a partial vacuum therein or builds up the pressure in the operating chamber in any desired degree. It is obvious that tanks may be incorporated wherein reserve air pressure -or vacuum may be built up so that the operator med notuyait for the air pump toestablish same. Gontrolsarealso provided for varying the action :of the air pump and releasing the :pressure as desired together with controls for an exhaust fan which may be connected to the operating chamber .l'll if desirable. Having thus shown and described suitable apparatus ior accomplishing anembalming process under the methods herein claimed, the following description of the embalming method is given.

It is well that embalming comprises several different although allied operations one of the first of which is the operation wherein the blood in the veins and capillaries in the body'is purged from the body. It is essential that all the blood be purged from the body in that any particles remaining may adversely. affeet the preservation of the body by interfering with the action of the embalming fluid. In order to accomplish this with a minimum of effort and without the necessity of manually massaging the body tissues, which incidentally often results in the rupture of the capillaries near the surface of the skin and causes a discoloration which is objectionable, the body may be conveniently placed in the operating chamber and suitable incisions made to enable the non-collapsible tubes I8 to be placed in operative locations'in the deeper vessels of the body such as are found in the sacro-iliac axis or thereabout. The lid l4 of the operating chamber is then closed and the mechanism attached thereto operated until a suitable air pressure has been built up within the operating chamber. The air pressure will effectively collapse the tissues and capillaries'and the veins and arteries and drive the blood therefrom into the deeper vessels of the body from other treatment of the area in order to preserve an attractive cosmetic effect. The herein described method also permits the accurate weighing of the body fluids. For example, the amount of blood first purged from the body may be whence it drains from the body and operating chamber through the tubes l8.

The second desirable operation in embalming is'the operation of washing the capillaries so as to dissolve particles of blood remaining therein so that these particles may be efiectively removed from the body. This is accomplished by reversing the action of the air pump. associated with the operating chamber Ill and establish a partial vacuum within the said chamber. At the same time the operator supplies the tubes [8 with a suitable capillary washing fluid under slight pressure if necessary. Due to the partial vacuum existing about the body the natural tendency of the capillary washing fluid is to penetrate the veins and arteries and-capillaries of the body from which it may be readily purged lby again reversing the action of the air pump and establishing pressure within the air chamber H] which will cause the capillary washing fluid to drain from the body and the chamber through the tubes I8. This maybe. repeated'until the operator is satisfied through his-visual inspection through the window 16 and through his inspection of the capillary wash that the blood particles have been completely dissolved and removed from the body. When this has been accomplished all of the capillary washing fluid is of course purged from the body by the air pressure means and the operation of embalming the: body may then take place. The operation of embalming the body comprises. the-supplying of the tubes l8 with a suitableembalming fluid and a partial vacuum being caused to exist about the body. The natural tendency of the embalming fluid is to penetrate the veins and arteries and capillaries of the body. The operating chamber thus assists the operator in that the embalming fluid readily reaches all of theiveins and arteries and all of the capillaries of the body thus insuring adequate embalming action. In fact, it seems logical that an embalming solution of formaldehyde somewhat'weaker than the customary 5% solution may be employed with-more satisfactory results due to the complete saturation of the capillaries, tissues and veins of the body through the above described process.- I

It is obvious that embalming according to I the herein described method results in a better cosmetic effect in that the'capillaries are themselves completely purged of blood and blood particles and refilled with suitable embalming fluid. Further, the tissues of the body which weighed and subsequent weighing of the capillary wash directed into the body as compared to the weight of the same upon its removal therefrom will result in the determining of the complete Weight of the body fluids. This is important in that it enables the operator :to replace these fluids accurately as to amount and proportion of the preserving fluid necessary.

What I claim is:

1. The method of embalming comprising placing a body in a chamber adapted to besealed, connecting the deeper or larger arteries and veins of the body with conduits for drainage to the exterior of the chamber, sealing the chamber, subjecting the body to a uniform external pressure to cause blood in the vascular systemto be forced out of the body and through said conduits, thereafter, when sufliciently drained and while still under pressure, connecting both arteries and veins to a liquid supply source, and then imposing a negative pressure upon the interior of the chamber and consequently the exterior of the enclosed body, to cause the liquid to be drawn into the vascular system and to be thoroughly diifused throughout the body.

2. The method of embalming wherein the draining of a bodycomprises placing the body in a chamber adapted to be sealed, connecting the deeper or larger arteries and veins of the body with conduits for drainage to the exterior of the chamber, sealing the chamber, subjecting the body to alternate positive and negative external pressures to cause the blood in the vascular system to be forced out of the body and through the said conduits. Q

3. The method of embalming comprising placing a body in a chamber adapted tobe sealed, connecting the deeper or larger arteries and veins of the 'body with conduits for drainage to the exterior of the chamber,- sealing the chamber, subjecting the body to alternate positive and negative pressures to cause the blood in the vascular system to be forced out of the body and through the said conduits, thereafter, when sufliciently drained and while still under pressure, connecting both arteries and veins to a liquid supply source and then imposing a negative pressure upon the interior of the-chamber and consequently the exterior of the enclosed body, to cause the liquid to be drawn into:the vascular system and to be thoroughly diffused throughout the body.

'HARRY -S. DAY.

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