Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Drapes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-05-29
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Drapes
C427S245000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237600
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to surgical drapes and more particularly, relates to a reusable surgical drape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Surgical drapes are widely used during medical procedures and have gradually evolved over the years following the recognition that certain pathological agents posed a health threat to operating room personnel. As a result, surgical drapes which provide a sterile barrier between the non-sterile patient and the sterile operating room personnel and instruments were considered desirable.
Originally, a polycotton fabric which is a blend of polyester and cotton was used as the fabric of choice for surgical drapes. The one major drawback to this material was its lack of impermeability. In order to minimize the potential problems, a number of layers were used which did provide a certain minimal degree of protection. However, the required thickness as well as the high cost of sterilizing with the attendant wear and tear was recognized.
Subsequently, disposable surgical drapes were proposed in the art and they offered the advantage of impermeability. These disposable drapes became extremely popular and although the cost is substantial, the benefit of the impermeable barrier has been considered sufficiently important that their continued use has prevailed.
A disadvantage of the disposable surgical drape is the “slippery” finish on the surface. Typically, any liquid on the upper layer is permitted to move to pockets or the like which are formed at the edges of the drape. The drape is generally recognized
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being deficient in that the slippery top surface is of a nature such that materials such as operating room instruments can not be placed thereon. Similarly, the bottom surface can be slippery thus permitting movement of the drape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a surgical drape which overcomes the above disadvantages.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a surgical drape of a multilayer structure, the surgical drape comprising an inner layer of a polyurethane material, the polyurethane material being substantially impervious to bacteria passing therethrough, the polyurethane layer being vapor permeable; a top layer of a knit fabric, the layer of knit fabric having interstices therebetween to absorb moisture; and a bottom layer of a knit fabric.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Generally, there is provided a middle layer which acts as the barrier membrane. This middle layer is preferably formed of a polyurethane material and more preferably, is a 30 &mgr;m microporous polyurethane. Naturally, this material is thin since it must also be permeable to water vapor in order to provide for sterilization.
The upper or top layer is formed of an absorbent material. This material also has a non-slippery surface. Preferably, it is made of a polyester warp knit fabric. The special knit has a structure which acts as an active sponge. Although the material itself may be treated to have a hydrophilic nature, the liquid is stored in the voids of the multifilament yarn.
The bottom surface is also formed of a tricot polyester warp knit which is designed to be light.
The three components are laminated with a finely dispersed polyurethane adhesive on each side of the membrane. The polyurethane is applied in an adhesive dispersion pattern which permits vapor to pass through the membrane.
The surgical drape is designed to be flame resistant and as such, known methods of achieving such flame retardancy may be used from the incorporation of flame retardant compounds therein.
As a surgical drape, the product must be substantially impervious to biological penetration. This is achieved through the use of the intermediate polyurethane layer which preferably has a thickness of between 20 &mgr;m and 40 &mgr;m and also is of a microporous structure. As such, the layer must be water vapor permeable to permit sterilization thereof and preferably, the polyurethane layer is of a microporous structure having a uniform pore size in the order of
1
micron.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5846604 (1998-12-01), Caldwell
Brown Michael A.
Fincham Eric
Hamilton Lalita M.
Stedfast Inc.
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