Patient extremity surgical drape

• US 3,989,040 A
• Filed: 12/18/1975
• Issued: 11/02/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Inventors: Lofgren, Lewis C., Farrow, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/642,030
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 128/132 R, 128/132 D, 128/292, 128/165
• US Class Current: 128/856
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/27 tubular, e.g. for arms or legs A61B46/13 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved surgical drape adapted to cover a patient extremity such as an arm or a leg during a surgical procedure. The drape is tubular in construction having one end closed and means for adhesively attaching it to the patient along a slit adjacent to the open end. For disposability it is fabricated from a nonwoven fabric on the surface contacting the patient and, bonded thereto, a liquid-proof film forming the outside surface. Preferred embodiments are described wherein the drape is formed from a flat sheet and has a reinforced side seam and end. A preferred method of telescope folding the drape for improved safety and speed of applicaton is also disclosed.

Claims

1. Surgical drape comprising a tube having an open end and a closed end and adapted to enclose a patient extremity characterized by,

an inside surface of a flexible, strong, nonwoven material;

at least a major portion of the outside surface of a flexible, liquid-proof film bonded to said nonwoven material;

a slit extending from said open end partially along the length of said tube;

adhesive attachment means on the inside of said tube and adjacent to both edges of said slit; and

releasable portective covering for said adhesive attachment means.

2. The drape of claim 1 wherein the closed end of the slit is reinforced by crosslaid adhesive tape.

3. The drape of claim 1 further including overlapping, double reinforced side and end seams and wherein said slit is positioned opposite said side seam.

4. The drape of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven material is a cellulosic laminate.

5. The drape of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven material is a scrim reinforced material.

6. The drape of claim 1 wherein said liquidproof film is polyethylene.

7. The drape of claim 1 telescope folded for improved speed and safety in application.