Laparotomy sheet with plastic center strip having absorbent layer

Claim 2

A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet enlarged lengthwise by a plastic panel having an opening disposed centrally therein, said panel being a moistureproof member defining the periphery of the opening to eliminate strike-through of fluid during a surgical procedure and to eliminate contamination of a wound by lint or other foreign material coming into contact therewith from portions of the drape outwardly of said plastic member, said plastic panel having an absorbent material on the upper surface to absorb any liquid engaging the surface of the moistureproof plastic member to prevent such liquid from flowing along the surface of the moistureproof member, the above combination enables the area immediately adjacent to the operating area to remain sterile and prevents fluids which would normally be directed downwards from the operating table to remain on the laparotomy sheet.

Claim 3

A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet comprising an enlarged panel having an opening disposed centrally therein, and a moistureproof member defining the periphery of the opening to eliminate strike-through of fluid during a surgical procedure and to eliminate contamination of a wound by lint or other foreign material coming into contact therewith from portions of the drape outwardly of the moistureproof member, and absorbent material on the upper surface of the moistureproof member to absorb any liquid engaging the surface of the moistureproof member to prevent such liquid from flowing along the surface of the moistureproof member, said moistureproof member including a strip of flexible plastic material extending completely across said panel and being relatively narrow to separate the panel into side panels having the edges thereof secured to the plastic strip, said absorbent material being spaced from the periphery of the opening in the plastic strip.

Claim 4

A surgical drape such as a laparotomy sheet comprising an enlarged panel having an opening disposed centrally therein, and a moistureproof member defining the periphery of the opening to eliminate strike-through of fluid during a surgical procedure and to eliminate contamination of a wound by lint or other foreign material coming into contact therewith from portions of the drape outwardly of the moistureproof member, and absorbent material on the upper surface of the moistureproof member to absorb any liquid engaging the surface of the moistureproof member to prevent such liquid from flowing along the surface of the moistureproof member, said moistureproof member including a strip of flexible plastic material extending completely across said panel and being relatively narrow to separate the panel into side panels having the edges thereof secured to the plastic strip, said absorbent material being spaced from the periphery of the opening in the plastic strip.

Claim 5

The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material is in the form of a pair of pads, one pad beiNg disposed on each side of the opening in the plastic strip and terminating substantially inwardly from the end edges of the plastic strip.

Claim 6

The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material is in the form of a pad extending along the surface of the plastic strip completely to the end edges thereof with the inner edges of the absorbent material being spaced from the central opening.

Claim 7

The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said absorbent material is laminated to the surface of the plastic strip to absorb liquids thereon and also to provide a nonslipping surface for instruments or the like placed thereon.

Claim 8

A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material having sufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surface to the other, an elongated strip of flexible plastic material interconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of the strip of plastic material being relatively small as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluids through the plastic strip, said plastic strip including a centrally disposed fenestration therein with the periphery of the fenestration being slightly spaced from the edges of the panels, and absorbent material laminated to the strip of plastic material to absorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow of liquids along the upper surface of the plastic material and to provide supporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.

Claim 9

A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material having sufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surface to the other, an elongated strip of flexible plastic material interconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of the strip of plastic material being relatively small as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluids through the plastic strip, said plastic strip including a centrally disposed fenestration therein with the periphery of the fenestration being slightly spaced from the edges of the panels, and absorbent material laminated to the strip of plastic material to absorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow of liquids along the upper surface of the plastic material and to provide supporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.

Claim 10

A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material having sufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surface to the other, an elongated strip of flexible moistureproof material interconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of the strip of moistureproof material being relatively small as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluids through the moistureproof strip, said moistureproof strip including a centrally disposed fenestration therein with the periphery of the fenestration being slightly spaced from the edges of the panels, and absorbent material laminated to the strip of moistureproof material to absorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow of liquids along the upper surface of the moistureproof material and to provide supporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.

Claim 11

A laparotomy sheet comprising a pair of enlarged panels of fabric or nonwoven paper material having sufficient porosity to enable passage of filtered air from one surface to the other, an elongated strip of flexible moistureproof material interconnecting the adjacent edges of the panels with the width of the strip of moistureproof material being relatively small as compared with the total length of the sheet to permit filtered air to pass through a major portion of the sheet while preventing strike-through of fluids through the moistureproof strip, said moistureproof strip including a centrally disposed fenestration therein with the periphery of the fenestration being slightly spaced from the edges of the panels, and absorbent material laminated to the strip of moistureproof material to absorb liquids engaging the upper surface thereof to prevent flow of liquids along the upper surface of the moistureproof material and to provide supporting engagement with instruments placed thereon.