Surgical sponge

Claim 2

A surgical sponge comprising an intermediate reinforcing layer having laminated to both sides thereof a layer of an aqueous liquid absorbing flexible, water-insoluble foamed polymer, said sponge having disposed therein an X-ray opaque material whereby the presence of the sponge can be detected by Xray if it is accidentally left in a patient.

Claim 3

A surgical sponge according to claim 1, wherein the X-ray detectable material is present in a fiber adjacent the reinforcing layer and held in place by one of said foamed polymer layers.

Claim 4

A surgical sponge according to claim 2 having a degree of stretch in each direction of not over 10 percent and a rebound to within 2 percent of its original shape, said sponge being strong in all directions, tightly adhered and non-friable along the edges.

Claim 5

A surgical sponge according to claim 3 wherein the X-ray detectable material containing fiber extends substantially along the length of the sponge, said sponge also having handle means attached thereto.

Claim 6

A surgical sponge according to claim 4 wherein the foamed polymer is an open-celled thermoplastic polyurethane foam.

Claim 7

A surgical sponge according to claim 5 wherein the reinforcing layer is a fabric layer.

Claim 8

A surgical sponge according to claim 6 wherein said fabric layer is a cotton gauze fabric.

Claim 9

A surgical sponge according to claim 7 wherein the X-ray opaque material is a barium sulfate containing polyvinyl chloride fiber and the handle means is a loop handle.

Claim 10

A surgical sponge according to claim 8 wherein the foamed polymer layers include a surfactant.

Claim 11

A surgical sponge according to claim 1 wherein the X-ray opaque material is disposed adjacent the fabric layer and the foamed polymer is an open-celled polyurethane foam.

Claim 12

A surgical sponge comprising an intermediate reinforcing layer having laminated to both sides thereof a flexible polyurethane foam, said polyurethane foam being characterized by (i) an open cell structure ranging from 50 to 110 cells per linear inch, (ii) a density no greater than 10 cubic pounds per cubic foot, (iii) a capability of being stretched up to ten percent without rupture and substantially returning to its original dimensions upon release of the stretching pressure, and (iv) an ability to absorb and retain an amount of water which is at least 1.5 times the weight of water absorbed by cotton gauze pads of comparable dimensions; said sponge containing an X-ray detectable material therein.

Claim 13

A surgical sponge comprising an intermediate reinforcing layer having laminated to both sides thereof a flexible polyurethane foam, said polyurethane foam being characterized by (i) an open cell structure ranging from 50 to 110 cells per linear inch, (ii) a density no greater than 10 cubic pounds per cubic foot, (iii) a capability of being stretched up to ten percent without rupture and substantially returning to its original dimensions upon release of the stretching pressure, and (iv) an ability to absorb and retain an amount of water which is at least 1.5 times the weight of water absorbed by cotton gauze pads of comparable dimensions; said sponge containing an X-ray detectable material therein.

Claim 14

A polyurethane sponge according to claim 11 wherein said open cell structure is in the range of from 70 to 100 cells per linear inch, wherein said density is in the range of from 2 to 7 pounds per cubic foot, and wherein said foam is characterized by an ability to absorb and retain an amount of water which is at least twice the weight of water absorbed by cotton gauze of comparable dimensions.