US5045080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical fabric with printed X-ray marker
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-22
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Granted: 1991-09-03
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Expires: 2006-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Woven and nonwoven fabrics for use in surgical procedures are printed with a radiopaque polymeric composition which bonds to the surface of the fabric. The composition is applied in a visually distinctive pattern, or may assume the pattern of the underlying fabric. The polymeric composition is readily recognized in an X-ray image and provides an improved means for detecting a surgical sponge inadvertently left in a patient. Preferred compositions are latex or plastisols of a printable viscosity containing from 15 to 70% by weight BaSO4 having a particle size greater than about 5 microns.
Inventors
- 👤 John Dyer
- 👤 Thomas A. Denny
- 👤 Stephen Papp, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/44; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/18; A61L31/00; A61L31/14; A61L31/18; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
In a method of preparing a surgical sponge comprising an absorbent fabric having an X-ray detectable marker associated therewith, the improvement comprising applying a flowable, uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition to said fabric in a visually distinctive pattern and securely bonding said polymeric composition to said fabric to provide an X-ray discernable marker having an X-ray detectable pattern corresponding to the pattern of said polymeric composition as applied to said fabric.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a method of preparing a surgical sponge comprising an absorbent fabric having an X-ray detectable marker associated therewith, the improvement comprising applying a flowable, uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition to said fabric in a visually distinctive pattern and securely bonding said polymeric composition to said fabric to provide an X-ray discernable marker having an X-ray detectable pattern corresponding to the pattern of said polymeric composition as applied to said fabric.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric composition is a plastisol or latex emulsion containing a heavy metal salt, dispersed uniformly therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the heavy metal salt is BaSO 4 having an average particle size greater than about 5 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric composition has a printable viscosity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the polymeric composition is a PVC plastisol containing from 15 to 70% by weight BaSO 4 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the polymeric composition is an acrylic latex emulsion containing from about 15 to 70% by weight BaSO 4 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the polymeric composition is applied to the fabric by printing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said printing means is gravure or screen printing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said polymeric composition is applied uniformly to the fabric and the visually distinctive pattern conforms to the structure of the underlying fabric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said underlying fabric is a woven surgical gauze or a nonwoven fabric having an open structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said polymeric composition is applied to the fabric in a visually distinctive pattern determined by the printing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said fabric is a closely woven or knitted structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surgical sponge is a swab or laparotomy pad.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A surgical sponge including an X-ray detectable marker comprising an absorbent fabric having a uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition bonded to the surface thereof in a visually distinctive pattern conforming to the structure of the underlying fabric, the pattern defined by said polymeric composition being discernable by X-ray.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A surgical sponge including an X-ray detectable marker comprising an absorbent fabric having a uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition bonded to the surface thereof in a visually distinctive pattern conforming to the structure of the underlying fabric, the pattern defined by said polymeric composition being discernable by X-ray.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sponge of claim 14 wherein said fabric comprises surgical gauze or a nonwoven fabric having an open structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sponge of claim 14 wherein said radiopaque polymeric composition contains from about 60 to 85 percent by weight BaSO 4 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sponge of claim 16 wherein said BaSO 4 has an average particle size greater than about 5 microns.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A surgical sponge including an X-ray detectable marker comprising a substantially nonapertured fabric having a uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition printed onto the surface of said fabric and bonded thereto in a visually distinctive pattern, the pattern defined by said polymeric composition being discernable by X-ray.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A surgical sponge including an X-ray detectable marker comprising a substantially nonapertured fabric having a uniformly radiopaque polymeric composition printed onto the surface of said fabric and bonded thereto in a visually distinctive pattern, the pattern defined by said polymeric composition being discernable by X-ray.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sponge of claim 18 wherein said fabric is a closely woven or knitted material or a nonapertured nonwoven fabric.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sponge of claim 18 wherein said radiopaque polymeric composition contains from about 60 to 85 percent by weight BaSO 4 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sponge of claim 20 wherein said BaSO 4 has an average particle size greater than about 5 microns.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |