Abstract:
A device and method for the performance of lower extremity surgery through the use of a bilaterally fenestrated drape with an operative side having an open fenestration and a nonoperative side having an extremity tube sealed over a fenestration, the extremity tube being closed at one end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/403,720 filed Sep. 21, 2010 (Sep. 21, 2010.) 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates a device and technique used for draping of a surgical extremity at the time of surgery in such a way to allow isolation of the contralateral extremity. 
         [0007]    2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR §§1.97, 1.98 
         [0008]    The field of orthopedic surgery often requires the use of fluoroscopy. However working on the extremities is associated with interference from the contralateral extremity. A method is required to mobilize the contralateral extremity out of the field of view of the radiographic source. One potential strategy is to place the contralateral leg in a well leg holder. This is not available on all surgical tables. Another option is to prepare and to drape both extremities. This can be associated with increased surgical time and higher rate of contamination. A specialized tool or drape is required that would allow complete mobilization of the contralateral non-injured and non-operative extremity while not requiring inclusion of that extremity in the surgical field. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a surgical drape system, and a method for using the same, which allows the contralateral, non-surgical extremity to be fully mobile during extremity surgery in order to facilitate positioning of the operative extremity under the nonsurgical extremity. The surgical drape consists of a bilaterally fenestrated surgical drape with a separate extremity tube sealed over the fenestration for the nonoperative leg. The placement of the nonoperative leg into the extremity tube allows complete mobilization of this extremity at the hip. This mobilization facilitates the positioning of the operative leg in such a way to allow optimal radiographic views with a fluoroscopy unit as in the case of treatment of hip fractures, femoral fractures, or tibial fractures. Additionally, this mobilization allows for the placement of the operative leg under the nonoperative leg, facilitating procedures such as total hip arthroplasty through the direct anterior approach. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an upper lateral perspective view of the surgical drape; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an upper anterior perspective view of the surgical drape; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an upper lateral view of the patient with both legs elevated and flexed at the hip; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an upper lateral view of the patient with partial placement of the surgical drape; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an upper lateral view of the patient with final placement of the fenestrations at the level of the hip; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an upper lateral view of the patient after final placement of the drape over the patient torso; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an upper lateral view of the patient after final placement of the drape with the operative hip and operative leg in a figure of four position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved surgical drape, generally denominated  30  herein. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an upper lateral perspective view of the surgical drape  30  showing the body  10  of the drape divided along an axis A into an operative side  10   a  and a non-operative side  10   b . The drape body  10  is preferably made from a fluid impermeable medical fabric panel (e.g., paper, plastic, or fabric) and may include laterally extending wings  11   a,    11   b,  though a simple rectangular panel is also suitable. The operative side  10   a  of the drape  30  includes an operative side fenestration  12 , while the non-operative side  10   b  includes a nonoperative side fenestration  13  with a sealed and attached extremity drape (or extremity tube portion)  14 , preferably attached to the edges of the fenestration opening through a sonic sealing process rather than stitching, though any suitable attachment process is contemplated. The fenestrations are each preferably circular in shape and sized between 10 cm and 50 cm in diameter. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an upper anterior perspective view of the surgical drape  30  demonstrating the body of the drape  10 , the operative side fenestration  12 , and the nonoperative side fenestration  13  with the sealed and attached extremity drape  14 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an upper lateral view of the patient  15  being prepared for right hip direct anterior total hip replacement with both legs elevated and flexed at the hip on the operative table. The nonoperative leg  16  and the operative leg  18  are shown. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an upper lateral view of the patient of  FIG. 3  with his or her non-operative leg passed through the non-operative leg fenestration  13  and the extremity tube  20  sealed to the nonoperative leg fenestration of the surgical drape  30 , shown here schematically as only a portion  22  of the drape material so as to reveal and make clear the process of placing the drape over the patient. The operative leg  18  is seen as passed through the open fenestration  12  on the operative side of the drape. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an upper lateral view of the patient showing the final placement of the extremity tube to encompass the nonoperative leg and passage of the (partially shown  22 ) surgical drape  30  in its final position at the level of the groin. The extremity tube is then stabilized around the nonoperative leg using standard bandage material  24 . The operative leg  18  is seen as passed through the open fenestration  12  on the operative side  28  of the surgical drape  30 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an upper lateral view of the patient after final placement of the drape  22  over the patient&#39;s torso. The operative hip  26  and operative leg  18  are now fully accessible. The nonoperative leg can be moved toward the ceiling to allow placement of the operative leg under the nonoperative leg which is sealed within the extremity tube and bandages  24 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is an upper lateral view of the patient after final placement of the drape  22  with placement of the operative hip  26  and operative leg  18  in the “Figure of Four” position, under the nonoperative leg which is sealed within the extremity tube and bandages  24 . 
         [0026]    The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. The full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of this invention does not limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operation shown and described, inasmuch as modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the above description and illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.