Urinary catheterization drape and associated method

A urinary catheterization drape comprises a flexible sheet having an outer region and an inner region connected by a score line to enable a separation and removal of the inner region from the outer region. The inner region includes a substantially cylindrical projection which is closed at a free end. The cylindrical projection is provided at the free end with another score line extending perimetrically around the projection to enable a severance and removal of an end section of the projection.

Background of the Invention 
This invention relates to a urinary catheterization drape. This invention 
also relates to an associated method using the drape in performing a 
urinary catheterization. 
A urinary catheter is inserted inwardly through a patient's urethra to the 
urinary bladder in order to implement an automatic drainage of urine from 
the bladder. Such a procedure is executed as a matter of course at the 
commencement of abdominal surgery to minimize the size of the bladder and 
thereby facilitate access to other organs in the abdomen. 
In preparing the patient for receiving a urinary catheter, a drape sheet 
having a central opening is positioned over the patient's crotch. An 
antibacterial agent such as betadine is applied to the patient's skin in 
the area about the urethra and a catheter subsequently inserted. To insert 
a catheter into a male, the penis must be grasped with one hand and the 
catheter inserted with the other hand. This procedure complicates attempts 
to maintain sterility inasmuch as the hand touching the penis must be kept 
sterile prior to the procedure. This is difficult even if a new glove is 
put on the hand prior to catheterization. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
catheterization procedure. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a catheterization 
drape for use in such a procedure. 
Another, more particular, object of the present invention is to provide a 
catheterization drape which may be adapted for use on either a female or 
male patient. 
A further particular object of the present invention is to provide a 
catheterization drape which enhances sterility of catheterization 
procedures, particularly in the case of a male patient. 
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed 
descriptions and drawings included herein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A urinary catheterization drape comprises, in accordance with the present 
invention, a flexible sheet having an outer region and an inner region 
connected by a score line to enable a separation and removal of the inner 
region from the outer region. The inner region includes a substantially 
cylindrical projection which is closed at a free end. The cylindrical 
projection is provided at the free end with another score line extending 
perimetrically around the projection to enable a severance and removal of 
an end section of the projection. 
In the event that the patient is a female, the inner region is removed from 
the outer region by tearing along the first score line. If the patient is 
a male, the first score line is left intact and the second score line is 
torn to enable a removal of the end section of the cylindrical projection. 
Pursuant to another feature of the present invention, the sheet is 
rectangular and the first score line takes a rhombus shape. 
A method for use in performing a urinary catheterization comprises, in 
accordance with the present invention, the steps of (a) providing a 
urinary catheterization drape, (b) severing a central portion of the drape 
from a peripheral portion of the drape by tearing along a score line 
defining a boundary between the central portion and the peripheral 
portion, (c) removing the central portion from the peripheral portion to 
form an aperture in the central portion, (d) positioning the peripheral 
portion over the patient so that the aperture is aligned with a urinary 
outlet port of the patient, and (e) inserting a urinary catheter into the 
patient's urethra through the aperture upon positioning of the peripheral 
portion of the drape over the patient. 
Where the patient is a male, the peripheral portion includes a cylindrical 
projection having an open free end, while the central portion takes the 
form of a cup-shaped closure at the free end of the projection. The 
cup-shaped closure is removed in removal step (c). The penis of the 
patient is inserted into the cylindrical projection and is grasped through 
the material of the projection prior to catheter insertion. 
Where the patient is a female, the central portion includes a cylindrical 
projection having a closed free end. 
A catheterization procedure in accordance with the present invention uses a 
single drape which is readily adapted for use with either a female or a 
male patient. The catheterization drape enhances sterility of 
catheterization procedures, particularly in the case of a male patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a urinary catheterization drape comprises a 
flexible rectangular sheet 12 having an outer or peripheral region 14 and 
an inner or central region 16. Outer region 14 is connected to inner 
region 16 by a rhombus-shaped score line 18 which enables and facilitates 
a separation and removal of inner region 16 from outer region 14 prior to 
use of the drape during urinary catheterization of a female patient. Inner 
region 16 includes a substantially cylindrical projection 20 which is 
closed at a free end by a cup-shaped end section 22. Projection 20 is 
provided at the free end with a circular score line 24 which connects end 
section 22 to a body portion 26 of the cylindrical projection. Score line 
24 extends perimetrically around projection 20 to enable a severance and 
removal of end section 22 prior to use of the drape during urinary 
catheterization of a male patient. 
FIG. 2 shows the removal of inner region 16 from outer region 14. Score 
line 18 has been torn to separate inner region 16 from outer region 14. 
Upon the removal of inner region 16, outer region 14 is provided with a 
rhombus-shaped aperture 28. Inner region 16 is removed from outer region 
14 prior to a positioning of the drape over the pelvis of a female 
patient. Alternatively, the drape may be positioned over the patient's 
pelvis prior to separation of inner region 16 from outer region 14. Upon 
the positioning of outer region 14 over a female patient's pelvis and an 
alignment of aperture 28 with the crotch area, a urinary catheter is 
inserted into the patient's urethra through aperture 28. 
FIG. 3 shows the removal of cup-shaped end section 22 from body portion 26 
of cylindrical projection 20. Score line 24 has been torn to separate end 
section 22 from body portion 26. Upon the removal of end section 22, body 
portion 26 is provided with a circular aperture 30. End section 22 is 
removed from body portion 26 prior to a positioning of the drape over the 
pelvis of a male patient. Alternatively, the drape may be positioned over 
the patient's pelvis prior to separation of end section 22 from body 
portion 26. Upon the positioning of body portion 26 over a male patient's 
pelvis and an alignment of projection 20 with the crotch area, the 
patient's penis is manipulated through the medium of the drape and is 
inserted into body portion 26 of projection 20 so that the head of the 
penis is juxtaposed to aperture 30. Upon that juxtaposition, the penis is 
grasped through body portion 26 of projection 20 and a urinary catheter is 
inserted into the patient's urethra through aperture 30. 
It is to be noted that in the case of a male patient, end section 22 may be 
understood as a central region of the drape while the remainder of the 
drape is a peripheral region. Accordingly, in either case, whether a 
female or male is being treated, a central section or region is removed 
from a peripheral region at the onset of a catheterization procedure. 
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular 
embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light 
of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications 
without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed 
invention. For example, inner region 16 and concomitantly score line 18 
may take any convenient form. In addition, outer region 14 of sheet 12 
need not be flat but may have an inherent preformed shape conforming to a 
person's pelvis region. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the 
drawings and descriptions herein are profferred by way of example to 
facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to 
limit the scope thereof.