ABSORBENT ARTICLE USEFUL IN MEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND HAVING A RADIOPAQUE ELEMENT EMBEDDED IN A SIDE EDGE THEREOF AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

Abstract: An absorbent article in the form of a fabric sheet which has incorporated therein an elongated radiopaque thread embedded in multiple folds along at least one edge of the sheet. The radiopaque element preferably is unattached to the fabric, but rather is mechanically captured within a first fold that is further folded inwardly of and onto the top surface of the fabric sheet to capture the first fold and the radiopaque element in a second fold. The fabric sheet is formed of absorbent yarns such that the article is suitable for use as a drape in a surgical procedure, or in the nature of a laparotomy sponge. A method for the manufacture of the absorbent article is disclosed.

Description: ABSORBENT ARTICLE USEFUL IN MEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND HAVING A RADIOPAQUE ELEMENT EMBEDDED IN A SIDE EDGE THEREOF AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to absorbent articles which are useful in medical applications, and particularly to absorbent articles useful in surgical procedures, and more particularly to medical sponges of the laparotomy sponge type and surgical towels . BACKGROUND QF INVENTION Surgical sponges, particularly laparotomy sponges, are used extensively in medical procedures, from use as wipe cloths 2_Q. to saline-soaked packing for internal organs which are temporarily stored outside the body cavity during a surgical procedure. Literally millions of these sponges are used annually in the medical industry so that their cost is a very important consideration when examining the overall cost of medical care. 15. At the time of the manufacture of a medical sponge it is unknown where the sponge may be used, hence it is the common practice in the industry to include in the construction of the sponge at least one radiopaque element that is useful in identification of the sponge when viewed by X-ray. Placement of 2__ and adequate anchoring of this radiopaque element to or within the sponge has been problematical in the prior art. To the knowledge of the present inventor, except for those radiopaque elements which have been woven into the material of which the sponge is made or which have been heat-sealed to a sponge, only 25 manual operations have been available to attach the radiopaque element to the sponge. Further, in the prior art sponges where a loop member is provided as a part of the sponge, the ends of the loop being anchored to the sponge at one edge or corner thereof as by stitching, the anchoring of the loop has heretofore been difficult to achieve. Further, A vast majority of laparotomy sponges are used in surgical procedures for absorbing body fluids, for wiping and cleaning a patient, for packing body organs while the organs are exposed outside the patient's body cavity (after the sponge has been soaked in saline solution) to protect the organs from drying out, and for other similar uses. In many instances, the sponges are inserted into the patient's body cavity to aid in keeping a surgical field clear for the surgeon to perform a surgical procedure within the body cavity. As is well recognized in the art, a gauze laparotomy sponge, when soaked with blood, very strikingly resembles normal body tissue found within a patient's body cavity. As a consequence, all surgical procedures require strict adherence to accounting for laparotomy sponges (and other sponge types) during a surgical procedure. Further, all laparotomy sponges used in surgical procedures are provided with at least one radiopaque element which is in some manner incorporated into the structure of the sponge so as to ensure itε integrity with the sponge during use of the sponge. This radiopaque element is intended to be readily detectable under X-ray examination. If, after completion of a surgical procedure, all sponges can not be accounted for, the patient is examined by X-ray equipment in an attempt to ensure that a "missing" sponge has not been left in the patient's body cavity. Heretofore, surgical towels, comprising a woven cotton fabric, have been used in draping off a sterile field within which a surgeon is to perform a surgical procedure . This function of the towel is to assist in maintaining a sterile field by ensuring that bacteria, etc. on the patient's body are not transferred away from the body and possibly into the patient's body cavity during the time when the body cavity is open for performance of the surgical procedure or the like, and to absorb any body fluids which may escape from the open body cavity in the course of the surgical procedure. To successfully perform these functions, the towel is commonly a single-layered, woven, cotton fabric. The weave of the fabric is a tight weave, that is, there is a relatively large number of yarns per inch in the weave and the yarns are closely packed in the weave. Because towels do not include a radiopaque element in their structure, they are not acceptable for use inside a patient's body cavity. Among other desirable or required properties of absorbent articles intended for use in medical procedures, it is required that the article not exhibit cut yarn ends externally of the article where the ends could contact and irritate the patient's tissue, such as when using the article to clean an open wound or to absorb blood or other body fluids from an open body cavity during a surgical procedure. Further, loose yarns or pieces of yarns are not acceptable inasmuch as these act as foreign bodies when present internally of a patient, often resulting in granulomas or initiating other adverse effects. U.S. Patent No. 4,068,666 discloses a surgical sponge and method for forming the sponge in which multiple rectangular outer layers of absorbent material, e.g. cotton gauze and a special absorbent inner layer, are overlaid with their side edges in register. An elongated flat strip of radiopaque elastomeric element is laid on the top of the stack with one end of the strip aligned with the side edges of the absorbent material layers and the remainder of the strip projected inwardly of the stack, away from the side edges. This composite is next sewn along the side edges thereof, leaving a portion of the side edges unsewn. This sewing operation captures only one end of the radiopaque element 5. in the stitching so that the remainder of the element is "loose" and can lose its flat profile during use and render the element difficult or even impossible to locate upon X-ray examination of the sponge. Further, the loose end of this element is subject to protrusion through the outer layer of gauze and presenting a 0 highly objectionable source of possible tissue irritation or damage when the sponge is in use. The sewn composite is then turned inside out, as one turns a bag inside out, through the opening developed by the unsewn portion of the side edges of the composite. This causes 5 all raw edges of the composite layers to be turned inwardly of the composite, except for the unsewn portion of the side edges. This unsewn portion of the side edges is thereupon manually turned inwardly and sewn closed. In one embodiment, the ends of a flat fabric strip, in loop form, are positioned in the unsewn 0 opening before it is sewn closed with the intent of anchoring such ends within the opening as it is sewn closed. The product of this patent has not been successfully marketed, primarily because the fabric loop is inadequately anchored to the sponge and breaks away when in use, and because of the very prohibitive 5 cost of manufacturing the sponge which is occasioned by the large amount of manual labor required in its manufacture. Further, the corners of the loose end of the flat strip of radiopaque material, being in large part loose within the sponge, tended to project through the gauze material which formed to outer layer 0 of the sponge and become a source of irritation to a patient when the corner digs into the patient's body tissue during use of the sponge. Also, as noted above, the loose element is subject to movement that may cause it to become difficult to locate using X-rays. The design and construction of this sponge precludes its manufacture using automatic mechanical means. Heretofore, many attempts have been made to devise ways to incorporate a radiopaque element in the structure of absorbent articles that may be disposed temporarily inside a patient's body cavity during a surgical procedure. These attempts have included weaving one or more radiopaque yarns into the weave pattern of the fabric from which the absorbent article is formed. Because radiopaque yarns are extensible and have less breaking strength than cotton yarns, for example, they are not amenable to weaving techniques, and this procedure has not been successful. Another attempt has been to loosely lay a radiopaque yarn into a weave pattern, or to lay the yarn loosely between layers of gauze. Such loose radiopaque yarns, however, are not adequately secured within the absorbent article and pose the danger of escape of the yarn or a broken portion thereof into a patient's body cavity. Radiopaque yarns have also been incorporated into a loop which is secured to one edge of an absorbent article. In this construction, there remains the danger of all or a portion of the yarn escaping from the loop during using of the absorbent article. Heretofore, there has been no known successful means for including a radiopaque element in a surgical towel, hence surgical towels currently remain a separate supply item in surgical procedures, as do laparotomy sponges, since these two products presently serve different functions. In view of the problems attending the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which may be used alternatively as a drape or as a laparotomy sponge during a surgical procedure. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel absorbent article, particularly a medical sponge. It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical sponge which includes at least one radiopaque element and which is amenable to manufacture by automatic mechanical means. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the manufacture of an absorbent article which includes a radiopaque element. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved laparotomy sponge having at least one radiopaque element securely anchored thereto. In view of the problems attending the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which may be used alternatively as a drape or as a laparotomy sponge during a surgical procedure . It is another object to provide a novel absorbent article useful in surgical procedures in which there is securely incorporated a radiopaque element and wherein the presence of the radiopaque element does not detract from the use of the absorbent article for draping, absorption, wiping and similar uses. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be recognized by one skilled in the art given the present disclosure including the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of one embodiment of an absorbent laparotomy sponge embodying various of the features of the present invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary and perspective view, taken generally along line 2-2 of Figure 1, of a portion of the sponge depicted in Figure 1, but showing only once-folded side edges of the sponge; Figure 3 is a further fragmentary and perspective view, taken generally along line 2-2 of Figure 1, of a portion of the sponge depicted in Figure 1, and showing twice-folded side edges of the sponge; Figure 4 is a representation of the folding of a two- layered gauze web to form a four-layered gauze web; Figure 5 is a representation of an individual stack of web layers as cut from the web of Figure 4 and prior to the inward folding of the side edges thereof; Figure 6 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a portion of a single web layer and depicting the placement of the ends of a loop member within one of the side edge folds thereof and prior to the side edge being inwardly folded a second time; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the steps of the method of the present invention and apparatus for carrying out the method; Figure 8 is a perspective representation of an absorbent article embodying various of the features of the present invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a huck weave pattern; Figures IIA and 11B are diagrams depicting one embodiment of a loom setup for producing a huck weave pattern of the absorbent article of the present invention; and, Figures 12A and 12B present a schematic representation of an apparatus for use in the manufacture of the present absorbent article. SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided an absorbent article having incorporated in a side edged thereof a radiopaque element which is fully embedded with a plurality of folds of the side edge of the article. The absorbent article is typified by a laparotomy sponge or a surgical towel useful in medical procedures. The laparotomy sponge comprises at least first and second outer substantially rectangular layers of an absorbent material such as woven cotton gauze to form the body of the absorbent article. Each layer includes first and second opposite side edges which have no material loose or cut (raw) yarn ends. Each layer further includes third and fourth opposite side edges which may include cut yarn ends. These several layers are stacked one upon another with the side edges of the several layers in substantial register. The third and fourth side edges (all layers) are folded inwardly twice and the folds so formed are secured in place, as by stitching. Importantly, prior to the inward folding of these sides edges, an elongated flat strip of radiopaque element is overlaid on one of the outer surfaces of the absorbent material, this element being aligned with its longitudinal dimension generally parallel with the side edge with which it is associated. This element is carried inwardly of the absorbent article as its associated side edge is folded inwardly, both during the first fold and during the second fold such that the element is fully captured and buried within the folded side edges of the several layers of the absorbent article. In this position, the whole of the element is covered with multiple layers of the absorbent article and in its buried position, the element is substantially anchored mechanically, and preferably, by the means used to secure the folds in position, e.g. by the stitching used to secure the folds. The absorbent article is further typified by a surgical towel comprising a woven fabric having a weave pattern which produces a close or tight weave, i.e. having a relatively large number of yarns per inch of fabric length and width such that the article is suitable for use as a draping fabric in a surgical procedure, and further, is suitable for use in the nature of a laparotomy sponge. Preferably the absorbent article is of a huck weave construction of 74 X 28 with 20/1 cotton warp yarns and 8/1 cotton weft yarns thereby providing a preferred finished nonwashed weight of a 17" X 29" fabric sheet of at least 0.1300 grams per in 2 . Each side edge of the fabric sheet preferable is twice-folded inwardly of and onto a surface of the body of the fabric sheet, each fold being about inch in width. The radiopaque thread is laid within the first fold so that when the side edge is folded a second time, the radiopaque thread is fully encapsulated internally of the multiple folds. Folding of the end edges of the fabric sheet serves to close the opposite ends of each folded side edge thereby preventing escape of the radiopaque thread from the open ends of that folded side edge within which the thread is incorporated. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a loop member associated with one of the folded side edges of the absorbent article. In this embodiment, in the manufacture of the absorbent article, the ends of the loop member are overlaid on the surface of an outer layer of the absorbent 10 article and within the region of one of the side edges thereof which is to be folded. These ends terminate near the unfolded side edges such that the ends are themselves folded inwardly of the article as their associated side edge is folded inwardly. By this means, the ends of the loop member are twice folded 15 inwardly with the folding of the side edge and thereby mechanically captured and anchored within the folded side edge. The ends preferably are further anchored to the absorbent article by reason of their being bound in the folds by the means used to secure the folds in position, e.g. by stitching used to secure 20 the folds in position. In one embodiment, this loop member comprises a braided strand. Preferably this strand includes a length of filamentary elastomeric radiopaque material captured in the hollow central lumen of the braided strand, thereby imparting radiopacity to the loop member. If desired, the loop 25 member may be in the form of a flat ribbon of folded cloth material, with or without a radiopaque material incorporated therewith. In the present invention, the anchored ends of the loop member remain anchored within the multiple folds of the side edge of the absorbent article even though the stitches give way. __. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION With reference to the several Figures, and specifically Figures 1-3 which depict one embodiment of a laparotomy sponge, the absorbent article 10 of the present invention includes at least a first outer layer 12 of an absorbent material and a second outer layer 14 of absorbent material. In the depicted embodiment, these layers 12 and 14 are rectangular in geometry. As desired, the absorbent article may include one or more additional layers 16 and 18 of absorbent material that are disposed between the first and second outer layers. Most commonly, the first and second outer layers are of a woven gauze material, such as gauze woven from absorbent natural, manmade, or combinations of natural and manmade fibers or filaments. One commonly used material is woven cotton gauze having a thread count of 24 X 20. Other suitable absorbent materials for use in absorbent articles are well known in the art. The choice of the number of layers of absorbent material to be employed in a given absorbent article is largely determined by the desired absorptive capacity of the article. As desired, a core material of absorbent material such as Novonette sold by Kendall Company, Wellesley Hills, Mass. may be employed. Referring to Figure 4, in the present invention, it is preferred to used at least a two- ply gauze web 20 which is of a width that is twice the desired final width of the absorbent article, this two-ply web being folded along its longitudinal centeriine 22 to form a four-ply web 24 in which the selvedge edges 26 and 28 of the web are in register and all lie along the same side edge 30 of the four-ply web. By this means, the side edge of the folded web opposite the selvedge edges comprises a fold which has no cut ends of yarns . As desired, stitching or other bonding 29 and 29' (see Figure 7) may be employed along the side edges 30 and 32 of the fully folded web 20 to preclude separation of the multiple layers of the web and impart integrity to the web. As will appear more fully hereinafter, this four-ply web may serve as the starting material in the present method for manufacture of an absorbent article. In the manufacture of a typical laparotomy sponge, the web 20 is cut into individual lengths, the cut being made normal to the centeriine 22 of the web. A typical cut length of the multilayered web for use in the manufacture of a laparotomy sponge, for example, will measure about 24 inches wide by 24 inches long when laid out flat and before being advanced through the manufacturing apparatus. One suitable flat strip of radiopaque material is that available from AeroQuip of Fitzgerald, Georgia. This material is about 1/2 inch wide and about 1/64 inch thick. In a laparotomy sponge, for example, a length of about two inches of this material is chosen to make up the desired radiopaque element. Other widths, thicknesses and/or lengths may be employed as desired for a particular absorbent article. A preferred loop material comprises a length of cord which is braided from polyester yarns and has a central lumen. Preferably the cord has an outer diameter of not greater than about 1/8 inch, but smaller or larger diameters may be employed. Also preferably, the lumen of the braided cord contains therein a length of filamentary elastomeric radiopaque material which extends fully between the opposite ends of the length of cord. One acceptable 0.025 gauge filamentary elastomeric radiopaque material is that available from Quality Profile Services of Council Grove, Kansas. The tightness of the braid of the cord is chosen to ensure that no portion of the radiopaque filament protrudes or projects outside the cord. Contrary to the prior art, the absorbent article of the present invention may be manufactured using automated equipment. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a layered web 20 of absorbent material, e.g. cotton gauze, is cut into individual lengths. In one example, the width of the layered web 5 is 24 inches and this layered web is cut into 2 -inch lengths (see Figures 5 and 7) . As noted above, in the preferred web, two opposite ones 30 and 32 of the side edges of the layered web comprise either a fold (having no cut yarn ends) or aligned selvedge edges (which also have no cut yarn ends) . The cut for 10 dividing this layered web into individual lengths is made normal to the selvedge edges. Therefore, the cut ends of each individual length of web comprise the other two opposite side edges 34 and 36 of the body 38 of the absorbent article. Because of the cut, these edges display raw cut yarn ends. Further, when 15 cut, each individual length comprises a stack 40 of web layers 12-18 which make up the body portion 38 of the absorbent article product. In the present method, each of the individual lengths 40 of cut layered web (i.e. stack of web layers) is fed forwardly 2_ϊ to an apparatus which includes a first set of folders that includes a first folder 44 and a second folder 46. These first and second folders are the leading folders of the apparatus, and are disposed in spaced apart relationship to one another by a distance substantially equal to the width dimension of an 25. individual length of layered web minus twice the width dimension of the first fold to be formed along each of the side edges 34 and 36 of the layered web. At a location in advance of the first set of folders and at a short distance, e.g. about four inches, from the leading end 48 of the layered web as it enters the 3_Q_ manufacturing apparatus, a length of elongated flat strip of radiopaque material 50 is overlaid onto the top surface 52 of the top layer 12 of the body portion of the stack of web layers. This strip of radiopaque material is oriented with its length dimension substantially parallel to its associated side edge 34 and with the strip 50 being spaced inwardly of the side edge 34 a distance not greater than about the width of the first fold 52 (see Figures 2,3 and 7) , and preferably with the outermost side edge of the strip being in substantial register with the side edge 34 of the stack. In this position, the strip of radiopaque material is captured and moved forwardly concurrently with the stack of web layers through the first folder 44 whereupon the first side edge 34 of the stack, with the strip of radiopaque material, is folded inwardly of the body portion 38 such that the strip 50 is captured internally of this first fold 52 (see Figure 2) . The stack of web layers is further moved forwardly into the manufacturing apparatus and at a location spaced in advance of the trailing end 53 of the stack of web layers, (e.g. about one or two inches in advance of the trailing end of the stack, a loop member 54 is overlaid on the outer surface of the top outer layer 12 of the stack of web layers with the two ends 56 and 58 (See Figure 6) of the loop member being disposed adjacent one of the side edges of the body portion of the absorbent article. In the depicted embodiment, this loop member 54 is disposed adjacent the side edge 34, but it could be disposed adjacent the side edge 36 if desired. The bight portion 60 of the loop member is allowed to lay loose upon the outer surface of the body portion of the stack. In this position, as the layered web is moved further forwardly into and through the manufacturing apparatus and with its first side edge 34 passing through the first folder 44, the ends of the loop member pass through the first folder concurrently with the side edge 34 of the stack of web layers such that the ends of the loop member are folded inwardly of the body portion along with the first inward fold 52 of the side edge 34 of the stack 40. This same side edge of the stack which has been first folded inwardly of the body portion of the stack, and having the strip of radiopaque material and the ends of the loop member captured within the first fold, is fed through a second folder 46. Thereupon the side edge 34 and its captured components are folded inwardly of the body portion of the stack a second time. This action causes the entire area of the strip of radiopaque material and the ends of the loop member to be also further folded inwardly with the formation of the second fold 62 and to cause these components to be further mechanically anchored in their respective positions along the length of and within the twice-folded side edge 34 of the body portion of the absorbent article product. As the stack of web layers is fed through the manufacturing apparatus, preferably that side edge 36 of the layered web opposite the side edge 34 which bears the strip of radiopaque material and the loop member passes through the third and fourth folders 64 and 66 and is also folded inwardly of the body portion of the stack in substantially the same manner as the side edge 34. In a further step in the manufacture of the present absorbent article, the twice-folded side edges of the web are anchored to the body portion of the stack of web layers as by stitching 68 and 68' (See Figure 3) along the length of the folded side edges 34 and 36. To this end, stitching units 69 and 70 re provided downstream of the third and fourth folders. In the course of this stitching operation, the threads of the stitching are caused to pass fully through the strip of radiopaque element 50 and through the ends of the loop member 54 to further anchor these components within the folds, hence within the absorbent article product. Notably, the full length of the strip of radiopaque element 50 is engaged by the stitching thereby ensuring that this element retains its flat profile during use so that the element can be readily detected by X-ray examination of the absorbent article. Further, the full area of the radiopaque element and the ends of the loop member are strongly mechanically anchored within the folds of their respective side edge of the absorbent article. Referring to Figures 4 and 7, in a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention for making an absorbent laporatomy sponge, a running length of a two-ply web 20 of absorbent material, such as cotton gauze, is folded along its centeriine 22 to form a four-layered web 24 in which the selvedge edges 26 and 28 of the web are substantially in register. This web is then cut into individual lengths, the cut being made normal to the length dimension of the web, to form a four-layered stack 40 of web layers. This cut develops cut yarn ends along two of the opposite side edges 34 and 36 of the layers of the stack, the other two opposite side edges 30 and 32 of the layers being selvedge edges (along one of these other side edges) and a fold (the fold line along which the two-layered web was folded to form the four-layered web) . Each individual stack of web layers is then fed forwardly into an apparatus which includes means, such as moving belts, for conveying the stack of web layers into and through the apparatus. Adjacent the input end of the apparatus there are provided first and second folders, one on each of the opposite sides of the apparatus and the two folders being spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the width dimension of a stack of web layers minus the combined width of the two folds which are formed by these folders. As the stack of web layers is fed forwardly, a length of flat ribbon of a radiopaque material 50 is overlaid on the upper surface of the top layer of the stack at a location adjacent one of the side edges 34 of the stack. This ribbon is oriented with its length dimension substantially parallel to its associated side edge and, preferably sufficiently near the side edge as to cause the ribbon to be folded inwardly with the web layers as the stack and the overlaid ribbon are fed forwardly through the first folder 64. Following overlayment of the ribbon of radiopaque material onto the stack of web layers, the stack and ribbon are concurrently fed forwardly into and through the first folder whereupon the side edges of the layers of the stack, and the ribbon, are folded inwardly of the body of the absorbent article a single fold to cause the side edges, and the ribbon, to overlie the body of the stack. By this means, the ribbon is captured between four upper and four lower layers of the stack, these layers fully covering the entire area of the ribbon. Preferably, this initial fold is captured between a pair of conveyor belts (not shown) , one engaging the upper surface of the stack and one engaging the bottom surface of the stack, to temporarily hold the fold in place as the stack is fed further into the apparatus toward third and fourth folders. When it is desired that the absorbent article include a loop member, as the stack of web layers is being fed forwardly into the apparatus, and at a location ahead of the first folder and downstream of the trailing end of the stack of web layers, there is deposited onto the upper surface of the top layer of the stack of web layers a loop member. As described hereinabove, the loop member includes two ends that are positioned close together and a bight portion. The two ends are positioned near the side edge 34 of the stack such that these ends are folded inwardly of the body of the stack as the side edges of the layers of the stack and the ends of the loop member are fed forwardly into and through the first and second folders. By this means, the ends of the loop member fold over upon themselves, and most commonly tend to spread laterally to become aligned more with the length dimension of the fold rather than normal to the length dimension of the fold. This causes the ends to be more likely to be engaged by the means used to secure the fold in position against the body of the stack as will be noted hereinafter. The stack of web layers with the length of radiopaque material, and the loop when such is used, is thereafter fed forwardly through the apparatus whereupon the length of radiopaque material and the first fold pass into and through the third folder to form a second fold of the side edges of the layers inwardly of the body of the absorbent article. This second fold causes the ribbon to be covered with an additional four layers of web material on the bottom of the ribbon, thereby ensuring that no portion of the ribbon, especially its corners, will project out of the layers to engage and irritate a patient. Further, this second fold enhances the mechanical capture of the ribbon within the folds. The forward movement of the stack of web layers through the apparatus carries the side edges of the stack and the accompanying length of radiopaque material and the loop member into and through the folders. As the stack of web layers is fed forwardly through the apparatus, the first and second folds on each of the opposite side edges of the stack are passed through stitchers where the folds are anchored in position with respect to the body portion of the stack as by means of stitching. In a preferred embodiment, this stitching passes through the thickness of the radiopaque ribbon and all layers of the stack and further anchors the ribbon in place within the folds. Further forward movement of the stack of web layers through the apparatus carries the entire length of each side edge through its respective stitcher. As the loop member passes through a stitcher, the stitches also engage the ends of the loop member that are disposed within the folds of the side edge 34 to become more securely anchored to the body portion of the absorbent article product. It will be noted that only those side edges of the stack of web layers which include cut yarn ends need be passed through the folding and stitching operations. The other opposite side edges of the layers in the stack comprise either a fold or a selvedge edge, hence no cut yarn ends, and therefore need not be folded and stitched. In some applications, the folded and stitched stack of web layers, which is now a useful integrated absorbent article, may be treated as by washing to remove natural oils, etc. from the yarns, and/or to soften the webs and/or to impart bulk to the article . With reference to Figure 1, there is depicted one embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention comprising a fabric sheet 12 having a length dimension that extends between opposite ends 14 and 16 thereof and a width dimension that extends between opposite sides 18 and 20 thereof. The fabric sheet is folded multiple times inwardly along each of its side and end edges, the side edges being designated 26 and 28 and the end edges being designated 30 and 32. Referring also to Figure 2, the multiple folds of each side edge are formed by folding a first side edge portion 34 inwardly of the fabric sheet to form a first fold 36 and thereafter folding the first fold inwardly of the fabric sheet to form a second fold 38 and thereby define a twice-folded side edge 26, for example, along each side 5 edge of the fabric sheet. The fabric sheet of the present invention, being intended to serve either as an absorbent for body fluids or other fluids occasioned in the course of a surgical procedure, or as __\ a protective barrier about the periphery of a surgical operative site, is constructed from an absorbent material which also is suitable for conversion into a sheet that is sufficiently dense as will provide suitable protection against the transfer of bacteria through the thickness thereof when the absorbent article 5 is employed in a draping mode. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric sheet is formed as a woven fabric. The yarns employed in the weaving of the fabric preferably are cotton yarns, but other absorbent yarn materials or absorbent yarns formed of a combination of materials may be employed. In any event, the 0 yarns must be suitable for introduction into the body cavity of a surgical patient in the course of a surgical procedure. Among other things, this requires that the yarns do not shed yarn fragments during use such as might become lodged within a body cavity and initiate the formation of granulomas. Whereas the 5 yarns of the resultant woven fabric may be bleached or dyed, the dye employed must be a fast dye and the bleaching or dying process, and/or the dye employed, must be of a type acceptable for use in fabrics that may enter the body cavity of a patient. Suitable dyes are well known in the art. H One suitable weave pattern for the construction of the absorbent article of the present invention is depicted in Figure 3. A typical loom setup for producing the weave pattern of Figure 3 is depicted in Figures 4A and 4B. The depicted weave pattern is a huck weave. In this weave pattern, each repeat, employing an eight harness arrangement on a loom, comprises eight warp yarns and four weft yarns. In this pattern, there is provided one draw per eye, two per dent, and a reed setup of 35.15 dents per inch, as depicted in Figures 4A and 4B. The warp yarns preferred in the present absorbent article are each of a 20/1 construction, i.e. 20 denier weight and a single yarn. The weft yarns preferred are each of 8/1 construction. Further, in a preferred embodiment, there are 78 warp yarns per inch of width of the fabric and 28 weft yarns per inch of width of the fabric. The radiopaque element of the present woven absorbent product preferably comprises a thread formed from polyvinyl chloride filled with at least about 60%, by weight, of USP barium sulfate, as further specified in Federal Specification DDD-P-46D, paragraphs 4.5.4 and 3.3.1, as revised May 7, 1968. The preferred thread has a diameter of about 0.025 inch, ± 0.003 inch, with a yield of about 2500 feet per pound of thread. The elongation of the thread preferably does not exceed about 300%. Less preferred, but acceptable in certain applications, is an elongated radiopaque element comprising a flat narrow ribbon of polyvinyl chloride containing barium sulfate. A woven absorbent product in accordance with the present invention is about 17 inches in width and about 29 inches in length, after hemming. When cotton yarns are employed in the manufacture of the fabric sheet, the woven product is washed to remove oils and/or foreign matter from the product and thereby soften the feel of the product and enhance its rate of absorptivity. This washing of a woven cotton absorbent product results in shrinkage of the product by between about 5 and 10 percent. A preferred woven absorbent product weighs about 0.1300 grams/in 2 prior to washing and about 0.1592 gm/in 2 after washing. Figures 5A and 5B depict schematically one embodiment of an apparatus for use in the manufacture of the present woven absorbent product. Employing the depicted apparatus, a woven fabric sheet 50 is fed forwardly past an element drop 52 where a length of radiopaque thread 54 is overlaid on the top surface 56 of one side edge 26 of the sheet. The leading end 58 of the thread is overlaid at the leading edge 60 of the fabric sheet as the sheet is moved forwardly beneath the element drop 52. As the fabric sheet is further moved forwardly beneath the element drop 52, the radiopaque thread is continued to be fed onto the top surface of the fabric sheet. As the trailing edge 62 of the fabric sheet passes beneath the element drop, the thread is severed, thereby providing a length of radiopaque thread which extends substantially fully between the opposite ends 30 and 32 of the fabric sheet . The fabric sheet with the radiopaque thread disposed along one of its side edges is fed forwardly between and through first and second folders 70 and 72 whereupon each of the side edges 26 and 28 are folded inwardly and onto the top surface 29 of the fabric sheet to form first folds 36 and 36' . This first folding action captures the radiopaque thread within the first fold as best seen in Figure 1 and 2. Thereupon, the fabric sheet in fed forwardly between and through third and fourth folders 74 and 76 whereupon the first folds of each of the side edges of the fabric sheet are again folded inwardly and onto the top surface of the fabric sheet to form second folds 38 and 38' . This second fold serves to cause the raw side edge 77 of the fabric sheet to be captured inside the second fold so that no cut ends of yarns are exposed externally of the product. Following completion of the second folds along the opposite side edges of the fabric sheet, the fabric sheet is fed forwardly between and through first and second stitchers 78 and 80 where the first and second folds are stitched by stitches 81, to the body of the fabric sheet to secure the folds in their folded condition. In a preferred stitching operation, the first and second folds are stitched to the body of the fabric sheet using a cotton thread and at least eight stitches per linear inch of stitching. Thereafter, the fabric sheet with its opposite side edges stitched, is fed laterally of its original forward direction into, between and through fifth and sixth folders 82 and 84 where the ends 30 and 36 of the fabric sheet are folded inwardly and onto the top surface of the body of the fabric sheet to define first end folds 86 and 86' . The fabric sheet thereupon is fed forwardly between and through seventh and eighth folders 90 and 92 where the first end folds 86 and 86' are folded inwardly and onto the top surface of the body of the fabric sheet to form second end folds 94 and 94 ' . The thus folded fabric sheet is thereupon fed between and through third and fourth stitchers 96 and 98 where the first and second end folds along each of the opposite ends of the fabric sheet are stitched, by stitches 100, to the body of the fabric sheet to secure the folds in position as described hereinabove in connection with the formation of the side edge folds. It will be apparent that a radiopaque element may be included in more than one of the folded side edges of the fabric sheet, but such is not required. Further, the radiopaque element may be provided along an end edge of the fabric sheet, in lieu of providing the radiopaque element along a side edge. Still further, the fabric sheet of the present invention may be woven with one or more selvedge edges which may not require folding thereof inwardly of the body of the fabric sheet, inasmuch as selvedge edges do not include cut ends of yarns or loose yarns. Accordingly, the method of the present invention for the fabrication of an absorbent product useful in medical applications comprises the steps of (a) providing a single- layered woven fabric sheet having a weave pattern which is sufficiently tight as permits the fabric sheet to be used as an effective barrier in establishing a sterile field about a surgical site when the fabric sheet is used as surgical drape, said woven fabric sheet including first and second sides and first and second ends, and a top surface, (b) disposing an elongated radiopaque element on said top surface of said fabric sheet and aligned along one of said first and second sides or one of said first and second ends of said fabric sheet, (c) folding that end or side of said fabric sheet along which said radiopaque element is disposed inwardly and onto said top surface of said fabric sheet to define a first fold within which said radiopaque element is captured, (d) thereafter, folding said first fold inwardly and onto said top surface of said fabric sheet to define a second fold, and (e) securing said first and second folds to said top surface of said fabric sheet with said radiopaque element captured within said folds. Notably, the formation of the end folds also serves to cover the opposite ends of the radiopaque element, thereby preventing the escape or withdrawal of the radiopaque element from its covering folds and preventing either end of the radiopaque element from projecting from the absorbent product where an end could present a possible source of irritation to a patient, especially with the product is used to absorb fluids from an incision, open wound or the like. The absorbent product of the present invention possesses the barrier properties required of a surgical drape in establishing and maintaining a sterile field adjacent a surgical site, and the absorptive properties of a surgical sponge, employing only a single layer of woven fabric as opposed to the multiple layers of laparotomy sponges, for example. The presence of the radiopaque element secured along one side edge of the absorbent product provides a means by which the product can be identified through X-ray examination. Further, being of an elongated geometry, i.e. a thread, it is virtually impossible for the element to become "bunched up" and thereby escape detection by X-ray examination as occurs in certain prior art sponges. Incorporation of the radiopaque element into the present absorbent product effectively permits the present product to be employed alternatively as either a surgical drape or a surgical sponge, thereby permitting a health care institution or facility to order and stock a single absorbent product which can be used either as a surgical drape or as a surgical sponge. Further, the quantity of absorbent material present in the present product is greater than the quantity of absorbent material of a common surgical sponge, thereby permitting the use of fewer absorbent products per medical procedure. Whereas the present invention has been described in certain specific terms, it is to be recognized that it is intended to limit the invention only as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED: Claim 1. An absorbent product useful in medical applications comprising a fabric sheet including first and second opposite side edges and first and second opposite end edges, and a top surface, an elongated radiopaque element disposed along at least one of said first and second side edges or said first and second end edges, that side or end edge of said fabric sheet along which said elongated radiopaque element is disposed being folded inwardly of and onto the top surface of said fabric sheet to define a first fold within which said radiopaque element is captured, and thereafter said first fold being further folded inwardly of and onto the top surface of said fabric sheet to define a second fold within which said first fold and said radiopaque element are captured, and means securing said first and second folds in their folded positions to said top surface of said fabric sheet. Claim 2. The absorbent product of Claim 1 wherein said fabric sheet comprises absorbent yarns. Claim 3. The absorbent product of Claim 1 wherein said fabric sheet is a woven material and includes width and length dimensions and the weave pattern of said woven fabric sheet includes a sufficient number of yarns per linear inch of width and length of said fabric sheet as will develop an effective barrier for maintaining a sterile field about a surgical site when said absorbent product is employed as a drape. Claim 4. The absorbent product of Claim 1 and including one or more further folded side or end edges of said fabric sheet and one or more elongated radiopaque elements disposed in one or more of said further folded side or end edges of said fabric sheet . Claim 5. The absorbent product of Claim 1 wherein said radiopaque element is disposed within multiple folds defined by one of said first and second side edges, and wherein said first and second end edges are each folded inwardly and onto said top surface of said fabric sheet to close the opposite ends of the folds of that one of said first and second side edges within which said radiopaque element is disposed. Claim 6. The absorbent product of Claim 1 wherein said radiopaque element includes polyvinyl chloride having barium sulfate incorporated therein. Claim 7. A method for the fabrication of an absorbent product useful in medical applications comprising the steps of providing a fabric sheet including first and second side edges and first and second end edges, and a top surface, disposing an elongated radiopaque element on said top surface of said fabric sheet and aligned along one of said first and second side edges or one of said first and second end edges of said fabric sheet, folding that end or side edge of said fabric sheet along which said radiopaque element is disposed inwardly and onto said top surface of said fabric sheet to define a first fold within which said radiopaque element is captured, thereafter, folding said first fold inwardly and onto said top surface of said fabric sheet to define a second fold, and securing said first and second folds to said top surface of said fabric sheet with said radiopaque element captured within said folds. Claim 8. The method of Claim 7 and including the step of folding inwardly of and onto the top surface of said fabric sheet at least two complementary ones of said side or end edges of said fabric sheet to close the opposite open ends of that fold within which said radiopaque element is disposed. Claim 9. The method of Claim 7 wherein said step of securing said first and second folds to said top surface includes stitching of said folds to said top surface. Claim 10. An absorbent article particularly suitable for use in medical applications comprising a body portion including a plurality of layers of an absorbent material, said layers being overlaid one on the other in stacked relationship to define a stack of said layers, said layers within said stack having first and second opposite side edges, at least one elongated relatively flat radiopaque element having a length dimension associated with at least one of said first and second side edges, said radiopaque element being disposed adjacent said at least one of said first and second side edges and oriented with its length dimension generally parallel to said at least one of said first and second side edges, said at least one of said first and second side edges being first folded inwardly of said body portion with said radiopaque element being simultaneously folded inwardly of said body portion with the inward folding of said at least one of said first and second side edges to define a first fold having a width dimension and which includes the radiopaque element, and thereafter further folded inwardly of said body portion to define a second fold within which the first fold and said radiopaque element associated therewith are captured therein, whereby said radiopaque element is substantially fully disposed in said first and second folds and physically anchored therein by said folds. Claim 11. A method for the manufacture of an absorbent article comprising the steps of assembling a stack of web layers of an absorbent material including a top surface and having first and second opposite side edges, thereafter disposing an elongated radiopaque element on said top surface of said top layer of said stack adjacent to one of said side edges or one of said end edges, said element being oriented with its length dimension substantially parallel to that one of said edges of said stack to which said radiopaque element is adjacent, thereafter feeding said stack of absorbent material, with said radiopaque element disposed thereon, forwardly through a first folding location wherein at least that edge of said stack which includes said radiopaque element is folded inwardly of said stack to form a first fold with said radiopaque element captured internally of said fold and fully covered by said web layers of said stack, thereafter feeding said stack of absorbent material through a second folding location wherein at least said one edge of said stack is further folded inwardly of said stack to form a second fold which contains said first fold and the radiopaque element associated therewith. Claim 12. The method of Claim 11 and including the steps of disposing a loop member on said top surface of said top layer of said stack, said loop member including a cord or flat ribbon having opposite ends and a bight portion, the ends of said loop member being disposed adjacent to and oriented substantially normal to one of said side or end edges of said stack, and thereafter feeding said stack with said loop member disposed thereon through a folding location wherein said loop ends are first folded inwardly of said body portion simultaneously with the inward folding of said at least one of said side or end edges to define a first fold that includes the loop ends, and thereafter feeding said stack of absorbent material through a second folding location wherein at least said one side or end edge of said stack is further folded inwardly of said stack to form a second fold which contains said first fold and the ends of said loop member associated therewith, said bight portion of said loop being unsecured to said absorbent article. Claim 13. The method of Claim 11 or 12 and including the step of securing said first and second folds in their folded positions relative to said stack.

Inventors: DEBUSK A O V, DEBUSK, A., O., V.
Applicants: DEROYAL IND INC, DEROYAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F13