Abstract:
A pillow drape for use with a thermal medical treatment apparatus or device is provided. The drape includes a sterilized sheet for covering the warming medical device that covers the device body and a basin that is used to store a warming liquid. The pillow drape includes an enclosure having a support member therein to support a medical instrument, such as a surgical scope, during warming of the scope. The support member can be housed between first and second sections of the pillow drape sheet in a pocket portion. The support member can be positioned on an extension shelf added to the warming device to provide additional storage room while not taking up room in the surgical or medical room. Additionally, a cord hook can be attached to the medical device to aid in routing a power cord for the device away from traffic.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a system or apparatus for thermally treating medical instruments. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates towards an improved system and apparatus for covering a thermal medical treatment apparatus and for supporting a medical instrument being warmed by the thermal medical treatment apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Surgical scopes (e.g., laparoscopes, endoscopes, arthroscopes, etc.) are used in corrective medical procedures, as well as in medical procedures that image interior viscera such as surfaces of the stomach, small intestines, and colon. The use of surgical scopes permits a surgeon to view a patient body interior with a minimal amount of cutting of patient tissue. The surgical scopes may be warmed prior to use, where scope optics must remain dry to protect those optics and prevent distortion of the image. The scopes are warmed for several reasons, including enhancing image results, preventing infections, and maintaining normothermia. For example, a scope that is not warmed prior to being inserted into a patient body may fog due to differences between the body temperature and scope temperature, thereby impeding or distorting the resulting image. Further, scopes may be warmed to minimize trauma caused to tissue in response to insertion of the scope into the patient body. The trauma basically results from the temperature difference between the scope and the tissue. Inserting a hot or cold scope may damage tissue, thereby leading to infections. Inserting a cold scope may also lower core body temperature, thereby leading to hypothermia and compromising patient safety. 
         [0003]    Therefore, thermal warming systems or devices may warm the scopes. The thermal devices generally include a body or cabinet, and a basin or recess positioned within a top surface of the body. The basin is configured to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath. The medical instrument, or scope, is then placed in the thermally treated bath to raise the temperature of the insertion end of the scope to the desired temperature prior to inserting the scope into the patient. The opposite end, or optical end, of the scope is positioned outside of the bath so as to not damage the optics, which can be expensive to replace. 
         [0004]    However, it should also be appreciated that the scopes and other medical instruments and devices must be sterile, so as to reduce the chance of infecting a patient during surgery or other procedures. Therefore, sterilized plastic sheets have been placed over the thermal warming systems, including the basis, to reduce the risk of infection. The liquid is added directly on the sheet in the basin, with additional parts of the sheet hanging over and around the device. 
         [0005]    The medical scopes are often longer than the length of the basin and distance to an edge of the warming device. Thus, when the end of the scope is being warmed in the basin, the opposite end extends at an angle beyond the edge of the device, which increases the chance that the scope can fall out of the basin. Doing so can introduce the insertion end of the scope to potentially harmful bacteria, and can also damage the optic end of the scope, which, as noted above, can be rather expensive. 
         [0006]    Methods have been taken by medical staff to reduce the chance that the scope will fall out of or off of the thermal device. For example, it is not uncommon for a surgical team to move a wheeled shelf adjacent the wheeled thermal device, such that the optic end of the scope can rest on the shelf, with the optic end elevated to ensure that the insertion end remains in the thermally treated liquid solution. However, doing so reduces the amount of shelf space available in the surgery room, and also introduces additional risks to the scope. An otherwise useful shelf must be used to support the scope, or an otherwise unneeded shelf must be used, which reduces the amount of space in the room. As both the second shelf and the thermal device are on wheels, they can be easily moved, even when not purposefully moved. Moving the second shelf, either purposefully or accidentally, will move the support of the scope, which can cause the scope to fall from the thermal device, introducing the problems discussed above. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and system that can be used with a thermal warming medical device or apparatus that covers the device to ensure a sterilized medical room. There is also a need for a medical drape or cover that includes a scope support member housed within to support a scope during warming of the scope in the medical device. Furthermore, there is a need for a shelf that can be attached to the medical device to increase the amount of usable space, while minimizing intrusion into the medical room space. The shelf can also be used to support the support member of the drape without having to use a separate wheeled shelf in the room. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Therefore, it is principal object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies in the art. 
         [0009]    It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a thermal device drape that includes a support member for supporting a medical instrument that needs warmed or otherwise sterilized. 
         [0010]    It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a support member within a drape that includes various shapes to prevent medical instruments from rolling off the support. 
         [0011]    It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a drape and system for a warming medical device that includes a shelf for supporting a medical instrument support member for the warming device. 
         [0012]    It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a system that includes a cord hook for redirecting and routing a power cord for a warming medical device. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide a system including a drape, support member, extension shelf, and hook to provide stability for a warming medical device while not reducing space in a medical room. 
         [0014]    These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. 
         [0015]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a drape for use with a thermal medical treatment apparatus having a body including a recessed basin in a top surface is provided. The drape includes a sheet for covering the apparatus basin and body and hanging from the apparatus; and a support member housed in the sheet for supporting a medical device adjacent the basin. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a drape for use with a thermal medical treatment apparatus having a body including a recessed basin in a top surface is provided. The drape includes a first sheet for covering the apparatus basin and body and hanging from the apparatus; a second sheet attached to the first sheet to form a pocket therebetween; and a support member positioned in the pocket of the first and second sheets, the support member configured to support a medical device adjacent the basin. 
         [0017]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for covering a thermal medical treatment apparatus having a body including a recessed basin in a top surface is provided. The system includes an extension shelf attached to the apparatus body adjacent the basin; a sheet covering the extension shelf, apparatus basin, and apparatus body and hanging therefrom; and a support member housed in the sheet and positioned on the extension shelf for supporting a medical device adjacent the basin. 
         [0018]    The invention includes a pillow drape with extension shelf and power cord hook to offer improved stability of scopes during warming. The extension shelf is designed to offer increased working surface area of the warmer while minimizing intrusion into the operating room space. The power cord hook allows for power cord storage and convenient change of orientation relative to the sterile field. The pillow drape incorporates a foam holder to provide stable scope positioning during warming. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a medical warming device with a drape system attached and covering the same according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the device and system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the device and system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the device and system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a pillow drape for use with the drape system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an extension shelf for use with the drape system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cord hook for use with the drape system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a medical warming device with a drape system attached thereto and covering the same, according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a medical system  10  includes, in part, a pillow drape  12  and a warming device  40 . The warming device  40  is a medical apparatus used to warm scopes  58 , such as surgical scopes (e.g., endoscopes or the like). The scopes  58  generally include an insertion end  60  and an optic end  62 , which contains a camera or other optical device. However, as the insertion end  60  will be inserted into a patient, it is necessary to warm the insertion end  60  prior to insertion. Therefore, the scope  58  is placed in a liquid  48  contained in a basin  46  formed in a top surface  44  of the body  42  of the warming device  40 . The insertion end  60  of the scope  58  can be warmed to a desired temperature prior to inserting the scope in the patient during surgery or other medical procedures. Furthermore, the warming device  40  may be attached to a stand  52  including a plurality of wheels  54  to move the warming device  40  as needed in the surgical or medical room. 
         [0027]    In order to ensure a sterile environment in the surgical room, a sterilized pillow drape  12  is included to cover the warming device  40 , including the basin  46 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pillow drape  12  covers the warming device  40 , and the liquid  48  is added on top of the sterilized pillow drape  12 , and the scope  58  is then included in the warming device  40  to warm as needed. 
         [0028]    An embodiment of the pillow drape  12  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The pillow drape  12  includes generally a sheet  14 , which may be a sterilized polyurethane sheet. It is contemplated that the sheet  14  be clear or be colored as needed or desired. The pillow drape  12  also includes a first section  16  and a second section  18 . The first section  16  includes generally the sheet  14 , which may also be known as a first sheet. The second section  18  includes a cover portion  20  defining a pocket  24  between the first and second sections. Housed within the pocket  24  is a support member  32 . The support member  32 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , can be used to support an end, shown to be the optic end  62 , of the scope  58  in the warming device  40 . 
         [0029]    The support member  32  includes a surface  34  and first and second walls  36 ,  38  extending generally upwards from the first surface  34 . The first and second walls  36 ,  38  aid in preventing the scope  58  from rolling off of the support member and warming device. However, it should be contemplated that the exact shape of the support member  32  need not be that shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , and that generally any shape may be used to aid in supporting the scope  58  in the warming device  40 . The support member  32  may comprise generally any material capable of supporting the scope  58  in the warming device  40 . However, according to one embodiment, a foam material is used. The density of the foam may vary according to the type of scope used, as well as other factors. The present invention contemplates that any density be used, and that the invention is not to be limited to any such densities. 
         [0030]    Therefore, the support member  32  may be designed and cut out of a bulk piece of foam to the desired shape for the pillow drape  12 . The size of the support member  32  may be adjusted and configured as necessary. For example, in some situations, multiple scopes will be needed to be warmed in the warming device at the same time. Therefore, the present invention contemplates that a generally wider support member  32  (wider surface  34 ) be used to support the plurality of scopes. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the support member  32  of the present invention comprises a generally pliable or deformable material such that the resting of the scope  58  on the support member  32  will cause a surface of the support member to slightly deform. The deformation of the support member  32  due to the weight of the scope will further aid in preventing the accidental falling of the scope from the warming device  40 , while also providing a surface that will not scratch or otherwise damage the scope  58 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the support member  32  will aid in raising an end of the scope  58  such that the insertion end  60  of the scope  58  will be in the warming liquid at all times. This will aid in ensuring that the scope is warmed to the ideal or required temperature. 
         [0031]    As is also shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , an extension shelf  64  can be used with the present invention. The extension shelf  64  includes top and bottom surfaces  66 ,  68 , and a support or attachment means  72  for attaching the shelf to the body  42  of the warming device  40 . The support shelf may simply be screwed or otherwise adhered to body  42  of the warming device  40 . The extension shelf  64  provides increased area to allow the support member to rest thereon during use of the pillow drape  12  of the present invention. As noted, the amount of space in a surgical or medical room is limited. Therefore, the extension shelf provides additional space for the warming device  40  and pillow drape  12 , while not reducing the usable space in the medical room. The extension shelf  64  allows for an easy attachment to the warming device to provide support for the pillow drape  12 , including the support member  32 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the support member  32  may rest or be positioned on the extension shelf  64  before placing the scope  58  in the warming device  40 . Furthermore, while the extension shelf  64  of the present invention is shown to extend generally only at one side or end of the warming device  40 , it is contemplated by the present invention that the extension shelf may be any size and configuration needed. For example, the extension shelf could extend from an end and along a side of the warming device  40  to provide additional space for medical personnel to place medical tools and other devices. The extension shelf may also be smaller, if the warming device  40  is smaller or support member  32  is smaller. This may be beneficial when the amount of available space is even less than ideal. 
         [0032]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the extension shelf  64  is positioned opposite the controls  50  of the warming device  40 . Doing so aids in keeping the raised (optic) end  62  of the scope  58  away from the controls  50 , such that adjusting the controls  50  will include a lower or reduced risk of altering the position of the scope  48 , or accidentally knocking the scope  48  off of the device  40 . However, as medical devices, such as the warming device  40  shown in the figures, include varying configurations and placements of controls and other information, the location of the extension shelf  64  and support member  32  need not be in the exact configuration shown in the Figures, and can be positioned adjacent the device to best increase space and reduce damage to the equipment. 
         [0033]    Also shown in the Figures is a cord hook  74  attached to the warming device  40 . As shown best in  FIG. 2 , a power cord  56  for the warming device  40  extends from an underside of the warming device  40 . As the extension shelf  64  and support member  32  of the pillow drape  12  is positioned on the same side as the power cord  56 , it may be desired to route the power cord  56  to the opposite side such that it can be out of the way for medical personnel. Therefore, the cord hook  74  can be attached to the underside of the warming device  40 , and the power cord  56  can be routed under the warming device and through a router  78  of the hook  74  to route the cord away from the support member  32  side of the medical system  10 . The cord hook  74  can be attached in any manner to the warming device  40 . For example, the cord hook  74  can be screwed, glued, taped, or otherwise adhered to the warming device  40 . In addition, while the cord hook  74  is shown to be attached to the underside of the warming device  40 , it is contemplated that the hook can be placed or attached generally anywhere to the warming device  40  such that it is able to support the power cord  56 . However, the location of the cord hook  74  as shown in the Figures is positioned such that the hook can be attached to the warming device using existing screw holes. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the pillow drape  12  for use with the system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned above, the pillow drape  12  can be comprised of a first section  16 , including a sheet  14 , and a second section  18 , including a cover portion  20 . As noted previously, the first section  16  or sheet  14  comprises a sterilized plastic, such as polyurethane. The sheet  14  may be opaque or also may be transparent. Slits  28  can be placed into the sheet at the location of the support member and second section  18 , and can be used to aide in sterilizing the pillow drape  12 , as will be described below. The support member  32  and second section  18  (cover section  20 ) are then positioned or attached to the sheet at the slits  28 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second section  18  may include a cover portion  20  and a flange-type portion  22  to define a pocket  24  for housing the support member  32 . While the cover portion  20  or pocket  24  shown in  FIG. 5  is shown to be the same shape as a support member  32 , the shape is for purposes of understanding, and is not to be limiting to the present invention. The cover portion  20  forming the pocket  24  can be any shape, including a simple dome shape that is able to conform to the shape of the support member  32 . Furthermore, the second section  18  of the pillow drape  12  will also be formed of a sterilized plastic, such as polyurethane. 
         [0035]    To form the pillow drape  12  of the present invention, the following method can be used. The desired size and shape of the support member  32 , including the first surface  34 , and first and second side walls  36 ,  38  is decided. The support member is then formed into the said shape, such as by cutting a piece of foam into the desired shape of the support member  32 . A second section or sheet  18  of sterilized polyurethane can be positioned through a hole on a forming board with a flange portion  22  around the edge of the hole to aid in holding the second section in place. The support member  32  is then inserted into the now formed pocket  24  in the second section  18  in an upside down orientation. The first section  16  can then be placed on top of the support board with the slits  28  positioned adjacent the support member  32  and within the opening of the second section. The first and second sections  16 ,  18  can then be sealed to one another, such as melting, adhering, or the like, to connect the first and second portions to form a single pillow drape  12 . The now formed pillow drape  12 , including the first section  16 , second section  20 , and support member  32  can then be sterilized according to known sterilization processes. The location of the slits  28  adjacent to the support member will allow the sterilization process to sterilize the support member  32  within the pocket  24  between the first and second sheets  16 ,  18 , along with the rest of the pillow drape  12 . The pillow drape  12  can then be packaged and sent to be used with a warming device  40 . In addition, the extension shelf  64  and cord hook  74  can be included with the pillow drape  12  to make the medical system  10  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    In addition, the pillow drape  12  can be formed in other manners as well. For example, the support member  32  could be molded or formed of a thicker piece of plastic, such a polyurethane, to include the support member  32  formed integrally with the first section  16  of the pillow drape  12 . Thus, the integrally formed support member  32  would not be a separate piece from the rest of the pillow drape/sheet. Furthermore, the support member  32  could be formed of a material, such as a rubber or plastic, which could be sealed directly to the first sheet  16  of the pillow drape  12 . Thus, this would eliminate the need of a second section  18  including a pocket  24 . Furthermore, as noted previously, the size and configuration of the support member  32  can dictate the size of the pocket  24  between the first and second sheets  16 ,  18 . The present invention is not to be limited to the configurations shown in the Figures, as well as the exact method described above. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cord hook  74  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As noted, the cord hook  74  includes a hook attachment portion  76 , and a router portion  78 . The attachment portion  76  is used to attach the cord hook  74  to the body  42  of the warming device  40 . The router portion  78  is used to hold a route the power cord  56  of the warming device  40 . The configuration of the cord hook  74  is not to be limited by that shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, the router portion  78  may include an enclosed circle, or the addition of additional or a plurality of hooks to allow for the cord hook  74  to route a plurality of power cords for the warming device and any other medical device. Furthermore, as noted previously, while  FIG. 6  shows that the cord hook  74  can be attached by screws at the attachment portion  76  to the warming device  40 , it is contemplated that the cord hook be attached to the warming device via other means. For example, the cord hook  74  could be attached via tape, via glue, via Velcro, or the like. The cord hook may comprise generally any rigid material, such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, or the like. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the extension shelf  64  according to the present invention. The extension shelf  64  shown in  FIG. 7  includes a top surface  66  and an opposite bottom surface  68 . The top surface is used to support and hold items in the medical room, such as the support member  32  of the pillow drape  12 . However, the extension shelf could also be used to hold other medical instruments, such as scopes and other tools. Thus, the size and shape of the extension shelf can be configured to that configured to any configuration as needed. For example, as noted above, it is contemplated that the shelf extends along one end of the warming device, an end in a side of the warming device, an end in both sides of the warming device, or generally around all sides and ends of the warming device. The present invention is not to be limited by the configurations shown in the Figures. Also shown in  FIG. 7  is a plurality of shelf lips  70  surrounding at least a portion of the extension shelf  64 . The shelf lip  70  is included to aid in preventing items from falling off the extension shelf. Finally, a shelf support  72  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The shelf support  72  may also be known as a shelf attachment means. Thus, it is contemplated that the shelf  64  may be attached to the warming device via the shelf support or attachment means  72 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the shelf can be screwed to the body  42  of the warming device  40 . However, it is contemplated that other means will be used to attach the shelf to the warming device  40 , such as, but not limited to, screws, Velcro, glue, adhesive, tape, or the like. The invention is not to be limited to the exact configuration and attachment means shown and described. 
         [0039]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and it not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternative processes obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to be included in the invention. The descriptions are merely examples of embodiments. For example, the materials of the various components described may be configured as required. For example, while the sheet has been described as being polyurethane, and the support member as a foam, it is contemplated that the sheet may be any other sterilized material or material used in the medical industry. The support member  32  may also be any material capable of supporting a medical instrument. Furthermore, the size of the pillow drape, including the excess  30  of the sheets, the size and configuration of the support members  32 , as well as the size and configuration of the extension shelf may be adjusted as required or desired according to the use and need in the operating or other medical room. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions may be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.