Abstract:
A medical drape has a tool-less removal feature and includes a drape material, a drape cut, an adhesive tape strip, and a scoreline. The drape material has a top side, a back side, and at least one exterior edge. The drape cut has a starting point at the exterior edge and extends completely through the thickness of the drape material. The adhesive tape strip is positioned along the length of the drape cut to overlap at least a portion of the drape material on both sides of the drape cut to initially secure the two adjoining cut edges to each other. The scoreline extends along the length of the adhesive tape strip and only partially through the thickness of the adhesive tape strip to permit easy tearing of the adhesive tape strip for separation of the two adjoining cut edges.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to medical drapes, and more specifically to a medical drape system having a tearing feature for easy and clean removal of the drape from a patient. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Medical drapes are widely used during the performance of surgical and other medical procedures as a protective measure. Medical drapes may be used to cover a patient during surgical or other medical procedures. Medical drapes are made sterile and are intended to prevent the possibility of infection being transmitted to the patient. Medical drapes provide protection to the patient by creating a sterile environment surrounding the surgical site and maintaining an effective barrier that minimizes the passage of microorganisms between non-sterile and sterile areas. To perform adequately, the drape should be made of a material that is resistant to blood, plasma, serums, and/or other bodily fluids to prohibit such fluids from contaminating the sterile field. 
         [0003]    Medical drapes may, for example, be manufactured for use in connection with catheters such as central venous catheters (CVCs). CVCs may be used, for example, for intravenous drug therapy and/or parenteral nutrition. If the catheter or area surrounding the catheter becomes contaminated during or after being inserted into a patient, complications such as catheter site infection, suppurative phlebitis, and/or septicemia may result. 
         [0004]    To minimize the risk of infection associated with catheterization, medical drapes often include fenestrations, or apertures, that extend completely through the drape to provide access to an adjacent area of the patient&#39;s body (for example, the subclavian area, the brachial area, or the femoral area) over which the respective fenestration lies. Because of the open nature of the fenestrations, a catheter may be inserted through the fenestrations and into the area of the patient&#39;s body adjacent to the fenestrations. 
         [0005]    It has been generally problematic to remove the medical drape after the medical or surgical procedure is completed. For example, to remove the medical drape, scissors have been used to cut the medical drape from an exterior edge to a fenestration. The use of scissors near the site of the medical or surgical procedure and near the patient is not only awkward and, often, messy, but it is likely to cause injury to the patient or to the user, and can cause damage by cutting catheter or intravenous (IV) lines. 
         [0006]    Some current medical drapes include perforations that pass completely through the drape and that form a weakened line, also referred to as a scoreline. To remove the drape, the user pulls the drape apart by hand without the use of any tools, such as scissors. However, one problem associated with this type of scoreline is that the sterile field is reduced because microorganisms can easily pass through the perforations. 
         [0007]    Another problem associated with this type of medical drape is that, in general, the scorelines do not allow an easy or clean tear. For example, the tearing motion may require numerous attempts to initiate and complete the tear; the tearing motion may result in a tear-line that is different than the scoreline; and/or the tearing motion may encounter too much material resistance to complete the tear. A scoreline that does not easily tear can lead to frustration of the user, who is likely to continuously pull on the medical drape with a larger and unnecessary force. This, in turn, can lead to contaminants breaching the sterile field and, possibly, to other injuries or damage. For example, constant pulling on the medical drape can cause expensive medical instruments to fall down, or can cause sharp medical instruments to injure other staff, the patient, or the user. Additionally, the pulling involved with the larger and unnecessary force may cause discomfort to the patient who is the recipient of the larger and unnecessary force. 
         [0008]    Other current medical drapes include an adhesive tape strip positioned along the length of a drape cut to overlap two adjacent sides of the drape cut. The adhesive tape strip is securely fixed to one side of the drape cut and is removably attached to the other (adjacent) side of the drape cut. 
         [0009]    Similar to the medical drapes having scorelines, this type of medical drape fails to provide an easy and clean tear. The removably attached side of the adhesive tape strip often encounters resistance that interferes with easy removal of the medical drape. Furthermore, inadvertent pulling on the medical drape during or before the medical procedure can cause gaps between the removably attached side of the adhesive tape strip and the side of the drape cut to which it is attached. As such, the potential for contaminating the sterile field is greatly increased. Moreover, this type of medical drape involves additional manufacturing steps and costs, such as including a first layer of a permanent adhesive (on the fixed side of the adhesive tape strip) and a second layer of a removable adhesive (on the removable side of the adhesive tape strip). 
         [0010]    Thus, it would be desirable to have a medical drape that assists in addressing one or more of the above problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to one embodiment, a medical drape has a tool-less removal feature and includes a drape material, a drape cut, an adhesive tape strip, and a scoreline. The drape material has a top side, a back side, and at least one exterior edge. The drape cut has a starting point at the exterior edge and extends completely through the thickness of the drape material. The adhesive tape strip is positioned along the length of the drape cut to overlap at least a portion of the drape material on both sides of the drape cut to initially secure the two adjoining cut edges to each other. The scoreline extends along the length of the adhesive tape strip and only partially through the thickness of the adhesive tape strip to permit easy tearing of the adhesive tape strip for separation of the two adjoining cut edges. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment, a method for manufacturing an easily tearable medical drape includes providing a drape material having a top surface and a back surface, the back surface being positioned in contact with a patient when the medical drape is in use, the drape material having at least one exterior edge. The drape material is completely severed to form a drape cut extending from the exterior edge of the drape material to at least an inner area of the drape material, the drape cut being defined by two adjacent cut edges. The two adjacent cut edges are secured to each other by positioning an adhesive strip overlappingly with the drape cut, the adhesive strip extending over a portion of each of the two adjacent cut edges. The adhesive strip is partially severed through its thickness to form a strip scoreline extending along a length of the adhesive strip, the strip scoreline overlapping the drape cut to permit easy tearing of the adhesive strip for separation of the two adjoining cut edges. 
         [0013]    According to yet another embodiment, a method for manufacturing a medical drape includes providing a sheet having at least one layer of drape material, and severing the sheet completely through its thickness from an outer edge of the sheet to an inner area of the sheet to form a sheet cut. The sheet cut separates a first sheet area from an adjacent second sheet area. A strip is provided for securing the first sheet area to the second sheet area. The strip is partially severed through its thickness to form a strip scoreline, the strip scoreline separating a first strip area and an adjacent second strip area. A portion of the first strip area is fixed to a portion of the first sheet area and a portion of the second strip area to a portion of the second sheet area such that the strip scoreline is in an overlapping position with respect to the sheet cut. 
         [0014]    The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. The detailed description and Figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a medical drape in a medical procedure, according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an adhesive tape strip having a scoreline and being attached to the medical drape of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is, generally, a front view of  FIG. 2A  illustrating the depth of the scoreline through the thickness of the adhesive tape strip. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2C  is, generally, a cross-sectional side view of  FIG. 2A  illustrating the depth of the scoreline along the length of the adhesive tape strip. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the act of tearing of the adhesive tape strip. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method for making the medical drape of  FIG. 1 , according to an alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    In surgical procedures, many times intravenous (IV) lines or other delivery or drainage lines must remain in the patient after the procedure is complete. Described below in more detail is a medical system for removing a medical or surgical drape after completing a medical or surgical procedure without dislodging any remaining lines. The medical system includes features directed to manually tearing apart the medical drape, by hand, without using any tools (e.g., scissors). An advantage of the medical system is that it eliminates the potential for injury or damage caused by the tools. Another advantage of the medical system is that it consistently provides a clean and smooth tear in the medical drape. A further advantage of the medical system is that the tearing can be easily accomplished with the exertion of little force. Yet another advantage of the medical system is that it eliminates the potential for contamination of a sterile field, by adequately sealing adjoining edges of a drape cut in the medical drape. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a medical drape  100  according to one embodiment of the medical system is illustrated generally as it would appear after being unfolded and ready for use in a surgical or medical procedure (for example, catheterization, angiography, and radiology). The drape  100  is generally a single use disposable drape and includes a main drape material  102  and has dimensions suitable for covering the patient&#39;s entire body, including, in some embodiments, the patient&#39;s head and face to assist in maintaining the sterility of the surgical area and thereby lower the risk of infection. In such embodiments, the total length of the drape  100  generally ranges from about 115 in. to about 125 in. (about 292 cm to about 318 cm). In other embodiments, the drape  100  may cover less than the patient&#39;s entire body and may have a length ranging generally from about 24 in. to about 150 in. (about 61 cm to about 381 in). The total width of the drape  10  generally ranges from about 24 in. to about 80 in. (about 61 cm to about 204 cm). 
         [0025]    The drape  100  has a front side  104 , which faces away from a patient when in use, and a back side  106 , which contacts the patient when in use. The drape  100  includes a plurality of exterior edges  108   a - 108   c . The main drape material  102  is generally made of a water-repellent or water-impermeable material and/or is coated with such a water-repellent or water impermeable material to prevent the passage of bodily fluids and/or contaminating microorganisms. For example, the main drape material  102  can include various woven, non-woven, hydroentangled materials, and/or combinations thereof. The base fabrics used in the main drape material  102  may include absorbent Airlaid, spunlace, blends of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, urethane, and/or combinations thereof. The drape material  102  may be manufactured using various methods, including a spunbond metblown spundbond (SMS) method, a spunbond metblown metblown spundbond method (SMMS), and a spunbond metblown metblown spundbond method (SMMMS). In alternative embodiments, one or more antimicrobial layers are added to further enhance antimicrobial protection. For example, an antimicrobial coating can be sprayed on the front side  104  and/or the back side  106  of the drape  100 . 
         [0026]    A fenestration  110  is optionally positioned on and extends completely through the thickness of the main drape material  102 . The fenestration  110  allows for a surgical or other medical procedures to be performed therethrough. For example, a catheter tube  112  can be attached directly to the patient through the fenestration  110 . In alternative embodiments, additional fenestrations can be positioned on the main drape material  102  and in any suitable location on the main drape material  102 . Furthermore, although the fenestration  110  has been illustrated to be generally rectangular in the described embodiment, in alternative embodiments the fenestration(s) can be generally circular, egg-shaped, oval-shaped, pear-shaped, football-shaped, or the like. It is further contemplated that the drape may have any of the properties described herein, regardless of the shape, number, and/or location of the fenestrations. 
         [0027]    The fenestration  110  may be covered at least in part with an adhesive incise film  114 . The composition of the incise film  114  is well known to those skilled in the art of medical drapes. One example of an incise film that may be used is OpSite® Incise film manufactured by Smith &amp; Nephew, Inc. (Memphis, Tenn.). The incise film  114  may be generally transparent so that the health care provider may have clear visibility for locating the correct position for inserting the catheter  112  or otherwise accessing the patient site. The incise film  114  may be positioned on the front side  104  or on the back side  106  of the drape  100 , so long as an exposed adhesive side of the incise film  114  faces toward the patient. The incise film  114  is intended to be removably fixed to the patient, e.g., by attaching the adhesive side to the patient, during the procedure. As such, removal of the drape  100  from the patient may be difficult to accomplish without exerting tugging and/or pulling on the drape  100  (and, consequently, on the patient), unless removal features are included in the drape  100  to facilitate easy tearing. 
         [0028]    The incise film  114  includes, optionally, an access port  116  being positioned on and extending completely through the incise film  114 . The access port  116  allows the catheter tube  112  to be readily inserted without any cutting, puncturing, or further modification of the drape  100  or incise film  114 . Although the access port  116  of the illustrated embodiment is circular, it is contemplated that other general shapes including, but not limited to, rectangles, other polygons, circles, and ovals may be used. The access port  116  may have an area ranging from about 3 in 2  to about 5 in 2  (about 19 cm 2  to about 33 cm 2 ). Optionally, additional access ports can be included. 
         [0029]    The exposed adhesive side of the incise film  114  is generally covered by at least one release liner  118 , which is located on the back side  106  of the main drape material  102 . Although the release liner  118  is generally removed when the drape  100  is placed over the patient, the release liner  118  of  FIG. 1  is shown for illustration purposes. The release liner  118  may be one continuous piece of liner, strips, or the like. When the release liner  118  is removed, the adhesive side of the incise film  114  may be coupled to the patient to keep the drape  100  and, in particular, the fenestration  110  in place during the procedure. 
         [0030]    An adhesive tape strip (or zip strip)  120  is positioned on the main drape material  102 , extending from a top exterior edge  108   a  of the drape  100  internally to the access port  116 . For example, the adhesive tape strip  120  is glued to the front side  104  of the main drape material  102 . Optionally, the adhesive tape strip  120  is glued to the back side  106 . In alternative embodiments, the adhesive tape strip  120  extends from any exterior edge  108   a - 108   c  to any internal area of the main drape material  102  or to another exterior edge  108   a - 108   c . Any number of adhesive tape strips  120  can be included in the drape  100  in any orientation. 
         [0031]    According to one embodiment, the adhesive tape strip  120  is a single-coated polyethylene medical tape, such as a medical tape manufactured by 3M (St. Paul, Minn.) as product number 1521. The 3M Medical Tape 1521 is a single-coated tape having a matte finish which includes a transparent polyethylene and is coated with a hypoallergenic, pressure sensitive acrylate adhesive and includes a liner that is silicone treated and is polyethylene coated on one side only along with a bleached Kraft paper release liner. The 3M medical tape has a tape caliper of 6.4 mil (0.16 mm) of polyethylene film tape, a backing of 5.0 mil (0.13 mm) translucent polyethylene film, an acrylate adhesive (designed for medical/surgical use), and a release liner of 83 lb poly-coated Kraft paper, with silicone on one side (6 mils/0.15 mm). The adhesion to steel of the 3M Medical Tape 1521 is 21 ounces/inch width (0.6 kg/25 mm width). Other suitable medical tapes manufactured by 3M and/or other manufacturers may be used in connection with the adhesive tape strip  120 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the adhesive tape strip  120  generally includes a first strip side  120   a  and a second strip side  120   b , which are connected along a strip scoreline  120   c  via a bridging area  120   d . The strip scoreline  120   c  is generally formed by severing the adhesive tape strip  120  along its length partially through its thickness such that a separated area is formed above the bridging area  120   d  between the first strip side  120   a  and the second strip side  120   b . Thus, based at least in part on the relatively small thickness of the bridging area  120   d , the first strip side  120   a  can be easily separated from the second strip side  120   b . Also, the adhesive tape strip  120  can be easily separated from the main drape material  102  by selecting an appropriate removable adhesive material when fixing the adhesive tape strip  120  to the main drape material  102 . In this exemplary embodiment, the strip scoreline  120   c  is generally centrally positioned along the width (i.e., narrow dimension) of the adhesive tape strip  120 . 
         [0033]    The adhesive tape strip  120  is positioned such that the strip scoreline  120   c  overlaps a drape cut  122  of the drape  100 . The drape cut  122  is formed by completely severing the main drape material  102 , the incise film  114 , and the liner  118 , from the top exterior edge  108   a  through the access port  116 . The drape cut  122  is generally defined by two adjoining cut edges, a first cut edge  122   a  and a second cut edge  122   b . The adhesive tape strip  120  secures the adjoining first and second cut edges  122   a ,  122   b  of the drape cut  122  to each other by having the first strip side  120   a  fixed (e.g., glued) to the a first cut edge  122   a  and having the second strip side  120   b  fixed to the second cut edge  122   b . The bridging area  120   d  is the only material that holds together the first and second cut edges  122   a ,  122   b.    
         [0034]    In addition to securing the drape cut  122 , the adhesive tape strip  120  seals the drape cut  122  to eliminate any violation of a sterile field formed on the patient side. Because the strip scoreline  120   c  extends only through part of the thickness of the adhesive tape strip  120 , a protective barrier—the bridging area  120   d —is inherently present during the medical procedure. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the drape  100  is easily removed after the medical or surgical procedure is completed. A staff person pulls apart two indicators  124   a ,  124   b , which may be generally indicated as “Tear Here” or “Snap Here,” of the drape  100  to tear apart the adhesive tape strip  120  along the scoreline  120   c . The first and second strip sides  120   a ,  120   b  are simply pulled apart as the material of the bridging area  120   d  is being torn. Because, the drape cut  122  is a complete sever of the materials associated with the main drape material  102 , the incise film  114 , and the liner  118 , these materials provide no resistance to the act of tearing, i.e., they are pre-cut. Consequently, the tearing of the adhesive tape strip  120  provides a smooth and clean tear. As a further advantage, the tearing of the adhesive tape strip  120  can be easily accomplished with the exertion of little force that renders the drape system simple for use from both the user&#39;s and the patient&#39;s perspective. 
         [0036]    Optionally, one or more additional adhesive tape strips  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132  can be positioned on the drape material  102 . The adhesive tape strips  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132  can be positioned and oriented in any location, can extend from any area to any other area of the drape material  102 , and can be of any suitable number. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a method of manufacturing the drape  100  includes providing a drape material ( 400 ) and completely severing the drape material to form a drape cut ( 402 ). A strip material is provided ( 404 ) and a partial sever of the strip material is made to form a strip scoreline ( 406 ). The strip material, for example, can have a thickness of about 0.2 inches (about 5 mm), a width of about 1.5 inches (about 38 mm) to about 3 inches (about 76 mm), and can extend from about 35% to about 60% through the thickness of the strip material (e.g., about 0.07 inches to about 0.12 inches, or about 1.8 mm to about 3 mm). The strip material is fixed to the drape material such that the drape cut and the strip scoreline are positioned in an overlapping manner ( 408 ). 
         [0038]    While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.