U.S. patent application number 09/922402 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-03 for ophthalmic drape with tear line and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Baker, Dennis L., Davis, Robert A., Hildebrandt, Camille M., Levitt, Yolla B., Reed, Mary K..
Application Number | 20020000232 09/922402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26688242 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020000232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levitt, Yolla B. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2002 |
Ophthalmic drape with tear line and method
Abstract
An ophthalmic surgical drape and a method of applying the drape
to a patient. The ophthalmic surgical drape is made from a sheet
having an aperture in the interior of the sheet, and at least two
tear lines in the sheet extending from the aperture. The drape also
has a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture, with
the field being traversed by the tear lines so as to divide the
field into at least two portions. The drape may be provided in a
folded condition in which tearing can be accomplished so as to
divide the drape into two sections before the drape is unfolded.
Also disclosed are two tear lines disposed along an oblique angle,
and a method of applying the drape.
Inventors: |
Levitt, Yolla B.; (Mendota
Heights, MN) ; Baker, Dennis L.; (Houlton, WI)
; Davis, Robert A.; (Cottage Grove, MN) ;
Hildebrandt, Camille M.; (Woodbury, MN) ; Reed, Mary
K.; (Brookings, SD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Office of Intellectual Property Counsel
3M Innovative Properties Company
PO Box 33427
St. Paul
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
26688242 |
Appl. No.: |
09/922402 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09922402 |
Aug 2, 2001 |
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09541478 |
Mar 31, 2000 |
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6286511 |
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09541478 |
Mar 31, 2000 |
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09162684 |
Sep 29, 1998 |
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6105579 |
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09162684 |
Sep 29, 1998 |
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09016154 |
Jan 30, 1998 |
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09016154 |
Jan 30, 1998 |
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08941821 |
Oct 1, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/853 ;
128/849 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 46/00 20160201;
A61B 2046/205 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/853 ;
128/849 |
International
Class: |
A61F 005/37 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of applying an ophthalmic drape to the upper and lower
eyelids of an eye of a patient, the method comprising the following
steps: (a) providing a surgical drape comprising a sheet having a
periphery, an aperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet, and
at least two tear lines in the sheet extending substantially from
the aperture substantially to the periphery to divide the sheet
into two sections; and a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent
the aperture, the field being traversed by each of the tear lines
so as to divide the field into at least two portions, one along
each of the two sections of the sheet; (b) tearing the sheet
partially or completely along at least one of the tear lines; and
(c) adhering one of the portions of the field of skin compatible
adhesive to one of the eyelids; and (d) adhering the other portion
of the field of skin compatible adhesive to the other eyelid.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein each tear line comprises
a line of perforations, the step of tearing the sheet partially or
completely along at least one of the tear lines comprising tearing
the sheet along at least one of the lines of perforations.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the lines of
perforations extend substantially from the aperture substantially
to the periphery, the step of tearing the sheet along at least one
of the lines of perforations comprising tearing the sheet along at
least one of the tear lines completely between the periphery and
the aperture.
4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the aperture has a
curved, symmetrical margin, and wherein the points where the lines
of perforations extend from the aperture are on diametrically
opposed points along the margin.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tear lines are
substantially co-linear, the drape being provided in a folded
condition folded in the direction perpendicular to the tear lines;
the step of tearing the sheet partially or completely along at
least one of the tear lines comprising tearing the drape into two
separate sections; the method further comprising the step of
unfolding the drape after the step of tearing the drape into two
separate sections; and the step of adhering the other portion of
the field of skin compatible adhesive to the other eyelid including
positioning the two separate sections in overlapping
relationship.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the step (c) of adhering
one of the portions of the field of skin compatible adhesive to one
of the eyelids is completed before the step of unfolding the
drape.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the tear lines form an
oblique angle; the step of tearing the sheet partially or
completely along at least one of the tear lines comprises tearing
the sheet along both tear lines to form two separate sections; and
the step of adhering the other portion of the field of skin
compatible adhesive to the other eyelid including positioning the
two separate sections in overlapping relationship.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein a release liner is
provided on the field of skin compatible adhesive, the release
liner including two tear lines or slits paralleling the tear lines
in the sheet to divide the release liner into two sections
corresponding to the two portions of the field of skin compatible
adhesive; the method further comprising the following steps: before
the step (c) of adhering one of the portions of the field of skin
compatible adhesive to one of the eyelids, removing the
corresponding section of the release liner from said one portion of
the field of skin compatible adhesive but not the other section of
the release liner.
9. An ophthalmic surgical drape comprising: a sheet having a
periphery, an aperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet, and
a tear line in the sheet extending in opposite directions from the
aperture to the periphery of the sheet to divide the sheet into two
portions; and a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the
aperture, the field being traversed by the line of perforations so
as to divide the field into two adhesive portions, one on each of
the two portions of the sheet; the sheet being folded in the
direction perpendicular to the tear line, and also along the tear
line such that the sheet can be unfolded over the tear line and the
two portions of the sheet separated from one another by grasping
them and tearing the sheet along the tear line before the sheet is
unfolded with respect to any fold that is perpendicular to the tear
line.
10. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the
two portions of the sheet are equally sized.
11. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the
sheet is formed of polymeric film material.
12. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the
tear line comprises a line of perforations.
13. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 12 wherein the
line of perforations comprises a multiplicity of slits forming
perforations through the sheet.
14. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 13 wherein the
line of perforations include two slits extending from the aperture
substantially across the field of adhesive.
15. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the
drape is folded at least twice in the direction perpendicular to
the tear line.
16. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 9 wherein the
two portions of the sheet are unequally sized.
17. A combination of the ophthalmic surgical drape according to
claim 9 and a release liner releasably affixed to the field of skin
compatible adhesive, the release liner being slit or having a tear
line to divide the release liner into two pieces corresponding to
the two adhesive portions of the drape.
18. An ophthalmic surgical drape comprising: a sheet having a
periphery, an aperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet, the
aperture having opposite sides, and two tear lines extending at
oblique angles relative to one another substantially from opposite
side of the aperture substantially to the periphery of the sheet to
divide the sheet into two portions; and a field of skin compatible
adhesive adjacent the aperture, the field being traversed by the
tear lines so as to divide the field into two adhesive portions,
one on each of the two portions of the sheet.
19. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 18 wherein the
tear lines each comprise a line of perforations.
20. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 19 wherein the
line of perforations comprises a multiplicity of slits forming
perforations through the sheet.
21. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 20 wherein the
line of perforations include two slits extending from the aperture
substantially across the field of adhesive.
22. The ophthalmic surgical drape according to claim 18 wherein the
sheet is formed of polymeric film material.
23. A combination of the ophthalmic surgical drape according to
claim 18 and a release liner releasably affixed to the field of
skin compatible adhesive, the release liner being slit or having
tear lines to divide the release liner into two pieces
corresponding to the two adhesive portions of the drape.
24. A method of folding an ophthalmic drape to the upper and lower
eyelids of an eye of a patient, the method comprising the following
steps: (a) providing a surgical drape comprising a sheet having a
opposite end edges and opposite side edges, an aperture spaced from
the edges of the sheet, and at least two tear lines in the sheet
extending substantially from the aperture substantially to the
opposite side edges to divide the sheet into two sections, the
aperture being offset toward one of the opposite end edges but
being centered with respect to the opposite side edges; and a field
of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture; (b) folding the
drape along a first fold line that is generally parallel to the
opposite end edges to cover the tear line; (c) folding the first
folded area of the drape along at least one second fold line that
is generally parallel to the first fold line to uncover the tear
line; (d) folding the drape in third along third and fourth fold
lines that are generally perpendicular to the first and second fold
lines; (e) folding the drape along a fifth fold line bisecting the
aperture in the direction generally parallel with the third and
fourth fold lines; and (f) maintaining the field of skin compatible
adhesive in an outward direction throughout the steps (b)-(e) so
that the drape does not cover the field of skin compatible
adhesive.
25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the two tear lines are
generally co-linear and generally parallel with the opposite end
edges of the drape.
26. The method according to claim 24 wherein step (b) further
includes covering the aperture with the first folded area.
27. The method according to claim 26 wherein step (c) further
includes substantially but not completely uncovering the aperture
with the first folded area.
28. A method of folding an ophthalmic drape to the upper and lower
eyelids of an eye of a patient, the method comprising the following
steps: (a) providing a surgical drape comprising: a sheet having a
opposite end edges and opposite side edges, an aperture spaced from
the edges of the sheet, and at least two tear lines in the sheet
extending substantially from the aperture substantially to one of
the opposite end edges, constituting the first end edge, to divide
the sheet into two sections, the aperture being offset toward the
first end edge but being centered with respect to the opposite side
edges; and a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the
aperture; (b) folding the drape along a first fold line that is
generally parallel to the opposite end edges to cover the aperture
and at least a portion of the tear lines; (c) folding the first
folded area of the drape along at least one second fold line that
is generally parallel to the first fold line to substantially
completely uncover the tear line; (d) folding the drape in third
along third and fourth fold lines that are generally perpendicular
to the first and second fold lines; (e) folding the drape along a
fifth fold line bisecting the aperture in the direction generally
parallel with the third and fourth fold lines; and (f) maintaining
the field of skin compatible adhesive in an outward direction
throughout the steps (b)-(e) so that the drape does not cover the
field of skin compatible adhesive.
29. The method according to claim 28 wherein step (c) further
includes substantially but not completely uncovering the aperture
with the first folded area.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/016,154, filed Jan. 30, 1998, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/941,821, filed Oct. 1, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to surgical drapes and
methods of applying such drapes, and more specifically to
ophthalmic drapes having adhesive portions that allow them to be
adhered to the skin adjacent the eye and methods of applying such
drapes. It is also contemplated that the drape could be used for
extremity surgeries, ear, nose or throat procedures, tracheostomy
or thyroidectomy, and breast surgeries, among other procedures.
[0003] In order to perform surgery on the eye it is frequently
desirable to apply a surgical drape to the patient to isolate the
eyelashes and eyelids from the surgical site to improve exposure of
the eye, and provide a sterile drape surface to reduce the chance
of infection. For example, in refractive surgery, draping may be
primarily performed to pull eyelids and eyelashes away from the
eye, and keep them out of the way of the surgical instruments such
as microkeratomes.
[0004] One product used for this purpose is the Model 1020
ophthalmic drape commercially available from Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn. This drape includes a sheet
of material having a generally round aperture roughly in the
center. A field of skin compatible adhesive contacts a portion of
one side of the sheet adjacent this aperture. This adhesive allows
the drape to be adhered around the patient's eye, and the rest of
the sheet drapes down over the patient's head, hair and face to
provide a sterile surface over these areas.
[0005] A difficulty arises in that the eye is a delicate structure
and the eyelids are very flexible and not the same size and shape
in different individuals. In actual practice, medical practitioners
sometimes find it inconvenient to conform the margins of the
aperture to the edges of a particular patient's eyelids. When this
occurs, one expedient that is known to some practitioners is to cut
the drape, either partly or else completely into two sections,
typically but not always before applying the drape to the patient.
This is done to relieve tension in stretched areas, prevent
bunching of the adhesive field, and allow the margin of the
aperture to be more closely conformed to the margin of the
patient's eye. In addition, cutting the drape before application is
the preferred practice of many surgeons in order to facilitate one
person applying the drape to the upper eyelid first without
adhering the lower portions of the adhesive field to the lower
eyelid until ready to do so.
[0006] It will be appreciated that this expedient is not without
its drawbacks. Making such a cut will require the presence of a
sterile scissors or the like. Also, making an appropriate cut is
inconvenient to do while attempting to preserve the sterility of
the drape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention provides a ophthalmic surgical drape and a
method of draping the eye for ophthalmic surgery that allow the
drape to be easily conformed to both lids of the eye by a single
person without additional tools. This invention solves the problems
discussed above by providing a method of applying an ophthalmic
drape so that it can easily be adhered to both the upper and lower
margins of the eye without requiring the use of separate
instruments for cutting and adjusting. This is accomplished by
providing at least two tear lines in the sheet that forms the drape
at least in the region adjacent to the aperture that permits access
to the eye. The practitioner may then adhere a portion of the
margin of the aperture to one of the patient's eyelids, and break
as much or as little of the tear lines as necessary to create the
needed slack to accurately match the rest of the margin of the
aperture to the patient's other eyelid. The drape may be completely
divided into two similar halves if such an action makes the
practitioner's task in accurate placement of the drape easier.
[0008] The invention provides a method of applying an ophthalmic
surgical drape to upper and lower eyelids of an eye of a patient. A
surgical drape is provided comprising a sheet having a periphery
and an aperture spaced from the periphery, and at least two tear
lines in the sheet extending substantially from the aperture
substantially to the periphery. The drape also has a field of skin
compatible adhesive adjacent to the aperture, the field being
traversed by each of the tear lines so as to divide the field into
at least two portions. The sheet is torn partially or completely
along at least one of the tear lines. Depending on the size and
shape of that particular patient's eyes, more or less tearing might
be needed, or it might be most convenient to tear the drape
entirely into two portions. In either case the practitioner can
conveniently accomplish the matter without the assistance of
another person. The method also includes the step of adhering one
of the portions of the field of skin compatible adhesive to one of
the eyelids (e.g., the tipper eyelid). Preferably, the margin of
the aperture is curved so that it approximates the shape of the
edges of the eyelids of the open human eye. Finally, the method
then includes the step of adhering the other portion of the field
of skin compatible adhesive to the other eyelid (e.g., the lower
eyelid).
[0009] In preferred embodiments, the tear lines extend
substantially completely from the aperture to the periphery, which
provides the practitioner the greatest flexibility if substantial
modifications need to be made to accommodate certain patients.
Also, it has been found to be particularly convenient to prepare
the aperture with a curved, symmetrical margin, and have the points
where the lines of perforations extend from the aperture be on
diametrically opposed points along the margin.
[0010] The tear lines may conveniently be a line of perforations in
the sheet of material, or a scored line, or the sheet of material
can be weakened by heat or some other physical process so as to
readily permit and correctly propagate the desired tear.
[0011] As used herein, "tear line" refers to a line along which
manual tearing of the sheet is directed by any of these
mechanisms.
[0012] As used herein, "oval-shaped" refers generally to oval and
elliptical shapes, as well as elongated curved openings.
[0013] In some preferred embodiments, it is convenient to protect
the field of skin compatible adhesive by adhering a release liner
to the field. The release liner protects the adhesives during
shipping and handling, but are peeled away by the user of the drape
just before application to the patient. For the convenience during
application, at least one edge of the release liner may extend
beyond the edge of the adhesive field to provide a tab suitable for
gripping.
[0014] Also, in preferred embodiments, the drape is provided in a
folded condition, folded so that the tearing can be accomplished so
as to divide the drape into two sections, such as two similar
halves, before the drape is unfolded.
[0015] With this in mind, the invention can therefore be viewed in
another manner. It can be thought of as an ophthalmic surgical
drape comprising a sheet having a periphery, an aperture spaced
from the periphery of the sheet, and a tear line in the sheet
extending in opposite directions from the aperture to the periphery
of the sheet to divide the sheet into two portions. Although there
are two portions to the tear line, co-linear on opposite sides of
the aperture, this embodiment is designed to be able to be divided
before unfolding and therefore it is convenient to think of there
being one tear line in two halves. This ophthalmic surgical drape
has a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the aperture, the
field being traversed by the line of perforations so as to divide
the field into two adhesive portions, one on each of the two
portions of the sheet. The sheet is folded in the direction
perpendicular to the tear line, and also along the tear line such
that the sheet can be unfolded over the tear line and the two
portions of the sheet separated from one another by grasping them
and tearing the sheet along the tear before the sheet is unfolded
with respect to any fold that is perpendicular to the tear
line.
[0016] Yet another embodiment of an ophthalmic surgical drape of
the invention generally comprises a sheet having a periphery, an
aperture spaced from the periphery of the sheet, with the aperture
having opposite sides. In this embodiment, two tear lines extend
along the sheet at oblique angles relative to one another
substantially from opposite side of the aperture substantially to
the periphery of the sheet to divide the sheet into two portions.
The drape has a field of skin compatible adhesive adjacent the
aperture, with the field being traversed by the tear lines so as to
divide the field into two adhesive portions, one on each of the two
portions of the sheet.
[0017] One feature of the oblique tear line angle embodiment is
that the two portions of the sheet are of unequal size. Most
preferably, the larger portion constitutes an upper portion that is
placed over the patients head and hair, with its adhesive portion
affixed to the upper eyelid. The oblique angle (e.g., an included
angle between the two tear lines of approximately 100 degrees) is
preferably selected so that the larger portion of the sheet
completely covers the patient's hair adjacent the forehead and
ears. This may reduce the chance of the surgeon's gloves or
instruments touching the patient's hair between adjacent drape
portions. Surgeons typically work from above the patient's head
with the patient's body extending generally away from the surgeon,
so the larger portion of the drape of this embodiment also faces
the surgeon.
[0018] Also, preferably, the oblique tear lines extend from
opposite edges of the adhesive field generally adjacent the ends of
the long axis of the oval-shaped aperture rather than directly from
the ends of the long axis of the aperture. In other words, the
oblique tear lines are separated from the oval-shaped aperture by
the adhesive Field. Relatively short tear lines are provided along
the adhesive field in the same direction as the long axis of the
aperture between the oblique tear line and the aperture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0019] The invention will be further described with reference to
the drawing wherein corresponding reference characters indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing,
and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a top view of an ophthalmic drape according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2a is a partial cross-section view of the drape of FIG.
1 taken along section lines 2-2;
[0022] FIG. 2b is a partial cross-section view as in FIG. 2a, of an
alternate arrangement;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top view of a third embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 5a-5c are stages along the final folding for the drape
of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 6-13 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the
process for folding the drape;
[0027] FIGS. 14-21 illustrate additional preferred embodiments of
the drape of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a top view of an ophthalmic
surgical drape 10 according to the present invention is
illustrated. The drape 10 comprises a sheet 12 (preferably of
polymeric film material) having a periphery 14. The sheet 12 has an
aperture 16 therein, the aperture being at a position spaced from
the periphery 14 of the sheet. A field 18 of skin compatible
adhesive contacts a portion of the upper side of the sheet 12
adjacent the aperture 16. Two tear lines 20 and 22 extend away the
aperture 16 to the periphery 14. A release liner 24 is removed in
this view for clarity, but will be exhibited in FIG. 2.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2a, a partial cross-section view of
the drape of FIG. 1 taken along section lines 2-2 is illustrated.
The field of skin compatible adhesive 18 may be applied by pattern
coating, or it may be convenient in automated manufacturing to
provide it as a subassembly as seen in this Figure. Such a
subassembly is prepared as double-stick patch 26 shown adhered to
the sheet 12. The patch 26 includes a backing 28 adhered to sheet
12 via adhesive 30. On the other side of backing 28 is the
skin-compatible adhesive 18, which will eventually be adhered to
the patient. In this view, release liner 24 can be seen protecting
skin compatible adhesive 18 before use. Adhesives 18 and 30 may be
the same, or may be different adhesives as convenient and
compatible with the materials chosen.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2b, a second partial cross-section
view of the drape of FIG. 1 taken along section lines 2-2 is
illustrated so as to show the application of the field of skin
compatible adhesive 18 directly to the sheet 12 as a transfer
adhesive. In this case, the release liner 24 is pre-adhered to the
field of skin compatible adhesive 18 before the transfer.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of a second embodiment
is illustrated. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1, this Figure
shows that the aperture 16 need not be exactly in the center of
sheet 12, and that there is variability in the exact shape of the
aperture to account for different types of patients and procedures.
It will also be observed that the tear lines 20 and 22 may include
slit sections 32 and 34 respectively, which permit the thicker
portion where a patch 26 is used to be torn more readily with the
fingers.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, a top view of a third embodiment is
illustrated. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 3, this Figure
shows that the tear lines 20 and 22 need not be co-linear, but may
instead have an oblique angle to each other. The oblique angle is
preferably selected so that the larger portion of the drape, which
is used as the upper portion of the drape, completely covers the
patient's hair adjacent the forehead and the patient's ears and
adjacent hair. For example, the oblique angle, which is defined as
the included angle between the two tears lines, may be
approximately 100 degrees. It is not a requirement that the lines
of perforations 20 and 22 extend all the way to the periphery,
although such embodiments are currently considered preferred.
[0033] In use, the larger, upper portion of the drape shown in FIG.
4 is placed over the forehead, hair and ears of the patient after
affixing the upper portion of the adhesive field to the patient's
upper eyelid and pulling the eyelid to obtain appropriate exposure
of the eye. The lower portion of the drape may be used to pull the
lower eyelid in the direction away from the eye by affixing the
lower portion of the adhesive field to the lower eyelid.
[0034] The sheet 12 is conveniently fabricated from many sorts of
polymeric film, especially polyolefin film. The use of
antistatically treated polyethylene film is currently considered
preferred. The skin compatible adhesive 18 is conveniently prepared
from acrylate adhesive. A discussion of suitable compositions can
be found in coassigned U.S. Pat. Re. 24,906 to Ulrich, which is
hereby incorporated by reference. For example, the acrylate
adhesive discussed as Example 5 of that patent is suitable.
[0035] Alternatively, for some applications, the sheet 12 could be
fabricated from other materials, for example, sheet 12 could be of
nonwoven construction including but not limited to melt blown or
spun bond webs.
[0036] A double-stick adhesive typically comprises adhesive tape
with the adhesive coated on both sides and a liner (e.g., a paper
or polymeric liner). Pattern coating may involve a printing-type
process or die coating. A transfer adhesive typically comprises an
adhesive coated on a first liner (e.g., paper or polymer, such as a
polyethylene film liner 32 with a silicone release coating,
depending on the adhesive) that is removed before or after the
transfer adhesive is put to use. A second liner (e.g., paper or
polymer, such as a polyethylene film liner 32 with a silicone
release coating) may be laminated to the adhesive either before or
after the first liner is removed.
[0037] The drape is easily prepared from an indefinite length of
the sheet material, which forms the main part of the drape. For
example, at the first converting station, the indefinite length of
sheet material may have adhered to it the transfer adhesive or
double-stick patch with its release liner attached as discussed
above. At a second converting station, the aperture and the lines
of perforations are cut into the sheet and the transfer adhesive or
double-stick patch with a rotary die cutter. Finally, a rotary
knife cutter sheets off the finished drapes from the indefinite
length material, which are then ready to be folded, packaged, and
sterilized for the customer.
[0038] In particular, the embodiment of drape 10 of FIG. 1 can be
folded in a way so that the practitioner can conveniently divide
the drape into two similar halves with one pull while the drape is
still folded if that suits the practitioner's needs. Referring now
to FIG. 5a, a finished drape 10 is being folded with two S-folds so
that the two co-linear lines of perforations remain in the same
plane. A second fold is made as shown by direction arrows 36 and 38
in FIG. 5b. Finally, a third fold is made as shown in FIG. 5c so
that all the folded segments of lines of perforations 20 and 22
remain at the vertex of the final fold. This allows the
practitioner to take a grip on the drape 10, at for example corners
40 and 42, and separate the drape into to similar halves with one
pull.
[0039] FIGS. 6-13 show yet another embodiment of the ophthalmic
drape of the invention, here designated 100. Drape 100 is similar
to the drape 10 shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, drape 100 has a
generally rectangular outline, and includes a generally elliptical
or elongate eye opening 102, a tear line 104 (which may be formed
for example, by perforations or scoring the drape), and an adhesive
field on one surface of the drape in a generally rectangular area
surrounding the eye opening. A release liner 106 covers the
adhesive field. The tear line 104 preferably extends in a direction
defined by the long axis of the elliptical eye opening 102. The
preferred tear line 104 is offset rather than dividing the drape in
two equal sections. The smaller section 108 of the drape 100 will
be referred to as the "short side", and the larger section 110 of
the drape will be referred to as the "long side".
[0040] As illustrated in FIGS. 6-13, drape 100 is folded to allow
the practitioner to separate the drape 100 into two parts without
any prior unfolding. Throughout the preferred folding process
illustrated in FIGS. 6-13, the adhesive field and release liner 106
are kept to the outside, i.e., the drape 100 is not folded to cover
any portion of the release liner 106. The preferred folding process
is a follows:
[0041] A. The drape 100 is first folded as illustrated in FIG. 7
along a first fold line FL-1 running through the long side 110
parallel to the tear line 104. The top folded area 112 should
completely cover the eye opening 102. If the longer dimension "L"
of the rectangular drape 100 is about 27.5 cm, and the tear line
104 is spaced about 7 cm from the first edge 114, then the fold
line FL-I may be spaced about 15 cm from the first edge 112 of the
drape 100. The result of this folding step is shown in FIG. 8.
[0042] B. The drape is then folded as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10
along a second fold line FL-2 in the direction parallel to the tear
line 104 in such a manner as to form an "S" or "Z" fold in
combination with the first fold. The folded edge 116 of the top
folded area 118 should cover less than half of the area of the eye
opening 102 and should not cover the tear line 104. For example, if
the width "W" of the top folded area 116 may be about 5.8 cm, then
the folded edge 116 will be spaced about 1.2 cm from the tear line
104. If the height of the eye opening 102 (i.e., the short
dimension of the opening) is about 3.8 cm, this example will result
in about 0.7 cm of the eye opening 102 being covered or overlapped
by the top folded area 118. It is preferred if this overlapped area
is kept less than 1 cm. Alternatively, more than one parallel
second fold line could be provided, or this portion of the drape
could be "roll" folded.
[0043] C. The drape is then folded in thirds as illustrated in FIG.
11 along fold lines FL-3 and FL-4 that are generally perpendicular
to the tear line 104 and fold lines FL-1 and L-2. The result of
this folding step is shown in FIG. 12.
[0044] D. The drape is then folded in halfalong a fold line FL-5
that bisects the eye opening 102 in the direction perpendicular to
the tear line 104. The results of this step are shown in FIG. 13.
The folded drape shown in FIG. 13 may be separated along the tear
line 104 without unfolding the drape.
[0045] The preferred folding process set forth in steps A-D above
can readily be employed with respect to the drape shown in FIG. 4
with the following understanding: The direction of the inclined
tear lines 20 and 22 are not used in the process. In their place,
use an imaginary line that bisects the eye opening in a direction
parallel to the edge of the drape that intersects that tear lines
20 and 22. With this understanding, the drape with the inclined
tear lines 20 and 22 can also be folded in such a manner that it
can be separated along the tear lines without unfolding the
drape.
[0046] FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in
which the drape 200 includes a tear line 202 (e.g., perforations)
extending from opposite ends of a generally oval-shaped aperture
204. Adhesive regions 206 and 208 are provided along one surface of
the drape 200 adjacent the aperture 204 and tear line.
[0047] FIG. 15 illustrates a drape 210 of the invention, in which
inclined tear lines 212 extend from the ends of the generally
oval-shaped aperture 214 only part way to the periphery of the
drape 210.
[0048] FIG. 16 illustrates a drape 220 similar in some respects to
the drape 200 of FIG. 14 except that adhesive regions 222 extend
along the tear line 224 inwardly from the peripheral edge of the
drape 220 only part way to the central adhesive region 226.
[0049] FIG. 17 illustrates a drape 230 similar in some respects to
the drape 200 of FIG. 14 except that a central adhesive region
surrounding the aperture 232 is not provided in this drape.
[0050] FIG. 18 illustrates a drape 240 in which a tear line 242
extends from both ends of a generally oval-shaped aperture 244 only
part way to the edges of the drape. An adhesive region 246 is
provided surrounding the aperture 244.
[0051] FIG. 19 illustrates a drape 250 similar in many respects to
the drape 100 of FIG. 14 except that the adhesive regions 252, 254,
256 and 258 along the tear line 260 are separated by non-adhesive
regions.
[0052] FIG. 20 illustrates a drape 270 which includes two generally
oval-shaped apertures 272 and 274, inclined tear lines 276 and 278,
laterally-extending tear lines 280 and 282, and adhesive regions
284 and 286 surrounding the apertures 272 and 274.
[0053] FIG. 21 illustrates a drape 290 similar in many respects to
the drape 270 except that the inclined tear lines are replaced by a
tear line 292 extending between the apertures 294 and 296
[0054] It is contemplated for some uses that the aperture could be
oval, circular, rectangular or any other shape suitable for the
use. There can be more than one aperture as illustrated in FIGS. 20
and 21.
[0055] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/941,820 filed Oct. 1,
1997 by Yolla B. Levitt, Dennis L. Baker, Camille M. Hildebrandt,
Mary K. Reed and Robert A. Davis (Attorney Docket No. 53659USA3A)
on One-Piece Ophthalmic Drape and Methods is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
[0056] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined in the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in
the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *