U.S. patent application number 10/644364 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for sterile surgical table cover.
Invention is credited to Comeaux, Scott.
Application Number | 20030233964 10/644364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25508224 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030233964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Comeaux, Scott |
December 25, 2003 |
Sterile surgical table cover
Abstract
A device for covering a surgical tray of a Mayo stand, with a
sterile layer on which surgical instruments may be placed. The
cover is held on the tray by an elastic band, drawstring or other
adjustable devices which partially or completely close the cover
underneath the tray, and which substantially pulls up the skirt of
the cover to furnish a form fitting covering of the tray. The
material of the cover may be sterilized paper, woven, rubber,
plastic or a combination of these materials. The elastic band or
drawstring provides rapid and secure positioning of the cover on
the surgical tray. A consistent and reproducible barrier can be
provided on the cover to inhibit penetration and therefore
violating the integrity of the sterile field. A non-slip coating
can be provided between the cover and table to prevent movement of
the cover with respect to the table during use.
Inventors: |
Comeaux, Scott; (Castle
Rock, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORR CARSON SLOAN & BIRNEY, PC
3010 EAST 6TH AVENUE
DENVER
CO
80206
|
Family ID: |
25508224 |
Appl. No.: |
10/644364 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10644364 |
Aug 20, 2003 |
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09964182 |
Sep 25, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2050/155 20160201;
A61B 46/10 20160201; A61B 50/13 20160201; A61B 50/10 20160201; A47G
11/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/90 |
International
Class: |
A47B 013/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A cover for a surgical tray and support stand comprising: a) a
flexible flat top surface area with size and shape adapted to be
positioned to substantially cover the top surface of a surgical
tray, said top surface area having an upper and lower surface; b) a
flexible side skirt area attached to said flat top surface area so
as to form a continuous skirt around the perimeter of said flat top
surface area; c) a securement means for securing the bottom edge of
said side skirt area underneath the edges of the tray, whereby said
side skirt area and said flat top surface area are held in position
on the tray; and d) the lower surface of said top surface area of
said cover includes a coating of a non-slip material to prevent the
top surface area from moving with respect to the tray when
positioned.
2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the top surface area and side
skirt area are formed from plastic film and said side skirt member
is attached to said top surface area by heat sealing.
3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material comprises
paper.
4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the securement means comprises an
adjustable band attached to the lower perimeter of said side skirt
member.
5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover material is impervious
to liquid.
6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of said flat top
surface member is coated with a non-slip coating.
7. The cover of claim 1, wherein a padding material is attached to
the top surface area.
8. A cover for a surgical tray and support stand comprising: a) a
flexible sheet member with size and shape adapted to be positioned
to substantially cover the top surface of a surgical tray, said
flexible sheet member having an upper and lower surface; b) a
securement means for securing the perimeter of said flexible sheet
member underneath an edge of the tray, whereby said flexible sheet
member is held in position on the tray; and c) the lower surface of
said sheet member is coated with a non-slip material to prevent
said sheet member from moving with respect to said tray when
positioned on said tray.
9. The cover of claim 8, wherein said flexible sheet member is
comprised of plastic film.
10. The cover of claim 8, wherein said securement means comprises
an elastic band or drawstring attached to the perimeter of said
flexible sheet member.
11. The cover of claim 8, wherein the securement means comprises
hook and fabric strips.
12. The cover of claim 8, wherein the upper surface of said
flexible sheet member is coated with a non-slip coating.
13. The cover of claim 8, wherein the entire device is
sterilized.
14. The cover of claim 1, wherein said side skirt member is formed
from plastic film and is substantially rectangular in shape, and
further comprising a side skirt seam which connects the two
opposite ends of the side skirt member to each other.
15. The cover of claim 14, wherein said side skirt seam is formed
by heat sealing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/964,182, filed Sep. 25, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a sterile cover for a medical table
used in a medical facility to protect a sterile field for surgical
instruments or equipment placed on the table. Additionally the
invention relates to a secondary cover that is simple to place and
remove, yielding a clean looking and efficient cover to protect and
maintain the sterility of the medical table.
[0004] 2. Description Of Prior Art
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a typical Mayo stand and FIG. 2 shows a typical
cover. The cover has a rectangular top and elongated skirt on three
sides, with a very long skirt portion on the fourth side. The cover
is held in place merely by gravity. Sterile surgical table covers
are essential in operating rooms to provide a barrier between the
non-sterile surfaces of medical and surgical tables and the sterile
field around the area of treatment, thereby preventing
contamination of surgical instruments or other equipment used in
surgery by bacteria from outside the sterile field. The drape sits
atop a metal tray that the surgical and operating room tools and
equipment is spread upon. Over the first cover over the metal tray
or Mayo tray the surgical technician or assistant historically
places two towels to protect the surgical equipment from
penetrating through the first cover to the metal tray thus breaking
the sterile field barrier. As the towels are in a common flat
shape, the edges must be tucked under the edges of the tray to
present a clean and safe cover of the tray. Any breach of such
towel covering required removal of the surgical instruments and
recovering the table with sterile towels. The towels are tucked
under the tray to not leave any drape which could catch on
personnel or interfere with movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a secondary or fitted sterile cover
for a surgical table and may be made of paper, plastic sheeting,
cloth or a combination of two or more of these materials. The
invention has a flat surface that lays over the top of the tray and
an adjustable skirt which hangs down from the top of the table, and
the invention is secured to the table by an elastic band, or
drawstring, on the edge of the skirt, which is part of the cover's
design. The invention can be quickly installed over the tray with
the adjustable skirt fitting over the edge of the tray to create a
form fitting cover that saves time in the placement and removal of
the cover and give uniform and complete coverage of the tray while
protecting the instruments that are placed or inadvertently dropped
on the tray.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] The objects of the present invention are:
[0008] 1. To provide a sterile cover for the surgical table which
does not use an excess amount of sterile material, thus saving
manufacturing costs and storage space.
[0009] 2. To provide an additional and sterile cover with added
protection against penetration for a surgical table with a minimal
skirt which does not touch or interfere with the legs or torsos of
the surgical team members, or touch the patient and itself
collapses and gathers excess material from the secondary cover as
well as gathering the excess material and draping from the primary
covers, thus improving safety while at the same time improving the
barrier against the breach of the sterile field.
[0010] 3. To provide a consistent, fast and easy secondary layer to
protect against penetration of the sterile field by sharp or hard
instruments.
[0011] 4. To provide a sterile cover with a skirt which will not
touch, and will not be contaminated by, equipment which may be in
the operating room.
[0012] 5. To provided a sterile cover which is securely held on the
table by an elastic band or drawstring, instead of merely by
gravity.
[0013] 6. To provide a sterile cover which cannot be accidentally
removed or improperly positioned when it is accidentally grasped by
the hand of the member of the operating team, or when it is
accidentally snagged by a surgical instrument or other object which
is being removed from the table or caught by persons or apparatus
that moves around the tray.
[0014] 7. To provide a secondary protective sterile cover which can
quickly adjust to various trays of different sizes and thicknesses
because of the elastic band or drawstring or other adjustable
gatherers which is part of the design.
[0015] 8. To provide a sterile cover with a minimal skirt which
will not come into contact with, or be contaminated by, objects in
the operating room when the adjustable Mayo stand is lowered toward
the floor.
[0016] 9. To provide a one-piece sterile cover with a minimal skirt
which can be rapidly secured on the table by a contracting elastic
band, drawstring, or gatherer designs and which can fit a number of
table sizes.
[0017] Still further objects and advantages will become evident
from the detailed description of the invention, and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows the Mayo stand and FIG. 2 shows a prior art
cover with long skirt held in place by gravity;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows the invention with minimal skirt attached to a
Mayo stand by use of an elastic band or drawstring at the edge of
the skirt;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment showing the top piece
and a separate skirt piece sewn onto the top piece with the elastic
gather band; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the flat top surface member 2, made
of flexible sheeting 6, of the cover positioned over the top
surface of the tray that fits on the Mayo stand. The cover has a
side skirt member 3, made of flexible sheeting 6, hanging down from
the top surface member 2. The side skirt member 3 may have a side
skirt seam 4 joining its two ends. The side skirt member 3 may have
a top side seam 5 joining it to the flat top surface member 2. At
the bottom edge of the side skirt 3 is an elastic band, drawstring
or other adjustment device 1 attached to the side skirt 3 and
positioned around the entire perimeter of the bottom of the skirt
3. An alternate embodiment of the invention is made of one piece of
material (flexible sheet member 6) with the elastic band or
drawstring 1 around its perimeter. If the gathered cover that is
the subject invention is to be the sole barrier, it is desirable
that it be impervious to liquid, including any seams or
connections.
DESCRIPTION-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The preferred embodiment or best mode of the invention would
have side skirt member 3 about 2 to 4 inches in width to provide
enough material so that the adjustable band 1 can create a secure
closure around the bottom of the Mayo stand, yet with side skirt
member 3 short enough so that it does not hang down toward the
floor so as to contact anything beneath the stand which might catch
the sterile cover by instruments, apparatus or people. The
preferred embodiment would incorporate an elastic band which would
allow the cover to be more quickly positioned over the Mayo stand
and substantially closed beneath it by minimal effort by the person
applying it to the stand.
[0024] OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The invention is used as follows. The invention comes from
the manufacturer in sterile condition enclosed in an impervious
sterile package. The person using the cover would open the package
by various methods and remove the sterile cover. The person would
open the side skirt member 3 and grasp the bottom of the skirt by
the adjustable band 1 around the perimeter of the skirt 3. One
portion of the skirt 3 would be positioned against a corresponding
edge of the tray for the Mayo stand, and then the opposite portion
of the skirt would be positioned against an opposite edge of the
tray of the Mayo stand. Then these opposite skirt portions would be
pulled downward toward the floor, at which time the elastic band 1
would contract thus pulling the lower edges of the side skirt
member 3 toward each other under the edges of the tray on the shelf
of the Mayo stand, thus securing the cover over the tray of the
Mayo stand in a manner to make it difficult for the cover to be
accidentally pulled off the stand, and in a manner so that the
skirt of the cover does not extend downwardly toward the floor to
come into contact with the legs or torso of the surgeons,
assistants, patient, or by any equipment in the operating room
beneath the top of the Mayo stand and thus maintain the sterile
field. With the embodiment in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the flexible sheet
member 6 is positioned on the tray of the table or stand to be
covered, and the elastic band or drawstring 1 is pulled over the
edge of the tray, and it contracts the perimeter of the flexible
sheet member under the tray, thus securing the cover.
[0026] ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The invention can be made so that the flat top surface
member 2 has different rectangular dimensions to match different
sizes of trays or Mayo stands or other tables and stands. The
flexible material for the cover could be sterile paper, cloth,
polyethylene, or similar flexible plastic films. The invention
could be sterilized by common and appropriate means. The invention
could be made of one piece of flexible sheeting with a drawstring
or elastic band around its perimeter instead of being made of two
pieces, with appropriate seam treatment if seams are used, the flat
top surface member 2 connected by a top side seams to the side
skirt member 3. This version would be easier and cheaper to make
and would fit tabletops of varying sizes. Such one-piece cover may
have a rounded rectangular shape adaptable to a variety of sizes of
rectangular tables or stand tops.
[0028] CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE
[0029] A number of changes are possible to the above invention,
while still remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Material for the cover could comprise various kinds and thickness
of paper, plastic, rubber, cloth, impervious fabric, as well as
composite materials including plastic coated paper. The top surface
dimensions of the cover can be varied in many ways to fit various
sizes of stands. The width of the side skirt member 3 can be varied
to accommodate different thicknesses of trays of Mayo stand shelves
as well as different degrees of closure underneath the trays that
is desired. The securement device for securing the side skirt
member 3 underneath the tray of the Mayo stand may include in
addition to the elastic bands and drawstrings incorporated into the
edge of the skirt, hook and fabric (Velcro) strips, plastic or
metal snap buttons, hooks and eyelets, belts and buckles, or
similar securing devices known to those skilled in the art. For use
in cases where the Mayo stand may not be completely sterilized, the
cover material of the invention may be waterproofed by various
methods, such as coating with plastic, rubber, water repellent
chemicals, etc. In situations where it is desired that the flat top
surface member 2 should not slip against the top of the tray of the
Mayo stand, the underside of the top surface member 2 can be coated
with non-slip rubber-like material 8 known to those skilled in the
art. Likewise, the top surface member 2 can have a similar non-slip
surface 7 on the outside surface so that surgical instruments
placed on the Mayo stand on top of the top surface member 2 will
not slip across the surface. To withstand the weight of very heavy
or sharp instruments or objects placed on the top surface member 2,
the material of the invention can be reinforced by lamination with
a tough plastic or woven fabric layer along the outer rim or edge
or over the entire surface. The means for attaching the side skirt
member 3 to the flat top surface member 2 may include gluing,
stitching, heat sealing by partial melting or other means known to
those skilled in the art.
[0030] The specifics about the form of the invention described in
this application are not intended to be limiting in scope. The
scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims, and their
legal equivalents, not the examples given above.
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