MXPA02004278A - Slip resistant and absorbent material. - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical fabric having an absorbent fabric having a slip resistant material applied to a surface of the absorbent fabric forming a slip resistant surface. The medical fabric has an absorbency, as measured through the slip resistant surface, of at least half of the absorbency of the absorbent material. The slip resistant surface has a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.3.

Description

ABSORBENT AND SLIDING RESISTANT MATERIAL Field of the Invention The present invention relates to absorbent and slip-resistant materials, and more particularly to slip-resistant and absorbent materials useful in applications for surgical covers.

Background of the Invention Lae covers are useful during surgical procedures to create and maintain a sterile environment around the surgical site. The materials and cover fabrics are selected to create and maintain an effective barrier that minimizes the path of microorganisms between sterile and non-sterile areas. Biological contaminants can be transported by fluids such as blood, saliva, sweat, and life support fluids such as plasma and saline. To be effective, the material it covers must be resistant to these liquids and prevent such liquids from passing through the materials they cover and contaminating the sterile field.

There is a wide variety of surgical covers, but most share several common characteristics. Most of the covers are made of a material impervious to fluid or repellent to the fluid, or are covered with such material, to avoid the path of body fluids as well as the contamination of microorganisms. Many of today's surgical covers are made of non-woven fabrics, plastic films, or disposable papers. Additionally, many surgical covers include an opening or hole (more commonly known in the medical field as a "window") through which the surgical procedure is performed. It may also be desirable for the fabric that is placed around the window to be sufficiently absorbent to administer fluids that are typically present in surgical procedures. Such reinforcement may also help to maximize the aseptic conditions around the window but not only by absorbing the fluids present, but by preventing the fluids from passing through the surgical cover to the patient.

During surgical procedures, it is sometimes convenient for operating personnel to place surgical and other medical instruments on the cover of which is placed on the patient. These instruments are placed near the window in the cover through which the procedure is being conducted. In such instances, the area of the surgical cover surrounding the window can be reinforced against tearing or perforation. It may be desirable to have an uncovered area near the window that is sufficiently resistant to sliding to minimize the unintentional movement of surgical and other medical instruments placed thereon. These cover enhancements may compromise the absorbency of the covering material around the window. For example, foam reinforcement materials have been used to increase the slip resistance of a covering system in the area close to the window. Unfortunately, the absorbency of the foam reinforcement material may not be adequate to assist in controlling the fluids around the window.

In surgical covers made of polymeric fibers, especially those made of hydrophobic polymers such as polypropylene and polyethylene, the combination of fluid administration and slip resistance attributes are not typically present.

This is most likely due to several factors, including the inherently lower coefficient of friction (COF) values of the polymers that form fiber, especially polypropylene and polyethylene. The selection of the lower coefficient may also be attributable to the various treatments that are added to the fibers, either internally or topically, to change the way in which the polymer fibers interact with the fluids, typically aqueous and alcohol-based fluids, which they are present in surgical procedures.Prior to this invention, commercial disposable surgical covers made of 100% polymeric materials (containing non-cellulosic elements) have used reinforcing materials that provide either sufficient fluid administration (absorbency) or sufficient non-slip attributes, but not both. For example, polyurethane foams provide sufficient anti-slip properties, but do not provide sufficient absorbency in many applications.

Therefore, a need remains for a fabric suitable for use in surgical applications as a reinforcing material which possesses sufficient slip resistance to minimize unintentional movement of surgical instruments placed on the fabric, while being sufficiently absorbent to administer the fluids which are typically present in surgical procedures. In response to this need, the present invention is directed to a medical fabric that includes a slip-resistant material applied to an absorbent material in a manner that increases the frictional properties of the absorbent material to reduce the slippage of instruments without having a significant impact. negative in the absorbent properties of the material.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention may be made clearer by the following detailed description.

Summary of the Present Invention The present invention relates to a medical fabric suitable for use in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, surgical covers and surgical cover window materials. The medical fabric can be formed by many different types of absorbent fabrics, such as, for example, non-woven fabrics or other types of fabrics. The absorbent fabric can be an absorbent laminate, such as a meltblown / spunbonded laminate. The absorbent laminate may, in some embodiments, have a fluid impermeable film coupled to the side of the laminate that does not have slip resistant material applied thereto.

A slip-resistant material can be applied to a surface of the absorbent fabric by using any number of available processes, such as, for example, casting, rolling, and the like. The slip-resistant material can be any of a variety of polymers, including, but not limited to, amorphous polyolefins. Therefore, the slip resistant surfaces is formed in the medical fabric. In selected embodiments, the slip resistant surface has a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.3. The coefficient of friction may be higher in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the medical fabric of the present invention has an absorbency, as measured across the slip-resistant surface, of at least half the absorbency of the absorbent material. The medical fabric may have an absorbency in the range of at least 50% to 100% of the absorbent fabric, as measured across the slip-resistant surface. Absorbency can be measured by different tests.

While the slip-resistant surface is applied to the absorbent fabric, the percentage of the surface area of the absorbent fabric that is covered by the slip-resistant material can vary considerably. In selected embodiments, the percentage of the slip resistant surface area that is covered by the slip resistant material may be in the range of a negligible amount not greater than 90%.

An absorbent and slip resistant fabric of the present invention can be formed by varying processes, which include first providing an absorbent material which has a first and a second surfaces. A melt spraying of a slip resistant material can be applied to the first surface of the absorbent material. The slip-resistant material is applied to the absorbent material so that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip-resistant material is at least half the absorbency of the absorbent material. The slip-resistant absorbent material is then packaged so that the first surface containing the slip-resistant material is adjacent to the second surface of another layer of the absorbent material. The entangling absorbent material resistant to sliding on a roll can do this. These adjacent layers can be easily separated one from the other without sticking to the adjacent layer.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that each example is provided to explain the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example, the features described with respect to an embodiment may be used with another embodiment to still access an additional embodiment. Such modifications and variations are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

In response to the above challenges that have been experienced by those with an ability in the art, the present invention is directed to a fabric or a material having both absorbent and slip-resistant properties that make it suitable for use in roofing applications. surgical Such material may be suitable for a surgical cover, or may be appropriate for use with a reinforcing material that can be applied to a surgical cover. The material of the present invention is formed in a manner that increases the frictional properties of the material to reduce the sliding of the instruments without negatively impacting the absorbent properties of the material.

As used herein, the terms "non-woven fabric" or "non-woven fabric" refers to a fabric having a structure of individual fibers or filaments which are unidirectionally and / or randomly intertwined in a manner similar to a mat. . Non-woven fabrics can be made from a variety of processes including, but not limited to, air-laid processes, wet laid processes, hydroentangling processes, basic fiber carding joints, and bonding solution. Suitable non-woven fabrics include, but are not limited to, spin-linked fabrics, meltblown fabrics, wet spread fabrics, hydroentangled fabrics, spin-linked fabrics, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term "molten bonded fabric" refers to a non-woven fabric of filaments or fibers, which are formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material, or coextruding more than one molten thermoplastic material, such as filaments or fibers from a plurality of capillary, usually circular, fine vessels in a spinning organ with the diameter of the fibers or the extruded filaments. Fused bonded fabrics include, but are not limited to, spunbond fabrics and meltblown fabrics and are characterized as having thermal bonding spreads through the fabric.

As used herein, the term "spin-linked fabric" refers to a fused bonded fabric having small diameter continuous filaments which are formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material, or coextruding more than one molten thermoplastic material, such as filaments from a plurality of capillary, usually circular, fine vessels in a spinning organ with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced, for example, by pulling in eductive or non-eductive fluid or other well-known spinning linkage mechanisms. These small diameter filaments are substantially uniform with respect to one another. The diameters that characterize these filaments are in the range from about 7 to 45 microns, preferably from about 12 to 25 microns. The production of non-woven fabrics linked by spinning is illustrated in the patents granted to Appel et al., United States of America Patent No. 4,340,563; that of Dorschner et al., United States of America Patent No. 3,692,618; those of Kinney, patents of the United States of America Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394; Levy's, United States of America Patent No. 3,276,944; Peterson's, United States of America Patent No. 3,502,538; Hartman's, United States of America Patent No. 3,502,763; Dobo et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,542,615; and that of Harmon, Canadian Patent No. 803,714.

As used herein, the term "meltblown fabrics" refers to a fused bonded fabric comprising fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of capillary, usually circular, fine vessels such as filaments or fused yarns in a gas stream (for example air) at high speed which attenuates the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameters, which may be to the diameter of the "microfibers". Then, the meltblown fibers are transported by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collection surface to form a randomly dispersed meltblown fabric. The meltblowing processes are well known and are described in several patents and publications, which include the report NRL 4364, "Manufacture of Superfine Organic Fibers" by V.A. Wendt, E.L. Boone, and C.D. Fluharty; Report NRL 5265, "An Improved Device for the Formation of Superfine Thermoplastic Fibers" by K.D. Lawrence, R.T. Lukas and J.A. Young; and U.S. Patent No. 3,849,241 issued November 19, 1974 to Buntin et al. As used herein, the term "molten spray" refers to applying meltblown fibers to a surface of a material.

As used herein, the term "microfibers" means small diameter fibers having an average diameter of no greater than about 100 microns, for example, having a diameter of from about 0.5 microns to about 50 microns. More specifically microfibers can also have an average diameter of 10 from about 1 micron to about 20 microns. Microfibers having an average diameter of about 3 microns or less are commonly referred to as ultrafine microfibers.

As used herein, the term "wet laid fabrics" refers to fabrics formed by a process, such as a process for making paper, wherein the fibers dispersed in a liquid medium are deposited on a screen such that the liquid medium flows. through the screen, leaving a cloth on the surface of the screen. Fiber bonding agents can be applied to the fibers in the liquid medium or after being deposited on the screen, or they can be thermally bonded after being removed from the screen. Wet laid fabrics may contain natural and / or synthetic fibers. As used herein, the term "hydroentangled" or "hydroentangled" refers to a process wherein a nonwoven fabric of the material consisting of one or more types of fibers is subjected to high velocity water jets, which entangle the fibers to achieve mechanical union.

As used herein, the term "spin-linked fabrics" refers to a non-woven fabric of material consisting of one or more types of non-continuous fibers, wherein the fibers are hydroentangled to achieve mechanical bonding without bonding materials or thermal bonding The present invention can be formed by many types of absorbent fabrics such as, for example, non-woven or other types of fabrics. The absorbent fabric and may be a laminate, such as a non-woven laminate. Multilayer laminates can be used in the present invention where some layers are spin-bonded and some are meltblown such as spin-linked / meltblown / spunbond (SMS) laminate, is described in the patent No. 4,041,203 issued to Brock et al. and U.S. Patent No. 5,169,706 issued to Collier et al., or any of a variety of film / spunbonded laminates such as an SFS construction. (linked by spinning / film / linked by spinning). A laminate linked by spinning / meltblowing / spunbonded by SMS yarn can be made by sequentially depositing on a forming web that is first moved a layer of spunbonded fabric, then a layer of melt blown fabric and finally another layer linked by spinning and then joining the laminate in a manner described above. Alternatively, the fabric layers can be made individually, collected in rolls, and combined in a separate bonding step. The fabric of this invention can also be laminated with basic fibers, paper, and other woven materials. The film, linked by spinning, blown with multiple melting and other layers can of course be used. Each layer of non-woven fabric within the laminate can also be formed of a plurality of separate non-woven fabrics wherein the separated non-woven fabrics can be similar to or different from one another. Letters within the laminate can be coupled with one another using a variety of coupling methods, including, for example, knit bonding and adhesive lamination.

Additionally, an absorbent material that may be useful in the present invention may include at least one layer of hydrophilic melted bonded fabric and a film coupled to the melted bonded fabric layer. The hydrophilic melt bonded fabric can be provided as an outermost layer of the material of the present invention. Therefore, this outer layer is useful for absorbing fluids that contact the outermost surface of the fabric. The material may include a layer of fabric bonded by hydrophilic spinning, or a fabric bonded by hydrophilic spinning having a breathable film coupled thereto. As used herein, the term "breathable" refers to a material that allows the path of vapor and / or gas through it, but forms a barrier against the passage of fluids. Breathable films are well known in the art and can be produced by any known method.

Although in the fibrous components of the molten bonded fabric can be formed of hydrophobic polymeric materials, the melted bonded fabric can be made hydrophilic by incorporating a hydrophilic chemical additive and into or onto the fused bonded fibrous components of the fabric.

The hydrophilic melted bonded fabric can be combined with at least one other layer that provides additional properties to the material. For example, the material of the present invention can include an outermost layer of a hydrophilic melted bonded fabric, in the form of a spin-linked fabric, and an inner film layer which can contact a patient.

The non-n fabrics useful in the present invention may also include monocomponents and / or or multiple components, or synthetic filaments, conjugates and / or fibers that can be produced from a wide variety of thermoplastic polymers that are known to form fibers. Suitable polymers for forming non-n fabrics include, but are not limited to, polyolefins (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and the like. Of the polymers that are suitable for forming conjugated fibers that are made of components that melt at different temperatures, polymers particularly suitable for one of the components of the conjugate fibers include polypropylene, propylene and ethylene copolymers and mixtures of them, polyesters, and polyamides, more particularly polypropylene. Polymers particularly suitable for one of the components include polyethylenes, and more particularly linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and mixtures thereof. The most appropriate polymer components for the conjugate fibers are polyethylene and polypropylene. In such conjugated fiber having two different components, the polymer components can be selected so that the bicomponent filament which is capable of developing a helical pleat.

Additionally, the polymer components may contain thermoplastic elastomers blended therein or additives to increase the pleating and / or lower the bonding temperature of the fibers, and increase the abrasion resistance, strength and softness of the resulting fabrics . For example, the lower cast polymer component may contain about 5 to about 20% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer such as a styrene block copolymer ABA ', ethylenebutylene and styrene. Such copolymers are commercially available and some of which are identified in U.S. Patent No. 4,663,220 issued to Wisneski et al. An example of a highly suitable elastomeric block copolymer is KRATON G2740. Another group of suitable polymer additives are ethylene alkyl acrylate copolymers, such as ethylene butyl acetate, ethylene methyl acrylate, and ethylene ethylacrylate. The appropriate amount to produce the desired properties is from about 2% by weight to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of one of the polymer components. Other suitable polymer additives include polybutylene copolymers and ethylenepropylene copolymers.

A fabric that is commonly used as a window reinforcement fabric includes a polyurethane foam that is laminated to a liquid impermeable film, and referred to herein as "Type 1" material, fabric or fabric. Another fabric that is commonly used as a window reinforcement material is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,379,192, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This material referred to herein as "Type 2" material, fabric or fabric, and includes a top layer of a polypropylene spunbonded (SB) material that is typically treated with a surfactant. A second layer, which is adjacent to the top layer of the spin-bonded material, is a melt blown layer of polypropylene (MB) that is topically treated with a surfactant. A lower layer of a liquid impermeable film is attached to the second layer.

Yet another window reinforcement fabric used in surgical covering applications includes a top layer of a bicomponent spinning (SB) bond that is internally treated with a surfactant, a core polypropylene melt blow (MB) layer that is topically treated with a surfactant, and a lower layer of a film impervious to the liquid that is attached to the second layer. This material referred to herein as a "Type 3" material, fabric or fabric. This material is more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,540,979 issued to Yahaoui et al., The entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This fabric is used in the samples of the present invention and is currently available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation as Absorbent Fabric Reinforcement.

To increase the slip resistance of an absorbent material, a slip resistant layer can be applied to the surface of the absorbent material. A wide variety of materials can be applied to a material, fabric or cloth to improve slip resistance while maintaining its absorption characteristics. For example, copolymers of methylene vinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, synthetic rubbers including, for example, Kraton ™ block copolymers, natural rubber, polyethylenes, polyamidae, flexible polyolefins, and amorphous polyalphaolefins. These materials can also be applied to the absorbent material in a wide variety of forms, such as, for example, cast spraying, slot coating and printing.

A quantitative comparison of the attributes of the materials and the currently available window reinforcement webs of the present invention can be shown by a variety of tests that provide quantitative measurements that are indicative of the absorbency of the slip resistance.

To measure the sliding resistance of a material, a friction coefficient (COF) test can be used. One such test is ASTM D1894, which tests the coefficient of friction of a material surface. The slip-resistant surface of the material is placed against a stainless steel plate to measure the propensity of a stainless steel instrument to slide with respect to the material's slip-resistant surface. For Type 2 and Type 3 samples, the top layer of spinning was placed against the stainless steel plate. For Type 1 samples, the top foam layer was placed against the stainless steel plate. For the materials of the present invention, the surface of the material on which the molten spray adhesive has been applied is considered to be the surface resistant to slippage of the material.

A sled, to which the test sample sid mounted, it is pulled on a stationary stainless steel plate. As used herein, the term friction coefficient (COF) is defined as the relative difficulty encountered when the surface of a material slides on an adjacent surface of a stainless steel plate. A higher coefficient of friction denotes a lower slip between surfaces (superior slip resistance), while a lower coefficient of friction denotes a high slip between surfaces (lower slip resistance). The coefficient of friction "static" or "peak" is the highest instantaneous value obtained during the test. The coefficient of friction "dynamic" or "medium" is the average of the values obtained during the sixty seconds of the test. In the tests performed on the examples here, a Sintec model 25 tester, which is available from Sintech, North Carolina, was used. Five (5) steps of calibration of stainless steel of 40 grams class F and a test sled of coefficient of friction, which weighed 200 ± 0.25 grams was used. The dry coefficient of friction test was conducted by placing a sample of material on the test sled and activating the Sintech model 25 tester to pull the 15.24 centimeter (six (6) inch) test sled across the test plate. Polished stainless steel friction for sixty (60) seconds. The wet coefficient of friction test was conducted by moistening the material in the test sled with a given amount of fluid, waiting 30 seconds before placing the test sled on the stainless steel friction test plate, and activating the tester .

To quantify and characterize the fluid absorbency attributes of various materials, various test procedures are conducted to measure the amount of fluid absorbed in the fabric and to determine the amount of fluid retained within the fabric. A test used here to measure the fluid absorbency of a material or the ability of a material to allow the penetration of fluid into the material. This test referred to here as the "spill" test. In this procedure, 20 milliliters of a 0.85% saline solution is placed on top of a section of the material that is approximately 20.3 centimeters (8 inches) long and approximately 13.3 centimeters (5.25 inches) wide. The material is placed on an inclined surface of 30 degrees. Any fluid n transmitted in the material may be spilled and 2.54 cm (one inch) collected from the edge of the sample and measured.

An additional test used here to measure the fluid absorbency capabilities of a material determines the rate at which the sample of absorbent material can absorb a liquid by measuring the time it takes for a torque to fully absorb a specified volume of liquid. This test referred to here as the liquid absorption rate test, and measures the rate of liquid absorption of a material. As used herein, "liquid absorption rate" is the time required for a sample of absorbent material and to become completely wetted by the test liquid. In this test, 0.1 milliliter of test liquid, which is water, is poured from a pipette held at a 45 degree angle and adjacent to a 10.16 centimeter by 10.16 centimeter (4 inch by 4 inch) sample. The time for the drop to be completely absorbed is measured (as indicated by a visual lack of specular reflection of light). The results of the test are expressed in seconds. Three separate drops are measured in time in each sample.

A "re-moistening test" can also be used to indicate the absorbency of a material. This test is used to determine the amount of fluid forced back through the surface of a presaturated material when a specific load is applied to the material. The amount of fluid that flows back through the surface when the material is subject to a specific load is called the "re-wet" value. The more fluid that reaches the surface, the greater the value of "returning to moisten". The lower back wetness values are associated with a drier material. In this test, the sample is placed on a flat surface with the absorbent side facing up. For materials without film reinforcement, a baffle is placed below the sample being tested to prevent migration of fluid through the sample and onto the flat surface. The test block, which is placed on top of the sample, includes a slot. The sample is placed on the surface so that the long dimension of the sample is parallel to the long dimension of the groove. One milliliter of test fluid is placed in the sample through the slot and allowed to be absorbed into the material. The sample is then removed from the test blog. Pieces of blotting paper are heavy placed on top of the sample. A pressure of 1 pound per square inch is applied to the surface of the material, and is kept fixed for three minutes. After the pressure is removed, the blotting paper is heavy. The difference in weight e tree the weight of the original secant and the secant after the absorption test is the value of re-wetting reported here.

To compare the absorbency of the fabric of the present invention with the absorbency of the absorbent fabric, one can take the difference between the absorbency of the absorbent material and the absorbency of the medical fabric, and divide this difference by the absorbency of the absorbent material.

A test to determine the peel strength between laminated layers is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,997,981, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As described therein, a sample is tested to determine the amount of tension force (commonly referred to as "peel strength") that is required to pull apart the selected coupled layers of the sample. The peel resistance values are obtained using a specific sample width, an embraced jaw width, and a constant rate at which the hugging jaws are moved apart from each other. The sample size is 5.08 centimeters (2 inches) wide by 1.24 centimeters (6 inches) long. The layers attached to the sample are pulled apart, by hand, a sufficient amount to allow the layers to be burned in position. A pair of clamps are then coupled to the sample, each clamp is coupled to one of the layers that are being separated. Each clamp has a pair of jaws, and each jaw has a surface in contact with the sample. The samplers keep the sample in the same plane, usually the vertical plane. At the beginning of the test, the clamps are separated by 2.54 centimeters (one inch). The surface of the jaw is 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) at least 10.16 centimeters (4 inches), and the clamps are moved apart from each other at a constant rate of extension of 300 millimeters per minute. The clamps move apart at a specific rate to pull the layers apart. The sample is pulled apart so that the layers that are at an angle of about 180 degrees with respect to one another. The value of peel strength reported as the peak load, in grams, and is the maximum force required to completely separate the layers. A Sintech 2 Tester, available from the Sintech Corporation, 1001 Sheldon Dr., Cary, North Carolina 27513, the Instron Model TM, available from the Instron Corporation, 2500 Washington St. , Canton, Massachusetts 02021, or the Thwing-Albert model INTELLECT II available from the Thwing-Albert Instrument Co., 10960 Dutton Rd., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154, may be used for this test. The test can be carried out with the sample in the transverse direction (CD) or in the machine direction (MD).

The existing glazing materials described above and identified as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 materials were tested for slip resistance and absorbency. Table 1 reports average values of drying and static humidity and dynamic coefficients of friction for each type of material, as well as the liquid absorption rate of each type of material that used the tests described here. The coefficient of friction tests were carried out on the materials along the manufacturing direction or the machine direction ("MD") and the transverse direction ("CD"). Table 1 also lists the static dynamic values of the friction coefficients for these materials when both dry and wet conditions are tested. Three and six milliliters of water were applied to the molasses for the one tested in the wet condition in the manner previously described.

Table 1 As illustrated by the values reported in Table 1, the material in Type 1 showed the highest slip resistance of the tested samples.

Examples of improved slip-resistant and absorbent materials suitable for use in surgical casings or as a window-reinforcing material coupled to the casing were produced by applying a casting spray of a sticky-low adhesive on the Type 3 material. Table 2 lists several properties of four amorphous polyalphaolefins (APAOs). These adhesives were obtained from Hunstman Corporation, Houeton, Texas. As noted below, each polyalphaolefin amorphous (APAO) has a relatively low melt viscosity and a short "open time", whis defined here as the period of time that the hot melt adhesive retains most of its adhesive coupling capacity. The data listed in Table 2 are available from the manufacturer.

Table 2 Amorphous polyolefins (APAOs) listed in Table 2 were applied to Type 3 material and these samples were tested for various attributes. The results of those tests are reported here.

For some samples, the materials listed in Table 2 were applied to the bonded surface by spinning the Type 3 material using a casting spray technique using meltblowing processing equipment. The casting spray was in the form of filaments and / or small diameter microfibers, and were applied to the Type 3 material at 1 to 5 grams per square meter (gsm). The melting blower capillary has 30 holes per 2.54 centimeters (1 inch). The amorphous polyolefin APAO fused and the processing air temperatures were within the range of about 187.77-193.33 ° C (370-380 ° F). The amount of adhesive added to the Type 3 fabric was determined by adjusting the speed at whthe Type 3 material passed under the melting blower capillary and the amount of polymer exiting the melted blown capillary. In the examples listed in Table 3, the Type 3 material moved at a speed between 10 and 50 feet per minute (fpm).

Each value reported in Table 3 is the average of three measurements, each measurement was taken from a separate sample within the sample group. The water absorbency and COF friction coefficient values that are reported in Table 3 were measured using the test procedures described above. The standard deviation of the coefficient of friction values that is between about 5 to 8%.

Table 3 As shown in Table 3, samples 7 to 14 demonstrated an improved balance of absorbency characteristics of slip resistance and absorbency.

To further confirm the advantages obtained by applying hot melt adhesives of the types mentioned in Table 2 to the absorbent reinforcing materials, the degrees of amorphous polyalphaolefins APAO grades 2115 and 2215 were sprayed fused into the Type 3 fabric using a processing arrangement of blown with fusion. The samples listed in Table 4 were produced at melting adhesive temperatures in the range from about 187.77 ° C (370 ° F) to about 193.33 ° C (380 ° F) and air processing temperatures in the range from around 204.44 ° C (400 ° F) to around 232.22 ° C (450 ° F). The melting blower capillary has 10 holes per 2.54 centimeters (1 inch). The speed of the Type 3 material was in the range of about 25 feet per minute to about 50 feet per minute (fpm). The adhesives were applied to the samples to achieve an adhesive layer of at least about 4 grams.

The Type 3 fabric samples with the polymers 2115 and 2215 were tested with respect to the coefficient of friction values (15 and 17) and after (16 and 18) were assembled in the surgical covers as window reinforcement materials to ensure the retention of the desired attributes. Table 4 reports the average dynamic and coefficient coefficient of friction coefficient for these samples, and indicates that the COF values remain higher than the COF values of the Type 3 material without the slip resistant layer, even after assembly.

Table 4 Each value reported in Table 4 is the average of three measurements, each measurement being taken from a separate sample within the sample group.

The relative coverage of the co-melted spun fibers on the absorbent material and the fiber size was estimated from measurements made by melt spraying the same materials onto the transparent film sheets at the same processing conditions. The fibers on the transparent film sheets were stained with Os0 for over 48 hours so that the adhesive fibers absorbed the transmitted light. The measurements were obtained using the Quantimet 970 1A system. Using this tool, the area covered by the adhesive fibers, diameter and relative orientation can be estimated.

The relative coverage of the adhesion fibers fiber size were estimated for the adhesives listed in Table 5. The 19-24 molds were prepared by spraying the adhesive on the surface of transparent film material. The fibers were sprayed with melt on the transparent film material at 1 to grams per square meter (gsm). The co-melt blowing die had 30 holes per inch. The melted APAO and the process air temperatures were within the range of about 370-380 ° F. The amount of adhesive required for the transparent film material was determined by adjusting the speed at which the transparent film material passed under the meltblown matrix d and the amount of polymer leaving the meltblown matrix. In the examples listed in Table 5, the transparent film material was moved at a rate of between about 10 to 50 feet per minute (fpm).

Each value reported in Table 5 is the average of three measurements, each measurement being taken from a separate sample within the sample group.

Table 5 As shown by the data in Table 5, the percent covered area varied from about 70% to about 90%, even though other levels of coverage may be used in the present invention. Also as shown in Table 5, the average fiber diameter varied from about 9 to about 16 microns. Other fiber diameter levels may also be suitable for use with the present invention.

The samples listed in Table 6 were produced by the same process that produced the samples reported in Table 4. Each value reported in Table 6 is the average of three measurements, each measurement being taken from a separate specimen within the sample group .

Table 6 Table 7 reports values for COF, water absorbency and runoff for samples of a Type 3 material having 0 and 4 grams per square meter of various adhesives applied to the material. The process used was the same process used to prepare the samples reported in Tables 4 and 6. Water absorbency, COF and runoff tests were carried out as described above. The values of standard deviation for the coefficient of friction values reported in Table 7 are in the range of 5% to 8%. Each value reported in Table 7 is the average of three measurements each measurement being taken from a separate sample within the sample group.

Table 7 As shown by the data in Table 7, the sample demonstrated adequate slip resistance under wet and dry conditions. The modified absorbency tests were carried out on the samples listed in Table 8, the only modification to the test being the replacement of the synthetic blood with water. Absorbency was measured using the re-wetting test procedure and the absorbenci test procedures described above. The results were consistent with the results reported in the previous tables in which the absorbent properties of the Type 3 material are retained despite the addition of the slip resistant fibers to the Type 3 material. Each value reported in Table 8 in the average of three measurements, each measurement being taken from a sample within the sample group.

Table 8 A variety of processes can be used to apply these hot melt adhesives to the type 3 material to achieve the required slip resistance and absorbency.

The hot melt adhesive 2115 was applied to Type 3 material at speeds in the range of about 500 feet per minute using three types of hot melt spray nozzles available from ITW Dynatec (d Hendersonville, TN). Lae nozzle UFD 17-2 designated in Table 9 as a Type A nozzle, sprayed the hot melt adhesive onto fibers that had been deposited on the fabric as a relatively uniform dispersion. The Omega nozzles (8 HPI) designated in Table 9 as type B nozzles sprayed the adhesive on the fibers that were deposited in overlapping sinusoidal wave patterns. The nozzles were placed at 1125 inches out of the cloth, and the adhesive was applied to the fabric at a distance d about 22 inches before the fine processing step where the fabric is rolled onto a roll.

Each value reported in Tables 8 and 9 is the average of at least three measurements, each measurement being taken from a separate sample within the sample group. The values of standard deviation are 5-8% of values d coefficient of friction.

Table 9 The values for the coefficient of friction reported in Table 9 are greater than the coefficient of friction values for the Type 3 material without and adhesive, and still provide improved slip resistance. Even higher COF values can be achieved by further varying the processing conditions, as noted in Table 10.

The relative coverage and fiber size of the melted sprayed fibers applied to the Type 3 fabric at 50 feet per minute through hot spray nozzles were estimated from the measurements made using the fibers sprayed with melting at the same conditions on the fibers. sheets of paper. The fibers were stained and measured by previously described procedures. Table 10 lists the process conditions used to apply the R 2115 fibers sprayed to the paper and the corresponding measurements. The listed samples were produced adhesive melting temperatures in the range of about 360 ° F to about 380 ° F and at air processing temperatures in the range of about 400 ° F to about 450 ° F. The RT 2115 adhesive was added at 4 grams per square meter with a UFD 17-1 or type C nozzle design. The nozzles were placed 1,125 inches out from the paper by the adhesive application.

Table 10 Even though the coverage values listed above are lower than those reported for the adhesives applied through a meltblowing process, the coefficient of the friction values is even greater than the Type 3 fabric without adhesive.

Table 11 shows friction coefficient values for samples prepared using the same process as for the samples reported in Table 10 except that the slip resistant material was added to Type 3 material.

Table 11 It may be desirable in some cases to process the slip-resistant and absorbent material so that it can be wound into rolls shortly after the slip-resistant material is added to the absorbent material. Improper processing can cause the upper surface to be restrained from slipping to the lower surface after the fabric has been wound on the rolls. Higher base weight additions of the adhesive, eg, 12 grams per square meter, other processing conditions that affect the size of the fiber may result in inadequate solidification of the larger adhesive fibers prior to winding the tel the rolls. Inadequate solidification of the larger fibers of adhesive can cause a clamping between the layers of the absorbent and slip resistant material, even when it is possible to correct these issues by adjusting the processing. For example, providing an additional cooling time prior to winding may provide sufficient time for the larger fibers of adhesive to solidify sufficiently to provide undesired adhesion between the layers of the absorbent and slip resistant material.

To determine the level of clamping between the upper surface and the lower surface of the absorbent and slip-resistant material, the samples were subjected to the peel test in the manner previously described. The RT 2315 RT 2115 melt sprayed fibers were deposited onto the Type 3 fabric through hot melt spray nozzles UFD 17-1 at 4 grams per square meter at 500 feet per minute. The nozzles were placed at 1125 inches out of the fabric for the application of adhesive. Table 12 reports resistance values to the peeling in the direction of the machine determined by the test described there, for the spraying samples with fusion RT 2315 on the Type 3 fabric and placed against the bottom surface of a Type 3 fabric Each of the samples formed with RT 2115 did not show a measurable average or peak load indicating that the layers were separated without the application of a measurable force.

Table 12 Samples with RT 2315 applied to the surface resulted in measurable and undesirable peel strength. The use of a chill roll during cloth processing decreased the peel values. Other processing aids and adjustments can allow a wide variety of slip resistant surfaces to help minimize unwinding issues during cloth conversion.

Materials other than those listed in the tables above may also be used in the present invention. For example, any of a wide variety of adhesives, including those outlined above, can be applied to any of a number of absorbent materials, including multilayer laminates. For example, an adhesive can be applied to a perforated film that is attached or held by an absorbent material. The perforated film allows the fluid to pass through the film and even the absorbent materials placed under the film where it is retained. Such tel can also exhibit both sufficient absorbent anti-slip properties for use in surgical applications. Although the adhesives may be very suitable for this application, other materials may also be used which provide a slip resistance.

As used here, any given range is intended to include any and all minor ranges included. For example, a range of 45-90 will also include 50-90; 45-80; 46-89 and others.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, upon achieving an understanding of the foregoing that alterations and variations of the preferred embodiments can readily be conceived. Such alterations and variations are believed to fall within the scope and spirit of the invention and of the claim annexed.

Claims (35)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An absorbent and slip resistant material comprising: an absorbent nonwoven fabric having a first surface and a second surface; a hot melt adhesive layer applied to the first surface of the non-woven fabric to form a slip-resistant surface; Y a film bonded to the second nonwoven fabric surface; wherein the slip-resistant surface of the non-woven material has a friction coefficient of at least about 0.3, and the absorbent and slip-resistant material has an absorbency, as measured through the slip-resistant surface, of at least half the absorbency of the non-woven fabric.

2. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the coefficient of friction e of at least about 0.5.

3. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the coefficient of friction is at least about 0.6.

4. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent material and subject to rejection is at least 60% of the absorbency of the absorbent nonwoven fabric.

5. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip resistant material is at least 80% of the absorbency of the absorbent nonwoven fabric.

6. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip resistant material is at least 90 of the absorbency of the absorbent nonwoven fabric.

7. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the percentage of area of the first surface that is covered by the fibers is at least about 20%.

8. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the percentage of area of the first surface that is covered by the fibers is at least about 50%.

9. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the absorbent nonwoven fabric is a meltblown / spunbonded laminated nonwoven material.

10. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the adhesive is an amorphous polyalphaolefin.

11. An absorbent and slip resistant material comprising: an absorbent cloth having a surface; Y fibers applied to the surface of the fabric to form a slip-resistant surface; wherein the slip-resistant surface has a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.3 and the absorbent and slip-resistant material has an absorbency, as measured by d the surface reietente to deelization, of at least d half the absorbency of an absorbent non-woven fabric.

12. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the absorbent fabric is a non-woven fabric.

13. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the fibers are amorphous polyalphaolefin, natural rubber, synthetic rubber or flexible polyolefins. •

14. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the adhesive is an amorphous polyalphaolefin. H 15. The material as claimed in the

15 claw 11, characterized in that the coefficient of friction ee is at least about 0.4.

16. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the coefficient of friction ee 20 of at least about 0.6.

17. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip resistant material is at least 60% 25 of the absorbency of the absorbent non-woven fabric.

18. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip resistant material is at least 80 of the absorbency of the absorbent nonwoven fabric.

19. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip-resistant material is at least 90 of the absorbency of the absorbent non-woven fabric.

20. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the percentage of area of the surface that is covered by the fibers is at least about 20%.

21. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the percentage of area of the surface that is covered by the fibers is at least about 40%.

22. The material as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the percentage of area of the surface that is covered by the fibers is at least about 70%.

23. A medical fabric comprising: an absorbent fabric having a slip-resistant material applied to a surface of the absorbent fabric forming a slip-resistant surface, the medical fabric having an absorbency, as measured by the slip-resistant surface. d at least half the absorbency of the absorbent material, the slip resistant surface has a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.3.

24. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the coefficient of friction e of at least about 0.5.

? -S 25. The material as claimed in the 15 clause 23, characterized in that the coefficient of friction e of at least about 0.6.

26. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the absorbency of the material 20 absorbent and slip resistant is at least 60% of the absorbency of the absorbent non-woven fabric.

27. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the absorbency of the material Absorbent and slip-resistant is at least 80% of the absorbency of the absorbent non-woven fabric.

28. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the absorbency of the absorbent and resisting material to the deelization is at least 90% of the absorbency of the absorbent non-woven fabric.

29. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the absorbent fabric is a non-woven material. •

30. The material as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that the nonwoven material includes a meltblown layer and a spunbond layer.

^ -) 31. The material as claimed in the 15 clause 23, characterized in that the slip-resistant material is an amorphous polyalphaolefin.

32. The material as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the percentage of area of the 20 surface that is covered by slip resistant material is at least about 20%.

33. A surgical cover that includes the material as claimed in clause 23. 25

34. A surgical cover window material including the material as claimed in clause 23.

35. A method for forming an absorbent and slip resistant material that includes the steps of: providing an absorbent material having first and second surfaces; Y applying a melt spraying of fibers of a resistive material to the slide to the first surface of the absorbent material so that the absorbency of the absorbent and slip-resistant material is at least half the absorbency of the absorbent material; collecting the material so that the fibers of the slip-resisting material are adjacent to the second surface of the absorbent material, and peel away from the absorbent material without sticking to the adjacent material. SUMMARY A medical fabric having an absorbent fabric having a slip-resistant material applied to a surface of the absorbent fabric forming a slip-resistant surface. The medical fabric has an absorbency, as measured through the surface resisting the deelization, of at least half the absorbency of the absorbent material. The slip resistant surface has a coefficient of friction of at least about 0.3. oz / W