AU2016101608A4

AU2016101608A4 - Surgical Stockinette

Info

Publication number: AU2016101608A4
Application number: AU2016101608A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ben Chen; Alanna Leighton
Original assignee: Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Multigate Medical Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-13
Filing date: 2016-09-13
Publication date: 2016-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-13

Abstract

Abstract The invention concerns a stockinette suitable for use in surgery in which a limb is involved. The stockinette has a first covering for covering at 5 least part of the limb. The first covering is liquid-impervious, substantially tubular and has a closed end and an open end. The stockinette includes conforming means which are applicable externally of the first covering for causing the first covering to substantially conform to the limb in use. 5-'4 52.- o 24

Description

Surgical Stockinette

Technical Field

This invention is concerned with a stockinette useful as a type of drape for a limb during surgery. In particular, the stockinette of the invention can be useful in orthopaedic surgery, although the scope of the invention is not limited to this use.

Background of the Invention

During surgery, it is common practice to use draping to isolate the operative field on the patient, to reduce contamination and infection. One or more drapes may be used for this purpose.

When the operative field is on a limb, for example during joint replacement surgery or arthroscopy, proper preparation of the limb and its draping is important for maintaining sterility of the operative field.

For example, for knee replacement the relevant leg may be treated with antiseptic prior to covering of the leg with a sterile stockinette, leaving only the operative field exposed. The stockinette may be provided rolled up into a toroidal ring. To use, the rolled stockinette is placed on the foot of the patient and unrolled along the limb for the desired length.

Prior art stockinettes are usually made of cotton or similar absorbent material, often at least partially elasticised. Because such stockinettes can absorb body fluids, leading to contamination of the operative site, some stockinettes are provided in a form where a fluid-impervious layer surrounds the outside of the cotton, elasticised part of the stockinette.

While such a two-layer stockinette can overcome the contamination problem, the outer, fluid-impervious layer is not elastic and can be slippery. As a result, the two-layer stockinette of the prior art does not conform well to the limb. This can cause problems in handling the limb.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stockinette which, at least in some embodiments, is substantially conformable to the limb and which at the same time provides a liquid-impervious barrier.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a stockinette which at least in some embodiments, enhances handling of the limb before, during and after surgery.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stockinette which, at least in some embodiments, can be manufactured economically so as to be single-use.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a stockinette suitable for use in surgery, the stockinette including: - a first covering for at least part of a limb, the covering being liquid-impervious, substantially tubular and having a closed end and an open end; and - conforming means applicable externally of the first covering for causing the first covering to substantially conform to the limb.

The first covering is preferably made of a non-woven material, including laminate material. The material of the first covering may be any suitable liquid-impervious material, such as polyethylene film. Alternately, the first covering may be coated or treated so as to render it liquid-impervious, using a suitable coating, such as polyurethane.

The limb to be covered, partially or fully, may be a leg or an arm.

The first covering may be made substantially tubular in any suitable manner, including by heat-sealing. Similarly, the closed end may be closed in any suitable manner, including by heat-sealing.

In use, the first covering is preferably provided rolled into a toroidal ring and applied to the limb from the closed end. The first covering is then unrolled along the limb for the required length. At this stage, if the required length is short, some of the first covering may remain in a rolled configuration. If the required length is longer, the first covering may be totally, or almost totally, unrolled. Any excess length of the first covering may be turned outwardly to form a cuff.

In a preferred embodiment, there is a securing means located at or near the open end of the first covering, to assist the stockinette to remain in position on the limb. The preferred form of the securing means is a tape having a hook and loop closure, such as that sold under the trade mark Velcro. The tape may be attached to the first covering at or near the open end, or it may be provided separately.

The conforming means applicable externally of the first covering for causing the first covering to substantially conform to the limb is preferably in one of two forms.

The first form is that of a second covering which is substantially tubular and at least partially elasticized. In this embodiment, the second covering may be partially attached to the first covering - such as near or at the closed end of the first covering, or it may be completely separate. The second covering may be made from woven material, such as cotton or polyester. The second covering should be sufficiently elasticised to cause the first covering to substantially conform to the limb in use, after application of the second covering. The second covering may be made from the same material as prior art (non-impervious) stockinettes.

In the second form of the conforming means, one or more straps are used to cause the first covering to substantially conform to the limb in use. The or each strap is preferably wound about the first covering, along the desired length of the limb and secured by any suitable method. A preferred securing method uses a Velcro closure (hook and loop closure). It is especially preferred that one part of the hook and look closure is located on the first covering, with the second part on or near an end of the or each strap.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each strap is wound in a generally diagonal direction, from the closed end of the first covering, up to or near the desired end of the stockinette.

It is preferred that the stockinette of the invention is made in different sizes, for small, medium and large limbs, and in differing lengths, such as short and long. For example, a short stockinette may be used when the operative field is located on a foot, ankle, knee, hand, wrist or elbow, while a long stockinette may be used if the operative field is a hip or shoulder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1A is a side elevation of a first embodiment of the invention, mounted on a limb being a lower leg;

Figure IB shows a detail of the circled area marked IB in Figure 1A;

Figure 2A is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention, mounted on a limb being a lower leg;

Figure 2B shows a detail of the circled area marked 2B in Figure 2A;

Figures 3 to 8 show in sequence application of the first embodiment of the invention to the lower leg of a patient; and

Figures 9 to 14 show in sequence application of the second embodiment of the invention to the lower leg of a patient.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Referring first to Figure 1A, stockinette 10 has a first covering 12 made of a non-woven plastic laminate which is liquid-impervious. In this embodiment, the laminate is made of three layers - spunbond, meltblown and spunbond (SMS), known in the art. First covering 12 is substantially tubular. It has a closed end indicated at 14 and an open end indicated at 16. Closed end 14 is not visible in Figure 1A, but resembles in shape the closed end 22 of second covering 20.

Second covering 20 is substantially tubular and is made from woven cotton or polyester, preferably containing elastin and hence elasticised so that, when in position as shown in Figure 1A, second covering 20 causes first covering 12 to substantially conform to the patient's lower leg. This is demonstrated in detail in Figures 3 to 8, described below. In this embodiment, second covering 20 is optionally joined to first covering 12 at the toe.

Once first covering 12 is unrolled to the desired length - in this embodiment, to closely beneath the patient's knee, tape 24 is positioned around open end 16 and secured by Velcro closure 26.

Second covering 20 is unrolled over first covering 12 until a position just below tape 24 is reached. Any excess of second cover 20 is turned outwardly to form cuff 28.

Second covering 20 may be elasticised for girth or length or for both. If second covering 20 is elasticized for length, it may be stretched lengthwise while being applied to the patient's lower limb, to enhance the ability of second covering 20 to cause first covering 12 to conform to the lower leg.

Turning now to Figures 3 to 8, these show in sequence the application of stockinette 10 to the lower leg of a patient, prior to surgery.

In Figure 3, stockinette 10 is shown with first covering 12 partially unrolled from its original toroidal position, ready to be placed around the foot of the patient and further unrolled in the direction of arrow 30.

Figure 4 shows further unrolling of first covering 12, towards the desired line 32 below the patient's knee 34 of leg 36. Second covering 20 remains in the same position as in Figure 3.

In Figure 5, first covering 12 has been unrolled to the desired extent to line 32. Tape 24 is placed along open end 16 (which is underneath tape 24, so not visible) and is being looped around leg 36 in the direction of arrow 38. Once the loop is complete, end 40 of tape 24 is fastened to Velcro patch 26 by a complementary patch (not shown) on end 40. Second covering 20 remains in the same position as in Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows first covering 12 when held in place by tape 24. As may be seen, first covering 12 is loose around the lower part of leg 36 and does not substantially conform to it. Second covering 20 has now been partially unrolled compared to Figures 3 to 5.

In Figure 7, second covering 20 is in the process of being unrolled further in the direction of arrow 44. Because second covering 20 is elasticised, as it is unrolled onto leg 36 second covering compresses first covering 12 to cause first covering 12 to more closely conform to leg 36.

In Figure 8, second covering 20 has been completely unrolled to a position where its open end 46 has been turned outwardly to form narrow cuff 28, close to tape 24.

The surgery in this embodiment is an arthroscopy involving the knee. As Figure 8 shows, stockinette 10 is held in place on leg 36 by second covering 20, augmented by tape 24. First covering 12 provides a fluid barrier. Second covering 20 improves handling of the lower part of leg 36 because of traction provided by the woven cotton or polyester material. This contrasts with prior art use of an outer impervious covering, which can be slippery to handle as well as being loose around the leg.

Referring now to the second embodiment, shown in Figures 2A and 2B, stockinette 50 has a first covering 12 made of a liquid-impervious non-woven plastic laminate, as for the first embodiment. First covering 12 is substantially tubular. It has a closed end 14 and an open end indicated at 16.

When in position as shown in Figure 2A, strap 52 causes first covering 12 to substantially conform to the patient's lower leg. This is demonstrated in detail in Figures 9 to 14, described below.

Strap 52 is wound about the lower part of leg 36, over first covering 12, and secured by attaching end 54 of strap 52 to Velcro patch 56. Any excess of strap 52 may be cut off provided attachment to Velcro patch 56 is not affected.

Strap 52 is preferably made of pliable but inelastic material, to assist the ability of strap 52 to cause first covering 12 to conform to the lower leg.

Turning now to Figures 9 to 14, these show in sequence the application of stockinette 50 to the lower leg of a patient, prior to surgery.

In Figure 9, stockinette 50 is shown with first covering 12 partially unrolled from its original toroidal position, ready to be placed around the foot of the patient and further unrolled in the direction of arrow 30. Strap 52 is coiled ready for use.

Figure 10 shows further unrolling of first covering 12, towards the desired line 32 below the patient's knee 34 of leg 36. Strap 52 remains in the same position as in Figure 9.

In Figure 11, first covering 12 has been unrolled to the desired extent to line 32. Tape 24 is placed along open end 16 (which is underneath tape 24, so not visible) and is being looped around leg 36 in the direction of arrow 38. Once the loop is complete, end 40 of tape 24 is fastened to Velcro patch 42 by a complementary patch (not shown) on end 40. Strap 52 remains in the same position as in Figure 9.

Figure 12 shows the first covering 12 when held in place by tape 24. As may be seen, first covering 12 is loose around the lower part of leg 36 and does not substantially conform to it. Strap 52 has now been partially unrolled and wrapped about part of first covering 12, compared to Figures 9 to 11.

In Figure 13, strap 52 is in the process of being unrolled further and wrapped around first covering 12. As it is wound around first covering 12 and leg 36, strap 52 compresses first covering 12 to cause first covering 12 to more closely conform to leg 36.

In Figure 14, strap 52 has been completely wound around leg 36. Its free end has been attached to Velcro patch 56, positioned close to tape 24.

As Figure 14 shows, stockinette 50 is held in place on leg 36 by strap 52, augmented by tape 24. First covering 12 provides a fluid barrier. Strap 52 causes first covering 12 to more closely conform to leg 36: compare the configuration of first covering 12 in Figure 11 to that in Figure 14. The closer conformation facilitates handling of the lower part of leg 36 during surgery.

The stockinette of the invention may be made of inexpensive material and is suitably disposable after a single use.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the embodiments described are not limiting on the scope of the invention and that modifications and variations may be made within the spirit of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

The stockinette of the present invention has many advantages. It can provide a low-cost and effective drape for use in surgery involving a limb, with the ability to enhance handling of the limb while maintaining a barrier against contamination.

Claims

Claims

1. A stockinette suitable for use in surgery, the stockinette including: - a first covering for at least part of a limb, the covering being liquid-impervious, substantially tubular and having a closed end and an open end; and - conforming means applicable externally of the first covering for causing the first covering to substantially conform to the limb in use.
2. The stockinette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conforming means is a second covering which is substantially tubular and at least partially elasticized.
3. The stockinette as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conforming means is one or more straps for causing the first covering to substantially conform to the limb in use.
4. The stockinette as claimed in claim 3, wherein an end of the or each strap is securable to the first covering.
5. The stockinette as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stockinette at or near the open end of the first covering is securable to the limb by a tape having a hook and loop closure.