US3916887A

US3916887A - Surgical drape with adhesive on top and bottom

Info

Publication number: US3916887A
Application number: US522560A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Kelly
Original assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Current assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Priority date: 1974-11-11
Filing date: 1974-11-11
Publication date: 1975-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-04
Also published as: NO753615L; NZ179090A; JPS5936311U; NL7512871A; NO136875C; AU8626975A; DE2548858A1; JPS5170987A; ATA834075A; JPS6034249Y2; FI59921B; SE406703B; ES229802U; NO136875B; AT352254B; FR2290178A1; BR7507267A; ES229802Y; FI59921C; BE835178A

Abstract

A surgical drape of the invention has a main sheet having a pressure sensitive adhesive on its top and bottom surfaces. The adhesive on the bottom surface extends over at least the major portion of that surface and serves to secure the drape to a patient, thereby providing a sterile surgical field and preventing migration of bacteria to or from an incision site along a path between the drape and the skin of the patient. The adhesive on the top surface of the drape extends over a limited area of that surface convenient to the incision site and serves as an anchoring means to which additional surgical drapes, towels, and the like may be secured. The exposed faces of the pressure sensitive adhesive on the bottom and top surfaces of the drape are covered with nonadhesive, removably adhered protective covering sheets to facilitate packaging and handling prior to use of the drape on a patient. These protective covering sheets are commonly referred to as ''''release sheets.

Description

United States Patent Kelly Nov. 4, 1975 SURGICAL DRAPE WITH ADHESIVE ON Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp TOP AND BOTTOM [75] Inventor: Robert E. Kelly, Seabright, NJ. ABSTRACT [73] 'A i J h & J h N A surgical drape of the invention has a main sheet B i k; NJ. having a pressure sensitive adhesive on its top and bottorn surfaces. The adhesive on the bottom surface ex- [22] Flled: 1974 tends over at least the major portion of that surface [21] A N 522,560 and serves to secure the drape to a patient, thereby providing a sterile surgical field and preventing migration of bacteria to or from an incision site along a path [52] US. Cl.2 128/132 D between the drape and the skin of the patient The [51] I111. Cl. A61F 13/00 hesive on the top surface of the drape extends over a [58] F'eld of Search 128/132 303 limited area of that surface convenient to the incision 128/132 R site and serves as an anchoring means to which additional sur 'cal dra es, towels, and the like may be se- [56] References Cited cured. Thi expose cl faces of the pressure sensitive ad- UNITED STATES PATENTS hesive on the bottom and top surfaces of the drape are 3,260,260 7/1966 Questel 128/132 1) covered with nonadhesive, removably adhered P 3,349,765 10/1967 Blanford.... 128/132 D tive covering sheets to facilitate packaging and han- 3,5()3,391 3/1970 Melges 128/132 D dling prior to use of the drape on a patient. These pro- 3,669,l06 6/1972 Schrading et al. 128/132 D tective covering heets are commonly referred to as 3,738,359 6/1973 Lindquist et al 128/132 D release Sheets], 3,871,369 3/1975 Krzewinski 128/132 D 18 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of4 3,916,887

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 llll U.S. Patent Nov. 4., 1975 Sheet4 0f4 3,916,887

III

SURGICAL DRAPE WITH ADHESIVE ON TOP AND BOTTOM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with covering members, drapes, sheets, towels and the like for use in surgical, obstetrical or similar procedures. More specifically, this invention is related to surgical drapes which are adhesively held in place on a patient undergoing surgery to provide a sterile field in which a surgeon can operate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It is well known that the surgical field, viz., the general area of the body in which, or on which, a surgical procedure is to be performed, must be maintained in as completely a sterile condition as possible. It is also known that blood and other body fluids which may be released as a result of an operation should preferably be prevented from contacting not only other parts of the patients body but also the clothes and body of the various medical personnel present in the operating room. Likewise, it is important, in order to preclude the possibility of bacteria originating from a non-patient source from reaching the patient, that the patients skin be isolated from contact with the various medical personnel and/or the clothing which they wear during the course of an operation.

In order to achieve these ends, the prior art has pro vided surgical drapes, commonly referred to as incise drapes, which may be adhesively secured to the patient after he has been prepped for the surgical procedure. Incise drapes have a main sheet which preferably comprises a thin transparent plastic film which is readily conformable to the contours of the patients body and through which the surgeon can readily view the surgical field.

In one method of applying an incise drape, a sterile adhesive is sprayed onto the skin of the patient after the skin has been treated in the usual way with an antiseptic, and the incise drape is then adhered to the patients skin to provide a sterile surgical field. In another method, the drape itself carries an adhesive which has a release sheet thereover. After the antiseptic has been applied to the patients skin, the release sheet is removed from the adhesive, and the drape is adhered to the patient to provide the sterile surgical field.

The surgical drape forms a barrier that substantially prevents the passage through the drape of bacteria and various liquids such as water, blood and other body fluids. As is known, incise drapes are constructed of materials that can be readily sterilized. Sterilization of the drape can be effected in the hospital or, alternatively, by the manufacturer after the drape has been suitably packaged.

Frequently an incise drape, after being adhered to the patient to isolate the surgical field, is covered with a larger, fenestrated surgical drape which covers the patient and falls over the sides of the operating table. This latter drape is arranged so that its fenestration overlies the site of the operation. The surgeon then operates through the fenestration, making the required incisions directly through the underlying, adhesively secured incise drape. In some cases the surgeon chooses not to use the larger, fenestrated drape. In such a case the incision is made directly through the incise drape, after which the site of the operation is squared of i.e., surrounded by towels, to confine and/or absorb blood and other body fluids which may be released during the operation. The difficulty with these procedures is that the fenestrated drape or the towels can quite easily slip and slide from the surface of the incise drape.

When a fenestrated drape, towel, or the like slips, portions thereof become either contaminated or, under present medical practice, are deemed to have been contaminated. It then may be necessary to interrupt the surgical procedure while the patient is repraped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a new and improved surgical drape or covering means comprising a main sheet having a pressure sensitvie adhesive covering the major central portion of the bottom surface of the drape for adhesively securing the drape to a patient prepared for surgery, and a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least one limited region of the top surface convenient to the incision site, preferably adjacent to the operative region, to which operating room articles such as fenestrated surgical drapes, towels, etc. may be attached. The pressure sensitive adhesives on the surgical drape are protected prior to use by removably adhered release sheets which are at least coextensive with the adhesive areas.

The adhesively secured surgical drape of this invention solves a major problem of the prior art by providing means for firmly anchoring surgical drapes, towels, and the like in their desired positions on top of the drape, thus preventing such items from accidentally slipping and/or sliding from their desired position.

The main sheet of the drape of my invention is of drapable material, preferably transparent plastic material which is capable of conforming to the, contours of the body. It may also be of woven materials such as linen or cotton, or nonwoven materials such as nonwoven fabrics and paper. When such woven or nonwoven materials are employed, they should be treated, by methods well known in the art, to prevent the passage therethrough of liquids such as water, blood and the like. The size, number and positioning of the adhesive strips on the top of the drape will depend, among other factors, on the kind of operation to be performed and on the number, size, and weight of the articles to be secured to the top surface of the drape.

In its broadest aspects the present invention provides a surgical drape comprising a drapable main sheet that has at least one strip of pressure sensitive adhesive on its top surface. These surgical drapes may assume various dimensions and shapes depending on the operation to be performed, the size of the patient undergoing the operation, etc.

Generally, such drapes are square or rectangular in shape, but whatever the shape or dimensions, the drape has a portion, hereinafter referred to as the operative region (OR), in which and through which the surgical operation is actually performed. Since a drape of this kind is ordinarily and most conveniently placed symmetrically over the patient with respect to the incision site, the operative region is preferably located centrally of the drape. In any event, it will be understood that, for maximum convenience and utility, the adhesive on the upper surface should be placed adjacent the operative region of the drape in a position where it will not interfere with the operation and yet will be available to secure other drapes, surgical towels and the like in their desired positions.

In one embodiment of the invention the drape has two strips of adhesive on its upper surface. These adhesive strips may be located in any manner with respect to each other. Preferably, however, they are placed parallel to one another and are spaced apart so as to lie on opposite sides of the operative region of the drape. The adhesive strips may be in any position on the drape .but are preferably placed parallel to either the ends or the sides of the drape, and, of course, they are covered with removable release sheets.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the surgical drape is of a generally rectangular form and has two strips of adhesive in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship on its upper surface. The strips are parallel to the sides of the drape and extend from one end of the drape to the other. The operative region of the drape lies between the spaced apart strips of adhesive and, again, theseadhesive strips are covered with removable release sheets. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, as in all other embodiments described herein and which fall within the purview of the claimed invention,, on removal of the release sheets, pressure sensitive adhesive anchoring means are exposed to which operating room articles may readily be attached and thus made readily available to the surgeon and his attendants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the surgical drape of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged broken cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged broken cross-sectional view, taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of a corner portion of the surgical drape of FIGS. 1-3 and showing the main sheet of the drape and its protective layer being separated from one another;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the srugical drape of the present invention, with certain portions broken away and with other portions folded back;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged broken cross-sectional view taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of a corner portion of the surgical drape of FIGS. 5 and 6 and showing the main sheet of the drape and its protective layer being separated one from another;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of a corner portion of a surgical drape having control tabs on the upper surface of its main sheet;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view ofa third embodiment of the surgical drape of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged broken cross-sectional view taken along lines l10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view with portions turned back, of a fourth embodiment of the surgical drape of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the drape of FIG. 12;

and

FIG. '14 is a cross-sectional view taken along-lines l4l4 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION While the invention will be described in connection with its preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is illustrated an incise drape in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Incise drape 10 comprises a generally rectangularly shaped main sheet 12 having a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, generally parallel side edge 18 and 18', and generally parallel end edges 20, 20 disposed generally perpendicularly with resepect to side edges 18 and 18'. A major central portion of the bottom surface of the main sheet is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 22 which extends from end edge 20 to end edge 20 (FIG. 3) and which terminates inwardly of side edges l8, 18' (FIG. 2). The opposite edges of the adhesive are parallel with one another and parallel with and spaced generally equally fromthe ad- .jacent side edges of the main sheet. Thus,

marginal portions

19,19 are provided at opposite sides of the main sheet which are left free of adhesive.

Adhesive 22 carries a removably adhered protective covering 26 whichis coextensive and coterminous with main sheet 12. Since marginal portions 19, 19' are free of adhesive, non-adhesive gripping portions are provided at oppostie sides of the drape which facilitate removal of protective covering 26 from pressure sensitive adhesive 22. When the protective covering is removed, the drape is applied to the body of the patient so that the operative region (OR in FIG. 1) of the drape overlies the incision site.

Top surface 14 of main sheet 12 carries a limited area (as compared to the area of sheet 12 or adhesive 22) of pressure sensitive adhesive 30 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a narrow rectangular strip having a length several times its width. This strip of adhesive lies parallel to the side edges of the drape and is positioned just outwardly of operative region OR. Adhesive area 30 is preferably centered between end edges 20 and 20 and extends from about one-sixteenth to about one-half of the length of the main sheet. When .the drape is secured to the patient by means of adhesive 22 so that operative region OR overlies the body area to be incised, adhesive area 30 lies immediately adjacent theincision site where it is readily and conveniently available to firmly anchor an article, for example, a surgical towel, in a desired position on the upper surface of the drape.

Adhesive area 30 is covered with a release covering 32 which extends beyond a side edge of the adhesive strip to provide tab 32a. This tab may be readily grasped to facilitate removal of the release covering from the adhesive strip. Alternatively, release member 32 may have the same width as adhesive area 30 but be longer in length to provide a gripping tab at one or both ends, thereof. In use, it should be understood that release-member 32 need not be removed in its entirety if itis desired to attach a relatively small article to the drape.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the main sheet is of a thin transparent film of polyethylene. As indicated earlier the transparency of main sheet 12 makes it possible for the surgeon to readily inspect the entire surgical field. It is also preferred that the main sheet have a non-glare surface; this can be accomplished by extruding on a matte finished chill roll or by extruding onto silicone resin treated paper. It will be understood that flexible films of other synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, copolymers of ethylene with vinyl acetate, copolymers of ethylene with acrylate esters such as methyl or ethyl acrylate, and the like, may be used in place of polyethylene. If a plastic film is used for the main sheet, it should be from about 1 mil to about 5 mils in thickness, and preferably, from about 1.5 mils to 3.0 mils. Where the thickness is less than 1.5 mils, the film may contain pin holes formed during manufacture, and if the thickness exceeds about 5 mils, flexibility of the sheet may be reduced. The plastic film may include antioxidants, antistatic agents, and plasticizers, in conventional amounts, if so desired, as long as these are stable to sterilization and do not present a hazard to the patient.

Woven fabrics such as cotton or linen, nonwoven fabrics, and even paper, may also be used for the main sheet, provided the same are substantially impervious to the passage of liquid or are treated, e.g., with a suitable water repellent, such as a silicone or fluorocarbon resin, to provide this property.

Any of the well known normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesives are suitable for

adhesive layers

22 and 30. As used herein, the term pressure sensitive adhesive refers to an adhesive which is characterized by a property which permits it to adhere on contact with an adhesive receptive surface (in this case, the patients skin). Once such an adhesive contacts an adhesive receptive surface, it can no longer be moved about without first being stripped from the surface. The pressure sensitive adhesives must be non-irritating and otherwise safe for contact with the skin and capable of being sterilized by the usual steam, gas or radiation sterilization methods without deleterious effect on their adhesive characteristics. The specific types of adhesives which may be used are well known and do not form part of this invention. It will be understood that differing pressure sensitive adhesives may be used for

adhesive layers

22 and 30, if so desired.

Adhesive area 30 is protected prior to use of the drape by protective covering 32, and adhesive layer 22 is protected by protective covering 26. These protective coverings are releasable from the pressure sensitive adhesive which they protect and may comprise, e.g., waxed paper, glassine, or paper treated with a silicone release resin. Any protective covering which can be removably adhered to the adhesive to protect it from dust and premature contact with other surfaces and yet be easily removed from the underlying adhesive at the proper time is suitable.

Although, as has been illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, protective covering 32 preferably extends beyond adhesive strip 30 to provide grasping tabs 32a, the protective covering may be coextensive with the adhesive which it covers.

FIG. 4 illustrates how protective layer 26 is separated from the pressure sensitive adhesive on the bottom surface 16 of the main sheet of the drape prior to use. The main sheet is grasped with one hand at the adhesive free side edge of the drape. Simultaneously, release sheet 26 is grasped with the other hand. The release tions of the drape.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a second embodiment of an incise drape in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Drape 40 comprises a generally rectangular main sheet 42 having a top surface 44, a bottom surface 46, generally parallel side edges 48 and 48, and generally parallel end edges 50 and 50 disposed generally perpendicularly to side edges 48 and 48. Bottom surface 46 of the base layer is entirely coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 52. Release cover 56, which is coextensive with main sheet 42, is placed over pressure sensitive adhesive 52 on the bottom of the drape.

Control tabs

54, 54 comprising Mylar polyester strips one-half inch in width are adhered to pressure sensitive adhesive 52 on the bottom of main sheet 42 adjacent side edges 48,48, respectively. The control tabs, which extend lengthwise of the drape from end to end, render those portions of pressure sensitive adhesive 52 to which they are adhered ineffective, so that main sheet 42 does not adhere to protective covering 56 along the sides of the drape. Since, as can be seen in FIG. 6, protective covering 56 does not adhere to pressure sensitive adhesive 52 along the sides of the drape, it is easy for the surgeon, or an assistant, to separate the protective covering from the bottom of the drape prior to placing the drape on the patient.

Adhered to top surface 44 of main sheet 42 are two strips of pressure sensitive adhesive 60, 60' of equal length and width which are covered by removably adhered protective coverings 62, 62'. As seen in FIG. 6, these protective coverings are extended beyond the side edges of the pressure sensitive adhesive strips which they cover to provide tabs 62a, 62'a which may be readily grasped to facilitate removal of the release coverings from the adhesive strips. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, drape 40 measures 30 inches between its sides and 24 inches between its ends. Adhesive strips 60, 60' are 2 inches long, h inches wide, and are placed parallel to each other and to the sides of the drape. Strips 60, 60' are separated from each other by 8% inches (center-to-center basis) and define an operative region OR measuring 2 inches by 8 inches, within which the surgeon will make his in cision and perform the surgical procedure. The above dimensions are given by way of specific example and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the present invention. It will be apparent, for example, that the distance between strips 60 and 60' may be varied to suit different purposes. Generally speaking, the distance between the strips should not be less than about 2 inches, and is preferably from about 6 inches to about 10 inches.

Although, as has been illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, release coverings 62 and 62' preferably extend beyond

adhesive strips

60 and 60 to provide grasping

tabs

62a and 62a, it is sufficient if the release coverings are coextensive with the adhesive which they cover.

Referring to Fig. 7, which shows, in enlarged cross section, the lower right hand portion of drape 40 being grasped, it will be seen how the release covering on the bottom of the drape is removed prior to applying it to the patient. Release covering 56 does not adhere to pressure sensitive adhesive 52 on the bottom surface of the main sheet due to the presence, at the side of the drape, of control tab 54. Thus, a person may easily grasp the main sheet, including the control tab adhered thereto by adhesive 52, between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, and grasp the release sheet with his other hand. The release sheet may then be peeled from the pressure sensitive adhesive by moving the hands in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7. If desired, the opposite side of the drape may be handled in similar fashion by a second person cooperating with the first. Thus, it is seen that the control tabs facilitate application of the drape to the patient and, once the drape is adhesively secured to the patient, they function to prevent the side of the drape from curling. When the operation has been completed, the control tabs facilitate removal of the drape from the patient.

As another example of an alternative construction using control tabs, reference is made to FIG. 8. In this embodiment, there is no pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal portions of the bottom surface 46 of main sheet 42, and control tab 54 is adhered by any suitable adhesive means (not illustrated) to the upper surface of main sheet 42.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9-11, there is illustrated a drape 70 comprising a main sheet 72 having a top surface 74, a bottom surface 76, side edges 78, 78 and end edges 80, 80'. Main sheet 72 comprises a 2 mil thick sheet of clear polyvinyl chloride measuring 30 inches along its side edges and 24 inches along its end edges. Bottom surface 76 of main sheet 72 is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 82 over a major central portion thereof. Main sheet 72 has marginal portions 79, 79', extending inwardly of the drape from side edges 78, 78'. These marginal portions are 3% inches wide and are left free of adhesive.

. Release covering 86 protects pressure sensitive adhesive 82 on the bottom of the drape and is coextensive with the main sheet. Upper surface 74 of the main sheet has strips 90, 90' of pressure sensitive adhesive which are one-half inch in width and which are separated by 6 inches (center to center). The adhesive strips are parallel to each other and to the sides of the drape, and extend from one end to the other. The adhesive strips are protected prior to use by release coverings 92, 92' respectively.

Control tabs

94, 94 are provided on the upper surface of the main sheet. These control tabs, which comprise polyethylene terephthalate strips mils thick, inches wide, and 30 inches long, are adhesively secured to main sheet 72 adjacent side edges 78, 78', respectively. In addition to facilitating removal of release covering 86 and application of the drape to the patient, the control tabs reinforce the drape at its sides and prevent curling of the drape during use.

Any of the materials described earlier herein may be used for the main sheet, pressure sensitive adhesive, release coverings and control tabs comprising the incise drape described in FIGS. 9-11. After release covering 86 is removed, drape 70 may be placed over the patient so that its sides 78, 78' and its

adhesive strips

90, 90

run parallel with the sides of the patients body. The drape is adhesively secured to the patient by means of adhesive 82 so that the incision site will lie within operative region OR defined by adhesive strips 90,

Turning now to FIGS. 12-14, there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of a surgical drape in accordance with this invention. Drape comprises a generally rectangular main sheet 112 having a top surface 114, a bottom surface 116, opposed side edges 118, 118', and opposed end edges 120, 120. A major central portion of the bottom surface of the main sheet is coated with a normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive 122 which terminates inwardly of both the side edges and the end edges of the main sheet. Thus, marginal portions at the ends and sides of the main sheet are left free of adhesive.

Adhesive 122 is protected with a removably adhered release sheet 126 which is generally coextensive with the main sheet. Since the entire marginal portion of the bottom surface of the main sheet is free from adhesive, non-adhesive gripping portions are provided at both ends and both sides of the drape. Thus, the separation of the release sheet from the under side of the drape may be conveniently initiated at any point along the perimeter of the drape.

The marginal portions of the top surface of the main sheet are coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive 130 which, in the embodiment under discussion, extends inwardly from the edges of the main sheet. Thus the upper surface of the main sheet carries a border of adhesive which is available, when the drape is in use, to secure various operating room articles to the upper surface of the main sheet. The border of adhesive is conveniently about one inch in width, but this dimension can be varied if so desired.

The border of pressure sensitive adhesive is protected, prior to use, by a release sheet 132 in the form of a flat type gasket. This release sheet must be wide enough to cover the adhesive prior to use, but optionally may be extended beyond an edge of the adhesive to provide a gripping tab to facilitate its removal.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that innumerable variations and modifications can be made in the foregoing embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The overall size of the incise drape may be varied to a considerable extent depending, for example, on the size of the patient and the operation to be performed. Typically, rectangular drapes may be provided in sizes of 24 inches X 30 inches, 18 inches X 20 inches, and 10 inches X 10 inches but these measurements are illustrative only. Other drapes, in varying sizes and shapes, may be made to suit special purposes. The number, width, and length of the adhesive strips on the top surface of the drape may be varied to suit particular purposes. The control tabs may be made of any suitable material that is capable of being secured, e.g., with an adhesive or by heat scaling, to the main sheet and which, by virtue of its particular physical characteristics or its thickness, serves to reinforce the edges of the main sheet. It is evident that a single control tab at any edge of the drape would facilitate handling during removal of the bottom release covering; however, it is preferred that two control tabs, one placed at each of two opposed edges, be used since this construction facilitates application of the drape to the patient and more effectively prevents curling of the drape during use.

The drapes of the present invention may be rolled into cylindrical or similar form or may be folded in the shape of a flattened cylinder as shown in FIG. 12. However folded, the drapes are inserted into packages which are designed to maintain sterility of the drape once it has been sterilized and to provide for removal of the drape from the package without destroying asepsis. The folded drape may be sterilized by techniques such as those, e.g., which employ gas, steam, or radiation. The details of the above mentioned folding, sterilizing, and packaging methods are well known to those skilled in the art.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated as incise drapes in which the main sheet comprises a plastic film, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive concept could as well be applied to other items, such as surgical towels and utility drapes, commonly used in hospitals. In accordance with the invention, for example, one could provide a utility drape, the main sheet thereof comprising a nonwoven fabric. The adhesive on the lower surface of such a utility drape would be used to secure the drape to an underlying surface, with the adhesive on the upper surface then being available to secure other items to the upper surface of the utility drape itself,

What is claimed is:

l. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a mainsheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, siad main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing said main sheet to the body of a patient; normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means carried on the top surface of said main sheet in a limited area, said limited area of adhesive means providing anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.

2. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a main sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; said main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing the main sheet to the body of a patient; a release sheet at least coextensive with said major portion of adhesive and removably adhered thereto; normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means carried on the top surface of said sheet in a limited area, said limited area of adhesive means being located so as to be convenient to an incision site when the drape is secured to a'patient; and a release sheet at least coextensive with said limited area and removably adhered thereto, said limited area of adhesive providing a normally protected, yet readily exposable anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.

3. A surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein said adhesive on said top surface is applied in the form of a border lying adjacent the edges of the main sheet.

4. A surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein said release sheet on the adhesive means on the top surface of the main sheet extends beyond an edge of the adhesive means to form a gripping portion whereby removal of said release sheet from the adhesive is facilitated.

5. A surgical drape according to claim 4 wherein the release sheet on the adhesive means on the bottom surface of the main sheet extends beyond an edge of the adhesive means to form a gripping portion whereby removal of said release sheet from the adhesive is facilitated.

6. A surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein said main sheet comprises a nonwoven fabric.

7. A surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein said main sheet comprises a thin plastic film.

8. A surgical drape according to claim 7 wherein said film comprises polyvinyl chloride.

9. A surgical drape according to claim 7 wherein said film comprises acopolymer of ethylene and an acrylate ester.

10. A surgical drape according to claim 7 wherein said film comprises polyethylene.

11. A surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein opposed marginal edge portions on the bottom surface of said main sheet are free of adhesive.

12. A surgical drape according to claim 11 wherein control tabs are adhered to the main sheet adjacent its side edges.

13. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a main sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; said main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing the main sheet to the body of a patient; a release sheet at least coextensive with said major portion of adhesive and removablyadhered thereto; said main sheet carrying two strips of normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on its top surface; each of said strips of adhesive means having a release sheet at least coextensive therewith and removably adhered thereto; said strips of adhesive means providing a normally protected, yet readily exposable anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.

14. A surgical drape according to claim 13 wherein said two strips of adhesive means are in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship.

15. A surgical drape according to claim 13 wherein said two strips of adhesive means extend from one end of the drape to the other.

16. A surgical drape according to claim 15 wherein said main sheet comprises a thin plastic film and each removably adhered release sheet extends beyond an edge of the strip of adhesive means which it covers to provide a gripping portion whereby removal of said release sheet is facilitated.

17. A surgical drape according to claim 16 wherein control tabs are adhered to the top surface of said main sheet adjacent its side edges.

18. A surgical drape according to claim 17 treated to render it sterile and individually packaged in said sterile condition.

Claims

1. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a main sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, siad main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing said main sheet to the body of a patient; normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means carried on the top surface of said main sheet in a limited area, said limited area of adhesive means providing anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.

2. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a main sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; said main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing the main sheet to the body of a patient; a release sheet at least coextensive with said major portion of adhesive and removably adhered thereto; normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means carried on the top surface of said sheet in a limited area, said limited area of adhesive means being located so as to be convenient to an incision site when thE drape is secured to a patient; and a release sheet at least coextensive with said limited area and removably adhered thereto, said limited area of adhesive providing a normally protected, yet readily exposable anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.

9. A surgical drape according to claim 7 wherein said film comprises a copolymer of ehtylene and an acrylate ester.

13. A surgical drape adapted to be placed on the body of a patient comprising: a main sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; said main sheet carrying normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on a major portion of its bottom surface for securing the main sheet to the body of a patient; a release sheet at least coextensive with said major portion of adhesive and removably adhered thereto; said main sheet carrying two strips of normally tacky and pressure sensitive adhesive means on its top surface; each of said strips of adhesive means having a release sheet at least coextensive therewith and removably adhered thereto; said strips of adhesive means providing a normally protected, yet readily exposable anchoring means for securing operating room articles to said main sheet.