MXPA99003233A - Apparatus and methods for dispensing surgical drapes - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for dispensing discrete lengths of surgical drape material (10) from a supply (20) of the same to provide multiple disposable surgical drapes from the supply (20). A roll of sterile surgical drape material (10) can be provided having a continuous length along which the surgical drape material (10) is dispensable in a plurality of discrete lengths. Also provided is a supply (20) of surgical drape material (10) having a continuous length along which the surgical drape material (10) is dispensable in discrete lengths, and a dispenser (32) including a blade (34) for separating the discrete lengths of the surgical drape material (10) from the supply (20) of surgical drape material (10). A method for dispensing surgical drape material (10) by providing a supply (20) of surgical drape material (10) having a continuous length along which discrete lengths of the surgical drape material (10) are dispensed and dispensing a discrete length of the surgical drape material (10) by separating the discrete length of surgical drape material (10) from the supply (20) of surgical drape material (10).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING SURGICAL WRAPS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of surgical wraps. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus and methods for delivering multiple surgical casings having a defined length from a continuous length supply of surgical casing material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Surgical casings are used in most surgical procedures to establish a barrier between the aseptic operative field and areas that are incapable of surgical cleaning. The wraps also provide a sterile work area upon which a physician can place surgical instruments and the like. The surgical wraps are preferably flexible or capable of wrapping so that they follow the contours of the patient's body and wrap around the edge of the table on which the patient is placed (to avoid interfering with the movement of the physician). REF .: 29765 Many wraps are disposable to avoid washing and the associated costs of handling, risk of cross contamination, etc. Disposable wraps can be fluid resistant or fluid impermeable (in which case they typically incorporate one or more layers of fluid barriers such as plastics). They can also resist the weight of fluids that contain viral agents and can therefore act as viral barriers. The wrappers may also be absorbent over their entire surface or portions thereof, or may be non-absorbent over their entire surface or portions thereof. Another feature is that the wrappers can show some respirability to water vapor. Many surgical wraps are provided with specifically designed shapes and openings, commonly referred to as fenestrations. In addition, wraps may include instrument bags or fluid collection, curls, absorbent pads for fluid collection and other features, each wrapping typically being individually packaged and sterilized or packaged with other items in equipment designed for use in a specific surgical procedure. When each wrapping is individually packaged, the cost of each wrapping is increased and the amount of waste generated is also increased due to the packaging materials. The cost to patients is also increased due to the number of special casings stored for use in hospitals or surgery centers but which increases the general expense charged to patients who use the facilities. In an attempt to solve the problem of large inventories of specially designed casings, a universal surgical casing technique has been developed. This technique is described in WO 96/01594 and typically involves the use of four individual panels (or canvases) of surgical wrapping material to form a square at the incision site. Each panel of the surgical wrapping material is used to cover a portion of the patient, with the panels arranged such that they define an opening around a surgical site. The combination of panels used in this method is typically referred to as a universal wrap because the panels can be arranged to define an infinite number of openings having different sizes. Although the use of universal disposable wraps has partially solved the problem of inventories of surgical wraps, additional reductions would help to reduce costs associated with the storage and use of wraps. More particularly, each of the universal wrapping panels can be individually packaged and sterilized. As a result, the cost - A - of the universal wrappers can be increased due to the additional packing and the amount of waste generated which is also increased by the packing materials. further, because the size of each panel is fixed, a larger inventory of panels having different sizes must be maintained. In some cases, four panels are used to provide a universal wrap which can be packed together for use. Although such a practice can reduce the cost and waste of packaging, it is not free of problems. The size of each panel can not be varied, which requires a larger inventory of packages that contain many different combinations of differently sized panels. In many cases, the sizes of the panels packed together are different and can result in some confusion on the part of the user as to which panel to apply first and where to apply each of the panels with different sizes to create an appropriate universal wrap. In addition, when packaged individually or together in sets of four, pre-set panels used to create universal wraps can also contribute to waste because they are not dimensioned for specific procedures and, as a result, can be larger than necessary. provide a sterile work area for a given procedure.

As discussed above, whether specially designed surgical wraps are used or if panels are provided to form a universal wrapping, all of the current wrapping systems for wrapping supplies require additional inventory and packaging that increases the costs of the wrapping. Wraps and can result in more waste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides systems, including apparatuses and methods for supplying defined lengths of surgical wrapping material from a supply thereof to provide multiple disposable surgical wraps from the supply. The advantages of the present invention include the opportunity to reduce the inventories of surgical casings and / or the packaging material associated with individually packaged casings. In addition, the ease of providing precisely sized shells, adjusted to individual patients, can also improve the patient's protection from infection by a postoperative wound. In one aspect, the present invention provides a surgical wrapping delivery system comprising a roll of sterile surgical wrapping material having a continuous width and length along which the surgical wrapping material is its inscribable in a plurality of lengths defined by a user. In another aspect, the present invention provides a surgical wrapping delivery system comprising a supply of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of defined lengths determined by a user, and a dispenser including a blade to separate the defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material from the supply of surgical wrapping material. In another aspect, the present invention provides a surgical wrapping delivery system comprising a roll of sterile surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of defined defined lengths. by a user, wherein the surgical wrapping material further comprises a layer of adhesive on at least a portion of the surgical wrapping material, and a jet including a blade to separate the defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material from the material supply. of surgical wrapping. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a surgical wrapping delivery system comprising a supply of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of discrete determined lengths. by a user, and a plurality of separation lines in the surgical wrapping material, each of the plurality of lines is located along the continuous length of the surgical wrapping material and extends generally transverse to the continuous length. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for delivering surgical wrapping material comprising the steps of providing a supply of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material are delivered. , and by providing a defined length of the surgical wrapping material by separating a defined length of surgical wrapping material from the supply of surgical wrapping material. The method may further include a step of placing the supply in a dispenser, if so desired. These and other features and advantages of some illustrative delivery systems and methods in accordance with the present invention are set forth in more detail in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a supply of a surgical wrap material, in the form of a roll. Figure 2 is an end view of another supply of surgical wrapping material, in folded accordion form. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the surgical wrapping material of Fig. 1, taken along line 3-3. Figure 4 is a plan view of a defined length of surgical wrapping material separate from the supply, the surgical wrapping material includes signs indicating the length and adhesive along an edge thereof. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a roll of surgical wrapping material in a housing including a blade. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the delivery system of Figure 5 in an open bag. Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative supply system.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the surgical wrapping material showing a plurality of lines of perforations in the surgical wrapping material. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a box for delivery of surgical wrapping material. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a method for supplying surgical wrapping material according to the present invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a composite material including surgical wrapping material located between two liners. Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a system for supplying surgical wrapping material according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides systems, including an apparatus and methods, for delivering defined lengths of surgical wrapping material from a supply thereof to provide disposable surgical wraps. Any disposable surgical wrapping material can be used in connection with the present invention. The surgical wrapping material can have any combination of characteristics such as breathability, fluid resistance, fluid impermeability, resistance to migration of viral agents, impermeability to migration to viral agents, absorbency, etc. The present invention can also be used to supply cut wraps. Regardless of the characteristics shown by the surgical wrapping materials used in connection with the present invention, the surgical wrapping material can be supplied economically and conveniently. Examples of some suitable wrapping materials and adhesives that can be used in surgical wraps are described, for example, in WO 96/01594. The present invention is particularly advantageous when used to provide surgical wraps for use in the universal wrapping technique as described above. By using the present invention, wrappings of any desired length can be supplied from a larger supply, thereby reducing the inventory problems associated with universal wrapping panels with pre-set, individually packaged sizes. The present invention is also useful in reducing the costs of packaging material and waste, particularly when the universal wrapping panels are packaged individually. In addition, the size of the universal wrapping panels supplied in accordance with the present invention can be precisely controlled by the user.

Although the invention may find particular advantages when used to supply universal surgical wrapping panels, it will be understood that it can also be used to supply specialty wraps with various openings or fenestrations. sized to provide access to a surgical site. It can also be used to supply wraps with cuts or specialty wraps that include wrapping material with cuts in the fenestrations or with special packages or bags attached to the surface of the wrapping. Figure 1 shows a supply of a surgical wrapping material 10 comprising a supply 20 from which the wrapping material 10 is supplied in discrete lengths determined by the user. The supply 20 is shown in roll form, but Figure 2 shows an alternative supply 120 of surgical wrapping material 110 that is provided in a folded stack. If a supply of folded surgical wrapping material is provided, it will be understood that any suitable crease pattern can be used, i.e., the invention is not limited by the folded supply 120 in accordion form shown. As referenced in the following, delivery 20 will actually refer to a roll form or supply stacking and folding of surgical wrapping material.

The supply 20 of surgical wrapping material is provided with a continuous length along which the material is delivered in defined lengths. The continuous length provided in the supply 20 is preferably long enough to allow delivery of multiple defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material 10 from the supply 20. By supplying a surgical wrapping material 10 from a supply 20 having a sufficient continuous length to provide multiple wraps having discrete lengths, the problems and costs associated with individually wrapped surgical wraps can be avoided or reduced. The delivery 20 may be used to provide multiple envelopes for use with a single patient or, alternatively, the supply 20 may be used to provide one or more surgical envelopes for each of two or more patients. The surgical wrapping material 10 will typically, but not necessarily, have a fixed width. It will be understood that the term "fixed width" includes embodiments in which the surgical wrapping material 10 includes one or more folds 12 that run along a continuous length of the material 10 when supplied as shown in Figure 3 (a view in FIG. cross section of the material 10 of Figure 1 along the line 3-3). As a result, after supplying the material 10, it can be deployed to a desired width for use. The use of one or more folds 12 can help to match the thickness of the wrapping material 10 that is not coated with an adhesive 14 and an optional liner 16 to facilitate the storage of material 10 on a roll 20. Folding can also reduce the length of the roll 20 or the stack 120, ie the width of the wrapping material 10, as supplied. Returning to Figure 4, a defined length of the surgical wrapping material 10 is shown after it has been separated from, for example, the supply 20. If the wrapping material 10 is designed for use in universal wrapping, it will typically include an adhesive 14 along an edge, as shown. The adhesive used can be any suitable adhesive, although it typically comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive which forms a barrier to prevent the migration of foreign material (which preferably includes bacterial and viral agents) when applied to the skin of a patient. It is also preferable that the adhesive 14 be biocompatible to reduce skin irritation. It will be understood that if the wrapping material 10 is intended to be used for wrapping applications where cuts are made, adhesive may be included on most of the surface of the wrapping material 10, with the edges of the wrapping material 10 typically free. of adhesive to assist the application of the wrapping material 10 to a patient. Figure 4 also shows another optional feature of the present invention, ie, the sign 18 indicative of the length of the surgical wrapping material 10 supplied from the supply. The sign 18 can be printed on the wrapping material 10 or can be engraved on the material 10. It can include numbers or it can comprise a series of separate marks along the length of the wrapping material. Turning now to FIG. 5, a system 30 for delivery of surgical sleeve material 10 according to the present invention is shown. The system 30 includes a supply 20 of wrapping material 10 and a spout 32. In many cases it will be preferred that the spout 32 enclose at least partially the roll 20, but this is not required. The spout 32 shown in Figure 5 includes a blade 34 attached to the opening 36 in the spout 32 through which the wrapping material 10 is supplied. The blade 34 may have a straight edge, although preferably it is in the form of a saw to facilitate the clean separation of the wrapping material 10 at the desired discrete lengths. The spout 32 can substantially include the roll , as shown, or alternatively, can provide an open main structure support for the roll and an optional blade. Examples of variations in the delivery system useful for supplying surgical wrapping material in accordance with the present invention can be observed in a variety of dispensers designed for packaging tapes, SCOTCH transparent tapes, cellophane tapes, etc. An example of a suitable dispenser can be found in WO 96/11870, entitled DISPENSING ASSEMBLY. To supply the wrapping material 10 using the dispenser 32, a user holds the material 10 and pulls it from the supply 20 into the dispenser 32. When the desired length of wrapping material has been removed, the user applies force to the wrapping material 10. with the blade 34 to separate or cut the defined length of wrapping material 10 from the supply 20. A jet 32 as shown in Fig. 5 can be used as a disposable device or, alternatively, it can be reusable with the supply 20 of Surgical casing material replaced when finished. In case of being reusable, the dispenser 32 can be sterilized between changes in the supply 20 of the surgical wrapping material 10 to aid in the sterile delivery of the wrapping material. If the dispenser 32 is disposable, the dispenser 32 and associated supply 20 of surgical wrapping material 10 can be packaged for sterile delivery to the site at which the wrapping material 10 will be delivered. An example of suitable packaging shown in Figure 6 is a bag 40 of any suitable flexible material such as TYVEKMR (a spunbonded olefin sheet material available from DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware), plastic, laminate thin plastic and metal, etc., which can be sealed by heat or closed in some other way with the supply system 30 therein. The combination of surgical wrapping material delivery system and bag 40 can be sterilized as a unit using any suitable technique such as gamma radiation or ethylene oxide. Such packing methods are well known to those familiar with the art. In an alternative, a system 130 shown in Figure 7 includes a spout 132 that functions as part of the packaging for the roll of surgical wrapping material (not shown). As shown in Figure 7, the spout 132 includes an opening 136 that is sealed by a removable cover 138. The pump body 132 and the cover 138 combine to form a sealed volume in which the sterile surgical wrapping material can be kept sterile until the package is opened, i.e., until the cover 138 is removed. The cover 138 it may be provided in the form of an adhesive tape or any suitable material or construction that can seal the opening 136 and prevent penetration that may compromise the sterility of the supply or the surgical wrapping material prior to delivery. In another variation, it will be understood that the supply 20 of the surgical wrapping material can also be packaged only, i.e., without a dispenser, in a disposable bag or other suitable packaging to maintain sterility of the material 10 of the surgical wrapping until its use . If the supply 20 of surgical wrapping material 10 is supplied alone, ie, without a spout, it can be supplied from the supply 20 to the desired length and can be cut into defined lengths using a pair of scissors or other sharp instrument. If the surgical wrapping material 10 includes separation lines such as perforations or a grooved line, as more fully described in the following in connection with Figure 8, the lengths defined in the surgical wrapping material can be separated from the roll. of supply by applying the appropriate amount of tension to the wrapping material 10 after supplying the desired length from the supply 20. In another variation, the supply 20 of the surgical wrapping material can also be supplied with surgical instruments and other supplies in equipment or packaging for use in specific surgical procedures. If provided in this manner, a separate packing of the supply 20 of the surgical wrapping material may be unnecessary because the equipment or package will typically be packaged and sterilized as a unit. When the supply 20 of surgical wrapping material is supplied as a single-use supply for universal wrapping, ie use in the preparation for a process after which any remaining universal wrapping material in the supply 20 will be discarded, the length of the universal wrapping material 10 provided from the supply 20 will preferably be from about 1.2 meters (4 feet) to about 9 meters (30 feet). More preferably, a single-use roll 20 of universal wrapping material will contain approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) to approximately 6 meters (20 feet) of surgical wrapping material 10. If it is intended that the supply 20 be used in more than one patient (typically in a dispenser), the continuous length of the surgical wrapping material will preferably be about 9 meters or greater, more preferably about 15 meters or greater. Figure 8 shows a roll 220 of surgical wrapping material 210 according to the present invention in which a plurality of separation lines 224 are provided. Lines 224 preferably extend across the width of wrapping material 210 (generally perpendicular to the length of the material 210 represented by the arrow 222). The lines 224 are preferably also uniformly spaced, but may be variably separated if desired. Each line 224 may be comprised of a series of perforations through one or more layers of wrapping material 210 or, alternatively, each line may be a perforated or scored line, etched into one or more layers of wrapping material 210. In any case, the lines 224 facilitate the separation of defined lengths of wrapping material 210 from the supply roll 220 along the line 224. The supply roll 220 in which the material 210 includes separation lines 224 can be provided only, in combination with a dispenser such as, for example, the dispenser 32 as shown in Figure 5, or any other delivery system as described herein. However, typically, the need for a blade or other cutting device will be limited or nonexistent due to the separation lines supplied in the wrapping material 210. The roll 220 for supplying the wrapping material 210 with separation lines 224 can find particular application when it is used to supply surgical wraps that are not used in the universal wrapping technique. For example, one or more fenestrations 225, or one or more bags 226, or one or more absorbent pads 227 may be provided on the surface of the wrapping material 210 in the proper position with respect to separation lines 224. Returning now to Figure 9 shows a system 50 alternative supply that is similar in many ways to paper towel dispensers. The system 50 includes a spout 52 that contains a supply of surgical wrapping material 10 (not shown, but typically in the form of a roll). The spout 52 includes a lever 54 which acts as a feed mechanism (not shown) within the spout 52 for advancing the wrapping material 10 out of the spout 52 for delivery. The spout 52 may include a blade or other mechanism to separate defined lengths of the wrapping material 10 from the spout supply 52. In addition, or alternatively, the wrapping material 10 may include separation lines as described above, with respect to Fig. 8. Although the spout 52 is shown including a lever 54 for driving the advancing mechanism, it will be understood that alternatively a rotating knob or lever may be provided to advance the wrapping material 10 from the spout 52. Also shown as a part of the system 50 an optional indicator 56 that provides information to a user with respect to the length of the wrapping material 10 that is supplied from the dispenser 52. The indicator 56 may be, for example, of a mechanical, electrical or electromechanical nature and may also provide an indication of the time when the supply of wrapping material 10 in the dispenser 52 is almost exhausted. A simple indicator may include a window in the dispenser 52 to allow visual observation of the delivery of the surgical wrapping material. A potential concern with the supply of surgical wraps from a reusable dispenser such as the dispenser 52 is contamination of the wrapping material during delivery by the mechanism used to supply the wrapping material. An attempt to solve this concern is shown in Figure 10, a schematic diagram of a method for sterile delivery of wrapping material 10 from a reusable dispenser such as spout 52. As shown in Figure 10, a roll is provided. 20 of supply of surgical wrapping material. The wrapping material 10 can be wound through the constriction formed by the rolls 70 and 72. The two rolls 62a and 62b of facing material 64a and 64b (generally referred to as number 64) will also be provided and wound up through the constriction formed by the rolls 70 and 72. As a result, the composite network 74 comprises surgical wrapping material 10 between two coating layers 64 and can exit between the narrowing of the rolls 70 and 72 where the composite network 74 can be separated at lengths defined by, for example, the blade 76. The coating materials 64 may be provided with any suitable material that can prevent contact between the wrapping material 10 and the rolls 70 and 72. The coating materials 64 may include coatings. of release to facilitate separation of any adhesive on the wrapping material. Additionally, the liners 64 may be wider than the wrapping material 10 and may be sealed along the edges to form a cover in which the material wrapping can be located. The seal between the liners 64 can be carried out by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, adhesive materials or any other suitable material and / or method. As an alternative to rolling the surgical wrapping material 10 between the liners 64 at the delivery site, it may also be useful to provide the prelaminated wrapping material between two liners. The figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of such a delivery system in which the surgical wrapping material 210 is located between two liners 212 to form a composite net 214. The view in Figure 11 is along the continuous length of the supply of surgical wrap material 210. As shown, the liners 212 may be wider than the surgical wrapping material 210. As a result, the liners 212 may be attached or otherwise sealed to each other outside of the wrapping material 210 as discussed above with respect to the liners 64 to provide a cover on which the wrapping material 210 is supplied. As a result, if a supply of the composite network 214 is provided, for example, spouts such as numbers 32 or 52 described above, the wrapping material may be supplied in a manner in which only the ends of the wrapping material 210 make contact with anything before use. Due to the wide variations in the exact design of the apparatus for supplying a surgical wrapping material according to the present invention, Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram indicating the various components that may or may not be part of such systems. The system 80 includes a supply 82 of surgical wrapping material in any form, for example roll or folded stack. The system 80 may include a feed mechanism 84 for advancing the supply of wrapping material for delivery. Examples of advancement mechanisms include the mechanisms used for paper towel dispensers, for example, rotating levers or knobs, ratchet levers or any other suitable mechanism. Alternatively, the advancement can be carried out by pulling the operator the wrapping material to remove it from the supply 82. Automated systems may include motors (eg, stepper motor, AC motor, direct current, air motor, etc.). .) or other energy sources to reduce the physical interaction of the user with the supply system 80. As indicated with respect to the previous jet system 50, the advance mechanism 84 may be coupled to an indicator 86 to show the amount of wrapping material that is supplied and / or indicate the time when the supply 82 is nearly depleted. The indicator 86 may be electrical, mechanical or electromechanical in nature, as desired. The advancing mechanism 84 can be coupled to a feed actuator 88, particularly in systems that are more automated. The advance actuator 88 may include a lever 54, as shown in Figure 8, or it may include a more complicated combination of mechanical, electrical and / or electromechanical components necessary to operate the advance mechanism 84. Such combinations are well known to those familiar with the design technique of such systems.

An advance actuator 88 may be designed for activation by the foot by a user to reduce the potential for contamination by the hands of the user when the wrapping material is supplied. The system activated by the foot may include a pedal or pressure pad in combination with other components to activate the forward mechanism 84. Another contemplated advance actuator 88 may be a non-contact advance actuator, ie, the user does not require physical contact with any structure to initiate the advancement of mechanism 84. An example of non-contact advance actuator 88 may include a sensor proximity, such as a photocell, which can activate the advancing mechanism 84 when, for example, the hands of the user are near the supply 82. Figure 12 also shows a knife mechanism 90 of any design suitable for cutting or separating the wrapping material in defined lengths. In some embodiments of the system 80, the blade mechanism 90 can be as simple as a straight edge onto which a perforated or scored wrapping material can be easily separated. In other embodiments, it may include a fixed sharp blade with a straight or saw-like edge, a rotating circular blade, a cutting wire, etc. In more automated systems, the knife mechanism 90 may include a movable knife that cuts the wrapping material in, for example, a scissor-like action. In other systems, the blade mechanism 90 may include a blade, such as a slanted or circular blade, which moves across the width of the wrapping material by a motor, piston, etc., to separate defined lengths of the supply 82. The knife mechanism 90 can be moved manually or can be automated. When automated, the system 80 may include a knife actuator 92 to initiate movement of the knife mechanism 90 to carry out the separation of the wrapping material. The knife actuator 92 can include any combination of mechanical, electrical and / or electromechanical components necessary to drive the knife mechanism 90. Such combinations will be known to those familiar in the art in the design of such systems. A knife actuator 92 may be designed for foot activation by the user-to reduce the potential for contamination of the user's hands when the wrapping material is supplied. The foot-activated system may include a pedal or a pressure pad in combination with other components to activate the blade mechanism 90. Another contemplated knife actuator 92 may be a non-contact knife actuator, i.e., the user is not required to establish physical contact with any structure to initiate the knife mechanism 90. An example of a non-contact knife actuator 92 may include a proximity sensor, such as a photocell, which could activate the knife mechanism 90 when, for example, the user's hands are near a specified position. The apparatus described above for delivering a surgical wrapping material can be used according to the method of the present invention. This method includes the steps of providing a supply of surgical wrapping material having a width and a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is delivered and a defined length of surgical wrapping material is delivered by separating a length defined of surgical wrapping material from the supply of surgical wrapping material. If preferred, but not required, the surgical wrapping material can be supplied sterile. It is also preferred that the supply of surgical wrapping material be provided near the site at which the defined lengths of wrapping material will be used. For example, the supply of the wrapping material can be located within an operating room or other position wherein the wrapping material can be used as a preparation for a surgical procedure or other medical procedure that requires surgical wrapping material. The step of separating defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material from the supply can be carried out using one or more blades or wrapping material which can be provided with separation lines, eg perforations or marked lines, to facilitate the separation of defined lengths of a larger supply of wrapping material. The methods according to the present invention may also include steps of advancing defined lengths of surgical wrapping material of a dispensing-containing spout and, optionally, moving a blade relative to the wrapping material or moving the wrapping material in relation to the wrapping material. to a fixed blade for carrying out the separation of the defined length of the wrapping material from the supply. The advancement of the wrapping material and / or the movement of the blade can be carried out manually or through actuators. If actuators are used, it is preferred that they are operator by the foot or that they are operated using some other method in which the hands of the user are not required to touch the dispenser to reduce the opportunity for contamination of the user's hands. The patents, patent documents and publications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each were individually incorporated by reference. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those familiar with the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited due to the illustrative modalities and methods set forth therein. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A system for supplying a surgical wrapping material characterized in that it comprises a roll of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which a surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of defined lengths determined by a user.

2. The system in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the surgical wrapping material is located between two coatings that extend along the continuous length of the surgical wrapping material.

3. The system in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the coatings are wider than the surgical wrapping material and furthermore where the coatings are sealed together at their edges to form a cover in which the surgical wrapping material is located.

The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wrapping material in the roll includes at least one fold extending along the continuous length of the wrapping material, whereby the width of the roll is smaller than the width of the wrapping material when it is not folded.

The system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a layer of adhesive on only a portion of one side of the surgical wrapping material.

The system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the roll is located in a disposable package.

A system for supplying surgical wrapping material, characterized in that it comprises: a) a supply of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of defined defined lengths by a user; And b) a dispenser including a blade for separating the defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material from the supply of surgical wrapping material.

8. The system in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that the supply comprises a roll that includes at least one fold extending along the continuous length of the wrapping material, whereby the width of the roll is less than the width of the wrapping material when it is unsupported. fold.

9. The system according to any of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the spout further comprises a removable cover over an opening in the spout, and in addition where the spout of the cover encloses the supply of surgical wrapping material.

The system according to any of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it further comprises a feed mechanism for advancing defined lengths of the surgical wrapping material from the spout.

11. A system for supplying surgical wrapping material, characterized in that it comprises: a supply of surgical wrapping material having a continuous length along which the surgical wrapping material is available in a plurality of defined lengths determined by a user; And a plurality of separation lines in the surgical wrapping material, each of the plurality of lines being located along the continuous length of the surgical wrapping material extends generally transverse to the continuous length.

The system according to claim 11, characterized in that the supply comprises a roll that includes at least one fold extending along the continuous length of the wrapping material, whereby the width of the roll is less than the width of the wrapping material when it is unfolded.

The system according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the surgical wrapping material is located between two coatings that extend along the continuous length of the surgical wrapping material.

The system according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it further comprises a layer of adhesive at least a portion of the surgical wrapping material.

15. The system according to any of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it further comprises a spout in combination with the supply of surgical wrapping material.

16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that the spout further comprises a feed mechanism for advancing a defined length of the surgical wrapping material from the spout.

17. A method for supplying a surgical wrapping material using a system according to claim 1, the method is characterized in that it comprises the step of supplying a defined length of the surgical wrapping material by separating the defined length of the surgical wrapping material of the roll of surgical wrapping material.