US20080047567A1 - Surgical draping system - Google Patents

Abstract

A draping system provides a continuous sterile field between a patient incision area and one or more medical practitioners. The draping system has a quick release system incorporated into the drape that enables a medical practitioner to separate from the continuous sterile field without disrupting the sterile field around the practitioner or the patient. The draping system may include an abbreviated practitioner gown, a drain and an integral patient incision area or a flap for extending the continuous sterile field around to one or more additional operating room tables. A modular drape and gown system extends the sterile field beyond the operating table allowing practitioners to couple to the extended field. A tent provides an enclosed sterile field useful in mobile or other non operating room surgical environments. Integral lighting and information displays facilitate field surgical procedures.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/538,099 filed Oct. 3, 2006. The aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/538,099 is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/263,893 filed Oct. 3, 2002. The aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/263,893 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/191,751 filed Jul. 8, 2002, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/976,396 filed Oct. 11, 2001, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/941,185 filed Aug. 28, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention is related to the field of draping systems used to create and maintain sterile fields surrounding operative sites.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In a medical operating room environment multiple independent and discontinuous sterile environments are established. A patient is positioned upon an operating room table and a sterile field around the area surrounds the operative site on the patient is created with one or more sterile drapes. Furthermore, medical practitioners are covered with gowns and other garments worn by medical practitioners in the operating room. Medical practitioners include doctors, nurses and other attendants or persons present in the operating room during surgery. The gowns can include various components for covering the head and face of the practitioner as well as the arms, hands and torso of the practitioner. Each gown includes several sterile components and each practitioner wears a separate gown. Furthermore, the operating room includes a wide variety of tables and stands for instruments, implants, trial implants and other surgical implements used during surgery. Each of these tables or stands has its own sterile field. Thus, the operating room has several independent sterile fields including a sterile field around the patient's incision, a sterile field for each practitioner and a sterile field around various operating room tables.
• Unfortunately, the area between the sterile fields is not considered sterile. Thus, the area below the operating table and between the operating table and a practitioner is not considered sterile. Furthermore, the area below and between the operating table and an instrument table is not considered sterile. Also, the area below and between the instrument table and a practitioner is not considered sterile. A sterilized instrument is no longer considered sterile if it happens beyond the sterilized fields. Thus, if an instrument such as a scalpel is dropped to the floor during surgery, it drops below the surface of the operating table, is no longer considered sterile and is no longer to be used during surgery. Thus, what is needed is a draping system that allows for a continuous sterile field to be established between at least some of the various independent sterile fields within the operating room.
• U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,007,741 and 5,816,253 show draping systems used during delivery of a baby. A drape is tied around the waist or neck of a doctor and attached to the operating table. Unfortunately, the doctor cannot rapidly separate from the draping system in case such a need should arise. Thus, what is needed is a draping system that provides a continuous sterile field between a practitioner and the patient yet allows the practitioner to be rapidly separated should the need arise.
• In some surgical procedures, such as artheoscopic knee surgery, it is desirable to allow for an extremity of the patient to extend below the surface of the operating table. Thus, it is desirable to provide for a sterile field that may extend below the surface of the operating table. U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,050 shows a pouch for use during knee surgery that extends below the operating table. However, the pouch does not provide for a continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the operating table. Thus, what is needed is a continuous sterile field extending below the operating table that facilitates surgical procedures where a portion of the patient may be positioned below the operating table.
• Several components including drapes and practitioner gowns are used to establish a continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the operating table. What is needed is a draping system that reduces the number of components used to establish the continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the operating table.
• Several components including drapes and practitioner gowns are used to establish a continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the patient incision area. What is needed is a draping system that reduces the number of components used to establish the continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the patient incision area.
• The surgical operating room has a sterile environment. Making a room sterile for an operation is costly and time consuming. This makes it prohibitive for many doctors to perform surgical procedures in their office. Furthermore, there are instances where surgical procedures suited for a sterile environment are better performed in the field. Such procedures include organ and tissue harvesting and emergency surgery. The traditional operating room does not lend itself to address these needs. Therefore what is needed is a sterile surgical environment that is mobile and can be used in surgical procedures performed outside of an operating room.
• In the mobile surgical procedure environment, lighting and information display can be problematic. For example, if a late night automobile accident provides an opportunity for an emergency surgical procedure or an organ harvest, a fully equipped operating room is typically unavailable. Such situation requires a sterile and properly equipped environment to complete the surgical procedure at the accident site. A properly equipped environment includes a well lit surgical area as well as information screens conveniently available to facilitate the practitioner in the surgical procedure. Thus, what is needed is a portable or mobile surgical environment that further provides for lighting and display of information in a rapidly deployable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the present invention, a drape is coupled to a patient positioned upon an operating table and providing a continuous sterile field between a practitioner and the operating table. The drape comprises a fastening element for fastening the drape to the practitioner, and a separating element for enabling the practitioner to separate from the continuous sterile field while at least a portion of the drape is still fastened to the practitioner and at least a second portion of the drape is still coupled to the patient.
• In accordance with the present invention, an operating room draping system comprises a drape for facilitating a continuous sterile field between a practitioner and an operating table having a patient positioned thereon, and at least a portion of a gown integral to said drape and worn by the practitioner for extending the continuous sterile field to include a sterile field between the patient and the practitioner.
• In accordance with the present invention, a surgical drape comprises a first portion of the drape for facilitating a continuous sterile field between a practitioner and an operating table having a patient positioned thereon, and a second portion of the drape for extending the continuous sterile field to a second table.
• In accordance with the present invention, a drape for providing at least a portion of a continuous sterile field between a practitioner and a patient surgical area comprises a fastening element for fastening the drape to the practitioner, and an integral incision region for at least partially coupling the drape to the patient surgical area wherein a patient incision is made by simultaneously cutting through said integral incision region and at least a portion of the patient.
• In accordance with the present invention, a drape comprises a first portion for facilitating a continuous sterile field between a first practitioner and an operating table having a patient positioned thereon, and a second portion for extending the continuous sterile field to a second practitioner.
• In accordance with the present invention, a surgical drape system for providing an extended sterile field comprises a first portion of a drape for providing a sterile field over a patient positioned upon an operating table, an extension portion of the drape for extending the sterile field beyond an edge of the operating table, and a suspension device for suspending the extension portion substantially beyond the edge of the operating table.
• In accordance with the present invention, a surgical enclosure having a sterile interior comprises a vent for coupling to an air handler for providing a positive air pressure within the interior, a first portion for providing a sterile field above a patient, and an opening for providing surgical access to the interior.
• In accordance with the present invention, a portable surgical enclosure having a sterile surgical interior environment comprises a first portion for providing a first interior sterile field area over a patient positioned upon a first table, and a second portion for providing a second interior sterile field area over a second table.
• In accordance with the present invention, a portable surgical enclosure having a sterile surgical interior environment comprises a first portion for providing a first interior sterile field over a patient positioned upon a first table, and a drain for collecting fluids accumulated within the interior.
• In accordance with the present invention, an illuminating surgical glove comprises a surgical glove having a sterile exterior surface, and a light integral to said surgical glove for providing illumination during surgery. The present invention also envisions lights used with other portions of the surgical gown.
• In accordance with the present invention, an illuminating surgical drape comprises a surgical drape and a light integral to said surgical drape for providing illumination during surgery.
• In accordance with the present invention, an illuminated surgical enclosure comprises a mobile surgical enclosure, and a light integral to said enclosure for providing light to the interior of said enclosure during surgery.
• In accordance with the present invention, a surgical drape displaying information comprises a drape, and an information display integrated into said drape for displaying information during surgery.
• In accordance with the present invention, a surgical enclosure for displaying information comprises a mobile surgical enclosure, and an information display integrated onto an interior surface of said enclosure for displaying information during surgery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows a draping system in accordance with the present invention wherein a continuous sterile field extends below an operating table between a patient and a seated practitioner.
• FIG. 2 shows the draping system ofFIG. 1 with the practitioner standing.
• FIG. 3 shows a draping system in accordance with the present invention having a continuous sterile field established between a patient and a practitioner wherein a portion of the surgical gown of the practitioner includes part of the draping system.
• FIG. 4 shows a top view of a draping system in accordance with the present invention having a continuous sterile field established between a patient, multiple practitioners, and multiple surgical tables.
• FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the draping system ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 shows an application where the folded draping system in accordance with the present invention is placed upon the patient prior to surgery.
• FIG. 7 shows the draping system ofFIG. 6 in an unfurled condition providing a continuous sterile field between the patient, practitioner and instrument table.
• FIG. 8 shows a single practitioner draping system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 9 shows a multiple practitioner draping system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 10 shows a single practitioner draping system with a second section for covering a second operating room table in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 11 shows a modular drape and gown system for providing a continuous sterile field between the patient and the practitioner.
• FIG. 12 shows a side view of the modular drape and gown system ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 shows a top view of the drape ofFIG. 11 andFIG. 12.
• FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein a continuous sterile field is established within an interior of a surgical enclosure such as a tent.
• FIG. 15 shows an illuminated glove for use during surgery in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 16 shows a detail of a light located in the finger tip of a surgical glove worn by a practitioner in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the illumination circuit for the illuminating surgical glove in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 18 shows a surgical drape having an integral illuminated fenestration and an integral information display in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of the surgical display in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• It is important to note, that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the equivalent and various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and visa versa with no loss of generality.
• FIG. 1 shows a draping system in accordance with the present invention wherein a continuous sterile field is established below an operating table during a surgical procedure such as a knee surgery and the practitioner is seated.FIG. 2 shows a draping system in accordance with the present invention wherein a continuous sterile field is established below an operating table during a surgical procedure such as a knee surgery and the practitioner is standing. The practitioner is shown as a surgeon in these figures. However, the practitioner can be any person associated with the surgery or medical proceedure, such as other doctors, nurses, medical professionals or observers.
• In accordance withFIG. 1 of the invention, thelower portion68 of a patient'sleg70 is suspended from theupper portion72 of the leg. This enables thefoot74 andankle portion86 of theleg70 of the patient to be freely moved in any direction or a combination of directions. Thus, thefoot74 andankle portion86 of theleg70 of the patient can be moved anteriorly or upward to decrease the extent of flexion of theknee portion76 or even to extend or straighten theleg70.
• Alternatively, thefoot74 andankle portion86 may be moved posteriorly toward the operating table66, shown covered bydrape90, to hyperflex theknee portion76 of the leg of a patient. Thefoot74 may be moved sidewardly, that is in either a lateral or medial direction. In addition, thefoot74 may be rotated about the longitudinal central axis of thelower portion68 of theleg70.
• It is contemplated that thefoot74 andankle portion86 may be simultaneously moved in a plurality of the directions previously mentioned. If desired, theupper portion72 of theleg70 of the patient may be supported on a separate section of the operating table66, in a manner similar to the disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,912.
• After adrape90 has been positioned over the patient and the operating table66, in the manner illustrated inFIG. 1, theleg70 extends out of the drape. Thedrape90 may be connected with a leg support and have anopening92 through which the leg of the patient extends. This enables theleg70 of a patient to be moved between the extended position illustrated inFIG. 2 and a hyperflexed position in which thefoot74 is disposed posteriorly from the position illustrated inFIG. 1.
• When theleg70 is in a hyperflexed condition, the included angle between the upper andlower portions72 and68 of theleg70 is less than ninety degrees. Theleg70 may be flexed from the extended position ofFIG. 2 to a hyperflexed position by manually moving thefoot74 and anankle portion86 of theleg70 relative to the operating table66 while theupper portion72 of the leg is held by a leg support (not shown). When theleg70 is hyperflexed, a portion of thefoot74 may be disposed beneath the operating table66.
• Thedraping system100 includes thedrape90 and adrape102 connected with agown104 on asurgeon106. The illustrateddrape102 is formed separately from thedrape90 andgown104. However, thedrape102 may be integrally formed as one piece with thedrape90. Alternatively, thedrape102 may be integrally formed as one piece with thegown104.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, thedrape102 is formed separately from thegown104 and thedrape90. Thedrape102 is coupled to the patient throughdrape90 by using suitable fastening elements such asclamps108. Thedrape102 is connected with the waist of thesurgeon106 by fastening elements or clamps110 to thegown104 and forms a continuous sterile field between the surgeon and the operating table. Rather than utilizingclamps108 to interconnect thedrapes90 and102 or clamps110 to interconnectdrape102 to thesurgeon gown104, theinterconnection fastening elements108 and/or110 could be by VELCRO, ties, or other known devices including buttons, hooks, snaps, snap drapes, adhesives, and adhesive drapes.
• Thedraping system100 maintains a continuous sterile field between theleg70 and thesurgeon106 during movement of the surgeon relative to the patient. Thus, when the surgeon is in a seated position thedrapery system100 provides a sterile field which extends from the surgeon to the space beneath and adjacent to theleg70. Thefoot74 may be supported on the surgeon'sknee252 withdrape102 between. Thefoot74 is free to move in any direction relative to theknee portion76. By raising or lowering his or herknee252, thesurgeon106 can move thetibia214 relative to thefemur126 and vary the space between the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia. When the surgeon stands, as shown inFIG. 2, thedrapery system100 continues to maintain a sterile field between the surgeon and the patient. This enables thesurgeon106 to move theleg70 of a patient during an operation without contaminating the sterile field. Thedraping system100 enables the sterile field to be maintained when the patient's leg is moved between the extended position and a hyperflexed position in which thefoot74 of the patient is disposed beneath the operating table66.
• During movement of thesurgeon106 relative to the patient, for example, between the seated position ofFIG. 1 and the standing position ofFIG. 2, thedrape102 moves with the surgeon and maintains the continuous sterile field. Thus, when thesurgeon106 moves toward and away from the patient, the end portion of thedrape102 connected with the surgeon also moves toward and away from the patient. As the surgeon moves toward the patient, a portion of thedrape102 between thesurgeon106 and patient is lowered. As the surgeon moves away from the patient, the portion of thedrape102 between the surgeon and patient is raised. Thefoot74 connected with theleg70 of the patient is always above thedrape102 during movement of thesurgeon106. Thedrape102 could be such that it extends to the floor during surgery thereby providing a sterile field above and extending down to the floor during surgery.
• Fasteningelements110 securely attachdrape102 to the surgeon. If the surgeon needs to change positions, going from one side of the table to another, a quick release system enables the surgeon to separate fromdrape102. The quick release system can be implemented with quick release clamps such as hooks or VELCRO.FIGS. 1 and 2 show a quick release system where a tearing system is incorporated intodrape102. The quick release system has a separating element such as a tearing system which is shown as a perforation orserration150 incorporated withindrape102. The tearing system enables the surgeon to predictably separate fromdrape102 by tearing or parting the drape and also allows the surgeon to quickly mobilize if required without unfasteningclamps110. For example, in the event of an emergency the surgeon could rapidly ripdrape102 along the tearingsystem150 to be quickly freed from thedraping system102. This separation occurs without disturbing the sterile field of the operating table established bydrape90 or without unfasteningclamps110.
• There are other benefits of the quick release system in addition to the time saving feature. For example,serration150 is placed within the sterile surgical field so that the surgeon can implement the quick release system without compromising sterility. In contrast, if unfastening ofclamps110 were necessary, sterility may be compromised or a non-sterile assistant would have to unfastenclamps110, which are generally located beyond or at an edge of the sterile field. Thus,serration150 allows for separation from sterile filed without compromising the sterile field.
• FIG. 3 shows a draping system in accordance with the present invention having a continuous sterile field established between a patient positioned upon an operating table and the practitioner wherein at least a portion of the gown of the practitioner includes part of the draping system. The portion of the gown may be incorporated as part of the fastening element for fastening the drape to the surgeon.Drape102 includes the serratedquick release system150 as well as a sterile portion including thearms254 and256 andtorso258 for covering the corresponding portions of thesurgeon106. Preferably the arms and torso portions of the gown are an integral part ofdrape102 and may facilitate at least partially fastening the drape to the practitioner. The head and face have ahelmet260 andmask262 for facilitating a sterile field between the practitioner and the patient. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the helmet and mask are separate from the drape. In an alternate embodiment the helmet and mask can be integrated into thedrape102. The surgeon's hands are covered bygloves264 and266. In an alternate embodiment the gloves could be integral to thedrape102. The abbreviated surgeon's gown has arms and front torso covering portion as a portion of thedrape102. The surgeon simply puts his or her arms through the abbreviated gown. The gown may be optionally further fastened thereafter using the aforementioned clamps and then gloves applied. Alternatively, the drape may include arm holes in which the practitioner arms are slid through. In this alternative the draping system provides a substantial portion of the continuous sterile field between the patient and the torso of the surgeon.
• The abbreviated gown and drape form a continuous sterile field between the surgeon or other practitioner and the operating table. Other practitioners in the operating room may require mobility and have independent surgical gowns. However, the quick release system provides the additional advantage of, upon completing release of the practitioner from the continuous sterile field, maintaining a sterile portion of the gown worn by the practitioner that was included with the draping system. Thus, a practitioner may simply slip into thedraping system102 having a portion of the sterile gown over the practitioner and a continuous sterile field between the surgeon and the patient. However, after the quick release system is used by tearing along the serrated orperforated portion150, the practitioner now has a mobile sterile gown even though a portion of the gown was an integral component of the continuous sterile field draping system. In this way, the partial gown may be either a component of the continuous sterile field draping system or the mobile sterile field after use of the quick release system.
• Drape102 also has adrain160. Thedrape102 is preferably liquid impervious and flexible. Thus, any liquids or fluids that may collect at the bottom of thedrape102 during surgery may be removed to a remote location through thedrain160. This not only has the advantage of retaining released fluids within the draping system and then draining the fluids away, but since the weight of the continuous draping is at least partially supported by the practitioner, the weight of fluids retained by the continuous draping system are also at least partially supported by the practitioner and transferred through serration orperforation150. Draining away the fluids viadrain160 not only reduces the weight supported by the practitioner during surgery, but also helps assure that there is a minimal amount of tension on thequick release system150 assuring it remains attached even though fluids may be released during surgery. The drain may be either gravity fed or have active suction as is known by those familiar with the art. Furthermore the drain may have a filter to allow fluids to drain while retaining tissue within the draping system. The filter may include a mesh or screen. The retained tissue may have advantageous humanitarian applications or may have further application in the surgical or healing process.
• Although thedrapery system100 has been illustrated inFIG. 1 toFIG. 3 in association with a patient'sleg70, the drapery system may be used in association with procedures on any desired portion of a patient's body. For example, thedrapery system100 could be used to maintain a sterile field between a surgeon and patient during surgery on a trunk portion of a patient's body. Alternatively, thedrapery system100 could be used to maintain a sterile field during surgery on a head or arm portion of a patient's body.
• FIG. 4 shows a top view of a multiple practitioner, multiple table continuous sterilized field draping system in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the multiple practitioner, multiple table continuous sterilized field draping system ofFIG. 4.Drape102 is placed upon apatient170 and attached to twopractitioners106A and106B who may both be surgeons or a surgeon and an assistant or other combination of practitioners. The drape may be attached by clamps to a practitioner's gown, as shown byFIG. 1 andFIG. 2, or may include at least an abbreviated partial integral gown worn by the practitioner as described herein. The drape may include at least onequick release system150A and/or150B and at least onedrain160A and/or160B as previously discussed. The drape also has a flap orsecond portion103 for extending the continuous sterile field to a second table166. The second table is preferably for surgical instruments used during surgery. The second portion may be clamped to the table and may have pouches, pockets, clips or other retaining means that maintain a position of the surgical instruments such as suction, Bovie, arthroscopic equipment, etc while positioned upon table166. The second portion of the drape further maintains the sterilization of surgical instruments should they be dropped, brought below the waist of a practitioner or otherwise mishandled while being removed from or returned to the table166 because the drape prevents the instrument from leaving the sterile field, which but for thesecond portion103 of thedrape102 could otherwise drop to the floor.
• The drape also has aregion180 having an opening or fenestration through which the surgery is performed. Preferably,region180 is an integral incision region having a transparent adhesive backed panel wherein a patient incision is made by simultaneously cutting through the transparent panel of the integral incision region. The transparent panel is an integral component of thedrape102 and has an adhesive attached to the transparent panel for adhesively attaching said transparent panel and thus the draping system to the patient surgical area. The adhesive backed transparent panel at least partially couples thedrape102 to the patient and the patient surgical area.Region180 is a clear, see-through component allowing visualization of the surgical area, and it could have an antimicrobial agent or antibiotic agent such as Betadine impregnated through it.
• Anair handler190 provides sterilized air over the area of the incision.Drains160A and160B as previously described drain away fluids intocontainers162A and162B. The draping system ofFIG. 4 andFIG. 5 provides for a continuous sterile field between theincision area180, at least one ormore practitioners106A and106B and several operating tables66 and166 while providing for collection offluids using drains160A and160B. Thedrape102 could further include a portion or an entire gown including a helmet and mask to be worn by the practitioner. In this embodiment, the practitioner can walk into the draping system.
• FIG. 6 shows an application where the folder draping system is placed upon the patient prior to surgery.Patient170 is placed on the operating table66,region180 is adhesively attached to the patient incision area whilepractitioner106A and instrument table166 standby.
• FIG. 7 shows the draping system ofFIG. 6 in an unfurled condition providing a continuous sterile field between the patient170,practitioner106A and instrument table166.Drape102 is attached to the practitioner to create a continuous sterile field between the patient and the practitioner using any of the attachment means and/or full or partial gowns including those described herein. Furthermore,drape portion103 is attached to instrument table166 creating a continuous sterile field there between.Drapes102 and103 also havequick release systems150A and150C.FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 show that a continuous sterile field can be quickly established by simply unfurling the draping system. The practitioner walks into the gown portion of the draping system thereby providing a readily made continuous sterile field. The system may accommodate multiple practitioners and corresponding continuous sterile fields. Air handler190 (not shown inFIG. 6 andFIG. 7) provides sterile air during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, should a practitioner need to become mobile, thenquick release system150A and150B enables separation from the continuous sterile filed while maintaining a sterile field around the patient and the mobile practitioner.
• FIG. 8 shows a single practitioner draping system in accordance with the present invention. Thedrape102 is preferably a flexible impervious sterile material and is attached to the gown of thepractitioner using clamps110. The clamps may be tied around the waist of the surgeon or alternatively may be other clamping means known to those familiar with the art including those previously described herein.Quick release system150 is included for releasing the practitioner from the draping system without unfasteningclamps110. The drape also has the transparent adhesiveback incision region180 for attachment to the patient incision area. The draping system ofFIG. 8 has the advantage of a single integral draping system that provides a continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the incision area and further providing for a quick release of the practitioner without unfastening of clamps while maintaining the sterile field around the incision area.
• FIG. 9 shows a multiple practitioner draping system in accordance with the present invention. Thedrape102 is preferably a flexible impervious sterile material. The drape includes aquick release system150A, drain160A and anincision area180 as previously described herein. The draping system also includesintegral torso258A andarm portions254A and256A of a gown for a first practitioner. The first practitioner slips into the gown portion by sliding arms throughsleeves254A and256A. The draping system also includesoptional clamps110A for the first practitioner which allow the additional fastening to the practitioner either by a tie around the practitioner's body, adhesive attachment to the a portion of the practitioner's gown or other clamping means known to those familiar with the art.
• The draping system ofFIG. 9 also includes anintegral torso258B andhelmet260B gown portion for a second practitioner which may at least partially facilitate fastening the drape to the second practitioner. The helmet portion may also include an integral mask or a clear face shield for providing a complete sterile field between the patient or theincision area180 and the face and head of the practitioner wearing thehelmet260B. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 9, the second practitioner need only slip on thehelmet260B to create the continuous sterile field between the patient and second practitioner. No additional fastening element is shown for coupling the draping system to the second practitioner. In an alternate arms and gloves of a gown may be incorporated into the draping system for the second practitioner.FIG. 9 also shows that the coupling of the draping system between the first and second practitioner need not be identical, rather the draping system can be designed to vary the coupling depending upon the type of surgery or the desires of the practitioners. Furthermore, quick release systems and drains provided for by the draping system may be unique to each practitioner. Further still, the draping system can account for more than two practitioners, and the unified draping system can be designed to cover a portion or substantially all of the patient.
• FIG. 10 shows a single practitioner draping system with a second section for covering a second operating room table. Thedrape102 is preferably a flexible impervious sterile material. The draping system includesclamps110 for fastening the draping system to the gown of the practitioner. The draping system includesclamps108 for coupling to the operating room table upon which the patient is positioned by attaching to another drape or to other operating table components. The draping system includes aquick release system150 for allowing the practitioner to separate from the continuous sterile field without unfasteningclamps110 or clamps108. Furthermore, the draping system includes aquick release system150C for allowing the second table to separate from the continuous sterile field without unfasteningclamps110 or clamps108. The draping system also includes asecond portion103 for covering a second table in the operating room and for providing a continuous sterile field between the second table and the practitioner and further between the second table and the operating room table upon which the patient is positioned. Preferably the second operating room table is used for placement of surgical instruments. The draping system ofFIG. 8 also includesclamps109 for attaching the draping system to the second operating room table.
• FIG. 8,FIG. 9 andFIG. 10 show combinations of various components of the invention. For example, the quick release system may be associated with multiple or single practitioners or need not be incorporated into the draping system. The drain is a similar option. Various components of a practitioner's gown may be incorporated into the draping system providing for a total gown, abbreviated gown or no gown at all for the practitioner. The draping system may be configured to cover multiple operating room tables. The draping system may be configured to cover a portion of the patient and used in combination with other drapes to provide a sterile field around the incision, or the draping system may provide a single unified drape for the operation. The drape may be adapted differently to accommodate different surgical procedures. The drape may include atransparent incision area180 or an opening for the incision. The draping system facilitates enhanced and simplified sterile environments providing advantages in mobile or field operating rooms.
• FIG. 11 shows a modular drape and gown system for providing a continuous sterile field between the patient and the practitioner.Patient170 is positioned atop operating table66 anddrape302 withintegral incision area180 positioned atop the patient. The drape is unfurled and has adrape extension portion305 extending the sterile field beyond and optionally below the table66. The extendedsterile portion305 of thedrape302 has anoptional drain160 for collecting fluids as previously described. The extended sterile portion of the drape has fasteners for fastening the drape at points beyond the table so as to suspend the drape extension and extend the sterile field. The embodiment ofFIG. 11 showsfastener ties310 which attach edges ofextended portion305 tohooks366 to suspend theextended portion305 at least several inches beyond and partially below the table66. The hooks form a suspension device for suspending the extension portion substantially beyond the edge of the operating table. In alternate embodiments, the suspension device may be any device adapted to suspend theextended drape305 beyond the table66 including a table or a stand. Preferably thehooks366 are attached to walls of the operating room or alternately may be extended from the table66 itself. In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the extension of the sterile field is independent of the practitioner being coupled to the patient's drape.
• A practitioner's gown has an extendedportion458, ahelmet460 similar toaforementioned helmet260B, andarms454 and456 similar toaforementioned arms254A and254B. The sterile field is established by the practitioner coupling thegown extension portion458 to theextended drape portion305. The coupling may be a friction coupling or other type of fastener known to those familiar with the art, such as VELCRO, ties, buttons, hooks, clips or adhesives. The alternate embodiments of the practitioner's gown for providing a continuous sterile field between the practitioner and the patient include other configurations described herein.
• FIG. 12 shows a side view of the modular drape and gown system ofFIG. 11. Thedrape302 has an extendedportion305 extending the sterile field beyond and optionally below the surface of table66. The extended portion is suspended fromhooks366 extending from the table66. Thepractitioner106 is wearing the modular gown having ahelmet460. The continuous sterile field between the practitioner and patient is established when thegown portion458 is coupled toextended portion305. The side view shows several advantages of this embodiment. If an instrument or tissue falls into the extended sterile field established bydrape portion305, then it is retained therein without compromising the sterile field or the sterile status of the instrument or tissue. Fluids and their corresponding weight are also readily suspended byhooks366 rather than practitioners and optionally handled bydrain160 andretainer162. Furthermore, the suspension system formed byhooks366 andfasteners310 extend the sterile field substantially beyond the edge of table66, at least two inches. Furthermore, the extension of the sterile field is independent of the presence of a practitioner. Thus, the advantages ofdrape302 andextended portion305 may be realized even if conventional prior art surgical gowns are used. Furthermore, practitioners may easily couple their modular gowns to theextended portion305 to complete the continuous sterile field between the patient and the practitioner. Alternatively, practitioners may use conventional gowns with an extension apron-like gown for coupling to drapeextension305.
• This embodiment has the further advantage that practitioner positions and their corresponding continuous sterile field may be established and modified during the surgical procedure without disruption of the extended sterile field established bydrape extension305. For example, a surgeon may initially be positioned at the head of the patient with thegown458 correspondingly coupled to theextended portion305 to form the continuous sterile field between the surgeon and the patient. The surgeon's assistant may be positioned to the right of the surgeon with asimilar gown458 that is also coupled to theextended drape305, thereby providing a second continuous sterile field between the patient and the assistant. If during surgery the surgeon and assistant are to change positions, then they would both decouple fromextended drape portion305, switch positions and re-couple to drapeportion305, the assistant now being at the patient's head and on the left of the surgeon with each advantageously having re-established the continuous sterile field between the patient at their new position.
• FIG. 13 shows a top view of the drape ofFIG. 11 andFIG. 12. Thedrape302 has anoptional incision area180 and drain160.Extended portion305 andties310 extend the sterile field beyond the area of the table. It should be appreciated by those familiar with the art that although the extended sterile field is shown as occurring on a single side of the table, additional extensions may be used to extend the field to multiple sides of the table, affording the aforementioned advantages to the extended sides of the table. It should further be appreciated that the extended sterile field may be extended for a portion of the side of the table or for the entire length of the side of the table. Furthermore, the sterile field may be extended on tables other than the surgical table used by the patient, for example the field may be extended on instrument tables using the teachings provided herein.
• FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein a continuous sterile field is established within an interior of a surgical enclosure such as a tent. The tent,502 is optionally suspended from ahook504. Alternative means of suspension are anticipated including floor positioned poles that may have inflatable rod and pistons for adjusting the height of the tent. The tent is positioned atop thepatient170 who is positioned upon table66. Theportion504 of the tent positioned atop the patient may include the previously discussedincision area180. A second portion of the tent may be positioned atop table166 which may be used retainsurgical instruments508 positioned thereupon. The interior of the tent is pre-sterilized, providing sterilized areas above thepatient170 and table166.
• A positive pressure in thetent502 is maintained byair handler510 which is coupled to vent512 oftent502.Air handler510 also provides sterilized air to the interior of the tent. The vent is optionally adapted to provide a laminar flow of sterilized air over the sterile field above the patient includingincision area180. The air handler may be adapted to modify the air facilitate to the surgical procedure. Modifications of the air include use of ions, thormbin mist or other therapeutic substances known to those familiar with the art. Particularly, such compounds can be used for multiple purposes including reduction of bleeding. Furthermore, the amount of positive pressure in the tent can be regulated. Consequently, patient bleeding may be affected by adjustment of the pressure.Air exit514 can either exit to the exterior of thetent502 or return air flow to theair handler510. The amount of air exiting throughair exit514 and be adjusted to realize a desired pressure within the interior of thetent502. In a mobile environment,air handler510 may comprise a tank of compressed and sterilized air sufficient to provide a pressurized interior for a duration of a surgical procedure.
• Openings520 and522 provide surgical access to the interior of the tent. The arm of apractitioner106 is shown accessing the interior throughopening520 to perform a surgical procedure.Openings520 and522 preferably include first and second overlapping flaps for substantially closing the opening in the absence of surgical access. Furthermore, the flaps separate in response to an arm of a practitioner being inserted through the opening and into the interior of the enclosure. The flaps are situated to minimize the size of any resultant opening to minimize any air escaping from the interior through the opening. An adhesive or other fastening means known to those familiar with the art may be incorporated into the overlapping flaps to minimize an amount of air escaping from the pressurized interior. Although only twoopenings520 and522 are shown, is should be appreciated that a multiplicity of openings may be placed in the tent walls in order to facilitate surgical access at multiple positions and/or multiple practitioners accessing the interior during surgery.
• The walls of the tent below the openings may be an opaque surgical draping material while the walls of the tent above the openings may be a transparent material. Thus, the walls of thetent502 are at least partially transparent.
• Previously described optional drain system160-162 collects fluids during surgery and drains them from the interior of the tent. A filter or mesh may be added to the drain to retain tissues for later use in surgery or for other humanitarian purposes.
• Thetent502 andair handler510 have the advantage of providing for a sterile environment in a location other than a conventional operation room. In order to establish a sterile surgical environment,incision area180 is adhesively attached to a patient, the tent placed upon the patient, unfurled and pressurized. Thus, a sterile surgical environment can be readily established in a mobile surgical field condition, a doctor's office or other non-conventional area where surgery may be necessary or convenient. The tent can have a portion for covering a second table such as an instrument table for placement of surgical instruments during surgery. The practitioner need not wear a full surgical gown, rather only the portions of the practitioner entering the interior of the tent need have surgical gown components. Furthermore, additional components may be added to the air to facilitate the surgery, or the interior pressure may be correspondingly varied. Upon completion of the surgery, thetent502 is simply disposed of.
• FIG. 15 shows an illuminated glove for use during surgery in accordance with the present invention. Theglove610 haslights620,622 and624 in three of the glove fingers. The lights are situated at the tip of each finger such that light radiates out of the tip. In alternate embodiments light or lights may be placed on other portions of the surgeon or the surgeon's gown such as the helmet, surgical face mask or shield, etc. Additionally, the light or lights may be located at other various locations of the glove including a single finger, such as the index finger, and the direction of the radiation of the light can be changed to different directions. The lights in the glove facilitate the practitioner's view of the procedure at hand. For example, a portable surgical enclosure may be deployed in a field situation where additional lighting may be desirable. In such an application, the lights incorporated within the practitioner's glove provide light for viewing the surgical procedure. Further, if a surgeon were harvesting organs or tissue soon after a late night automobile accident, then the illuminated gloves can provide the surgeon with ready and convenient illumination of the surgical procedure without the requirement of setting up a separate lighting apparatus or the use of an assistant to direct the light to a desired location. Furthermore, the surgical enclosure provides a sterile environment, even though the procedure is being performed in the field.
• Theglove610 has anintegral power supply630 and aswitch632 for activating the lights using awiring connection634. Preferably the lights are organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). In alternate embodiments, the lights can be any suitable form of illumination including silicon LEDs, electro-luminescent devices, miniature incandescent “wheat” bulbs or even chemical lights wherein light is generated in response to a chemical reaction (in whichcase battery630,switch632 andwiring634 would not be required). Thebattery630 is preferably a flexible film battery, other types of power sources are anticipated.Switch632 is shown incorporated into the battery pack and is switched upon the practitioner pressing on the word “SWITCH” imprinted upon the glove. Other switches known to those familiar with the art are anticipated. Preferably the battery, switch, wiring and bulbs are located on the inside of the surgical glove in order that a sterile exterior surface may be established at the time of manufacture of the glove and maintained during the surgical procedure. Wiring634 is preferably a “flex” circuit, known to those familiar with the art, and provides for coupling of the battery, lights and switch while facilitating installation inside the glove. Furthermore, incorporating the lights, battery, switch and associated wiring inside the glove provides for the continuous uninterrupted sterile surgical glove surface to which practitioners have become accustom.
• FIG. 16 shows a detail of a light located in the fingertip of a surgical glove worn by a practitioner in accordance with the present invention. Thesurgical glove610 comprised of a substantially light transmissive material and light generated bybulb620 is transmitted through the glove material to provide illumination during surgery. This maintains the sterile outer surface of the glove while providing for illumination during the surgical procedure.
• FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the illumination circuit for the illuminating surgical glove. Abattery630 is coupled to at least one light620-624 through aswitch632. Additional bias circuitry may be included. Preferably the battery, switch, lamps and wiring is incorporated on a flex circuit and adhesively attached inside of the surgical glove. Alternate methods of integrating the lights into the surgical glove are also anticipated. The illuminated surgical glove has the advantage in that the glove and lighting system form a single integral unit put on by the practitioner prior to surgery. Also, the unit is disposable after surgery, thereby avoiding any issues with sterilizing the illumination unit between surgical procedures. Components of the disposed of unit may be optionally salvaged for re-use.
• FIG. 18 shows a surgical drape having an integral illuminated fenestration and an integral information display. The illuminated fenestration provides lighting for the surgical procedure and may be an integral component of the drape.Patient170 is positioned upon an operating table66 and is covered withdrape302. Schematically the lighting is similar to the schematic ofFIG. 17. Lighting can be included in alighting apparatus650 which may be a bar or ring surrounding thefenestration180 which is an integral incision region having a transparent adhesive backed panel. A patient incision is made by simultaneously cutting through the transparent panel of the integral incision region and a corresponding portion of the patient while being illuminated bylighting apparatus650.Region180 is a clear, see-through component allowing visualization of the surgical area, and it could have an antimicrobial agent or antibiotic agent such as Betadine impregnated through it. Thelighting apparatus650 and the transparent panel are preferably an integral component of thedrape302. In an alternative embodiment, thelighting apparatus650 may be incorporated into thetransparent panel180, separate from the drape. Or, the lighting apparatus may be incorporated into the drape without the transparent panel. These embodiments provide convenient illumination of the surgical area in that the illumination is provided upon installation of the drape or fenestration having the integral lighting apparatus, thereby enhancing lighting of surgical procedures or facilitating surgical procedures in poorly lit environments such as field surgical procedures.
• FIG. 18 also shows a surgical display integrated into the drape in accordance with the present invention. Thesurgical display652 is coupled toequipment654 and provides the practitioner with information including information related to the surgical procedure. The display has the advantage of being incorporated or integrated into the drape thereby allowing for convenient viewing by the practitioner during the surgical procedure. Thesurgical display652 is preferably a flexible color display panel integral to the drape and incorporated into the drape prior to surgery. The surgical display panel can be comprised of an organic light emitting device (also referred to as organic light emitting diodes and organic light emitting display OLED) or other technologies that facilitate integration of a display into a surgical drape. The display panel provides a sterile surface for the surgical procedure and complements the sterile surface of the drape.
• FIG. 19 shows a block diagram of the surgical display in accordance with the present invention. Abattery670 powers thedisplay672, adisplay driver674 and aninterface676 for communicating withequipment654. Preferably the communication is wireless using a local area network such as the WiFi network defined by the 802.11b standard. Other wireless or wired interfaces are anticipated. If a wired interface is used, thenbattery670 is optional because power for the display can be provided byequipment654. The wireless interface allows the convenient application of the surgical drape with the integral display in that the display is installed and ready upon installation of the drape. This is highly advantageous in field surgical applications where locatingequipment654 may be problematical. Furthermore, information displayed on the display may be remotely generated, at a hospital for example, and communicated to the display in the field. The display information may include information relevant to the patient or instructions or advice from another remotely located practitioner.
• It should be appreciated that alternate lighting panels are also anticipated. A lighting panel can be incorporated into a drape or a wall of a surgical enclosure. A lighting panel incorporated into the wall of a surgical enclosure is shown aspanel680 ofFIG. 14. This lighting panel provides illumination within the surgical enclosure. A lighting panel can also be incorporated into a practitioner's gown to provide lighting in the area of the practitioner. Such a lighting panel is shown inFIG. 11 aspanel682. These lighting panels can be self-powered as previously discussed.
• The aforementioned lighting panels, lighting apparatus and surgical display have the advantage of a single integral unit that is assembled prior to surgery providing for quicker and simpler deployment of the surgical environment. Also, the lighting panels, lighting apparatus and surgical display can be disposable after surgery along with the drape or surgical tent enclosure, thereby avoiding any issues with sterilizing between surgical procedures. Alternatively, components of the disposed of lighting panels, lighting apparatus and surgical display may be salvaged for subsequent re-use.
• It should be appreciated that thelighting apparatus650 and/ordisplay652 may be incorporated into a surgical enclosure. Such a surgical enclosure is advantageous in field applications in that not only is a sterile environment readily established by the enclosure, but the enclosure further provides both lighting and an information display for use by the practitioner during the surgical procedure. Since the lighting and display are integral to the enclosure, the time and effort required to set up the procedure is significantly reduced.
CONCLUSION
• The draping system according to the present invention can use disposable drapes, preferably (some portions may be resterilizable and, accordingly reusable) with known current systems from commercial sources, including using technology of disposable independent drapes—¾ sheet, disposable adherent drapes—U-drapes, disposable adhesive drapes, Betadine drapes, VELCRO attached drapes, snap—plastic snap drapes, adhesive drapes, single piece drapes, multi drapes, two layer drapes, clear plastic drapes, independent or attached to drapes, one piece drapes with stretchable segment for extremities—arthroscopic drapes, shoulder drapes which incorporate U-drapes, square drapes, etc. multiple companies including using technology of disposable independent drapes—¾ sheet, disposable adherent drapes—U-drapes, disposable adhesive drapes—sticks to skin, Betadine drapes, Velcro attached drapes, snap—plastic snap drapes, adhesive drapes, single piece drapes, multi drapes, two layer drapes, clear plastic drapes, independent or attached to drapes, one piece drapes with stretchable segment for extremities—arthroscopic drapes, shoulder drapes which incorporate U-drapes, square drapes, etc.
• The draping system allows a sterile field directly or modularly attached to the surgeon and/or assistant.
• The drape can be adhesive drape. Part of the system could have a Betadine adhesive or a clear plastic adhesive which covers the skin where one would operate. This can be clear, see through the surgical area, or it can have antibiotics or Betadine impregnated through it. This can be a two layer drape with a larger drape below which sticks to the patient or is loosely attached to the patient and a narrower surgical field drape above for two layer draping. It can have attachments for surgical instruments such as suction, Bovie, arthroscopic equipment, etc. The drape can have a large pouch to collect all fluid, body parts, blood etc. so it does not drain all over the floor and could collect this in an easily disposable fashion.
• The drape can be attached to the surgeon and assistant with adhesive, VELCRO, snap, plastic snap, clip which is disposable or sterilizable. This can be a separate sheet which can attach to the surgeon and patient or it can be a quick release with some serrated edges to allow the surgeon to tear away. The drape could be fairly flexible and could have flexed sections or may have a large redundant area which would go down to the surgeon's knees or to the floor to maintain the sterile field (by typical sterile technique anything below a surgeon's waist level is considered un-sterile or below the hospital bed). However, with this system, if the drape happens to drop down to the floor it creates a contiguous sterile field and therefore, surgeon could retrieve dropped objects from the floor if it is contained within the drape.
• This can be a one piece system with flaps to the surgeon and assistant or could be a multi-piece system. It allows movement, twisting, sitting to standing. If the surgeon needs to change positions, going from one side of the table to another, there can be a quick release system. There also can be a tearing system in emergencies, possibly serrated system to allow the surgeon or assistant to leave if necessary.
• The drapes can also be used to create a mobile field. Specifically, the drapes can be made to have a surgeon's helmet attached to it and part of a surgeon's gown attached to it so that the surgeon would literally walk into the drape, his hands and his face would go into the drape to create a mobile surgical field attached to the patient to create even more of a sterile field. It can have laminar flow system connected to it to create sterile air coming in and then a suction coming out so it could have unidirectional air flow to further sterilize the field.
• The mobile field can have a tent, a cover over the top of this to create a mobile surgical field so that this could be done in emergency setting such as a military field or outdoors. Attaching in flowing air and out flowing air, maintaining super sterile air, this can also be used for tissue harvesting, bone harvesting, organ harvesting under an emergency situation. It can have the surgeon's gown, face mask, sterilizable hood all attached as part of it. It can be unrolled as one sterile pack adhering to the patient and rolling outward and the surgeon simply walks into the drape as does the assistant. When the procedure is complete, simply roll up the drape and throw it away maintaining all contaminated body parts, tissue issues.
• The drape can have a sterile flap where instruments can be passed through, can have a simple opening where the assistant or scrub nurse can deliver instruments required through this field or the drape could be a flat open sheet where the assistant can bring the instruments on top of the sterile surgical field. There can also be a separate attachment for the circulating nurse.
• There can also be a separate flap which would cover all the surgical tables where the instrument would be applied to the instrument table—Mayo stand, rotating table, moving table, would have a drape which would unfurl and cover them and also make them part of the surgical field so the nurse simply opens the pack up and covers her surgical tables, Mayo stands, etc. and lays the instruments over this after then entire case is unfurled.
• This can combine all known existing draping system or add systems such as a quick release drape, extended drapes, modular drapes, procedure specific drapes, all in one drape, instrument attached drapes. Many of the methods can be extremely valuable as creating this mobile field where the existing concepts of what is a “sterile field” would be modified where the surgeon can sit down, stand up, move around. The sterile field can extend below the waist.
• The drape can also include an abbreviated surgeon's gown (simply with the arms and front portion of the gown), that would be a portion of the drapes so one would not worry about the draping down to the floor, it would simply have arm holes so that the surgeon can put his arms through there and the nurse would put gloves on him once they are sterilized. One person may need an independently moveable surgical gown, but otherwise the drape itself may have surgical hand holds through that to allow surgeon to stick his arms through it and the hands are simply draped with gloves, but the hand holes and front part of the gown are actually part of the drape and is included in the packs. It is a modified gown with hand holes in front of the gown that are actually part of the drape which then attaches to the patient all as one unit. This appears as a marriage of half of surgeons gown with half of a free drape bonding to the patient's.
• Organic Light Emitting Devices or OLED's can be used in the surgical draping concepts. For example, this disposable light emitting device can be sterilizable and placed on a practitioner's index finger or a practitioner's disposable gloves or gowns. This could permit light while a surgeon is working in the field, not having a bulky overhead light. This would then accommodate for the tent-like disposable sterilizable operating room enclosure system. These OLED's also would have the ability for a flexible visual screen where practitioners could see either through a small strip in their glasses or their gowns or the draping system. In the clear plastic hoods there could be a strip of disposable light emitting devices where we could see a computer such as a heads up display or see monitors rather than having a formal TV screen required in the room. The display can be part of the actual “space suit” we describe, the sterile hood enclosure system with its own breathing apparatus, or in a separate portion of the drape. This can be multi use if it is separate and adjacent to the drapes, but as it is flexible it can be mounted in the usual locations and more accessible places. The display can be easily moved up close to the surgeon's field so such a large bulky television screen is not used, or on a single use basis it could be built into the surgeons “bubble” of the sterile field surrounding the head so there may be a strip or a portion in glasses or disposable bubble which can be used on each case. Light can also be transmitted from this area and can be both for optics and for surgical light source.
• This technology is suited for the surgical environment especially because of its disposable, sterilizable and/or single use application. The light emitting devices can be built into our disposable gloves as either a light source or as a vision screen.
• In view of the above description, there are many different features to the invention. It is contemplated that these features may be used either alone or in combination. It should be understood by those familiar with the art that numerous modifications and equivalent features may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments described, and that equivalent applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the invention are contemplated.

Claims (46)

1. A draping system for surgery, comprising:

a drape for providing a continuous sterile field over a patient; and

an information display disposed on said drape and viewable by a practitioner, said flexible color display showing information benefiting the patient to the practitioner.

2. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein said information display is flexible.

3. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein said information display shows colors.

4. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein said information display includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

5. The draping system according toclaim 1, further comprising a means for communicating the information to said display.

6. The draping system according toclaim 5, wherein said means for communicating the information to said display is a wire.

7. The draping system according toclaim 5, wherein said means for communicating the information to said display is a wireless receiver.

8. The draping system according toclaim 7, wherein said wireless receiver receives information according to the 802.11b standard.

9. The draping system according toclaim 1, further comprising a battery connected to and powering said display.

10. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein the information is remotely generated.

11. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein the information includes data regarding the patient.

12. The draping system according toclaim 1, wherein the information includes instructions from a further practitioner.

13. A draping system for surgery, comprising:

a drape for providing a continuous sterile field over a patient; and

a hook supporting said drape to extend the sterile field.

14. The draping system according toclaim 13, further comprising a fastener fastening said drape to said hook.

15. The draping system according toclaim 13, wherein said hook is connected to a wall.

16. The draping system according toclaim 13, wherein said hook is connected to an operating table supporting the patient.

17. A portable surgical enclosure, comprising:

a tent enclosing a continuous sterile field configured to be disposed above a patient; and

a means for operating on the patient from outside the tent without compromising the continuous sterile field.

18. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 17, wherein said tent includes an incision area disposed on the patient.

19. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 17, wherein said tent includes a portion disposed over a table, said portion being configured to support a surgical instrument.

20. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 17, further comprising an air handler connected to said tent and supplying sterilized air to said tent.

21. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 20, wherein said air handler provides a positive pressure of the sterilized air to fill said tent.

22. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 20, wherein said air handler supplements the sterilized air by adding an additive selected from the group consisting of ions, thrombin mist, and a therapeutic substance.

23. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 20, wherein said tent has an air exit formed therein.

24. The portable surgical enclosure according toclaim 23, wherein said air exit is connected to said air handler for recirculating the air.

25. The portable enclosure according toclaim 23, wherein said air exit controls an amount of the air exiting said tent.

26. The portable enclosure according toclaim 17, wherein said means for operating on the patient is a hole formed in said tent, said hole providing access for a practitioner to operate on the patient.

27. The portable enclosure according toclaim 26, further comprising a flap for closing said hole.

28. The portable enclosure according toclaim 17, wherein said tent includes a transparent portion.

29. The portable enclosure according toclaim 17, wherein said tent includes an opaque portion.

30. The portable enclosure according toclaim 17, further comprising a drain connected to said tent for collecting fluids during surgery on the patient.

31. The portable enclosure according toclaim 19, wherein said tent includes a further portion disposed over a further table, said further portion being configured to support a surgical instrument.

32. The portable enclosure according toclaim 19, further comprising a hook connected to said tent, said hook being configured to connect to a support in order to suspend said tent.

33. The portable enclosure according toclaim 32, wherein:

said tent has a ceiling; and

a pole disposed within said tent for supports said ceiling.

34. A glove for illuminating a patient, comprising:

a sterile exterior surface covering a hand of a practioner; and

a light integrally disposed in said sterile exterior surface.

35. The glove according toclaim 34, wherein said sterile exterior surface includes a light transmisive portion, said light emitting through said light transmisive portion.

36. The glove according toclaim 34, wherein said light is an organic light emitting diode.

37. The glove according toclaim 34, further comprising a switch connected to said light for activating said light.

38. The glove according toclaim 34, further comprising flexible wiring connected to said light.

39. The glove according toclaim 34, wherein:

said sterile exterior surface has a finger portion for receiving a finger of the practitioner; and

said light is disposed in said finger.

40. The glove according toclaim 34, further comprising a battery connected to said light and powering said light.

41. The glove according toclaim 40, wherein said battery is a flexible film battery.

42. A method for forming a continuous sterile field over a patient, which comprises:

providing a drape having a fenestration; and

disposing said fenestration of said drape over a location on a patient where an incision is to be made.

43. The method according toclaim 42, which further comprises:

folding said drape with said fenestration on a bottom before said disposing step; and

unfolding said drape after said disposing step.

44. The method according toclaim 42, which further comprises attaching said drape to a practitioner.

45. The method according toclaim 44, which further comprises attaching said drape to a further practitioner.

46. The method according toclaim 42, which further comprises disposing said drape over an instrument table.

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