Appeal No. 1998-2029 Page 10
Application No. 08/258,643
sealed after the completion of the surgical procedure so
that the fluid will not escape from the bag as the drape
is being removed from the patient.
Morris further discloses that there may be a drainage tube 35
in the lower, closed end of the bag 19 to drain excess fluid
from the bag 19. Morris further teaches (column 4, lines 18-
41) that
[t]he drape is folded into a compact size to allow
the drape to be aseptically placed in position on the
patient. The drape is preferably folded so that the
incise film 16 is on the outer surface of the folded
drape. When placing the drape on the patient, the release
sheet 26 is removed from the adhesive surface of the film
16, and the film is secured to the skin of the patient
over the operative site. The drape is then unfolded and
spread over the patient's body. After the drape is
unfolded, the paper insert 27, covering the upper surface
of the film 16, is removed and discarded. The initial
surgical incision is made through the fenestration 33 in
the film. The metal strip 25 is then bent in an
appropriate shape to insure the opening 21 is maintained
in communication with the fluid collection bag 19. The
bag 19 may be conveniently placed between the patient's
legs, out of the way of the surgical staff. Any fluid
from the site of the incision is directed by the flaps 17
through the opening 21 in the drape and into the fluid
collection bag 19. When the surgical incision is to be
closed, the release sheet 24 on the flap 22 of the bag is
removed, and the flap 22 is secured to the upper surface
of the drape, sealing the fluid collection bag.
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