Surgical Sock

Abstract

A sterile orthopaedic containment sock is described. The sock is made of a surgical polymer material, and is applied to a patient's foot prior to a surgery to isolate contaminants. The sock conforms to the patient's foot and may be packaged such that its application needs not incur contact between the patient's foot and the hand of the person applying the sock.

1 . An orthopaedic containment sock, comprising:
 a sterile, surgical polymer sock-like device, further comprising a main opening that is defined by a snugly fitting upper margin;   an ankle region;   a conformal foot portion; and   a toe.   
   
   
       2 . The sock of  claim 1 , wherein,
 the sock can be sterilized and packaged with the upper margin being turned outwardly.   
   
   
       3 . The sock of  claim 2 , wherein,
 the upper margin is rolled outwardly.   
   
   
       4 . The sock of  claim 2 , wherein,
 the upper margin is folded outwardly.   
   
   
       5 . The sock of  claims 1 ,  2 ,  3 , or  4 , wherein,
 the sock includes moulded-in grip features.   
   
   
       6 . The sock of any of  claim 1  to  5 , wherein,
 an inner rim of the upper margin of the sock is sealed with a sterile and waterproof adhesive plastic strip.   
   
   
       7 . An applicator for an orthopaedic containment sock, comprising:
 a split-ring body having two generally C-shaped sections, the sections being joined by a hinge, wherein each section comprises a curved inner margin.   
   
   
       8 . The applicator of  claim 7 , wherein,
 the curved inner margin is bordered by a raised peripheral rib.   
   
   
       9 . The applicator of  claim 7  or  8 , wherein,
 each C-shaped section further comprises one or more laterally extending grip.   
   
   
       10 . The applicator of  claim 7 ,  8 , or  9 , wherein,
 the applicator is wide enough to receive an appendage, such as a foot.   
   
   
       11 . An orthopaedic containment sock and an applicator for the sock, wherein:
 the sock being a sterile, surgical polymer device, comprises a main opening defined by an upper margin;   the applicator comprises a split-ring body having two C-shaped halves, each half having a curved inner margin, wherein the applicator is wide enough to receive an appendage inserted into the main opening the sock.   
   
   
       12 . The sock and the applicator of  claim 11 , wherein,
 the upper margin is formed by folding an upper portion of the sock outwardly.   
   
   
       13 . The sock and the applicator of  claim 11 , wherein,
 wherein the upper margin is a rolled edge of the sock   
   
   
       14 . The sock and the applicator of  claim 13 , wherein,
 the curved inner margin is bordered by a raised peripheral rib, wherein the raised peripheral rib is positioned between the upper margin and the body of the sock.   
   
   
       15 . The sock and applicator of any of  claims 11  to  14 , wherein,
 the sock and applicator are packaged together in a sterile container.   
   
   
       16 . The applicator in any of  claims 11  to  15 , wherein,
 the two C-shaped halves are joined by a hinge, whereby the C-shaped halves can be pivoted apart.   
   
   
       17 . The applicator in any of  claims 11  to  16 , wherein,
 each C-shaped half further comprises one or more laterally extending grips.   
   
   
       18 . The sock in any of  claims 11  to  17 , wherein,
 the sock is made of latex.   
   
   
       19 . The sock in any of  claims 11  to  18 , wherein,
 the sock includes moulded-in grip features.   
   
   
       20 . The sock in any of  claim 11  to  19 , wherein,
 an inner rim of the upper margin of the sock is sealed with a sterile and waterproof adhesive strip.