Urology drape

Abstract

A urology drape is disclosed which comprises a flexible sheet ( 12 ) which has a flexible hood ( 22 ) overlying part of the sheet ( 12 ) to form a repository ( 24 ) between the sheet ( 12 ) and the hood ( 22 ). The sheet ( 12 ) has a hole ( 18 ) to enable a procedure to be performed on a patient when the drape is located on the patient. Bodily fluid is able to flow from the hole down the sheet ( 12 ) into the repository ( 24 ) and when the procedure is finished, the drape can be folded or otherwise collapsed into a disposable package so that the drape and fluid can be disposed of in a hygienic manner.

1 . A urology drape comprising:
 a sheet for draping over a patient, the sheet having a first end and a second end, a hole in the sheet between the first and the second end for exposing the genital region of a patient; and   a hood overlying part of the sheet between the hole and the second end and attached to the sheet to define a repository between the sheet and the hood for catching bodily fluids.   
     
     
         2 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the sheet is wider than the second end so the drape tapers from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         3 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein a dam can be provided between the opening and the hood so as to prevent backflow of fluid captured in the repository towards the second end of the sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein the drape includes ties for tying a used drape into a bundle for disposal: 
     
     
         5 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein the drape has a wall extending about the periphery of the sheet between the first end and the hood. 
     
     
         6 . The drape of  claim 5  wherein the wall is integral and forms a continuation of the hood, and a work area is defined between the hood and the wall. 
     
     
         7 . The drape of  claim 6  wherein the hole is provided in the work area. 
     
     
         8 . The drape of  claim 7  wherein the hole is surrounded by an absorbent pad. 
     
     
         9 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein a perforation extends from the hole to a periphery of the drape for facilitating tearing of the drape to remove the drape from a patient. 
     
     
         10 . The drape of  claim 1  wherein the hood takes up a generally inverted V-shape configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The drape of  claim 10  wherein the hood includes a fold line for forming the inverted V-shape configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A method of performing a urology procedure, comprising:
 dressing the patient with a drape having a repository for collection of bodily fluids;   performing the urology procedure so that bodily fluids discharged as a result of the procedure collect in the repository; and   removing the drape from the patient.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the drape includes ties and the method further comprises folding the drape into the repository and tying the folded drape with, the ties for disposal of. the used drape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the method further comprises tilting the patient to facilitate flow of discharged liquid down into the repository. 
     
     
         15 . A urology drape comprising:
 a flexible sheet for location on a patient between a patient's legs when the patient is in a supine position, the sheet having a first end and a second end;   a hole in the sheet at a first intermediate location between the first and second ends;   a flexible hood overlying the sheet and extending between the second end of the sheet and a second intermediate location between the second end and the first intermediate location;   the hood being connected to the sheet about the periphery of the hood except for an edge of the hood facing the hole;   the sheet and the hood forming a flexible repository therebetween for catching and retaining the bodily fluids; and   wherein after use of the drape, the drape is collapsible or foldable to form a disposable package containing the fluid to enable hygienic disposal of the drape and the fluid after use of the drape.   
     
     
         16 . The drape of  claim 15  wherein the sheet has a sheet portion between the hole and the edge of the hood which forms a run off for the fluid from the hole to the repository. 
     
     
         17 . The drape of  claim 15  wherein the hood is connected to the sheet at the second end by a fold line so that the sheet and the hood are formed from a single piece of flexible sheet material. 
     
     
         18 . The drape of  claim 15  wherein the hood has first and second side peripheral edges which are connected to the sheet by a liquid impervious sealing method. 
     
     
         19 . The drape of  claim 18  wherein the hood is connected to the sheet by adhesive or heat welding. 
     
     
         20 . The drape of  claim 18  further comprising a closure for closing the repository after use of the drape so as to provide a substantially leak proof repository containing the fluid for disposal. 
     
     
         21 . The drape of  claim 20  wherein the closure comprises a plurality of ribbon ties. 
     
     
         22 . The drape of  claim 20  wherein the closure comprises a draw cord.