Flexible Disposable Sheet with Absorbent Core

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disposable sheet with an absorbent pad comprising multiple layers. In particular, the absorbent pad of the present invention maintains skin dryness by absorbing moisture while preventing leakage to the skin or the bed linens, allowing air circulation at the surface of the patient's skin to prevent heat buildup, and is strong enough to allow the patient to be repositioned, even when the pad is wet. In a particular embodiment the first layer is comprised of a fluid-permeable, porous material, the second layer is disposed under the first layer and is comprised of at least one super absorbent material, and a base layer disposed under the second layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sheet adapted for covering a patient support structure comprising:
 a first layer having a perimeter and comprising:
 a flexible, fluid permeable, air permeable material, and 
 an elastic cord joined to and extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the first layer; 
   a second layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the first layer, the second layer comprising at least one super absorbent material;   a third layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the second layer, the third layer comprising a hydrophobic breathable film; and   a fourth layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the third layer, the fourth layer comprising an air permeable material,   wherein the perimeter of the first layer extends beyond the perimeters of the second, third and fourth layers along at least a portion of the perimeters of the second, third and fourth layers.   
     
     
         2 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord gathers a portion of the perimeter of the first layer such that the gathered portion is adapted to engage an edge of the patient support structure and the first layer extends beneath at least a portion of a bottom surface of the patient support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet of  claim 2 , wherein the first layer extends beneath a a portion of a bottom surface of the patient support structure around substantially the entire perimeter of the patient support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet of  claim 2 , wherein the patient support structure is a mattress. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet of  claim 4 , wherein the mattress is an operating room table mattress. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a second elastic cord joined to and extending along a second portion of the perimeter of the first layer. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         8 . The sheet of  claim 7 , wherein the nonwoven material is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic nonwoven material, a staple nonwoven material, a melt blown nonwoven material, a spunmelt nonwoven material, a spunbond nonwoven material, SMS (spunbond meltblown spunbond) materials, spun lace materials, needle-felted materials, a thermal bonded nonwoven, a trough air bonded nonwoven material, a spunlaid nonwoven material, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a weight of about 10 gsm to about 20 gsm. 
     
     
         10 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a Moisture Transfer Rate of between about 5 sec/mL to about 200 sec/mL. 
     
     
         11 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer has an air permeability in the range of about 10 seconds/100 mL to about 100 seconds/100 mL. 
     
     
         12 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises an air-laid material. 
     
     
         13 . The sheet of  claim 12 , wherein the air-laid material comprises cellulose. 
     
     
         14 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a super absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         15 . The sheet of  claim 14 , wherein the super absorbent polymer comprises a polymer or copolymer of sodium polyacrylate. 
     
     
         16 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth layer comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         17 . The sheet of  claim 16 , wherein the nonwoven material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, viscose rayon, nylon, at least one biodegradable polymeric material and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth layers are adhered together. 
     
     
         19 . The sheet of  claim 18 , wherein the layers are adhered together using an adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . The sheet of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . A sheet adapted for covering a patient support structure comprising:
 a first layer having a perimeter and comprising a flexible, fluid permeable, air permeable material;   a second layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the first layer, the second layer comprising at least one super absorbent material;   a third layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the second layer, the third layer comprising a hydrophobic breathable film; and   a fourth layer having a perimeter and being disposed under the third layer, the fourth layer comprising an air permeable material and an elastic cord joined to and extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the fourth layer,   wherein the perimeter of the fourth layer extends beyond the perimeters of the first, second and third layers along at least a portion of the perimeters of the first, second and third layers.