Sealing Systems And Methods Employing A Switchable Drape

Abstract

A sealing system that includes a switchable drape is presented. The drape provides enhanced sealing by using a high-strength adhesive. In one instance, the switchable drape has a plurality of perforations through which a switching solution may be delivered to the high-strength adhesive. The switching solution causes the high-strength adhesive to become less adhesive so that the switchable drape may be removed more easily. Other systems, methods, and drapes are presented.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A drape comprising:
 an outer layer having a first side and a second side;   a first adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the first adhesive covering a central portion of the outer layer;   a second adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the second adhesive covering a periphery of the outer layer, the second adhesive having a tackiness greater than a tackiness of the first adhesive;   a plurality of perforations disposed in the periphery of the outer layer; and   the tackiness of the second adhesive configured to decrease in response to application of a solution to the second adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations comprise slits having no material removed from the outer layer. 
     
     
         3 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations comprise a plurality of apertures having an average effective diameter between about 0.05 mm and about 0.4 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations comprise a plurality of apertures, and a surface area of the plurality of apertures is between about 0.2% and about 13% of a surface area of the outer layer. 
     
     
         5 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations comprise half-moon slits. 
     
     
         6 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations have a pitch in a range of about 1.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer comprises a drape material having a moisture vapor transmission rate between about 300 grams per meters squared per twenty-four hours and about 14,600 grams per meters squared per twenty-four hours. 
     
     
         8 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a thickness in a range of about 5 microns to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The drape of  claim 1 , wherein the second adhesive comprises an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . A drape comprising:
 an outer layer having a first side and a second side;   an adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the adhesive and having a first side, a second side, and a tackiness;   a plurality of fibers disposed in the adhesive, the fibers configured to wick a solution through the adhesive; and   the tackiness of the adhesive configured to decrease in response to application of the solution to the fibers.   
     
     
         11 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive comprises an acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fibers are randomly distributed in the adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprise continuous threads. 
     
     
         14 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fibers comprise scatter coated fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive has a bond strength in a range of greater than about 144 N/m to about 288 N/m. 
     
     
         16 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive has a bond strength in a range of greater than about 144 N/M to about 288 N/m, and the solution is adapted to decrease the tackiness of the adhesive by about 50%. 
     
     
         17 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the outer layer comprises a drape material having a moisture vapor transmission rate between about 300 grams per meters squared per twenty-four hours and about 14,600 grams per meters squared per twenty-four hours. 
     
     
         18 . The drape of  claim 10 , wherein the outer layer has a thickness in a range of about 5 microns to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         19 . A kit for forming a seal over a portion of a patient's body, the kit comprising:
 a drape comprising:
 an outer layer having a first side and a second side, 
 an adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the adhesive and having a first side, a second side, and a tackiness, 
 a plurality of fibers disposed in the adhesive, and 
 a release member releasably coupled to the second side of the adhesive; and 
   a solution configured to decrease the tackiness of the adhesive if applied to the plurality of fibers, the fibers configured to wick the solution through the adhesive.   
     
     
         20 . A kit for forming a seal over a portion of a patient's body, the kit comprising:
 a drape comprising:
 an outer layer having a first side and a second side, 
 a first adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the first adhesive covering a central portion of the outer layer, 
 a second adhesive coupled to the second side of the outer layer, the second adhesive covering a periphery of the outer layer, the second adhesive having a tackiness greater than a tackiness of the first adhesive, 
 a plurality of perforations disposed in the periphery of the outer layer, 
 a first release member releasably coupled to the first side of the outer layer, and 
 a second release member releasably coupled to the first adhesive and the second adhesive; and 
   a solution configured to decrease the tackiness of the second adhesive if applied to the first side of the outer layer.