Sterile drape for attachment to an imaging machine

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a kit of parts for use in a surgical procedure performed under image guidance, and particularly under real time image guidance. The kit includes a sterilized drape for use with the chosen imaging machine and which can be used to provide a sterile operating environment when the procedure is performed under the imaging beam. The kit also includes a needle holder that can keep the surgeon's hand away from the imaging beam. The needle holder is operable to hold a needle that is made from a material suitable for piercing tissue, but also substantially preserves the appearance of the needle when it is viewed under the imaging beam.

1 . A substantially real time imaging machine sterile drape, said drape having two openings, and comprising:
 a sheet of flexible plastic material for providing a substantially sterile barrier in the image beam path between a substantially real time imaging machine and an area to be imaged of a patient, said sheet of flexible plastic material comprising a tube;   an attachment means configured to affix said sheet to said substantially real time imaging machine;   said drape being dimensioned to substantially match the variation in diameter of a channel of the substantially real time imaging machine; and   said drape being further dimensioned to permit each of said openings to assume a first state and a second state, wherein said openings in said first state are dimensioned to be smaller than a middle of the drape, and wherein said openings in said second state are extended to assume a dimension that is greater than the middle of the drape.   
     
     
         2 . The drape according to  claim 1 , wherein said sheet material comprises a tube, and wherein the two openings each comprise an annular opening. 
     
     
         3 . The drape according to  claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises a elastic member coupled to each of said annular openings. 
     
     
         4 . The drape according to  claim 3 , wherein said substantially real time imaging machine includes a tube with a lip at each end thereof, and wherein each elastic member is configured to attach said plastic sheet to a corresponding lip. 
     
     
         5 . A substantially real time imaging machine sterile drape, said drape having two openings, and comprising:
 a sheet of material for providing a substantially sterile barrier between a substantially real time imaging machine and a patient;   an attachment means configured to affix said sheet to said substantially real time imaging machine,   wherein said sheet of material comprises plastic and is substantially tubular;   said drape being dimensioned to permit each of said openings to assume a first state and a second state, wherein said openings in said first state are dimensioned to be smaller than a middle of the drape, and wherein said openings in said second state are extended to assume a dimension that is greater than the middle of the drape;   said drape being further dimensioned to substantially match the variation in diameter of a channel of the substantially real time imaging machine.   
     
     
         6 . A substantially real time imaging machine sterile drape, comprising:
 a substantially real time imaging machine;   a sheet of material for providing a substantially sterile barrier between said substantially real time imaging machine and a patient, said sheet of material comprising plastic and being substantially tubular; and   an attachment means configured to affix said sheet to said substantially real time imaging machine,   wherein said substantially real time imaging machine has (i) a tubular chamber having a varying diameter, and (ii) a pair of annular lips that flare outwardly from respective openings of said machine, and wherein said attachment means includes an annular shaped elastic integral with each open respective end of said sheet, each said elastic configured to grasp a respective lip, and   wherein the tubular sheet of material is dimensioned to substantially match the variation in diameter of a channel of the substantially real time imaging machine.   
     
     
         7 . A substantially real time imaging machine sterile drape comprising:
 a sheet of material for providing a substantially sterile barrier between said real time imaging machine and a patient, said sheet of material being plastic and substantially tubular; and   an attachment means configured to affix said sheet to a substantially real time imaging machine,   wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, ties, and snaps; and   wherein the sheet of material is dimensioned to substantially match the variation in diameter of the channel of said substantially real time imaging machine.   
     
     
         8 . The drape according to  claim 7 , wherein the plastic material is configured to be disposed in an imaging beam path between said substantially real time imaging machine and an area to be imaged of a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The drape according to  claim 7 , wherein the tubular sheet material has two openings. 
     
     
         10 . The drape according to  claim 7 , wherein the plastic material is configured to be disposed in an imaging beam path between said substantially real time imaging machine and an area to be imaged of a patient. 
     
     
         11 . The drape according to  claim 7 , wherein said substantially real time imaging machine includes a tube with a lip at each end thereof, and wherein said attachment means comprises two members, each configured to attach said plastic sheet to a corresponding lip. 
     
     
         12 . The drape according to  claim 11 , wherein each said member comprises an elastic member. 
     
     
         13 . An imaging machine sterile drape, said drape having two openings, and comprising:
 a sterile package;   a flexible sheet of sterile material disposed within said sterile package and configured to provide a substantially sterile barrier in an imaging beam path between an imaging machine and an area to be imaged of a patient, said sheet of material being dimensioned to substantially match the variation in diameter of the channel of the imaging machine; and   flexible attachment structure configured to affix said sheet to said imaging machine.   
     
     
         14 . The drape according to  claim 13 , wherein said sheet material comprises a flexible plastic tube, and wherein said attachment structure comprises, at each end of said tube, at least one of an elastic member, velcro fasteners, and snaps. 
     
     
         15 . The drape according to  claim 13 , wherein the imaging machine includes a tube with a lip at each end thereof, and wherein said attachment structure comprises an elastic member at each tube end configured to attach the corresponding tube end to a corresponding imaging machine lip.