Sterile drape for ultrasound probe

Abstract

A sterilizable drape for draping an ultrasound probe during an invasive ultrasonographic procedure, and a process of forming such a drape. An elongated sleeve member, having an open first end and a substantially closed second end with a circular fenestration therethrough, is formed of a sterilizable, flexible, fluid impervious material such as polyethylene. A pair of pull ties extend from the open end to aid in pulling the drape over an ultrasound probe and cable. A tubular member, having an outside diameter substantially equal to the fenestration diameter and formed of a sterilizable, flexible, resilient, fluid impervious material such as latex, is sealed to the sleeve member and extends through the fenestration. The tubular member has an open first end, communicating with the sleeve member interior through the fenestration, and a closed second end. To form the drape, a circular fenestration is formed through substantially the center of a rectangular piece of sterilizable, flexible, fluid impervious material. The tubular member is inserted through the fenestration and sealed to the rectangular piece by a two-sided tape. Longitudinally extending slits are formed at diametrically opposite sides of an open ended sleeve of the same fluid impervious material, and the ends of the rectangular piece are heat sealed to the folded back sleeve side walls. Each folded over side of the rectangle is heat sealed to itself so that the rectangular piece forms an extension of the sleeve. The pull tabs are added, and the drape is accordian folded and sterilized.