Medical drape with patterned adhesive layer and method of making the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a medical drape having a patterned adhesive layer and a method for making the same. A medical drape suitable for use in a decompression system for providing decompression to a tissue site is described. In some embodiments, the drape may include a flexible membrane and an adhesive layer coupled to the flexible membrane. The adhesive layer may include a first adhesive disposed in a first pattern on a first portion of the flexible membrane. The first adhesive may be configured to secure the flexible membrane near the tissue site. The adhesive layer generally includes a second adhesive disposed in a second pattern on a second portion of the flexible membrane. The second adhesive may be configured to seal the flexible membrane near the tissue site. The first pattern and the second pattern are preferably aligned so that the first portion and the second portion deviate, thereby covering substantially different portions of the flexible membrane.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on November 14, 2013, with application number 201380069920.2 and invention name “Medical drape with patterned adhesive layer and method for manufacturing the same”.

[0002] This invention claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 727,660 filed by Locke et al. on November 16, 2012, entitled “Medical Drape with Pattern Adhesive Layers and Method of Manufacturing Same,” which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0003] field

[0004] The present invention generally relates to dressings for adhering to a patient, and more particularly, but not limited to, a medical drape having a patterned adhesive layer deposited thereon and methods of making the same. background

[0005] Clinical research and practice have shown that reducing the pressure near a tissue site can promote and accelerate the growth of new tissue at that tissue site. The application of this phenomenon is many, but it has been proven to be particularly advantageous for treating wounds. Regardless of whether the cause of the wound is trauma, surgery or other reasons, proper care of the wound is very important to the result. Treating wounds with reduced pressure is generally referred to as "reduced pressure therapy", but it can also be known by other names, such as "negative pressure wound therapy" and "vacuum therapy". Reduced pressure therapy can provide many benefits, including migration of epithelial and subcutaneous tissue, improving blood flow and micro-deformation of the tissue at the wound site. These benefits can increase the development of granulation tissue and reduce healing time together.

[0006] While the clinical benefits of reduced pressure therapy are well known, the cost and complexity of reduced pressure therapy can be limiting factors in its adoption, and the development and operation of reduced pressure systems, components, and processes continue to present significant challenges to manufacturers, healthcare providers, and patients.

[0007] Overview

[0008] According to an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a medical drape is described. The medical drape can include a flexible film and a first adhesive disposed on a first portion of the flexible film in a first pattern. The medical drape can also include a second adhesive disposed on a second portion of the flexible film in a second pattern. The second pattern can be aligned with the first pattern such that the first portion and the second portion cover substantially different portions of the flexible film.

[0009] According to another illustrative embodiment, a system for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure is described. The system may include a manifold for distributing reduced pressure near a tissue site and a reduced pressure source fluidly coupled to the manifold. The system may also include a drape. The drape may include a first adhesive and a second adhesive coupled to the drape. The second adhesive may be aligned with the first adhesive such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the drape.

[0010] According to yet another illustrative embodiment, a method for manufacturing a medical drape is disclosed. The method provides a flexible film and places a first adhesive on one side of the flexible film in a first pattern. The method also places a second adhesive on the side of the flexible film in a second pattern. The first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the flexible film. The second adhesive may have a viscosity that is less than a viscosity of the first adhesive.

[0011] According to yet another illustrative embodiment, a method of treating a tissue site with reduced pressure is disclosed. The method positions a manifold for distributing reduced pressure proximate a tissue site and fluidly couples a reduced pressure source to the manifold. The method positions a medical drape over the tissue site. The medical drape may have a first adhesive and a second adhesive coupled to the medical drape. The second adhesive may be aligned with the first adhesive such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the medical drape. The method applies the second adhesive to the tissue site to form a sealed connection between the drape and the tissue site. The method positions the drape. The method applies a force to the first adhesive to form a bonded connection between the drape and the tissue site.

[0012] This application provides the following items:

[0013] 1) A medical cover cloth, comprising:

[0014] a flexible membrane; and

[0015] a first adhesive disposed in a first pattern on a first portion of the flexible film, and

[0016] A second adhesive is disposed on a second portion of the flexible film in a second pattern, the second pattern aligned with the first pattern such that the first portion and the second portion cover substantially different portions of the flexible film.

[0017] 2) The medical drape as described in item 1), wherein the second adhesive has a viscosity smaller than a viscosity of the first adhesive.

[0018] 3) The medical drape of item 1) or any one of the above items, wherein the second adhesive has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first adhesive.

[0019] 4) The medical drape of item 1) or any one of the above items, wherein the first adhesive has a thickness between about 30 microns and about 65 microns, and the second adhesive has a thickness between about 100 microns and about 400 microns.

[0020] 5) The medical drape of item 1) or any one of the above items, wherein the first portion and the second portion cover less than one side of the flexible film.

[0021] 6) The medical cover cloth according to item 1) or any one of the above items, wherein:

[0022] The first pattern includes a plurality of holes; and

[0023] The second pattern substantially covers the flexible membrane between the holes of the first pattern.

[0024] 7) The medical drape as described in item 6), wherein the holes are equally spaced apart on the flexible film.

[0025] 8) The medical drape of item 1) or any one of the above items, wherein the second pattern comprises one or more periodic wavy strips of the second adhesive running parallel to an edge of the flexible film.

[0026] 9) The medical drape of item 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) or 8), wherein the first pattern comprises an adhesive strip having a periodic wave shape that propagates parallel to an edge of the flexible film.

[0027] 10) The medical drape of item 9), wherein the adhesive strip has a peak-to-peak amplitude substantially equal to a width of the flexible film.

[0028] 11) The medical drape of item 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), or 8), wherein the first pattern comprises:

[0029] a first row of the first adhesive adjacent an edge of the flexible film, the first row having a plurality of apertures, each aperture being spaced apart from adjacent apertures in the first row; and

[0030] A second row of the first adhesive is spaced from the edge of the flexible film, the second row having a plurality of apertures offset from the apertures of the first row, each aperture being spaced from an adjacent aperture of the second row.

[0031] 12) A medical cover cloth as described in item 11), wherein the second pattern includes one or more periodic wavy strips of the second adhesive, these periodic wavy strips having maximum and minimum amplitudes corresponding to the middle parts of these holes in the first row and the second row, so that these periodic wavy strips enclose these holes in the first row and the second row that propagate parallel to the edge of the flexible film.

[0032] 13) The medical drape as described in any of the above items, wherein the flexible film comprises a polyurethane film.

[0033] 14) The medical cover cloth according to any one of the above items, wherein the flexible film has a thickness of about 300 g / m 2 / 24 hours to approximately 14,400g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate between 10 and 24 hours.

[0034] 15) The medical cover cloth according to item 14), wherein the flexible film has a density of about 1000 g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate of 1 / 24 hours.

[0035] 16) The medical drape of any of the above items, wherein the first adhesive is an acrylic adhesive and the second adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

[0036] 17) A system for treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, the system comprising:

[0037] a manifold for distributing reduced pressure about a tissue site;

[0038] a reduced pressure source fluidly coupled to the manifold;

[0039] a drop cloth; and

[0040] A first adhesive and a second adhesive are coupled to the drape, the second adhesive being aligned with the first adhesive such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the drape.

[0041] 18) The system of item 17) wherein the first adhesive is configured to bond the cover cloth near the tissue site and the second adhesive is configured to seal the cover cloth near the tissue site, thereby forming a sealed space containing the manifold.

[0042] 19) The system of any of items 17) or 18), wherein the second adhesive has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first adhesive.

[0043] 20) The system of any one of items 17) to 19), wherein the second adhesive has a viscosity that is less than a viscosity of the first adhesive.

[0044] 21) The system of any one of items 17) to 20), wherein the cover cloth comprises a flexible film, and the first adhesive and the second adhesive substantially cover one side of the flexible film.

[0045] 22) The system of any one of items 17) to 21), wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover less than one side of the cover cloth.

[0046] 23) The system of any one of items 17) to 22), wherein the first adhesive has a thickness between about 30 microns and about 65 microns, and the second adhesive layer has a thickness between about 100 microns and about 400 microns.

[0047] 24) The system according to any one of items 17) to 23), wherein:

[0048] The first adhesive comprises a plurality of pores; and

[0049] The second adhesive substantially covers the drape between the plurality of holes.

[0050] 25) The system of item 24), wherein the holes of the first adhesive are equidistantly spaced from adjacent holes of the first adhesive.

[0051] 26) The system of any one of items 17) to 25), wherein the second adhesive comprises one or more periodic wavy strips of the second adhesive running parallel to an edge of the cover cloth.

[0052] 27) The system of any one of items 17) to 23) or 26), wherein the first adhesive comprises an adhesive strip having a periodic wave shape that propagates parallel to an edge of the cover cloth.

[0053] 28) The system of item 27) wherein the adhesive strip has a peak-to-peak amplitude substantially equal to a width of the cover cloth.

[0054] 29) The system of any one of items 17) to 23) or 26), wherein the first adhesive comprises:

[0055] a first row of apertures adjacent an outer edge of the drape, the first row having a plurality of apertures, each aperture being spaced apart from an adjacent aperture in the first row; and

[0056] A second row of holes is spaced from the edge of the drape, the second row having a plurality of holes offset from the holes of the first row, each hole being spaced from an adjacent hole in the second row.

[0057] 30) A system as described in item 29), wherein the second adhesive includes one or more periodic wavy strips having maximum and minimum amplitudes corresponding to the centers of the holes of the first row and the second row of holes, so that the periodic wavy strips enclose the holes of the first row and the second row.

[0058] 31) The system of any one of items 17) to 30), wherein the first adhesive is an acrylic adhesive and the second adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

[0059] 32) The system of any one of items 17) to 31), wherein the flexible membrane comprises a polyurethane membrane.

[0060] 33) A system as described in any one of items 17) to 32), wherein the flexible film has a thickness between about 300 g / m 2 / 24 hours to approximately 14,400g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate between 10 and 24 hours.

[0061] 34) The system of item 33), wherein the flexible film has a density of about 1000 g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate of 1 / 24 hours.

[0062] 35) The system of any one of items 17) to 34), wherein the first adhesive is an acrylic adhesive and the second adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

[0063] 36) A method for manufacturing a medical drape, the method comprising:

[0064] providing a flexible membrane;

[0065] disposing a first adhesive in a first pattern on one side of the flexible film; and

[0066] A second adhesive is disposed in a second pattern on the side of the flexible film such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the flexible film; the second adhesive having a tack less than a tack of the first adhesive.

[0067] 37) The method of item 36), wherein disposing the first adhesive and the second adhesive comprises substantially covering the side of the flexible film with the first adhesive and the second adhesive.

[0068] 38) The method of item 36) or 37), wherein disposing the first adhesive and the second adhesive comprises covering a portion of the side of the flexible film.

[0069] 39) The method of item 36), 37) or 38), wherein disposing the first adhesive in the first pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0070] moving the flexible membrane through a rotating member such that the flexible membrane contacts a portion of an exterior of the rotating member while the flexible membrane moves linearly relative to the rotating member;

[0071] supplying the first adhesive to an inner portion of the rotating member; and

[0072] The first adhesive is compressed through openings of the rotating member onto the flexible film, the openings being formed in the first pattern in the outer surface of the rotating member.

[0073] 40) The method of item 36), 37), 38) or 39), wherein disposing a second adhesive in a second pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0074] moving the flexible membrane through a rotating member such that the flexible membrane contacts a portion of an exterior of the rotating member while the flexible membrane moves linearly relative to the rotating member;

[0075] supplying the second adhesive to an inner portion of the rotating member; and

[0076] The second adhesive is compressed through openings of the rotating member onto the flexible film, the openings being formed in the second pattern in the outer surface of the rotating member.

[0077] 41) The method of item 36), 37) or 38), wherein disposing a first adhesive in a first pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0078] providing one or more extruders configured to receive the first adhesive and operable to extrude the first adhesive onto the flexible film;

[0079] moving the flexible film relative to the extruders; and

[0080] The extruders are activated to extrudate the first adhesive onto the flexible film as the flexible film moves linearly through the extruders.

[0081] 42) The method of item 36), 37), 38), 39) or 41), wherein disposing a second adhesive in a second pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0082] providing one or more extruders configured to receive the second adhesive and extrude the second adhesive onto the flexible film;

[0083] moving the flexible film in a first direction relative to the extruders;

[0084] moving the extruders linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the movement of the flexible film, the movement being circular between a first edge of the flexible film and a second edge of the flexible film; and

[0085] The extruders are activated so that the second adhesive is extruded through the extruders onto the first side of the flexible film as the flexible film moves through the extruders.

[0086] 43) The method of item 36), 37), 38), 40) or 42), wherein disposing a first adhesive in a first pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0087] providing an extruder configured to receive the first adhesive and to extrude the first adhesive onto the flexible film;

[0088] moving the flexible membrane linearly relative to the extruder;

[0089] activating the extruder so as to extrude the first adhesive through the extruder and onto the flexible film as the flexible film moves linearly through the extruder;

[0090] moving the extruder linearly perpendicular to the movement of the flexible film, the movement being circular between a first edge of the flexible film and a second edge of the flexible film; and

[0091] The flexible film is moved perpendicular to the extruder, the first pattern being a periodic wavy strip in response.

[0092] 44) The method of item 36), 37), 38), 40), or 42), wherein disposing a first adhesive in a first pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0093] providing a transfer cylinder having the first pattern engraved on an outer portion of the transfer cylinder;

[0094] coating the transfer roller with the first adhesive;

[0095] pressing the transfer drum onto the flexible film to deposit the first adhesive on the flexible film as the flexible film moves linearly past the transfer drum; and

[0096] The first adhesive on the flexible film is cured.

[0097] 45) The method of item 36), 37), 38), 39), 41), 43), or 44), wherein disposing a second adhesive in a second pattern on the side of the flexible film comprises:

[0098] providing a transfer cylinder having the second pattern engraved on an outer portion of the transfer cylinder;

[0099] coating the transfer roller with the second adhesive;

[0100] pressing the transfer drum onto the flexible film to deposit the second adhesive on the flexible film as the flexible film moves linearly past the transfer drum; and

[0101] The second adhesive on the flexible film is cured.

[0102] 46) A method of treating a tissue site with reduced pressure, the method comprising:

[0103] positioning a manifold for distributing reduced pressure adjacent to a tissue site;

[0104] fluidly coupling a reduced pressure source to the manifold;

[0105] placing a medical drape over the tissue site, the medical drape having a first adhesive and a second adhesive coupled to the medical drape, the second adhesive aligned with the first adhesive such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the medical drape;

[0106] applying the second adhesive to the tissue site to form a sealed coupling between the drape and the tissue site;

[0107] Positioning the cover; and

[0108] A force is applied to the first adhesive to form a bonded connection between the drape and the tissue site.

[0109] 47) The method of item 46), wherein the second adhesive has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first adhesive.

[0110] 48) The method of item 46) or 47), wherein the first adhesive has a thickness between about 30 microns and about 65 microns, and the second adhesive layer has a thickness between about 100 microns and about 400 microns.

[0111] 49) The method of item 46), 47) or 48), wherein the first adhesive is an acrylic adhesive and the second adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

[0112] 50) The method of item 46), 47), 48) or 49), wherein the flexible film comprises a polyurethane film.

[0113] 51) The method of item 46), 47), 48), 49) or 50), wherein the flexible film has a thickness of about 300 g / m 2 / 24 hours to approximately 14,400g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate between 10 and 24 hours.

[0114] 52) The method of item 51), wherein the flexible film has a thickness of about 1000 g / m 2 A moisture vapor transfer rate of 1 / 24 hours.

[0115] 53) The method as described in item 46), 47), 48), 49), 50), 51), 52) or 53), wherein the second adhesive has a viscosity that is less than a viscosity of the first adhesive.

[0116] 54) Devices, systems, and methods substantially as shown or described herein.

[0117] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] Illustrative embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in which:

[0119] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system for treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure (a portion of which is shown elevated), the reduced pressure being associated with some illustrative embodiments of the system;

[0120] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a medical drape;

[0121] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 an exploded view in cross section of a portion of a system;

[0122] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A An assembled view in section of a portion having a sealed connection;

[0123] Figure 3C yes Figure 3A An assembled view in section of a portion having a contact connection;

[0124] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a cohesive adhesive disposed thereon;

[0125] Figure 4B yes Figure 2 A plan view of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a bonding adhesive and a sealing adhesive disposed thereon;

[0126] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a cohesive adhesive disposed thereon;

[0127] Figure 5B yes Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a sealing adhesive disposed thereon;

[0128] Figure 5C yes Figure 2 There is a Figure 5A Adhesive and Figure 5B A plan view of a medical drape and adhesive layer of a sealing adhesive;

[0129] Figure 6A yes Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a cohesive adhesive disposed thereon;

[0130] Figure 6B yes Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of a medical drape and adhesive layer having a sealing adhesive disposed thereon;

[0131] Figure 6C yes Figure 2 There is a Figure 6AAdhesive and Figure 6B A plan view of a medical drape and adhesive layer of a sealing adhesive;

[0132] Figure 7A It is used for manufacturing Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a schematic wire mesh device of a medical cover cloth;

[0133] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A a schematic diagram of a portion of an outer surface of a first rotary screen;

[0134] Figure 7C yes Figure 7A a schematic diagram of a portion of an outer surface of a second rotary screen;

[0135] Figure 8A It is used for manufacturing Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a schematic transfer device for a medical cover cloth;

[0136] Figure 8B yes Figure 8A a schematic diagram of a portion of an outer surface of a first transfer drum;

[0137] Figure 8C yes Figure 8A a schematic diagram of a portion of an outer surface of a second transfer drum;

[0138] Figure 8D yes Figure 8A a schematic diagram of a portion of another outer surface of the first transfer drum;

[0139] Figure 8E yes Figure 8A a schematic diagram of a portion of another outer surface of the second transfer drum;

[0140] Figure 9A It is used for manufacturing Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a schematic extrusion device for a medical cover cloth;

[0141] Figure 9B It is along Figure 9A A cross-sectional view taken along line 9B-9B shows the use of Figure 9A System Manufacturing Figure 2 The adhesive layer of the medical cover cloth;

[0142] Figure 10A It is used for manufacturing Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a schematic extrusion device for a medical cover cloth; and

[0143] Figure 10B It is along Figure 10AA cross-sectional view taken along line 10B-10B shows the use of Figure 10A System Manufacturing Figure 2 The adhesive layer of the medical cover cloth. Detailed description

[0144] New and useful systems, methods and apparatus relating to medical drapes for regulating pressure are set forth in the appended claims. The objects, advantages and preferred modes of making and using these systems, methods and apparatus may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This description provides information to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter, but certain details that are already well known in the art may be omitted. Furthermore, descriptions of various alternatives using terms such as "or" are not necessarily mutually exclusive unless the context clearly requires it. The claimed subject matter may also encompass alternative embodiments, variations and equivalents not specifically described in detail. The following detailed description should therefore be construed as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0145] Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of a system 100 for treating a tissue site 102 with reduced pressure, illustrating details that may be relevant to some embodiments. The system 100 may include a drape, such as a medical drape 106, which may be attached to an epidermis 112. The medical drape 106 may substantially prevent fluid leakage while allowing steam to escape through the medical drape 106. The medical drape 106 may maintain a sufficiently strong mechanical connection with the epidermis 112 during the procedure, but may be removed with minimal or substantially reduced pain.

[0146] In general, the components of the reduced pressure treatment system 100 can be directly or indirectly connected. For example, the reduced pressure source 126 can be directly connected to the reduced pressure interface 128 and indirectly connected to the tissue site 102 through the reduced pressure interface 128. The components can be fluidically connected to each other, thereby providing a path for transferring fluid (i.e., liquid and / or gas) between the components. In some embodiments, the components can be fluidically connected to the tube, for example. "Tube" as used herein refers broadly to a tube, a pipe, a hose, a conduit, or other structure having one or more lumens adapted to transfer fluid between two ends. Typically, a tube is an elongated cylindrical structure with a certain flexibility, but the geometry and rigidity can be changed. In some embodiments, the components can additionally or alternatively be connected by physical proximity, integrated into a single structure, or formed by the same piece of material. In some cases, the connection can also include mechanical connection, thermal connection, electrical connection, or chemical connection (e.g., chemical bond).

[0147] In operation, a tissue interface (e.g., manifold 122) can be placed within, above, on, against, or otherwise adjacent to a tissue site. For example, the manifold 122 can be placed against a tissue site, and the medical drape 106 can be placed above the manifold 122 and sealed to tissue near the tissue site. The tissue near the tissue site is often the undamaged epidermis around the tissue site. Thus, the drape 108 can provide a sealed treatment environment 124 near the tissue site. The sealed treatment environment 124 can be substantially isolated from the external environment, and the reduced pressure source 126 can reduce the pressure in the sealed treatment environment 124. The reduced pressure uniformly applied in the sealed treatment environment 124 by the tissue interface can induce macroscopic and microscopic strains in the tissue site, as well as remove secretions and other fluids from the tissue site. The removed exudate and other fluids can be collected in a container and properly disposed of.

[0148] The fluid mechanics of using a reduced pressure source to reduce the pressure in another component or location, such as within the sealed treatment environment 124, can be mathematically complex. However, the basic principles of fluid mechanics applicable to reduced pressure treatment are generally well known to those skilled in the art, and the process of reducing pressure may be illustratively described herein as, for example, "delivering," "dispensing," or "generating" reduced pressure.

[0149] In general, exudates and other fluids flow along a fluid path in the direction of lower pressure. This orientation is generally assumed for the purpose of describing the different features and components of the decompression treatment system herein. Thus, in the context of decompression treatment, the term "downstream" typically means something that is relatively closer to the decompression source in a fluid path, while conversely, the term "upstream" means something that is relatively further away from the decompression source. Similarly, it may be appropriate to describe certain features regarding the "inlet" or "outlet" of a fluid in such a reference frame. However, in some applications the fluid path may also be reversed, for example by replacing it with a positive pressure source, and this descriptive convention should not be interpreted as a restrictive convention.

[0150] In this case, the term "tissue site" broadly refers to a wound or defect located on or within a tissue, including, but not limited to, bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, nerve tissue, skin tissue, vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendon, or ligament. Wounds can include, for example, chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute, and dehiscent wounds; partial-thickness burns, ulcers (e.g., diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, or venous insufficiency ulcers), flaps, and grafts. The term "tissue site" can also refer to an area of ​​tissue that is not necessarily injured or defective, but is an alternative area in which it may be desirable to increase or promote the growth of additional tissue. For example, decompression can be used in certain tissue areas to allow additional tissue to grow that can be harvested and transplanted to another tissue location. In some embodiments, the tissue site 102 can be a wound that extends through the epidermis 112, through the dermis 118, and into the subcutaneous tissue 120.

[0151] "Reduced pressure" generally refers to a pressure that is less than the local ambient pressure, such as the ambient pressure in the local environment outside the sealed treatment environment 124 provided by the medical drape 106. In many cases, the local ambient pressure may also be the atmospheric pressure in the vicinity of the patient. Alternatively, the pressure may be less than the hydrostatic pressure associated with the tissue at the tissue site. Unless otherwise indicated, the values ​​of pressure stated herein are gauge pressures. Similarly, references to an increase in reduced pressure typically refer to a decrease in absolute pressure, and references to a decrease in reduced pressure typically refer to an increase in absolute pressure.

[0152] Decompression source, for example decompression source 126, can be an air reservoir that is in decompression, or can be a manual or electric drive device that can reduce the pressure in the sealed volume, for example as vacuum pump, suction pump, can be used for the wall suction port or the miniature pump in many medical and health care facilities.Decompression source can be accommodated in other assemblies or can be combined with these other assemblies, and these other assemblies are for example sensor, processing unit, alarm indicator, storer, database, software, display device or further contribute to the operator interface of decompression therapy. Although the amount and the character of the decompression that are applied to a tissue site can change according to treatment requirements, this pressure is typically at the scope between-5mmHg (-667Pa) and-500mmHg (-66.7kPa).Common therapeutic range is between-75mmHg (-9.9kPa) and-300mmHg (-39.9kPa).

[0153] The tissue interface, such as manifold 122, can generally be adapted to contact a tissue site or other layers of a dressing (e.g., medical drape 106). The tissue interface can be in partial or complete contact with the tissue site. For example, if the tissue site is a wound, the tissue interface can partially or completely fill the wound, or can be placed over the wound. The tissue interface can take a variety of forms and can have a variety of sizes, shapes, or thicknesses, depending on a variety of factors, such as the type of treatment being performed or the nature and size of the tissue site. For example, the size and shape of the tissue interface can be adapted to the contours of a deep and irregularly shaped tissue site.

[0154] In general, manifold (for example manifold 122) is for example adapted to be used for distributing or removing the material or structure of the fluid from tissue site.Manifold can comprise flow channel or path, and these flow channels or path can distribute the fluid that is provided to tissue site and removed from this tissue site.In an illustrative embodiment, these flow channels or path can be interconnected to improve the distribution of the fluid that is provided to tissue site or removed from this tissue site.For example, manifold can be open-cell foam, porous tissue collection thing and other porous materials, for example comprise gauze or felt pad that are arranged to the structural element for forming flow channel generally.Liquid, gel and other foams also can comprise or be solidified into and comprise flow channel.

[0155] In one illustrative embodiment, the manifold 122 can be a porous foam pad having interconnected pores adapted to distribute reduced pressure within a tissue site. The foam material can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. In one non-limiting example, the manifold 122 can be a reticulated polyurethane foam, such as that available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas. Dressing.

[0156] In some embodiments, such as those in which the manifold 122 can be made of a hydrophilic material, the manifold 122 can also wick fluid away from the tissue site while continuing to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site. The wicking properties of the manifold 122 can draw fluid away from the tissue site by capillary flow or other wicking mechanisms. An example of a hydrophilic foam is a polyvinyl alcohol open-cell foam, such as VAC® available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas. Dressings. Other hydrophilic foams may include those made from polyethers. Other foams that may exhibit hydrophilic characteristics include hydrophobic foams that have been treated or coated to render them hydrophilic.

[0157] The tissue interface can further promote granulation at the tissue site if the pressure within the sealed treatment environment 124 is reduced. For example, if reduced pressure is applied through the manifold 122, any or all surfaces of the manifold 122 can have an uneven, rough, or jagged profile that can induce microscopic strains and stresses at the tissue site.

[0158] In some exemplary embodiments, the tissue interface can be constructed from a bioresorbable material. Suitable bioresorbable materials may include, but are not limited to, polymer blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). Polymer blends may also include, but are not limited to, polycarbonates, polyfumarates, and caprolactones. The tissue interface may further serve as a scaffold for new cell growth, or a scaffold material may be used in conjunction with the tissue interface to promote cell growth. In general, a scaffold material may be a biocompatible or biodegradable substance or structure used to enhance or promote cell growth or tissue formation, such as a three-dimensional porous structure that provides a template for cell growth. Illustrative examples of scaffold materials include calcium phosphate, collagen, PLA / PGA, coralline hydroxyapatite, carbonates, or processed allograft materials.

[0159] The medical drape 106 is an example of a sealing member. The sealing member can be constructed from a material that can provide a fluid seal between two environments or components, such as between a treatment environment and a local external environment. The sealing member can be, for example, an impermeable or semi-permeable elastomeric membrane or barrier that can provide a seal sufficient to maintain reduced pressure at a tissue site for a given source of reduced pressure. For semi-permeable materials, the permeability should generally be low enough so that the desired reduced pressure can be maintained. An attachment device can be used to attach the sealing member to an attachment surface, such as an undamaged epidermis, a liner, or another sealing member. The attachment device can take a variety of forms. For example, the attachment device can be a medically acceptable pressure-sensitive adhesive that extends around the periphery of the sealing member, a portion of the sealing member, or the entire sealing member. Other exemplary embodiments of the attachment device can include double-sided tape, paste, hydrocolloid, hydrogel, silicone gel, organic gel, or acrylic adhesive.

[0160] "Container" broadly includes jars, bags, bottles, vials, or other fluid collection devices. Containers can be used, for example, to manage exudates and other fluids flowing from a tissue site. In many settings, rigid containers may be preferred or necessary for collecting, storing, and disposing of fluids. In other settings, fluids can be properly handled without the need for rigid container storage, and reusable containers can reduce waste and costs associated with reduced-pressure therapy.

[0161] A reduced pressure delivery conduit 130 may be fluidly coupled to the sealed treatment environment 124 using a reduced pressure interface 128. The reduced pressure generated by the reduced pressure source 126 may be delivered to the reduced pressure interface 128 via the reduced pressure delivery conduit 130. In one exemplary embodiment, the reduced pressure interface 128 may be a KCI®, available from KCI in San Antonio, Texas. Pad or Sensa The reduced pressure port 128 allows reduced pressure to be delivered to the sealed treatment environment 124. In other exemplary embodiments, the reduced pressure port 128 can also be a tube inserted through the medical drape 106. Reduced pressure can also be generated by a device directly coupled to the medical drape 106, such as a micropump.

[0162] Negative pressure therapy provided by negative pressure therapy systems, such as system 100, is increasingly being performed using smaller therapy devices that utilize battery power rather than being connected to an electrical outlet. The use of battery power reduces the total power supply available to the therapy device. Consequently, power bleed, which would be considered negligible in a device powered by an electrical outlet, can significantly reduce the therapy device's ability to provide therapy. Power bleed refers to therapy device operations that require the use of electrical power, such as operating a pump to generate reduced pressure. For example, power bleed can be caused by low-level dressing leaks. Low-level dressing leaks drain power from the therapy device's battery by repeatedly triggering the therapy device's operation to maintain the desired reduced pressure at the tissue site. These power bleeds shorten the lifespan of the therapy device before requiring device disposal, battery recharging, or battery replacement. Leak detection technology can help identify some leaks, which can then be sealed by the user; however, low-level leaks challenge even the most sensitive leak detection systems and often go undetected.

[0163] Low level dressing leakage can occur between the medical drape and the epidermis surrounding the tissue site when the medical drape fails to completely seal the epidermis. Medical drapes are a balance between the adhesive strength required to enable the medical drape to seal from leaks and the pain that may be caused when the medical drape is removed. Cohesive adhesives may be better for sealing, but the adhesive strength will cause significantly more discomfort when the medical drape is removed. In addition, removing a medical drape containing a cohesive adhesive can cause significant damage to patients with delicate or damaged skin.

[0164] Medical drapes with sealing adhesives can fill the gap between the drape and the epidermis to limit leakage and can be easily removed with minimal patient discomfort. Different sealing gap-filling adhesives have been tried, such as silicones, hydrocolloids, and hydrogels, but each has disadvantages. For example, hydrogel adhesives are generally low-viscosity and prone to swelling, creep, and migration when used with fluid systems. In another example, silicone adhesives can fill gaps and seal, but are not breathable and lose the required mechanical bond strength during use due to the interaction of the silicone adhesive with moisture. To overcome these problems, silicone adhesives often require additional materials to secure the silicone adhesive to the patient. For example, a low-leakage medical drape can be formed from two adhesive layers: a thick sealing adhesive, perhaps in the shape of a pad or ring; and a thinner adhesive layer for securing the sealing adhesive in place. The thinner adhesive can be applied in the form of a medical drape strip or in combination with a thicker sealing adhesive as an outer border. A low leakage medical drape constructed in this manner may be more complex than a medical drape using a single adhesive, increasing the complexity of handling and operation.

[0165] A hybrid medical drape having a thick sealing layer that is perforated and laminated on top of an adhesive-coated film can address some of these challenges. For example, a hybrid medical drape can include a film layer having a bonding adhesive applied directly to the film layer and a sealing adhesive applied directly to the bonding adhesive. The sealing adhesive can be perforated to expose the bonding adhesive. When the medical drape is applied to the patient, the bonding adhesive can be pushed through the perforations of the sealing adhesive to secure the sealing adhesive to the patient. This laminate configuration can provide the benefits of a sealing adhesive and a bonding adhesive throughout the entire medical drape area. For example, the laminate configuration is capable of sealing typical low-level leaks, is adaptable and has sufficient strength to ensure a seal and mechanically adhere to the epidermis without the need for a secondary process. The laminate configuration also requires basic additional attention from the user and can be removable with minimal trauma to the patient.

[0166] However, the construction of a laminated configuration requires additional assembly steps and increased material, which significantly increases costs. In addition, because two layers of adhesive are applied to the film layer, the overall thickness of the medical drape is significantly increased, reducing the breathability of the medical drape. Furthermore, because two full layers of adhesive are applied, significantly more adhesive material is required to construct the medical drape.

[0167] As disclosed herein, the system 100 can overcome these and other challenges by providing a hybrid medical drape with aligned adhesives. In some embodiments, for example, the medical drape 106 can have two adhesives: a bonding adhesive and a sealing adhesive, each of which is coupled to the medical drape 106 with minimal overlap.

[0168] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the medical drape 106 showing additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. The medical drape 106 may include a flexible membrane 108 and an adhesive layer 110 adjacent to the flexible membrane 108. The flexible membrane 108 may be, for example, a breathable drape and may typically have a high moisture vapor transfer rate (MVTR). The flexible membrane 108 may be formed from a range of medically approved membranes having a thickness ranging from about 15 microns (μm) to about 50 microns (μm). The flexible membrane 108 may include one or more suitable materials, such as the following: hydrophilic polyurethane (PU), cellulosic materials, hydrophilic polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydrophilic acrylic resins, hydrophilic silicone elastomers, and copolymers of these materials. As a specific, illustrative, non-limiting example, the flexible membrane 108 may be formed from a breathable cast matte polyurethane membrane sold under the name INSPIRE 2301 by Exopack Advanced Coatings of Wrexham, United Kingdom.

[0169] The high MVTR of the flexible film 108 allows vapor to escape and inhibits liquid from escaping. In some embodiments, the MVTR of the flexible film 108 can be greater than or equal to 300 g / m 2 In other embodiments, the MVTR of the flexible film 108 may be greater than or equal to 1000 g / m 2 / 24 hours. An exemplary INSPIRE 2301 film may have a 14400 g / m 2 / 24 hours MVTR (inverted cup technology) and can be about 30 microns thick. In other embodiments, a cover cloth with low MVTR or that does not allow vapor transfer can be used. Flexible membrane 108 can also act as a barrier to liquids and microorganisms.

[0170] Figure 3Ais an exploded cross-sectional view of the medical drape 106 showing additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. The flexible membrane 108 has a first side 134 and a second side 136. The adhesive layer 110 has a first side 140 and a second side 142. The first side 140 of the adhesive layer 110 can be coupled to the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108. The adhesive layer 110 can be, for example, a medically acceptable pressure-sensitive adhesive, glue, bonding agent, or joint. In some embodiments, two adhesives having different characteristics can be used to form the adhesive layer 110. For example, the adhesive layer 110 can include a first adhesive, such as a bonding adhesive 132; and a second adhesive, such as a sealing adhesive 138. In some embodiments, the placement of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 can be adjusted so that both the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 are coupled to the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108.

[0171] The adhesive 132 may be, for example, a high-bonding strength acrylic adhesive, a patterned rubber adhesive, a high-tack silicone adhesive, or a polyurethane. In some embodiments, the adhesive strength of the adhesive 132 may have a peel adhesion of between about 6 N / 25 mm and about 10 N / 25 mm on a stainless steel substrate at 23° C. and 50% relative humidity, or a peel resistance that does not peel off the stainless steel material, based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) standard ASTM D3330. In a non-limiting illustrative example, the adhesive 132 of the adhesive layer 110 includes an acrylic adhesive with a coating weight of 15 g / m 2 (gsm) to 70 g / m 2 The thickness of the adhesive 132 may be about 30 microns to about 60 microns.

[0172] Sealing adhesive 138 may be an adhesive with low to medium tack, such as a silicone polymer, polyurethane, or other acrylic adhesive. In some embodiments, the bond strength of sealing adhesive 138 may have a peel adhesion of between about 0.5 N / 25 mm and about 1.5 N / 25 mm on a stainless steel substrate at 23°C and 50% relative humidity, or a peel resistance that does not peel from the stainless steel material, based on ASTM D3330. Sealing adhesive 138 may have a certain tack such that the above bond strength is achieved after a contact time of less than 60 seconds. Tack can be considered to be the bond strength of the adhesive after an extremely low contact time between the adhesive and the substrate. In some embodiments, sealing adhesive 138 may be approximately 100 to approximately 400 microns thick and have a tack that may be about 30% to about 50% of the tack of adhesive 132. Adhesive layer 110 may partially cover second side 136 of flexible film 108, leaving a portion of second side 136 of flexible film 108 free of adhesive.

[0173] Figure 3B 1 is a cross-sectional view of medical drape 106 showing additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the thickness of bonding adhesive 132 can be less than the thickness of sealing adhesive 138, such that adhesive layer 110 can have different thicknesses. If adhesive layer 110 is placed adjacent to or in contact with the epidermis 112 of patient 104, a second side 142 of sealing adhesive 138 can contact the epidermis 112 of patient 104 to form a sealed connection 150. In some embodiments, the thickness of bonding adhesive 132 can be less than the thickness of sealing adhesive 138, forming a gap 139 between bonding adhesive 132 and epidermis 112.

[0174] Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the medical drape 106 showing additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. If the medical drape 106 is in a desired position, pressure can be applied to the first side 134 of the flexible membrane 108. The pressure causes the second side 142 of the adhesive bonding adhesive 132 to be at least partially pressed into contact with the epidermis 112, thereby forming an adhesive connection 152. The adhesive connection 152 provides a secure, releasable mechanical fixation to the patient 104. The sealing connection 150 between the sealing adhesive 138 and the epidermis 112 can be sufficient to seal the flexible membrane 108 to the epidermis 112. The sealing connection 150 may not be as mechanically strong as the adhesive connection 152 between the adhesive bonding adhesive 132 and the epidermis 112.

[0175] In operation, according to an illustrative embodiment of the medical drape 106, in the case of the system 100, the manifold 122 can be applied near the tissue site 102. The medical drape 106 can then be positioned over the manifold 122 and the epidermis 112, thereby forming a sealed treatment environment 124. When the medical drape 106 is applied, any release liner can be removed and the second side 142 of the adhesive layer 110 can be applied over the epidermis 112 and the manifold 122. The viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 can form a sealing connection 152 and hold the medical drape 106 initially in place. The viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 can allow the medical drape 106 to be removed and reapplied or repositioned if adjustment or repositioning is desired. If the medical drape 106 is in a desired position, the first side 134 of the flexible membrane 108 can be pressed, for example, by manual pressure. This pressure causes at least some portion of the adhesive bond 132 to deform and contact the skin 112, thereby forming an adhesive bond 152. The adhesive bond 152 can be a secure, yet releasable attachment. In some embodiments, the adhesive bond 152 can have a peel force against the skin 112 of between about 0.5 N / 25 mm and about 2 N / 25 mm.

[0176] The pattern of the bonding adhesive 132 and the pattern of the sealing adhesive 138 can be aligned. The alignment of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 generally refers to the alignment of the two adhesives relative to each other. Specifically, the alignment of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 can refer to adjusting the placement of the adhesives on the flexible film 108 to obtain the desired effect. For example, a certain percentage of overlap of one adhesive above the other, a minimum overlap of one adhesive above the other so that the adhesives deviate from each other, or a complete overlap of one adhesive above the other are all adhesive placements that can be considered aligned. For example, the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 can be aligned by being placed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 so that the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 are each substantially connected to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In addition, the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 of this example can be aligned relative to each other so that one adhesive has a minimum overlap above the other adhesive. In another example, the sealing adhesive 138 can be offset from the cohesive adhesive 132, but both adhesives are coupled to the flexible film 108. The alignment of the cohesive adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 makes it easier to manufacture and use the medical drape 106. The alignment of the cohesive adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 can also enhance the desirable properties of the medical drape 106, as described in more detail below. Illustrative, but non-limiting, examples of the alignment of the cohesive adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 are described in more detail with respect to the following embodiments.

[0177] Figure 4A1 is a plan view of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, illustrating additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the adhesive 132 may be formed on or adhered to the flexible film 108 before the sealing adhesive 138. The adhesive 132 may be applied to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, thereby forming one or more holes 715 for the adhesive 132. In some embodiments, each hole 715 may be spaced apart from adjacent holes 715 so that the holes 715 are generally evenly distributed around the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. The distribution of the holes 715 may leave a portion 717 of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 free of the adhesive 132. The holes 715 may be distributed in a suitable pattern, and the distribution of the holes 715 may depend in part on the intended application of the medical drape 106. Other distributions of the holes 715 are contemplated. In some embodiments, each hole 715 may have an overall square shape, but other shapes, such as rectangular, circular, triangular, and amorphous holes, are contemplated. Each hole 715 can have a thickness of about 30 microns to about 60 microns, although other thicknesses can be used.

[0178] Figure 4B FIG2 is a plan view of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, illustrating additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, after forming the holes 715 for the bonding adhesive 132, a sealing adhesive 138 may be formed on the flexible film 108. The sealing adhesive 138 may be distributed such that a portion 717 of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 between each hole 715 may be covered by the sealing adhesive 138. In some embodiments, the distribution of the sealing adhesive 138 over the portion 717 aligns the sealing adhesive 138 with the holes 715 of the bonding adhesive 132. In some embodiments, both the sealing adhesive 138 and the bonding adhesive 132 may be substantially applied to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, with minimal overlap between the sealing adhesive 138 and the bonding adhesive 132. In other embodiments, the sealing adhesive 138 may be placed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 before the bonding adhesive 132 is placed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. Some overlap may occur between the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 during manufacturing. The sealing adhesive 138 may have a thickness of about 100 microns to about 400 microns, although other thicknesses may be used. In some embodiments, the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 collectively cover substantially all of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In other embodiments, the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 collectively cover a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, which portion may be less than the entirety of the second side 136.

[0179] Figure 5A 1 is a plan view of the medical drape 106 showing additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the adhesive bonding agent 132 may be first deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108. The adhesive bonding agent 132 may be distributed on the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108 so that the adhesive bonding agent 132 forms a checkerboard pattern having holes 970 of the adhesive bonding agent 132 that may be offset from the holes 970 on adjacent rows. As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, the holes 970 of the adhesive bonding agent 132 may be arranged in three rows 971, 972, and 973 on the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108. More or fewer rows may be used. In some embodiments, the holes 970 may be rectangular. In other embodiments, the holes 970 may be other shapes, including rectangular, square, circular, oval, triangular, amorphous, etc. Each hole 970 in each row can have a first dimension having a first orientation relative to the first edge 937 of the flexible membrane 108, and a second dimension having a second orientation relative to the first edge 937 of the flexible membrane 108. In some embodiments, each hole 970 can be rectangular in shape. The first dimension can be length L, and the second dimension can be width W. In some embodiments, the length L of each hole 970 can be approximately twice the width W. In other embodiments, the shape of the holes 970 in each row can be different from the holes 970 in the previous and next rows.

[0180] In some embodiments, the length L of the holes 970 in the first row 971 can be aligned with the first edge 937 of the flexible film 108. The first row 971 can also be aligned with the second edge 941 of the flexible film 108, which can be opposite the first edge 937. In some embodiments, the holes 970 in the first row 971 can be positioned near the first edge 937 of the flexible film 108. Each hole 970 in the first row 971 can be spaced apart from adjacent holes 970 in the first row 971. Spacing adjacent holes 970 can provide a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 free of the adhesive 132 between each hole 970. In some embodiments, the spacing between each hole 970 in the first row 971 can be approximately the length L. The reference line 935 of the first row 971 can be aligned with the center of the width W of the holes 970 in the first row 971.

[0181] The second row 972 can be positioned adjacent to the first row 971 along the width of the flexible membrane 108. The second row 972 can be offset from the holes 970 of the first row 971 along the length of the flexible membrane 108. In some embodiments, the holes 970 of the second row 972 are aligned with the spaces between the holes 970 of the first row 971, that is, between the holes 970 of the first row 971. Figure 5A In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the corners of the apertures 970 in the first row 971 near the second edge 941 are near the corners of the apertures 970 in the second row 972 near the first edge 937. Each aperture 970 in the second row 972 can be spaced apart from adjacent apertures 970 in the second row 972. In some embodiments, a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108 can be substantially free of the tacky adhesive 132 between each aperture 970 in the second row 972. In some embodiments, the spacing between the apertures 970 in the second row 972 can be approximately the length L of each aperture 970.

[0182] The third row 973 can be positioned adjacent to the second row 972 of holes 970 along the width of the flexible membrane 108. The holes 970 in the third row 973 can be offset from the second row 972 of holes 970 along the length of the flexible membrane 108 and aligned with the holes 970 in the first row 971. Figure 5A In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the corner of the apertures 970 in the second row 972 near the second edge 941 can be near the corner of the apertures 970 in the third row 973 near the first edge 937. Each aperture 970 in the third row 973 can be spaced apart from the adjacent apertures 970 in the third row 973. In some embodiments, a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108 between each aperture 970 in the third row 973 can be free of the adhesive 132. In some embodiments, the spacing between each aperture 970 in the third row 973 can be substantially equal to the length L of each aperture 970 in the third row 973. The third row 973 can have a reference line 955 aligned with the center of the width W of the apertures 970 in the third row 973. In some embodiments, the rows 971-973 can be evenly distributed across the width of the flexible membrane 108 between the first edge 937 and the second edge 941.

[0183] Figure 5BFIG1 is a plan view of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, illustrating additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the sealing adhesive 138 may be applied to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 in strips. In some embodiments, there may be four strips of sealing adhesive 138: a first strip 939, a second strip 943, a third strip 940, and a fourth strip 944. In some embodiments, each strip may have a vibrational shape, such as the illustrated sine wave or other periodically vibrating wave shape. In some embodiments, each strip may propagate parallel to the first edge 937 and the second edge 941. The first strip 939 and the second strip 943 may be oriented relative to a reference line 935. The maximum and minimum amplitudes of the first and second strips 939, 943 may be measured relative to the reference line 935. The third and fourth strips 940, 944 may be oriented relative to a reference line 955. The maximum and minimum amplitudes of the third and fourth strips 940, 944 may be measured relative to the reference line 955.

[0184] Figure 5C 93 is a plan view of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, illustrating additional details that may be relevant to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the maximum amplitude of the first and second strips 939, 943 can be aligned with the center of the length L of the holes 970 in the first row 971. The first and second strips 939, 943 can have a minimum amplitude near the reference line 935. The first and second strips 939, 943 can have a frequency such that the minimum amplitude can be aligned with the center of the length L of the holes 970 in the second row 972. In some embodiments, each of the first and second strips 939, 943 can have an amplitude that is approximately equal to the width W of the holes 970 in the first row 971. In some embodiments, the first and second strips 939, 943 of the sealing adhesive 138 can substantially close the holes 970 of the adhesive adhesive 132 in the first row 971. Similarly, because the holes 970 in the second row 972 are offset from the holes 970 in the first row 971 , the second strip 943 may also partially enclose the second row 972 of the adhesive adhesive 132 .

[0185] The third and fourth strips 940, 944 of sealing adhesive 138 can be deposited similarly. For example, the third and fourth strips 940, 944 of sealing adhesive 138 can be deposited near the third row 973 of cohesive adhesive 132. In some embodiments, the third and fourth strips 940, 944 can have a maximum amplitude from a reference line 955. The maximum amplitude of the third and fourth strips 940, 944 can be aligned with the center of the length L of the holes 970 in the third row 973. The third and fourth strips 940, 944 can have a minimum amplitude near the reference line 955. The third and fourth strips 940, 944 can have a frequency such that the minimum amplitude is aligned with the center of the length L of the holes 970 in the second row 972. In some embodiments, the third and fourth strips 940, 944 can have an amplitude that is approximately equal to the width W of the holes 970 in the third row 973. In some embodiments, the third and fourth strips 940, 944 of sealing adhesive 138 can close the holes 970 of adhesive adhesive 132 in the third row 973. Because the holes 970 in the third row 973 are offset from the holes 970 in the second row 972, the third strip 940 can partially close the second row 972 of adhesive adhesive 132.

[0186] The bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 may cover only a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, each hole 970 of the bonding adhesive 132 may be at least partially closed by the sealing adhesive 138. In some embodiments, the sealing adhesive 138 may be placed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 before the bonding adhesive 132 is placed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 are aligned. For example, the portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 covered by the bonding adhesive 132 may be different from the portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 covered by the sealing adhesive 138. However, some overlap may occur between the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138.

[0187] Figures 6A-6C 1 is a plan view of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, showing the adhesive bonding agent 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 arranged in another pattern that can be used in conjunction with other embodiments. In some embodiments, the adhesive bonding agent 132 can be first deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, such as Figure 6A. The flexible film 108 may have a reference line 961 aligned with the center of the width DW of the flexible film 108. The reference line 961 may be generally parallel to the first edge 937 and the second edge 941 of the flexible film 108. The adhesive 132 may be deposited in the form of a strip 960 of adhesive having an oscillating wave shape. For example, the strip 960 may have a sine wave shape, a square wave shape, or other periodically oscillating shape. In some embodiments, the strip 960 may have a peak-to-peak amplitude across the reference line 961 that is approximately equal to the width DW of the flexible film 108. The amplitude of the strip 960 may be other amplitudes such that the flexible film 108 may have multiple strips 960. For example, in other embodiments, the strips 960 may include two strips having a peak-to-peak amplitude equal to one-half the width of the flexible film 108, and the strips 960 may not cross the reference line 961.

[0188] A first strip 962 and a second strip 963 of sealing adhesive 138 having an oscillating wave shape can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. The oscillating wave shape of the first and second strips 962, 963 can have, for example, a sine wave shape, a square wave shape, or other periodically oscillating shape. The first and second strips 962, 963 can be positioned on opposite sides of a reference line 961 and propagate parallel to the first and second sides 937, 941 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, the strip 960 can have a frequency greater than the frequency of the first and second strips 962, 963, such that for a given length of the flexible film 108, the adhesive 132 of the strip 960 can provide greater coverage of the second side 136 than the sealing adhesive 138 of the first and second strips 962, 963. The amplitude and frequency of the oscillations of the strips 960, the first and second strips 962, 963 can be varied as desired depending on the application of the particular medical drape 106.

[0189] like Figures 5A-6C As shown in FIG, there may be a portion of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 that is free of adhesive. The portion of the flexible film 108 that may be free of adhesive may expose more of the flexible film 108 directly to moisture. For example, increased direct exposure of the flexible film 108 to moisture may increase vapor permeability. Increasing vapor permeability may provide a corresponding increase in MVTR.

[0190] There can be a variety of ways in which the medical drape 106 can be manufactured. For example, a method of manufacturing the medical drape can include placing a first adhesive in a first pattern on one side of a flexible film and placing a second adhesive in a second pattern on the side of the flexible film, such that the first adhesive and the second adhesive cover substantially different portions of the flexible film. The first pattern and the second pattern can be deposited by moving the flexible film through a rotating member so that the flexible film contacts a portion of an exterior of the rotating member while the flexible film moves relative to the rotating member. The rotating member can have openings formed in an engraved portion of the outer surface of the rotating member or at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern. In some embodiments, one of the adhesives can be supplied to the interior of the rotating member, and the adhesive can be compressed through the opening of the rotating member onto the flexible film. In other embodiments, one of the adhesives can be applied to an engraving on the exterior of the rotating member, and the adhesive can be transferred from the rotating member to the flexible film. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive can be deposited onto the flexible film by extruding the adhesive.

[0191] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 700 for manufacturing a medical drape 106. The flexible film 108 can be disposed on a conveyor assembly 701. The conveyor assembly 701 can be, for example, a belt conveyor, a gravity conveyor, a bucket conveyor, a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, a vibrating conveyor, or other suitable device configured to transport the flexible film 108 through the apparatus 700. The conveyor assembly 701 can be one or more conveyor systems or a single conveyor system, such as Figure 7A Schematically depicted in . The conveyor assembly 701 may include additional components not shown or described herein that can support and operate the assembly. The conveyor assembly 701 may include one or more rollers 705. The rollers 705 can be configured to cause movement of a belt or carrier (e.g., belt 703) and can rotate freely or be motorized. The flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 701. In some embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 701 in the form of a continuous sheet that appears to the conveyor assembly 701. For example, the flexible film 108 can be provided in the form of a roll that can be placed on the conveyor assembly 701. When the conveyor assembly 701 moves a first end of the flexible film 108 through the method described, the conveyor assembly 701 can unroll the roll of flexible film 108. The flexible film 108 can be placed on the conveyor assembly 701 so that the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 is facing away from the belt 703 of the conveyor assembly 701. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane 108 can move in response to movement of the belt 703 of the conveyor assembly 701 .

[0192] like Figure 7A As shown in FIG, a conveyor assembly 701 can convey the flexible film 108 to a first screen assembly, such as screen assembly 707. Screen assembly 707 may include additional components, not shown here, that support and operate the components as described below. Screen assembly 707 may include a first rotating screen, such as rotating screen 709. Rotating screen 709 may be a drum with a polymeric or metallic material mounted on an exterior of the drum so that the material forms a side surface of rotating screen 709. Rotating screen 709 may have one or more openings 711 extending through the material of rotating screen 709, thereby forming a screen or mesh that allows adhesive or other adhesive material to flow through rotating screen 709. Openings 711 may be formed in a pattern so that flow can be passively controlled. In some embodiments, openings 711 may form a screen that is partially blocked to prevent flow at certain locations. In one exemplary embodiment, openings 711 in rotating screen 709 correspond to a desired distribution of adhesive 132. Figure 7B A portion of an outer surface of the rotating screen 709 is shown. In some embodiments, the openings 711 can be one or more openings spaced axially parallel to the axis 710 of the rotating screen 709 and spaced around the periphery of the rotating screen 709. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the openings 711 can be square. For example, the adhesive can be transferred to the flexible film 108 through the square openings 711 to form one or more holes 715 distributed on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, as shown in FIG. Figure 4A and 4B As shown in .

[0193] See again Figure 7A, the rotating screen assembly 707 may further include a first pressure member, such as pressure member 719. The pressure member 719 may be positioned within an inner surface 721 of the rotating screen 709. The pressure member 719 may be configured to compress the adhesive material, such as the adhesive bonding agent 132, against the inner surface 721 of the rotating screen 709 and compress it through the opening 711. In some embodiments, the pressure member 719 may be a weight configured to roll along the bottom of the rotating screen 709. The pressure member 719 may be a cylindrical weight positioned so that the side surface of the pressure member 719 may contact the inner surface 721. When the rotating screen 709 rotates, the pressure member 719 may rotate and maintain contact with the inner surface 721. For example, the pressure member 719 may be formed of a material having sufficient weight to maintain contact with the inner surface 721 during rotation or operation of the rotating screen 709. In other exemplary embodiments, the pressure member 719 can be fixed to a shaft to prevent relative linear movement between the rotating screen 709 and the pressure member 719. The shaft can be fixed or can float and deflect to maintain the pressure member 719 in contact with the inner surface 721. In other embodiments, the pressure member 719 can be motorized. In still other embodiments, the pressure member 719 can be a non-rotating blade or squeegee.

[0194] The adhesive 720 may be supplied to the inner surface 721 of the rotating screen 709 by a suitable means, provided that the adhesive 720 is suitably viscous to flow through the rotating screen 709. In some embodiments, for example, the viscosity of the adhesive 720 may be in the range of about 100 mPa. . S to 10000mPa . s. The adhesive 132 can be pseudoplastic, that is, the viscosity of the adhesive 132 can be proportional to the applied shear rate and shear thinning, such that under relatively high shear, the adhesive 132 has a low viscosity. As the rotating screen 709 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 723 and the conveyor assembly 701 moves the flexible film 108 in the direction indicated by arrow 725, the flexible film 108 can pass between the conveyor assembly 701 and a contact patch 727 of the rotating screen 709. The contact patch 727 can be the portion of the rotating screen 709 that is in contact with or adjacent to the belt 703 of the conveyor assembly 701 at a given moment during the manufacturing process. The pressure member 719 can be positioned within the inner surface 721 of the rotating screen 709 adjacent to the contact patch 727.

[0195] As the rotating screen 709 rotates, the adhesive 720 can be drawn toward the pressure member 719. Continued rotation of the rotating screen 709 causes the adhesive 720 to engage the pressure member 719, and the pressure member 719 forces the adhesive 720 through the opening 711 and onto the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. During operation of the screen assembly 707, the pressure member 719 remains adjacent to the contact patch 727. The rotational speed of the rotating screen 709 and the linear speed of the flexible film 108 as it passes through the conveyor assembly 701 can determine the amount and thickness of the adhesive 720 deposited onto the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 in the form of holes 715 of adhesive 132. In some embodiments, the speed of the flexible film 108 as it passes through the conveyor assembly 701 and the speed of the rotating screen 709 can also be coordinated to control the distance between each hole 715 that can be deposited on the flexible film 108.

[0196] After the flexible film 108 passes through the screen assembly 707, the conveyor assembly 701 can continue to move the flexible film 108. The conveyor assembly 701 can move the flexible film 108 and the holes 715 of the adhesive 132 through a curing or drying assembly, such as a curing assembly 729. The curing assembly 729 can be a suitable device configured to cure or dry the holes 715 of the adhesive 132 while the conveyor assembly 701 moves the flexible film 108 through the curing assembly 729. Other exemplary embodiments may not include the curing assembly 729. After the transfer of the adhesive 132, whether by assisted or non-assisted drying or curing, the viscosity of the adhesive 138 increases such that the adhesive 132 resists flow under the application conditions of the medical drape 106.

[0197] The conveyor assembly 701 can convey the flexible film 108 to a second screen assembly, such as screen assembly 731. The screen assembly 731 may include additional components, not shown here, that support and operate the components described below. The screen assembly 731 may include a second rotating screen, such as rotating screen 733. The rotating screen 733 can be a roller with a polymeric or metallic material mounted on an exterior of the roller so that the material forms a side surface of the rotating screen 733. The rotating screen 733 can have one or more openings 735 extending through the material of the rotating screen 733, thereby forming a screen that allows adhesive or other bonding material to flow through the rotating screen 733. The openings 735 can form a pattern that allows the flow through the rotating screen 733 to be passively controlled. In some embodiments, the openings 735 in the rotating screen 733 correspond to a desired distribution of the sealing adhesive 138. The openings 735 can be one or more openings spaced axially along the length of the rotating screen 733 parallel to the axis 738 of the rotating screen 733 and spaced around the perimeter of the rotating screen 733. In other embodiments, the openings 735 can be a screen that allows the bonding material to flow through a substantial portion of the side surface of the rotating screen 733.

[0198] Figure 7C A portion of the outer surface of the rotating screen 733 is shown. In some embodiments, the openings 735 can constitute a large portion of the outer surface of the rotating screen 733. Barriers 734 can be placed on the screen to form the outer surface of the rotating screen 733. The barriers 734 can be placed at certain locations around the periphery of the rotating screen 733, blocking communication through the side surface of the rotating screen 733. In some embodiments, the barriers 734 can be spaced apart and axially parallel to the axis 738 of the rotating screen 733. The barriers 734 can also be spaced apart around the periphery of the rotating screen 733. In some embodiments, the orientation of the barriers 734 on the side surface of the rotating screen 733 is such that the barriers 734 are aligned with the holes 715 of the adhesive adhesive 132 previously applied to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 by the first screen device 707. The configuration of the barrier 734 allows the sealing adhesive 138 to be applied to the portion 717 of the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, but not to the aperture 715 of the cohesive adhesive 132 on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, as shown. Figure 4B As shown in .

[0199] The screen assembly 731 may also include a second pressure member, such as pressure member 739. Pressure member 739 may be positioned within the interior of the rotating screen 733 and configured to compress an adhesive or bonding material, such as sealing adhesive 138, against the inner surface 741 of the rotating screen 733. In some embodiments, pressure member 739 may be a weight configured to roll along the bottom of the rotating screen 733. In one non-limiting example, pressure member 739 may be a cylindrical weight positioned so that one side surface of pressure member 739 can contact inner surface 741. As the rotating screen 733 rotates, pressure member 739 can rotate and maintain contact with inner surface 741. Pressure member 739 may be formed from a suitable material having sufficient weight to maintain contact with inner surface 741 during rotation or operation of the rotating screen 733. In other exemplary embodiments, pressure member 739 may be fixed to a shaft to prevent relative linear movement between the rotating screen 733 and pressure member 739. The shaft may be fixed or may float and deflect to maintain the pressure member 739 in contact with the inner surface 741. In other embodiments, the pressure member 739 may be motorized. In yet other embodiments, the pressure member 739 may not rotate.

[0200] The sealing adhesive 740 may be supplied to the interior of the rotating screen 733 by a suitable means, provided that the sealing adhesive 740 has a suitable viscosity to allow the sealing adhesive 740 to flow through the opening 735. In some embodiments, for example, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 may be in the range of about 100 mPa. . s to 10000mPa .s. The sealing adhesive 138 can be pseudoplastic, that is, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 can be proportional to the applied shear rate and shear thinning, such that under relatively high shear, the sealing adhesive 138 has a low viscosity. As the rotating screen 733 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 743 and the conveyor assembly 701 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 725, the flexible film 108 can pass between the conveyor assembly 701 and the contact patch 745 of the rotating screen 733. The contact patch 745 can be the portion of the rotating screen 733 that is in contact with or adjacent to the upper surface 703 of the conveyor assembly 701 at a given moment during the manufacturing process. The pressure member 739 can be positioned within the interior 741 of the rotating screen 733, adjacent to the contact patch 745. As the rotating screen 733 rotates, the sealing adhesive 740 can be drawn toward the pressure member 739. When the sealing adhesive 740 engages the pressure member 739, the pressure member 739 can force the sealing adhesive 740, like the sealing adhesive 138, through the opening 735 and onto the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108. The pressure member 739 can remain adjacent to the contact patch 745 during operation of the screen assembly 731. If the opening 735 is a screen that is partially blocked to prevent flow, the sealing adhesive 740 can be deposited like the sealing adhesive 138. Figure 4B As shown in FIG, the sealing adhesive 138 may be aligned with the aperture 715 , thereby covering a portion 717 of the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108 , exposing the aperture 715 of the bonding adhesive 132 .

[0201] Continue to mention Figure 7A The rotational speed of the rotating screen 733 and the linear speed of the conveyor assembly 701 can be configured to control the amount of sealing adhesive 720 deposited or transferred onto the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, the speed of the conveyor assembly 701 and the speed of the rotating screen 739 can be coordinated so that sealing adhesive 740 can be deposited between each hole 715 of the adhesive, thereby covering the portion 717.

[0202] After the flexible film 108 passes through the screen assembly 731, the conveyor assembly 701 can continue to move the flexible film 108. The conveyor assembly 701 can move the flexible film 108 through a curing assembly, such as a curing assembly 747, which has an adhesive layer 110 formed of a bonding adhesive 132 and a sealing adhesive 138 disposed thereon. The curing assembly 747 can be a suitable device configured to cure the sealing adhesive 138 while the conveyor assembly 701 moves the flexible film 108 through the curing assembly 747. Other exemplary embodiments do not include a curing assembly 747. After the transfer of the sealing adhesive 138, whether by drying or curing with or without assisted means, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 increases, such that the sealing adhesive 138 resists flow under the application conditions of the medical drape 106. The rotating screen 709 and the rotating screen 733 can form suitable openings 711, 735 for applying a desired adhesive pattern to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108.

[0203] Figures 8A-8E is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary apparatus 800 for manufacturing some embodiments of the medical drape 106. The flexible film 108 can be disposed on a conveyor assembly 801. The conveyor assembly 801 can include one or more rollers 803 through which the flexible film 108 can be conveyed. In general, the rollers 803 can suspend the flexible film 108 and can be motorized or otherwise powered so that the flexible film 108 can be carried by the conveyor assembly 801. The conveyor assembly 801 can be one or more conveyor systems or a single conveyor system, such as Figure 8A . The flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 801 in a suitable manner. In some embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 801 in the following manner: during operation of the conveyor assembly 801, the conveyor assembly 801 receives the flexible film 108 in the form of a continuous or nearly continuous sheet. For example, the flexible film 108 can be provided in the form of a roll that can be placed on the conveyor assembly 801. As the conveyor assembly 801 moves a first end of the flexible film 108 through the apparatus 800, the conveyor assembly 801 can unwind the roll of flexible film 108.

[0204] Conveyor assembly 801 can convey flexible film 108 to a first transfer assembly, such as transfer assembly 805. Transfer assembly 805 may include additional components, not shown here, for supporting and operating the schematically illustrated components. Transfer assembly 805 may include, for example, a first transfer roller, such as transfer roller 807; a first well, such as well 809; a first pressure roller, such as pressure roller 811; and a first blade, such as blade 813. Transfer roller 807 may be a roller having a side surface with an engraved pattern 814 formed on the exterior of the roller's side surface. Well 809 may be a suitable container having an interior configured to contain or store an adhesive or bonding material, such as adhesive bonding material 132. In some embodiments, the adhesive or bonding material may be stored in a liquid form. In other embodiments, the adhesive or bonding material may be stored in a gel form. In the exemplary embodiment, adhesive bonding material 132 may be contained in well 809 in a suitably viscous form. The viscosity of adhesive bonding material 132 may range from approximately 100 mPa to approximately 100 mPa. . s to 10000mPa . s. The adhesive 132 can be pseudoplastic, that is, the viscosity of the adhesive 132 can be proportional to the applied shear rate and shear thinning, such that under relatively high shear, the adhesive 132 has a low viscosity. The transfer drum 807 and the well 809 can be positioned adjacent to each other so that during operation of the transfer assembly 805, a portion of the transfer drum 807 can be immersed in the adhesive 132, immersing at least a portion of the engraving 814 of the transfer drum 807 in the adhesive 132.

[0205] In some embodiments, the well 809 can be mounted to the ground or other suitable support and have an upper portion, opposite the ground, that can be open to the surrounding environment. The transfer drum 807 can be mounted on an axis 815 so that the lower portion of the transfer drum 807 can be positioned within the interior of the well 809. The transfer drum 807 can be rotatable about an axis 815 that passes through the center of the transfer drum 807. In some embodiments, the transfer drum 807 rotates about the axis 815 in a direction indicated by arrow 817. As the transfer drum 807 rotates about the axis 815, the lower portion can be immersed in the adhesive 132 contained within the well 809. While immersed, the adhesive 132 can be drawn into the engraving 814, filling the engraving 814 with the adhesive 132. In one embodiment, the adhesive 132 can be drawn into the engraving 814 by capillary action, which is caused by the intermolecular attraction between the adhesive 132 and the engraving 814. For example, the adhesion between the adhesive 132 and the solid surface of the engraving 814 can pull the adhesive 132 into the engraving 814. As the submerged portion rotates out of the well 809, the submerged portion of the transfer drum 807 can rotate past a blade 813. The blade 813 can be a squeegee configured to apply a force on the surface of the transfer drum 807 and can be formed from a rubber-based material, etc. The blade 813 can contact the outer surface of the transfer drum 807 so that excess adhesive 132 that may not be located in the engraving 814 can be scraped or removed from the outer surface of the transfer drum 807 as the transfer drum 807 rotates out of the well 809.

[0206] Continued rotation of the transfer drum 807 causes the outer surface of the transfer drum 807, having the engraved pattern 814, to be filled with the tacky adhesive 132 near the pressure roller 811. The pressure roller 811 can be positioned adjacent to the transfer drum 807 so that a sheet or film (e.g., the flexible film 108) placed between the outer surface of the transfer drum 807 and one outer surface of the pressure roller 811 can be compressed therebetween. The pressure roller 811 can be configured to rotate on an axis 819 in a direction indicated by arrow 821 so that the flexible film 108 can pass through the transfer assembly 805. As the flexible film 108 passes between the outer surface of the transfer drum 807 and the pressure roller 811, the pressure roller 811 can press the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 against the outer side surface of the transfer drum 807 at a location 823. This compression causes the tacky adhesive 132 to be drawn into the engraved pattern on the outer side surface of the transfer drum 807, where it is transferred to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 as part of the adhesive layer 110.

[0207] After the flexible film 108 passes through the transfer assembly 805, the conveyor assembly 801 can continue to move the flexible film 108. For example, the conveyor assembly 801 can move the flexible film 108, on which the adhesive 132 is deposited by the transfer assembly 805, through a curing or drying assembly, such as the curing assembly 825. The curing assembly 825 can be a suitable device configured to cure or dry the adhesive 132 while the conveyor assembly 801 moves the flexible film 108 through the curing assembly 825. After the transfer of the adhesive 132, the viscosity of the adhesive 132 increases through drying or curing, whether assisted or unassisted, so that the adhesive 132 resists flow under the application conditions of the medical drape 106. In some embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be configured to pass through another transfer assembly (not shown) for depositing another layer of adhesive 132 onto the second side 136 so that the adhesive 132 has a suitable thickness. In these embodiments, the conveyor assembly 801 can be configured to convey the flexible film 108 having the adhesive adhesive 132 through another transfer assembly, thereby reversing operation to feed the flexible film 108 back through the transfer assembly 805, or the flexible film 108 can be removed from the conveyor assembly 801 and passed through the transfer assembly 805 again to apply another layer of adhesive adhesive 132.

[0208] Once the adhesive layer 110 has a suitable thickness of the adhesive 132, the conveyor assembly 801 can transfer the flexible film 108 and the adhesive 132 to a second transfer assembly, such as a transfer assembly 827. The transfer assembly 827 can include a second transfer roller, such as a transfer roller 829; a second well, such as a well 831; a second pressure roller, such as a pressure roller 833; and a second blade, such as a blade 835. The transfer roller 829 can be a roller having a side surface with an engraved pattern 830 formed on the exterior of the side surface of the roller. The second well 831 can be a suitable container having an interior configured to hold or store the sealing adhesive 138. In some embodiments, the adhesive or adhesive material can be stored in a liquid form. In other embodiments, the adhesive or adhesive material can be stored in a gel form. In exemplary embodiments, the sealing adhesive 138 can be contained in the second well 831 in a suitably viscous form. In one embodiment, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 can range from about 100 mPa to about 100 mPa. . s to 10000mPa .s. The sealing adhesive 138 can be pseudoplastic, that is, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 can be proportional to the applied shear rate and shear thinning, such that under relatively high shear, the sealing adhesive 138 has a low viscosity. The transfer roller 829 and the second well 831 can be positioned adjacent to each other so that during operation of the transfer assembly 827, the lower portion of the transfer roller 829 can be immersed in the sealing adhesive 138, immersing at least a portion of the engraved pattern 830 of the transfer roller 829 in the sealing adhesive 138.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second well 831 can be mounted to the ground or other suitable support and have an upper portion, facing the ground and open to the surrounding environment. The transfer drum 829 can be mounted on an axis 837 so that its lower portion can be positioned within the interior of the second well 831. The transfer drum 829 can be rotatable about an axis 837 passing through the center of the transfer drum 829. In some embodiments, the transfer drum 829 rotates about the axis 837 in a direction indicated by arrow 839. As the transfer drum 829 rotates about the axis 837, a portion of the outer side surface of the transfer drum 829 can be immersed in the sealing adhesive 138 contained within the second well 831. While immersed, the sealing adhesive 138 can be drawn into the engraved pattern 830, filling the engraved pattern 830 with the sealing adhesive 138. In some embodiments, the sealing adhesive 138 can be drawn into the engraved pattern 830 by capillary action due to intermolecular attraction between the sealing adhesive 138 and the engraved pattern 830. When the submerged portion rotates out of the second well 831, the submerged portion of the transfer drum 829 can rotate past a blade 835. The blade 835 can be a squeegee configured to apply a force on the surface of the transfer drum 829 and can be formed of a rubber-based material, etc. The blade 835 can be in contact with the outer side surface so that when the transfer drum 829 rotates out of the second well 831, excess sealing adhesive 138 that is not located in the engraved pattern 830 can be scraped or removed from the outer surface of the transfer drum 829.

[0210] Continued rotation of the transfer drum 829 causes the outer side surface of the transfer drum 829 having the engraved pattern 830 to be filled with the sealing adhesive 138 near the pressure roller 833. The pressure roller 833 can be positioned adjacent to the transfer drum 829 so that a sheet or film (e.g., the flexible film 108) placed between the outer side surface of the transfer drum 829 and one outer surface of the pressure roller 833 can be compressed therebetween. The pressure roller 833 can be configured to rotate on an axis 841 in a direction indicated by arrow 843 so that the flexible film 108 can pass through the transfer assembly 827. As the flexible film 108 passes between the outer surface of the transfer drum 829 and the pressure roller 833, the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 can be pressed against the outer side surface of the transfer drum 829 at a location 834 by the pressure roller 833. This compression causes the sealing adhesive 138 to be drawn into the engraved pattern on the outer surface of the transfer drum 829 , being transferred to the second side 136 of the flexible film 108 as the sealing adhesive 138 portion of the adhesive layer 110 .

[0211] After the flexible film 108 passes through the transfer assembly 827, the conveyor assembly 801 continues to move the flexible film 108. The conveyor assembly 801 can move the flexible film 108 with the adhesive layer 110 printed thereon through a curing or drying assembly, such as a curing assembly 845. The curing assembly 845 can be a suitable device configured to cure or dry the sealing adhesive 138 while the conveyor assembly 801 moves the flexible film 108 through the curing assembly 845. After the transfer of the sealing adhesive 138, the viscosity of the sealing adhesive 138 increases through drying or curing and whether assisted or non-assisted, so that the sealing adhesive 138 will resist flow under the application conditions of the medical drape 106. In some embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be configured to pass through another transfer assembly (not shown) to deposit another layer of sealing adhesive 138 so that the sealing adhesive 138 can have a suitable thickness. In these embodiments, the conveyor assembly 801 can be configured to convey the flexible film 108 having the sealing adhesive 138 through another transfer assembly, thereby reversing the operation to feed the flexible film 108 back through the transfer assembly 827, or the flexible film 108 can be removed from the conveyor assembly 801 and passed through the transfer assembly 827 again to apply another layer of sealing adhesive 138.

[0212] Figures 8B-8E is a schematic diagram illustrating additional details that may be associated with exemplary embodiments of transfer drum 807 and second transfer drum 827. For example, Figure 8B As shown in FIG, the engraving pattern 814 may include aligned holes on the surface of the transfer drum 807 for depositing Figure 4A1. The holes 715 of the adhesive layer 110 of the adhesive 132 are shown in FIG. Figure 8D As shown in FIG, the engraving pattern 814 may include aligned holes on the surface of the transfer drum 807 for depositing Figure 5A 132 of the adhesive layer 110 shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the speed of the conveyor assembly 801 and the speed of the transfer drum 807 can be coordinated to ensure the desired deposition of the adhesive 132. Figure 8C As shown in FIG, the engraved pattern 830 can cover a substantial portion of the outer surface of the transfer drum 829. The unengraved portion of the outer surface of the transfer drum 829 can form a platform 828 having a size and shape substantially equivalent to the hole 715 of the adhesive 132. The platform 828 can be aligned on the surface of the transfer drum 829 to contact the hole 715 of the adhesive 132, thereby depositing the sealing adhesive 138 thereon. Figure 4B The platform 828 can prevent or limit the overlap of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138. Similarly, as shown in FIG. Figure 8E As shown in FIG, the engraving pattern 830 may include aligned strips on the surface of the transfer drum 829 for depositing Figure 5B 138. In some embodiments, the speed of the conveyor assembly 801 and the speed of the transfer drum 829 can be coordinated to ensure the desired deposition of the sealing adhesive 138 of the adhesive layer 110.

[0213] Figure 9A and 9B is a schematic diagram of an extrusion apparatus 900 for manufacturing a medical drape 106. A flexible film 108 can be disposed on a conveyor assembly 901. The conveyor assembly 901 can include one or more rollers 903 upon which the flexible film 108 can be disposed. Generally speaking, the rollers 903 can support the flexible film 108 and can be motorized or otherwise powered so that the flexible film 108 can be conveyed on the conveyor assembly 901. The conveyor assembly 901 can be a conveyor belt, a gravity conveyor, a bucket conveyor, a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, a vibrating conveyor, or other device configured to convey the medical drape 106 through the extrusion apparatus 900. The conveyor assembly 901 can be one or more conveyor systems or a single conveyor system, such as Figure 9A901 . The flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 901 in a suitable manner. In some embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be provided to the conveyor assembly 901 in a continuous sheet that appears to the conveyor assembly 901 during operation of the conveyor assembly 901. For example, the flexible film 108 can be provided in rolls that can be positioned on the conveyor assembly 901 and unrolled by the conveyor assembly 901 as the conveyor assembly 901 moves a first end of the flexible film 108 through the pressing device 900. The flexible film 108 can be positioned on the conveyor assembly 901 such that the first side 134 of the flexible film 108 is adjacent to the upper surface 905 of the belt of the conveyor assembly 901.

[0214] The conveyor assembly 901 can convey the flexible film 108 through an extrusion assembly 907. The extrusion assembly 907 can include one or more cohesive adhesive extruders, such as a cohesive adhesive extruder 909, and one or more sealing adhesive extruders, such as a sealing adhesive extruder 911. The cohesive adhesive extruder 909 can be coupled to a cohesive adhesive supplier 913 for supplying cohesive adhesive 132 to the cohesive adhesive extruder 909. Similarly, the sealing adhesive extruder 911 can be coupled to a sealing adhesive supplier 915 for supplying sealing adhesive 138 to the sealing adhesive extruder 911. The extrusion assembly 907 can also include a control system 917 communicatively coupled to the cohesive adhesive extruder 909, the sealing adhesive extruder 911, the cohesive adhesive supplier 913, and the sealing adhesive supplier 915 for operating the extrusion assembly 907 as disclosed herein.

[0215] The control system 917 may include a programmable logic controller, a data processing system, etc., which is configured to receive input from the devices listed above and communicate with those same devices for their operation. A data processing system suitable for storing and / or executing program code may include at least one processor, which is directly or indirectly connected to the storage aperture via a system bus. The storage aperture may include a local memory, a large-capacity storage body, and a cache memory used during the actual execution of the program code, which provide temporary storage of at least some program codes to reduce the number of times that the code can be retrieved from the large-capacity storage body during execution. The adhesive extruder 909 and the sealing adhesive extruder 911 can be connected to corresponding motorized controllers and can be operated to move relative to the initial position as disclosed herein. The motorized controller can be a suitable device configured to receive operating signals or instructions from the control system 917.

[0216] The control system 917 may include sophisticated input / output devices, which may be suitable devices configured to communicate signals with the control system 917, such as pneumatic sensors, temperature sensors, and the like. Input / output or I / O devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards, displays, pointing devices, and the like) may be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I / O controllers. A network adapter, such as a modem or Ethernet card, may also be coupled to the control system 917, enabling the control system 917 to be connected to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices via an intervening private or public network.

[0217] Each adhesive squeezer 909 can be positioned adjacent the upper surface 905 of the conveyor assembly 901. Each adhesive squeezer 909 can include a valve and a die configured to squeeze a quantity of adhesive 132 at predetermined intervals for a predetermined time, thereby depositing the adhesive 132 on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. Figure 9B It is a schematic diagram representing the Figure 9A A portion of a cross-section of the extrusion device 900 is obtained along line 9B-9B. Figure 9B The view is taken at a time (t) during operation of the extrusion device 900, where a portion of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 may have been deposited onto the flexible film 108, as described in more detail below. Figure 9BIn an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, three adhesive extruders 909 are shown, including a first adhesive extruder 909A, a second adhesive extruder 909B, and a third adhesive extruder 909C. Each adhesive extruder 909 can be arranged relative to an adjacent adhesive extruder 909 so that the corresponding nozzle can be aligned within the width of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, when the first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B, and the third adhesive extruder 909C can be activated substantially simultaneously, the first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B, and the third adhesive extruder 909C can coat the width of the flexible film 108 with the adhesive 132. For example, if each of the first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B, and the third adhesive extruder 909C is activated substantially simultaneously, the adhesive 132 will substantially cover the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, the valves of the first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B, and the third adhesive extruder 909C can be alternately activated by the control system 917 so that a checkerboard pattern can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, such as Figure 5A As shown in .

[0218] Continue to mention Figure 9B , the adhesive layer 110 can be deposited in the following schematic manner. When the conveyor assembly 901 moves the flexible film 108 through the first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B and the third adhesive extruder 909C, the control system 917 can start the first adhesive extruder 909A and the third adhesive extruder 909C to extrude the adhesive 132 through the corresponding nozzles for a duration of about three seconds. After three seconds of extrusion, the control system 917 can then stop extruding the adhesive 132 through the first adhesive extruder 909A and the third adhesive extruder 909C. The control system 917 can then start the second adhesive extruder 909B to deposit the adhesive 132 for a duration of about three seconds. The device can then alternately start the first adhesive extruder 909A and the third adhesive extruder 909C and the second adhesive extruder 909B. In this way, the adhesive 132 can be as Figure 5A, thereby forming a first row 971, a second row 972, and a third row 973. The first adhesive extruder 909A, the second adhesive extruder 909B, and the third adhesive extruder 909C can each be independently operated for different durations to form a desired pattern of the adhesive layer 110 on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In other embodiments, more or fewer adhesive extruders 909 can be used and activated in a suitable manner for a suitable duration to deposit a desired pattern on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. The extrusion duration can be shorter or longer than three seconds as desired.

[0219] Continue to mention Figure 9A and 9B , the sealing adhesive 138 may be applied in the following schematic manner. Figure 9B 1 shows two pairs of sealing adhesive extruders 911. The first pair of sealing adhesive extruders 911 includes a first sealing adhesive extruder 911A and a second sealing adhesive extruder 911B, which can be positioned relative to a reference line 935. In some embodiments, the first sealing adhesive extruder 911A can be configured to move a predetermined distance from the reference line 935 parallel to the width of the flexible film 108, so that the first sealing adhesive extruder 911A can vibrate between the reference line 935 and the first edge 937 of the flexible film 108. The vibration can occur in a sinusoidal manner, so that if the flexible film 108 is conveyed through the first sealing adhesive extruder 911A, a first stripe 939 of sealing adhesive 138 can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. Similarly, the second sealing adhesive extruder 911B can be configured to move a predetermined distance from the reference line 935 parallel to the width of the flexible film 108, so that the second sealing adhesive extruder 911B can vibrate between the reference line 935 and the second edge 941 of the flexible film 108. The vibration can occur in a sinusoidal manner, so that if the flexible film 108 is carried through the second sealing adhesive extruder 911B, a second strip 943 of sealing adhesive 138 having a sinusoidal wave pattern can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108.

[0220] The second pair of sealing adhesive extruders 911 includes a third sealing adhesive extruder 911C and a fourth sealing adhesive extruder 911D, which can be positioned relative to the reference line 955. In some embodiments, the third sealing adhesive extruder 911C can be configured to move a predetermined distance from the reference line 955 parallel to the width of the flexible film 108, so that the third sealing adhesive extruder 911C can vibrate between the reference line 955 and the first edge 937 of the flexible film 108. For example, the vibration can occur in a sinusoidal manner, so that if the flexible film 108 is carried past the third sealing adhesive extruder 911C, a strip 940 of sealing adhesive 138 having a sinusoidal wave pattern can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. Similarly, the fourth sealing adhesive extruder 911D can be configured to move a preset distance from the reference line 955 parallel to the width of the flexible film 108 so that the fourth sealing adhesive extruder 911D can vibrate between the reference line 955 and the second edge 941 of the flexible film 108. The vibration can occur in a sinusoidal manner so that if the flexible film 108 is carried through the fourth sealing adhesive extruder 911D, a strip 944 of sealing adhesive 138 having a sinusoidal wave shape can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. The control system 917 can control the vibration speed of these pairs of sealing adhesive extruders 911. In some embodiments, these pairs of sealing adhesive extruders 911 can be activated by the control system 917 to deposit the first adhesive strip 939, the second adhesive strip 943, the third adhesive strip 940, and the fourth adhesive strip 944 on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. Figure 5B On the second side 136 of the flexible membrane 108 shown in .

[0221] Figure 10A and 10B is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an extrusion apparatus 1000 configured to deposit Figures 6A-6C The adhesive layer 110 of the exemplary medical cover cloth 106. The squeezing device 1000 can generally include relative to Figure 9A and 9B The apparatus shown and described as modified as follows. Figure 9A and 9B The reference label of the component can be Figure 10A and 10B1000 and have been designated by indices with reference numerals beginning with 100. For example, extrusion apparatus 1000 may include a conveyor assembly 1001 having rollers 1003 and a belt 1005; and an extrusion assembly 1007 having a bonding adhesive supply 1013, a sealing adhesive supply 1015, and a control system 1017. Each of the components of conveyor assembly 1001 and extrusion assembly 1007 may be substantially similar to those described above with respect to Figure 9A The components of the conveyor assembly 901 and the extrusion assembly 907. Figure 10B It is a schematic diagram representing the Figure 10A A portion of a cross-section of the extrusion device 1000 is obtained along line 10B-10B. Figure 10B The view of FIG. 1 is taken at a time (t) during operation of the extrusion device 1000, where a portion of the bonding adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 may have been deposited onto the flexible film 108. The sealing adhesive 138 may be deposited in a manner similar to that shown with respect to FIG. Figure 9A and 9B The method is deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108, thereby depositing Figure 10B 962 and second strip 963 of adhesive 132. The adhesive extruder 1009 can be a vibrating extruder 1009. The vibrating extruder 1009 can vibrate about a reference line 961. The vibration can occur in a sinusoidal manner, so that if the flexible film 108 is passed through the vibrating extruder 1009, a strip 960 of adhesive 132 in the form of a vibration wave can be deposited on the second side 136 of the flexible film 108. In some embodiments, the vibration period of the vibrating extruder 1009 can be shorter than the vibration period of the first sealing adhesive extruder 1011A and the second sealing adhesive extruder 1011B of the first pair of sealing adhesive extruders 1011.

[0222] The manufacturing apparatus described above with respect to the specific embodiment of the medical drape 106 can be used to manufacture Figures 4A-6C In some embodiments, the rheology of the adhesive can be modified in a suitable manner to reduce the amount of flow between the deposition process onto the flexible film 108 by screen deposition, the transfer or extrusion process, and the curing or drying process to prevent the adhesive from migrating to undesirable areas of the flexible film 108. In yet other embodiments, the flexible film 108 can be rotated or repeatedly inverted during the drying or curing process to limit the migration of the adhesive onto the flexible film 108.

[0223] In yet other embodiments, the adhesive can be mixed with a foaming agent or expansion agent, such as organic and inorganic low-temperature boiling point liquids. The foaming agent or expansion agent allows the adhesive to expand when heat or light is applied after being deposited by one of the processes described above, thereby increasing the thickness of the adhesive. The foaming agent or expansion agent can reduce the amount of adhesive required and reduce the production cost and the cost of the resulting medical drape 106. In some embodiments, the application of heat or light can be delayed until the medical drape 106 is applied to the epidermis 112 of the patient 104, so that as the adhesive adhesive 132 and the sealing adhesive 138 heat up through contact with the patient's epidermis 112, the contact area with the patient's epidermis 112 can be increased. Applying light or heat after the medical drape 106 is applied to the epidermis 112 can provide a better seal of the medical drape 106 to the epidermis 112 for some embodiments.

[0224] Using the apparatus described above to create patterned adhesive layers on a drape can provide numerous advantages. For example, the amount of overlap between adhesive layers can be reduced and allow for greater control over the application of adhesive to the drape. The amount of adhesive required to achieve the desired result can be reduced, providing a cost savings over prior art manufacturing methods. A hybrid medical drape 106 can be produced having two adhesive types that allow for an increased evaporation efficiency. The areas of the flexible membrane 108 that are not covered by either the bonding adhesive 132 or the sealing adhesive 138 can also allow for high fluid diffusion and evaporation over the coated areas. High fluid diffusion and evaporation can improve the ability of the medical drape 106 to manage the fluid balance of healthy skin. High fluid diffusion and evaporation can also improve the ability of the medical drape 106 to evaporate fluid from underlying structures, such as the manifold 122. When combined with Figure 1 When combined with the system 100, the medical cover 106 can improve the diffusion efficiency of the system 100. In addition, a wider range of uses of different adhesive combinations can be achieved. Furthermore, the manufacturing process of the medical cover 106 can be simplified, further reducing the production cost of the medical cover 106.

[0225] Although certain structures and their advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, variations, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It should be understood that features described in conjunction with one embodiment may also be applicable to other embodiments. It should also be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. It should be further understood that reference to "an" item refers to one or more of those items.

[0226] The steps of the methods described herein may be performed in a suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

[0227] Where appropriate, aspects of the above-described embodiments may be combined with aspects of other described embodiments to form further examples having comparable or different characteristics and addressing the same or different problems.

[0228] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art. The above description, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of the exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of specificity or with reference to one or more separate illustrations, a person of ordinary skill in the art may make numerous changes to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A medical cover comprising: Elastomeric barriers; a tackifying adhesive disposed in a pattern of holes on portions of the sides of the elastomeric barrier; and a sealing adhesive disposed in a second pattern on different portions of the side of the elastomeric barrier, the sealing adhesive having a thickness greater than a thickness of the bonding adhesive; The bonding adhesive has a peel adhesion between 6 N / 25 mm and 10 N / 25 mm and the sealing adhesive has a peel adhesion between 0.5 N / 25 mm and 1.5 N / 25 mm, Each hole of the bonding adhesive is at least partially closed by the sealing adhesive.

2. The medical drape of claim 1 , wherein each hole in the pattern of holes comprises an oval shape.

3. The medical drape of claim 1 , wherein each hole in the pattern of holes comprises a circular shape.

4. The medical drape of claim 1 , wherein the pattern of holes forms a checkerboard pattern.

5. The medical drape of claim 1 , wherein the pattern of holes comprises a plurality of rows, each row comprising holes.

6. The medical drape of claim 5, wherein adjacent rows of apertures are offset.

7. The medical drape of claim 5, wherein the second pattern comprises a plurality of periodic wavy strips of sealing adhesive.

8. The medical cover according to claim 7, wherein Each of the plurality of periodic wavy strips of sealing adhesive runs parallel to an edge of the elastomeric barrier.

9. The medical drape of claim 8, wherein the rows are parallel to the edges of the elastomeric barrier.

10. The medical drape of claim 9 wherein said plurality of periodic wavy strips of sealing adhesive partially enclose said rows.

11. The medical drape of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the side of the elastomeric barrier between the holes is covered by the sealing adhesive.

12. The medical cover according to claim 11, wherein Substantially all of the sides of the elastomeric barrier between the holes are covered by the sealing adhesive.

13. A medical cover comprising: flexible membrane; a tackifying adhesive disposed in a first plurality of strips on portions of the sides of the flexible membrane; and a sealing adhesive disposed in a second plurality of strips on different portions of the side of the flexible membrane; wherein each stripe of the second plurality of stripes has a thickness greater than a thickness of each stripe of the first plurality of strips; The bonding adhesive has a peel adhesion between 6 N / 25 mm and 10 N / 25 mm and the sealing adhesive has a peel adhesion between 0.5 N / 25 mm and 1.5 N / 25 mm, wherein each stripe of the first plurality of stripes comprises a periodic waveform, wherein each stripe of the first plurality of stripes propagates parallel to an edge of the flexible membrane, and Wherein each stripe of the second plurality of stripes comprises a periodic waveform, wherein each stripe of the second plurality of stripes propagates parallel to an edge of the flexible membrane.

Images