Protective sheath and securement apparatus and method for surgical conduits

A protective cover for removably constricting a plurality of surgical conduits as a bundle comprising:

• a tubular element fabricated from a liquid resistant fabric and having a length shorter than the plurality of surgical conduits and a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of an aggregate of the plurality of surgical conduits, said tubular element including a first end and a second end;
• handle means for pulling said tubular element over the plurality of surgical conduits, said handle means comprising a shield having a hole therethrough, said hole having a cross sectional area corresponding to said cross sectional area of said tubular element, said shield being mounted to said first end of said tubular element at said hole;
• a guide member adjacent said hole in said shield, said guide member comprising opposing channel members, said opposing channel members being separable to accommodate passage of instrument heads affixed to the surgical conduits;
• and
• a drawstring secured at said second end of said tubular element for cinching said second end of said tubular element against the plurality of surgical conduits.

A protective cover for a plurality of surgical conduits comprising:

• a tubular element fabricated from a fabric-like material and having a first diameter and a first length, said first diameter being larger than a second diameter, said second diameter representing a diameter of an aggregate of the plurality of surgical conduits, said first length being shorter than a second length, said second length representing the length of the plurality of surgical conduits;
• a handle means for pulling said tubular element over the plurality of surgical conduits, said handle means comprising a planar shield mounted to a first end of said tubular element, said shield comprising a diametrally enlarged planar element having a hole therethrough, said hole having a cross sectional area corresponding to said first diameter of said tubular element, said shield being mounted transversely to said first end with said tubular element being coupled to said hole, said hole providing access to an interior of said tubular element;
• and
• a guide member adjacent said hole in said shield, said guide member comprising opposing channel members, said opposing channel members holding said tubular element open to accommodate passage of the plurality of surgical conduits into said tubular element.

A restraining apparatus and protective cover for a plurality of surgical conduits comprising:

• a tubular element fabricated from a liquid resistant fabric and having a length shorter than the plurality of surgical conduits and a cross sectional area larger than an aggregate cross sectional area of the combined plurality of surgical conduits, said tubular element including a first end and a second end;
• a shield having a hole therethrough, said hole comprising an oval-shaped hole, said hole having an area corresponding to paid cross sectional area of said tubular element, said shield being mounted to said first end of said tubular element at said hole;
• a guide member adjacent said hole, said guide member being mounted to said shield at said hole and extending interiorly into said tubular element, said guide member comprising opposing channel members, said opposing channel members being separable to accommodate passage of the plurality of surgical conduits, said guide member forming a basal element over which said tubular element is telescopically folded, said guide member holding said tubular element open to accommodate inserting the plurality of surgical conduits;
• and
• a drawstring mounted about said second end of said tubular element for cinching said second end of said tubular element against the plurality surgical conduits.

A method for protecting and restraining a plurality of surgical conduits as a compact bundle comprising the steps of:

• forming a tubular element from a liquid-resistant fabric;
• preparing a shield as a planar element having a hole therethrough;
• attaching said shield transversely to a first end of said tubular element with said hole forming an entry into said tubular element;
• mounting a guide member adjacent said shield, said guide member having opposing channel members, said opposing channel members being separable thereby accommodating the plurality of surgical conduits passing into said tubular element;
• slipping said tubular element over the plurality of surgical conduits by pulling on said shield and parting said channel members with the plurality of surgical conduits, said tubular element protecting the plurality of surgical conduits from liquid-based contaminants;
• and
• clipping said tubular element to a surgical drape thereby restraining the plurality of surgical conduits.

A method for protecting surgical conduits comprising the steps of:

• forming a tubular element from a liquid-resistant fabric;
• preparing a shield with a hole in said shield and attaching said shield to a first end of said tubular element with said hole forming an entry into said tubular element;
• mounting a guide member to said shield, said guide member comprising a pair of opposing channel members hingedly affixed to said shield at said hole;
• telescopically folding said tubular member over said guide member;
• opening said opposing channel members while directing the surgical conduits through said tubular element by slipping said tubular element over the surgical conduits;
• and
• extending said tubular element by pulling said tubular element over the surgical conduits with said shield and thereby enclosing at least a portion of the surgical conduits and thereby protecting the surgical conduits.