| abstract |
A composite of an adhesive layer, foil, a fire retardant fabric, and a hydrogel which is used to protect objects during laser surgery and which possesses favorable burning, flashing, and resistance to burn through properties. The hydrogel is preferably a hydrophilic material such as a polyurethane, collagen, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, or polyvinyl acetal. The fire retardant fabric is preferably a fabric woven or knitted from polyamide or polyimide fibers having a thickness sufficient to provide the desired degree of protection. The composite is applied to the object to be protected, which can be a person or an endotracheal tube or surgical instrument, using the adhesive to adhere the composite thereto. |