A drape according to the present invention includes a sensing device and
is disposed over a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed
therein. A drape portion is pushed down into, and conforms to, the basin
to form a drape receptacle within the basin for collecting a sterile
medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically
disposed through the drape and sealed via patches on the non-sterile
drape surface. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of
liquid and/or leaks within the drape container to the system to
facilitate control of system operation. In addition, a drape utilized for
a plural basin thermal treatment system may form a drape receptacle
within each basin. Each drape receptacle includes a sensing device to
detect the presence of liquid and/or a leak within that drape receptacle
and provide signals to the system to facilitate control of system
operation.