BACKGROUND
Medical gowns are worn by medical professionals to prevent moisture and contaminants from passing through to their skin. Medical professionals often work with patients carrying contagious pathogens including, but not limited to, dangerous viruses. Without personal protective equipment, these professionals may be more susceptible to infection.
Many current medical gowns are single use, disposable items. Therefore, many medical gowns are made from tearable materials so the gown can be easily removed from the body and thrown out. Unfortunately, this creates high levels of demand which can lead to supply shortages during, for example, dangerous global pandemics. Therefore, the need exists for a durable, washable medical gown that can be reused many times.
SUMMARY
Various implementations include a medical gown. The gown includes a main panel and two sleeves. The main panel defines two sleeve openings. Each of the two sleeves is coupled to a perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings. The main panel and the two sleeves include woven nylon 6,6.
Various other implementations include a medical gown similar to the gown described above, but the main panel and the two sleeves include woven polyester.
In some implementations, the gown at least meets ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 for level 1 protection under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines. In some implementations, the gown at least meets ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 for level 2 protection under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines.
In some implementations, the main panel and two sleeves define an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured to face a body of a person when the person is wearing the gown. One of the inner surface or the outer surface is coated with a silicone material. In some implementations, the outer surface is coated with the silicone material. In some implementations, the silicone material is a silicone elastomer. In some implementations, the silicone material is a low-cycle fatigue (“LCF”) silicone.
In some implementations, each of the two sleeves is sewn to the perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings.
In some implementations, each of the two sleeves has a proximal end coupled to the perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings and a distal end opposite and spaced apart from the proximal end. The distal end of each of the two sleeves includes an elastic cuff.
In some implementations, each of the two sleeves has a proximal end coupled to the perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings and a distal end opposite and spaced apart from the proximal end. Each of the two sleeves defines a thumb hole adjacent the distal end.
In some implementations, the gown further includes at least one waist strap coupled to the main panel.
In some implementations, the main panel has two opposing edges. The opposing edges include one or more fasteners for fastening the opposing edges to each other. In some implementations, the one or more fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. In some implementations, the main panel defines a head opening when the opposing edges are fastened to each other.
In some implementations, the main panel has two opposing edges. The opposing edges are coupled to each other. In some implementations, the opposing edges are sewn to each other.
In some implementations, the main panel is formed from a continuous loop of material.
In some implementations, the main panel further defines a head opening. In some implementations, the head opening is configured for a head and neck of a person to extend through the head opening when a body of the person is disposed within the main panel.
In some implementations, the main panel is configured to be wrapped around a body of a person when each arm of the person extends through a separate one of the two sleeves.
In some implementations, the main panel has a first edge configured to be adjacent the shoulders when the gown is worn by a person and a second edge opposite and spaced apart from the first edge. The second edge at least partially defines one or more knee cutouts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Example features and implementations are disclosed in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1A is a front view of a medical gown, in accordance with one implementation.
FIG. 1B is a back view of the medical gown of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the main panel of the medical gown of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 3 is a back view of the main panel of the medical gown of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a folded position.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a sleeve of the medical gown of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a sleeve of the medical gown of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a folded position.
FIG. 6 is a back view of a medical gown, according to another implementation.
FIG. 7 is a back view of a medical gown, according to another implementation.
FIG. 8A is a front view of a medical gown having thumb holes, according to another implementation.
FIG. 8B is a back view of the medical gown of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9A is a front view of a main panel of a medical gown, according to another implementation.
FIG. 9B is a back view of the main panel of the medical gown of FIG. 9A in a folded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The devices, systems, and methods described herein include reusable medical gowns that are resistant to fluid penetration. The medical gowns include a main panel for covering at least the torso of a medical professional and two sleeves for covering the arms of the medical professional. The gowns may also cover at least a portion of the legs of the medical professional. Some of the medical gowns disclosed herein are made of woven, high tenacity synthetic thermoplastic and include a coating of silicone material for fluid resistance. The reusable medical gown ensures medical professionals have continued access to the necessary personal protection equipment to keep themselves safe while treating their patients.
Various implementations include a medical gown. The medical gown includes a main panel and two sleeves. The main panel defines two sleeve openings. Each of the two sleeves is coupled to a perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings. The main panel and the two sleeves include woven nylon 6,6.
Various other implementations include a medical gown. The medical gown includes a main panel and two sleeves. The main panel defines two sleeve openings. Each of the two sleeves is coupled to a perimetrical edge of one of the two sleeve openings. The main panel and the two sleeves include woven polyester.
FIGS. 1A-1B show a medical gown 100 made of woven nylon 6,6. The medical gown 100 includes a main panel 110 and two sleeves 150 coupled to the main panel 110. The main panel 110 is configured to be wrapped around the body of a person when each arm of the person extends through a separate one of the two sleeves 150.
The main panel 110 defines a single sheet of woven nylon 6,6 fabric, as shown in FIG. 2. The main panel 110 has a first edge 112, a second edge 114 opposite and spaced apart from the first edge 112, a third edge 116 extending between the first edge 112 and the second edge 114, and a fourth edge 118 opposite and spaced apart from the third edge 116. The first edge 112 of the main panel 110 includes a first pair of shoulder portions 120 and a second pair of shoulder portions 130. The first edge 112 of the main panel 110 also includes a first shoulder cutout 122 disposed between the first pair of shoulder portions 120 and a second shoulder cutout 132 disposed between the second pair of shoulder portions 130. The first edge 112 also has a head opening cutout 140.
FIG. 3 shows the main panel 110 in an inside-out configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the third edge 116 of the main panel 110 is folded toward the fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110 such that the first pair of shoulder portions 120 are adjacent to each other and the fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110 is folded toward the third edge 116 of the main panel 110 such that the second pair of shoulder portions 130 are adjacent to each other. The first pair of shoulder portions 120 are coupled together such that the first shoulder cutout 122 defines a first sleeve opening 124, and the second pair of shoulder portions 130 are coupled together such that the second shoulder cutout 132 defines a second sleeve opening 134.
The first pair of shoulder portions 120 and the second pair of shoulder portions 130 are sewn to themselves, but in other implementations, each pair of shoulder portions are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the pairs of shoulder portions to themselves during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. Although the main panel 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-3 is made of nylon 6,6, in other implementations, the main panel is made of any type of polyamide, polyester, or any other suitable synthetic thermoplastic. Although the main panel 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-3 is made of a woven material, in other implementations, the main panel is made of a nonwoven material. The woven nylon material of the main panel 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-3 is made of a high tenacity yarn, but in other implementations, the yarn can be any strength yarn. The term “high tenacity,” as used herein, refers to any yarn or material that has a specific strength per denier. For nylon 6,6, high tenacity is defined as being at least 8 grams/denier. However, in some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 8.5 grams/denier. In some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 9.2 grams/denier.
FIG. 4 shows one of the two sleeves 150 of the medical gown 100. The sleeve 150 is made of nylon 6,6. The sleeve 150 has a first sleeve edge 152 and a second sleeve edge 154 opposite and spaced apart from the first sleeve edge 152, a proximal end 156 extending between the first sleeve edge 152 and the second sleeve edge 154, and a distal end 158 opposite and spaced apart from the proximal end 156. An elastic cuff 160 is coupled to the distal end 158 of the sleeve 150, but in other implementations, the distal end does not include an elastic cuff.
As shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve 150 is folded such that the first sleeve edge 152 is adjacent the second sleeve edge 154, and the first sleeve edge 152 is coupled to the second sleeve edge 154. The first sleeve edge 152 and the second sleeve edge 154 shown in FIG. 5 are sewn to each other, but in other implementations, the first sleeve edge and the second sleeve edge are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the first sleeve edge and the second sleeve edge to each other during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. Although the sleeve 150 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4-5 is made of nylon 6,6, in other implementations, the sleeve is made of any type of polyamide, polyester, or any other suitable synthetic thermoplastic. Although the sleeve 150 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4-5 is made of a woven material, in other implementations, the sleeve is made of a nonwoven material. The woven nylon material of the sleeve 150 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 4-5 is made of a high tenacity yarn, but in other implementations, the yarn can be any strength yarn. For nylon 6,6, high tenacity is defined as being at least 8 grams/denier. However, in some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 8.5 grams/denier. In some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 9.2 grams/denier.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the proximal end 156 of a first sleeve 150 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 126 of the first sleeve opening 124, and the proximal end 156 of a second sleeve 150 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 136 of the second sleeve opening 134. The first and second sleeves 150 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are sewn to the sleeve openings 124, 134 of the main panel 110, but in other implementations, the first and second sleeves are welded, fastened, or coupled to the sleeve openings of the main panel by any method capable of affixing the sleeves to the main panel during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles.
The main panel 110 and two sleeves 150 of the medical gown 100 define an inner surface 102 and an outer surface 104. The inner surface 102 of the medical gown 100 is configured to face the body of a person when the person is wearing the medical gown 100. The outer surface 104 of the medical gown 100 is coated with a silicone material 106 to prevent fluid penetration through the medical gown 100 and to add strength to the woven material of the main panel 110 and the two sleeves 150. The silicone coating 106 shown in FIGS. 1A-5 is a low-cycle fatigue (“LCF”) silicone material, such as DOW DY35-4200 or DOW LCF-4300. However, in other implementations, the silicone material is any silicone elastomer. Although the outer surface 104 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5 is coated with the silicone material 106, in other implementations, the inner surface of the medical gown is coated with the silicone material or the silicone material is incorporated in the woven material of the main panel and two sleeves. In some implementations, only a portion of the inner or outer surface of the medical gown is coated with the silicone material.
The woven nylon material and the silicone material 106 coating of the medical gown 100 provide for a medical gown 100 with high strength that resists liquid penetration through the medical gown 100. The medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5 can be washed over fifty times without exhibiting enough wear to need to be replaced. The medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5 also exhibits sufficient liquid penetration resistance to provide ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 2 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines. However, in some implementations, the medical gown provides ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 1 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines.
The medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes two waist straps 172, 174 coupled to the main panel 110. A first waist strap 172 is coupled to the main panel 110 adjacent the fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110, and a second waist strap 174 is coupled to the main panel 110 adjacent the third edge 116 of the main panel 110. When the medical gown 100 is worn on the body a person such that the fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110 overlaps the third edge 116 of the main panel 110 adjacent the back of the body of the person, the first waist strap 172 and second waist strap 174 can be tied together to secure the third edge 116 and fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110 around the body of the person. Thus, the first waist strap 172 and the second waist strap 174 are at least long enough to be tied together when the third edge 116 and the fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110 are adjacent each other when the medical gown 100 is worn on the body of a person.
The first waist strap 172 and second waist strap 174 shown in FIG. 1B are sewn to the main panel 110, but in other implementations, the first and second waist straps are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the first and second waist straps to the main panel during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. The medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes two waist straps 172, 174, but in other implementations, the medical gown includes a single waist strap that is extendable around the medical gown and is couplable to itself when the medical gown is worn on the body of a person. Although the waist straps 172, 174 shown in FIG. 1B are couplable to each other by tying, in other implementations, the waist straps include one or more buckle, hook and loop, one or more buttons, one or more mechanical fasteners, and/or any other temporary coupling device capable of coupling the waist straps to each other.
The main panel 110 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B also includes fasteners 180 adjacent the first edge 112 of the main panel 110 to couple the third edge 116 and fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110. The fasteners 180 shown in FIGS. 1B and 2-3 are hook and loop fasteners, such as hook and loop fastening strips. One of the hook or loop fastener 180 is disposed adjacent the corner of the first edge 112 and third edge 116 of the main panel 110, and the other of the loop or hook fastener 180 is disposed adjacent the corner of the first edge 112 and fourth edge 118 of the main panel 110. When the two sides of the hook and loop fasteners 180 are coupled to each other, the head opening cutout 140 of the main panel 110 of the medical gown 100 defines a head opening 142. The head opening 142 is configured for a head and neck of a person to extend through the head opening 142 when the body of the person is disposed within the main panel 110.
Although the fasteners 180 shown in FIGS. 1B and 2-3 are hook and loop fasteners, in other implementations, the fasteners include one or more buckles, one or more straps, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, one or more mechanical fasteners, and/or any other temporary coupling device capable of coupling the fasteners to each other.
FIG. 6 shows another implementation of a medical gown 200 including a main panel 210 and two sleeves 250. The two sleeves 250 of the medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 are similar to the two sleeves 150 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5, and similar reference numbers are used in FIG. 6 to reference features in FIG. 6 that are similar to the features shown in FIGS. 1A-5. Unlike the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5, the third edge 216 and fourth edge 218 of the main panel 210 of the medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 are permanently coupled to each other. The main panel 210 is configured to extend around the body of a person when each arm of the person extends through a separate one of the two sleeves 250.
The main panel 210 of the medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 defines a single sheet of woven nylon 6,6 fabric. The main panel 210 has a first edge 212, a second edge 214 opposite and spaced apart from the first edge 212, a third edge 216 extending between the first edge 212 and the second edge 214, and a fourth edge 218 opposite and spaced apart from the third edge 216. The first edge 212 of the main panel 210 includes a first pair of shoulder portions 220 and a second pair of shoulder portions 230. The first edge 212 of the main panel 210 also includes a first shoulder cutout 222 disposed between the first pair of shoulder portions 220 and a second shoulder cutout 232 disposed between the second pair of shoulder portions 230. The first edge 212 also has a head opening cutout 240.
The third edge 216 and the fourth edge 218 of the main panel 210 are folded toward each other such that the third edge 216 and fourth edge 218 of the main panel 210 are adjacent to each other, the first pair of shoulder portions 220 are adjacent to each other, and the second pair of shoulder portions 230 are adjacent to each other. The third edge 216 of the main panel 210 is sewn to the fourth edge 218 of the main panel 210 to permanently couple the third edge 216 to the fourth edge 218. When the third edge 216 and fourth edge 218 are coupled to each other, the head opening cutout 240 of the main panel 210 of the medical gown 200 defines a head opening 242. The head opening 242 is configured for a head and neck of a person to extend through the head opening 242 when the body of the person is disposed within the main panel 210.
The first pair of shoulder portions 220 are coupled together such that the first shoulder cutout 222 defines a first sleeve opening 224, and the second pair of shoulder portions 230 are coupled together such that the second shoulder cutout 232 defines a second sleeve opening 234.
The third edge 216 and the fourth edge 218 of the main panel 210 are sewn to each other, but in other implementations, the third edge and the fourth edge of the main panel are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the third edge and the fourth edge of the main panel to each other during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. The first pair of shoulder portions 220 and the second pair of shoulder portions 230 are sewn to themselves, but in other implementations, each pair of shoulder portions are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the pairs of shoulder portions to themselves during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. Although the main panel 210 shown in FIG. 6 is made of nylon 6,6, in other implementations, the main panel is made of any type of polyamide, polyester, or any other synthetic thermoplastic. Although the main panel 210 shown in FIG. 6 is made of a woven material, in other implementations, the main panel is made of a nonwoven material. The woven nylon material of the main panel 210 shown in FIG. 6 is made of a high tenacity yarn, but in other implementations, the yarn can be any strength yarn. For nylon 6,6, high tenacity is defined as being at least 8 grams/denier. However, in some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 8.5 grams/denier. In some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 9.2 grams/denier.
The proximal end 256 of a first sleeve 250 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 226 of the first sleeve opening 224, and the proximal end 256 of a second sleeve 250 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 236 of the second sleeve opening 234. The first and second sleeves 250 shown in FIG. 6 are sewn to the first and second sleeve openings 224, 234 of the main panel 210, but in other implementations, the first and second sleeves are welded, fastened, or coupled to the first and second sleeve openings of the main panel by any method capable of affixing the sleeves to the main panel during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles.
The main panel 210 and two sleeves 250 of the medical gown 200 define an inner surface 202 and an outer surface 204. The inner surface 202 of the medical gown 200 is configured to face the body of a person when the person is wearing the medical gown 200. The outer surface 204 of the medical gown 200 is coated with a silicone material 206 to prevent fluid penetration through the medical gown 200 and to add strength to the woven material of the main panel 210 and the two sleeves 250. The silicone coating 206 shown in FIG. 6 is a low-cycle fatigue (“LCF”) silicone material, such as DOW DY35-4200 or DOW LCF-4300. However, in other implementations, the silicone material is any silicone elastomer. Although the outer surface 204 of the medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 is coated with the silicone material 206, in other implementations, the inner surface of the medical gown is coated with the silicone material or the silicone material is incorporated in the woven material of the main panel and two sleeves.
The woven nylon material and the silicone material 206 coating of the medical gown 200 provide for a medical gown 200 with high strength that resists liquid penetration through the medical gown 200. The medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 can be washed over fifty times without exhibiting enough wear to need to be replaced. The medical gown 200 shown in FIG. 6 also exhibits sufficient liquid penetration resistance to provide ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 2 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines. However, in some implementations, the medical gown provides ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 1 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines.
FIG. 7 shows another implementation of a medical gown 300 including a main panel 310 and two sleeves 350. The two sleeves 350 shown in FIG. 7 are similar to the two sleeves 150 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5, and similar reference numbers are used in FIG. 7 to reference features in FIG. 7 that are similar to the features shown in FIGS. 1A-5. Unlike the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5, the main panel 310 of the medical gown 300 shown in FIG. 7 is formed from a continuous loop of material. The main panel 310 is configured to extend around the body of a person when each arm of the person extends through a separate one of the two sleeves 350.
The main panel 310 of the medical gown 300 shown FIG. 7 defines a single, continuous loop of woven nylon 6,6 fabric. The main panel 310 has a first edge 312 and a second edge 314 opposite and spaced apart from the first edge 312. The first edge 312 of the main panel 310 includes a first pair of shoulder portions 320 and a second pair of shoulder portions 330. The first edge 312 of the main panel 310 also includes a first shoulder cutout 322 disposed between the first pair of shoulder portions 320 and a second shoulder cutout 332 disposed between the second pair of shoulder portions 330. The first edge 312 also has a head opening cutout 340.
The first pair of shoulder portions 320 are adjacent to each other and the second pair of shoulder portions 330 are adjacent to each other. The first pair of shoulder portions 320 are coupled together such that the first shoulder cutout 322 defines a first sleeve opening 324, and the second pair of shoulder portions 330 are coupled together such that the second shoulder cutout 332 defines a second sleeve opening 334. When the first pair of shoulder portions 320 are coupled together and the second pair of shoulder portions 330 are coupled together, the head opening cutout 340 of the main panel 310 of the medical gown 300 defines a head opening 342. The head opening 342 is configured for a head and neck of a person to extend through the head opening 342 when the body of the person is disposed within the main panel 310.
The first pair of shoulder portions 320 and the second pair of shoulder portions 330 are sewn to themselves, but in other implementations, each pair of shoulder portions are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the pairs of shoulder portions to themselves during use and throughout fifty wash cycles. Although the main panel 310 shown in FIG. 7 is made of nylon 6,6, in other implementations, the main panel is made of any type of polyamide, polyester, or any other synthetic thermoplastic. Although the main panel 310 shown in FIG. 7 is made of a woven material, in other implementations, the main panel is made of a nonwoven material. The woven nylon material of the main panel 310 shown in FIG. 7 is made of a high tenacity yarn, but in other implementations, the yarn can be any strength yarn. For nylon 6,6, high tenacity is defined as being at least 8 grams/denier. However, in some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 8.5 grams/denier. In some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 9.2 grams/denier.
The proximal end 356 of a first sleeve 350 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 326 of the first sleeve opening 324, and the proximal end 356 of a second sleeve 350 is coupled to the perimetrical edge 336 of the second sleeve opening 334. The first and second sleeves 350 shown in FIG. 7 are sewn to the first and second sleeve openings 324, 334 of the main panel 310, but in other implementations, the first and second sleeves are welded, fastened, or coupled to the first and second sleeve openings of the main panel by any method capable of affixing the sleeves to the main panel during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles.
The main panel 310 and two sleeves 350 of the medical gown 300 define an inner surface 302 and an outer surface 304. The inner surface 302 of the medical gown 300 is configured to face the body of a person when the person is wearing the medical gown 300. The outer surface 304 of the medical gown 300 is coated with a silicone material 306 to prevent fluid penetration through the medical gown 300 and to add strength to the woven material of the main panel 310 and the two sleeves 350. The silicone coating 306 shown in FIG. 7 is a low-cycle fatigue (“LCF”) silicone material, such as DOW DY35-4200 or DOW LCF-4300. However, in other implementations, the silicone material is any silicone elastomer. Although the outer surface 304 of the medical gown 300 shown in FIG. 7 is coated with the silicone material 306, in other implementations, the inner surface of the medical gown is coated with the silicone material or the silicone material is incorporated in the woven material of the main panel and two sleeves.
The woven nylon material and the silicone material 306 coating of the medical gown 300 provide for a medical gown 300 with high strength that resists liquid penetration through the medical gown 300. The medical gown 300 shown in FIG. 7 can be washed over fifty times without exhibiting enough wear to need to be replaced. The medical gown 300 shown in FIG. 7 also exhibits sufficient liquid penetration resistance to provide ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 2 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines. However, in some implementations, the medical gown provides ANSI/AAMI PB70:12 level 1 protection for barrier effectiveness under ASTM F3352-19 guidelines.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show another implementation of a medical gown 400 having a main panel 410. As discussed above, the distal ends 158 of the two sleeves 150 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-5 each include an elastic cuff 160. However, in the implementation of the medical gown 400 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, each of the two sleeves 450 defines a thumb hole 462 adjacent the distal end 458 of the sleeve 450 to allow for a thumb of one hand of a person to protrude through the thumb hole 462 of one of the sleeves 450 when the rest of the fingers of the hand of the person protrude through the distal end 458 of the sleeve 450. A thumb extending through the thumb hole 462 of a sleeve 450 prevents the distal end 458 of the sleeve 450 from moving along the arm of a person in a direction away from the respective hand of the person when the sleeve 450 is worn by the person. The thumb holes 462 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B can be included in combination with any of other features described herein.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the main panel 510 of another implementation of a medical gown 500 similar to the main panel 110 of the medical gown 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-3 but with knee cutouts 564. The main panel 510 defines a single sheet of woven nylon 6,6 fabric, as shown in FIG. 9A. The main panel 510 has a first edge 512, a second edge 514 opposite and spaced apart from the first edge 512, a third edge 516 extending between the first edge 512 and the second edge 514, and a fourth edge 518 opposite and spaced apart from the third edge 516. The first edge 512 of the main panel 510 includes a first pair of shoulder portions 520 and a second pair of shoulder portions 530. The first edge 512 of the main panel 510 also includes a first shoulder cutout 522 disposed between the first pair of shoulder portions 520 and a second shoulder cutout 532 disposed between the second pair of shoulder portions 530. The first edge 512 also has a head opening cutout 540. The third edge 516 and second edge 514 define a first knee cutout 564, and the fourth edge 518 and second edge 514 define a second knee cutout 564.
FIG. 9B shows the main panel 510 in an inside-out configuration. As shown in FIG. 9B, the third edge 516 of the main panel 510 is folded toward the fourth edge 518 of the main panel 510 such that the first pair of shoulder portions 520 are adjacent to each other and the fourth edge 518 of the main panel 510 is folded toward the third edge 516 of the main panel 510 such that the second pair of shoulder portions 530 are adjacent to each other. The first pair of shoulder portions 520 are coupled together such that the first shoulder cutout 522 defines a first sleeve opening 524, and the second pair of shoulder portions 530 are coupled together such that the second shoulder cutout 532 defines a second sleeve opening 534. The first and second knee cutouts 564 coincide with each other to form an opening for the posterior portion of a person's knees when the person is wearing the medical gown 500. Providing first and second knee cutouts 564 gives the person wearing the medical gown 500 additional comfort making walking, sitting, and other motions more comfortable and less restricted.
The first pair of shoulder portions 520 and the second pair of shoulder portions 530 are sewn to themselves, but in other implementations, each pair of shoulder portions are welded, fastened, or coupled by any method capable of affixing the pairs of shoulder portions to themselves during use and throughout at least fifty wash cycles. Although the main panel 510 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is made of nylon 6,6, in other implementations, the main panel is made of any type of nylon, polyester, or any other synthetic thermoplastic. Although the main panel 510 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is made of a woven material, in other implementations, the main panel is made of a nonwoven material. The woven nylon material of the main panel 510 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is made of a high tenacity yarn, but in other implementations, the yarn can be any strength yarn. For nylon 6,6, high tenacity is defined as being at least 8 grams/denier. However, in some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 8.5 grams/denier. In some implementations, high tenacity nylon 6,6 is at least 9.2 grams/denier.
A medical gown 500 including the main panel 510 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B can further include any of the sleeves or other features described herein.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present claims. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures. A number of examples are provided, nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “comprising” and variations thereof as used herein is used synonymously with the term “including” and variations thereof and are open, non-limiting terms. Although the terms “comprising” and “including” have been used herein to describe various implementations, the terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” can be used in place of “comprising” and “including” to provide for more specific implementations and are also disclosed.
Disclosed are materials, systems, devices, methods, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are products of the disclosed methods, systems, and devices. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these components may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a device is disclosed and discussed each and every combination and permutation of the device, and the modifications that are possible are specifically contemplated unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in methods using the disclosed systems or devices. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed, it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific method steps or combination of method steps of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination or subset of combinations is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.
Patent Application
20210401093
