The present disclosure generally relates to surgical gowns. More particularly, the disclosure relates to self-donning surgical gowns and to methods using the same.
Surgical gowns are used in operating rooms and other environments to prevent or mitigate contamination between patients and care providers, such as physicians, nurses, and technicians. The gowns are typically single-use or disposable gowns that are worn over other clothing to prevent transmission of fluids between the patient and caregivers.
A typical gown includes a body portion having an opening in the back defined by two edges that run along a length of the body portion (e.g., from a neck area to a bottom of the body portion), two sleeves, and one or more sets of ties attached to the body portion that are used to secure the gown around a torso of a caregiver. It also includes multiple sets of ties to secure the garment, some of which are fastened with the assistance of another person, who may or may not be sterile, and at least one set of ties that the gown wearer secures to the gown. For example, a gown can include a first set of ties on an interior surface of the gown, near the edges and proximate the rear neck opening of the gown to secure the gown around the wearer's neck; a second set of ties, at least one of which is on an interior surface of the gown and both of which are near the rear opening, that secure the gown on the back of the wearer; and a third set of ties that are initially on an outer surface of the front of the gown. The first and second set of ties, in which each set includes at least one tie attached to an interior surface of the gown (which may not be sterile), are typically secured by a person other than the gown wearer. The third set of ties, attached to the outer surface of the gown, is typically secured by the gown wearer.
There are several situations in which a caregiver must enter a clean environment, such as an operating room, and securely fasten a gown around his/her body prior to entering the room, which requires the assistance of a second person. For example, a surgical technician that sets up the operating room usually arrives 30 minutes to one hour before the start of the operation. He or she may find it difficult to locate the assistance required to secure a surgical gown.
Accordingly, improved surgical gowns that are relatively easy to secure and that can be secured by a user without the assistance of another person are desired.
Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to surgical gowns and to their use. The surgical gowns described herein are particularly well suited for applications in which a care provider or wearer (hereafter, “user”) of the gown desires to secure the gown without the assistance of another person. While the ways in which the various embodiments of the disclosure address the drawbacks of the prior art are discussed in greater detail below, in general, exemplary gowns in accordance with various embodiments of the invention include one or more fastening assemblies that allow the gown user to secure the gown without the assistance of another person. Exemplary gowns can be self secured in a sterile environment.
In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure, a self-donning surgical gown includes a gown body having an opening in the back that has two portions that are fastened differently: a neck opening and a back opening, each defined by a first back edge and a second back edge. There is a neck fastening assembly proximate the neck opening. The neck fastening assembly is configured to retain a portion of the gown proximate a neck of a user and can be engaged such that the gown can be secured around a neck without the assistance of another person. In accordance with various aspects of these embodiments, the neck fastening assembly includes a deformable element. The deformable element can be resiliently deformable, such that it is pulled open and then returns to an original closed state after being opened, or can be non-resiliently deformable, such that the element is pushed from an open position to a closed position and remains in the closed position until being removed.
The deformable element can be made of a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, or combinations thereof. And the deformable element can be two-dimensional or three dimensional. As used with respect to this element, “two dimensional” means that the element is essentially flat or positioned generally in two places. “Three dimensional” means that the element has one or more rises, and is positioned in three places, particularly to lift up the neck section of the gown to form a raised collar, which better seals the user's skin against contamination.
Further, the deformable element can be encased inside the gown body or can reside underneath the gown, in either case to potentially provide a desired shape to the gown. In accordance with various aspects of these embodiments, the self-donning gown also includes a back closure assembly and/or a front-tie assembly.
In accordance with additional exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, a self-donning surgical gown includes a gown body having a neck opening and a back opening defined by the first back edge and the second back edge, the gown body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a back closure assembly comprising at least one handle coupled to the interior surface and a retaining device, wherein at least a portion of the retaining device is coupled to the exterior surface. The back closure assembly allows a user to secure the back of the gown (e.g., at a location between the neck opening and the bottom of the gown), without the assistance of another person, such as by using a sterile closing mechanism and a catch on the sterile straps to hold them together when pressed by the closing mechanism.
The closing device can be formed of any suitable material, such as sterile foam or plastic, and is grasped by the user and used to press together the straps until the catch holds the straps together. The at least one closing device can be attached to the first surface using, for example, an adhesive, welding, or stitching, or can be supplied separately. The closing mechanism can include, for example, a hook and loop device (such as VELCRO), a clasp, a buckle, a snap or the like.
A front tie assembly including a first strap attached to the outer surface, a second strap attached to the center surface, and an adhesive element (or other suitable attachment element, such as a hook and loop fastener) coupled to at least one of the first or second straps. The gown can also include a coupling member that is initially coupled to the first strap or the second strap to hold the strap in position prior to use. The coupling element for the front tie assembly includes the adhesive element. During a gowning procedure, after a user places the gown over his or her torso, the adhesive element can be attached to a surface, such as a wall or a table, to hold one strap in place, while a user turns around (such as by turning in 360°), thereby wrapping the strap around at least a portion of the gown on a user, and then taking the end of the first strap and tying it or otherwise securing it to the second strap.
A more complete understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures.
a)-5(d) illustrate a three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-6(b) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-7(b) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-9(b) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-11(b) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-12(b) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
a)-14(c) illustrate another three-dimensional neck assembly in accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
It will be appreciated that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of illustrated embodiments of the present invention.
The description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention provided below is intended for purposes of illustration only; the following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Moreover, the recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features.
The present disclosure describes self-donning surgical gowns that can be secured about a user without the assistance of another person. Although the gowns are referred to herein as surgical gowns, the gowns are not limited to such applications. The gowns described herein could be used for other applications.
As set forth in more detail below, exemplary gowns described herein include one or more assemblies that facilitate self-gowning and that can also facilitate retention of the gown to the user in desired places, such as around the neck and in the back.
Gown 100 can be formed of any suitable material, such as paper, cloth, synthetic fabric, or any materials typically used to form surgical gowns. By way of example, body 102 and sleeves 104, 106 can be made of non-woven materials, such as spunbond meltblown spunbond (SMS), spun-melt-melt-spun (SMMS), spun-melt-melt-melt-spunpolyester (SMMMS), nonwoven polypropylene, polyester, or a polyester and carbon, or woven materials, such as treated cotton. Sleeves 104, 106 are attached to body 102 at a first end of the respective sleeves and, in the illustrated example, include cuffs 114, 116 at the respective second end of each sleeve. Cuffs 114, 116 can be formed of any suitable material, such as the gown material and may include elastic.
Exemplary neck fastening assemblies 110 include a deformable element 118. Deformable element 118 can be comprised of any suitable material that allows deformable element 118 to be pulled open and then rebound back into position. This allows a wearer to insert his or her neck through neck opening 108 when element 118 is pulled open and then gown 100 is secured around the wearer's neck when element 118 rebound back. By way of examples, deformable element 118 can be formed of metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, or any combination thereof.
As stated above and is described in more detail below, in connection with various examples of neck fastening assembly 110, deformable element 118 can be formed of resiliently deformable material, such that, for example, deformable element 118 can be opened to receive a neck and then either rebound to or be pushed into its original or its substantially original shape. Alternatively, deformable element 118 can be formed of material that is in the open position to start and then moved (such as by pushing it) into the closed position.
At least a portion of neck assembly 110 (e.g., at least a portion of deformable element 118) can be encased within at least a portion of body 102 of gown 100 near the neck opening 108 or attached to gown 102 near the neck opening 108. For example, some or all of deformable element 118 can be encased in body 102 of gown 100 proximate neck opening 108. Alternatively, neck assembly 110 may be placed underneath gown 100, such that the assembly resides between the user and the gown, or otherwise attached to gown 100.
In use, deformable element 202 is pulled open (or deformed) to allow a user to insert his or her neck through opening 204 and into region 206. Once neck assembly 200 is about a user's neck, deformable element 202 can be returned to essentially its original position thereby securing the gown about the user's neck.
a)-5(d) illustrate another exemplary neck assembly 500 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Neck assembly 500 includes deformable element 502 and braces 504, 506 and can be formed from two-dimensional material that is transformed into a three-dimensional assembly. A three-dimensional assembly may be desirable to maintain the gown in a desired position, such as providing for a high collar to cover a user's neck. Three-dimensional neck assemblies can be shipped in two-dimensional configurations to reduce shipping costs and then moved into a three-dimensional configuration during use.
In the illustrated example, deformable element 502 and braces 504, 506 are formed of the same material, including any of the materials previously described herein. For example, deformable element 502 and braces 504, 506 can be formed of cardboard, metal, plastic, any combination thereof or any other suitable material.
Illustrated neck assembly 500 includes a first portion 508 and a second portion 510. An angle θ between first portion 508 and second portion 510 can range from about 45° to about 145° , about 75° to about 135° , about 80° to about 120°, or be about 90°. Further, first portion 508 and/or second portion 510 can include a recess to receive a portion of brace 504 or 506. A recess 512 can be entirely through a width of a portion, such as portion 510, as illustrated in
a)-6(b) illustrate another neck assembly 600 in accordance with additional exemplary embodiments of the invention. Assembly 600 includes deformable element 602, which can be formed of any suitable material, such as the exemplary materials described herein in connection with various other deformable elements. By way of example, deformable element 602 is formed of a paper having a thickness of about ⅛″ to about ½″ or about ¼″. In the illustrated case, deformable element 602 includes an opening 604 to receive a user's neck and braces 604, 606 that can be formed from cut-out regions 608, 610. Braces 604, 606 can be inserted into recesses 612, 614 to form three-dimensional neck assembly 600 from a single piece of material, which may be the same as or similar to any material described herein in connection with deformable elements. The angle θ can be the same as or similar to the angle described above in connection with
a) and 7(b) illustrate another neck assembly 700 in accordance with additional exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Assembly 700 includes a deformable element 702 and a base 704. In the illustrated example, assembly 700 includes a region 706 that is large enough to receive a user's head. Deformable element 700 can be formed of any suitable material, such as the materials described above in connection with deformable element 600.
Exemplary assembly 700 includes one or more structures 708 that can be formed from deformable element 702 material by cutting through deformable element 702 material and folding the material to form structure 708. Further, deformable element 702 can be folded along lines 710, 712 to provide a desired shape to deformable element 702. Additionally or alternatively, neck assembly 700 can include folds 714, 716 in base 704 to provide additional support.
a) and 9(b) illustrate another neck assembly 900 in accordance with additional exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Neck assembly 900 includes a deformable element 902, having an opening 904 therein to allow a neck of a user to be received within an opening 906. Neck assembly 900 also includes structures 908, 910 to facilitate keeping a gown a desired distance from the user and can facilitate holding the gown in place. Structures 908, 910 can be formed by forming slots 912, 914 in deformable element 902 and then folding a portion of deformable element 902. Deformable element 902 can be formed of any suitable material, such as materials described above in connection with deformable elements 600-800.
a), 12(b), and 13 illustrate additional exemplary neck assemblies 1200, 1300 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Neck assembly 1200 includes a deformable element 1202 that can be formed of any suitable material, such as those mentioned herein in connection with other deformable elements. For example, plastic, paper, cardboard, or rubber. In the illustrated example, deformable element 1202 is substantially circular and includes slats 1204 that are formed partially through a depth of deformable element 1202. Slats 1204 can allow non-resilient deformation of deformable element 1202, such that deformable element 1202 retains a desired shape after deformation. Deformable element 1202 can also optionally include an opening 1206 to facilitate placement of neck assembly proximate a neck of a user.
Neck assembly 1300 is similar to neck assembly 1200 and includes deformable element 1202, having an optional opening 1206 therein, except, neck assembly 1300 includes additional tabs 1302, 1304. Tabs 1302, 1304 can be integral with deformable element 1202—i.e., formed of the same material, or can be attached to deformable element 1202, using, for example, plastic welding, stitching, or an adhesive. In the latter case, tabs 1302, 1304 can be formed of different material than the material used to form deformable element 1202. In either case, tabs 1302, 1304 can be formed of any of the materials described herein in connection with deformable elements.
a)-14(c) illustrate another exemplary neck assembly 1400, including a deformable element 1402 in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Similar to deformable element 1202, deformable element 1402 includes slats 1404 that are formed partially through a depth of deformable element 1402. Slats 1404 can be used to allow a user to select where to bend deformable element 1402 to obtain a desired shape of neck assembly 1400, as illustrated in
Deformable element 1402 includes a first (e.g., substantially circular) section 1406 and a second section 1408. First section 1406 includes an opening that expands as deformable element 1402 is bent along one or more slats 1404. Second section 1408 can be configured to facilitate desired placement of the gown on the user.
Turning now to
Handle 1504 can be formed of any suitable material, which may preferably be sterile or sterilizable. By way of examples, handle 1504 includes foam or plastic material. The shape of handle 1504 can vary according to application. By way of examples, handle 1504 is shaped as cylinder, frustum, a prism, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, or the like.
In the illustrated example, at least one handle 1504 is attached to an outer (or first) surface. Handle 1504 can be attached using, for example, a suitable adhesive, by welding, or the like. By way of particular example, gown 1500 includes two handles 1504, such that a user can push portions of retaining device 1602 together using two hands. Alternatively, each handle 1504 is a separate piece and not part of gown 100.
Handles 2002, 2004 can be attached to gown 2102 at pivot point 2104, 2204. This allows a user to manipulate a handle position and use the handles for leverage to push portions of gown 2102 to a desired location—e.g., to close the back of the gown.
With reference to
Turning now to
During self-donning of gown 1700, straps 1702 and 1704 are initially coupled together at a front portion of gown 1700. A user then attaches adhesive element to a surface, such as a table, bench, wall, or the like (e.g., by removing a protective tape), and a user spins around 360° to cause strap 1704 to be proximate strap 1702 (e.g., near the left front side in the illustrated example) to enable the user to tie straps 1702, 1704 together.
The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments and examples. It should be appreciated that the particular embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the invention and its best mode, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. It will be recognized that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, as expressed in the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/911,952 filed on Dec. 4, 2013, the respective disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61911952 | Dec 2013 | US |