Patent Application
20240285003
A sterile surgical gown is conventionally used in a medical site such as an operating room where a high level of cleanliness is required. The sterile gown is worn as a barrier to fluid and microbial transmission during surgery. The sterile gown is used to protect both the patient and healthcare personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate matter.
Since the latter half of the 1800's the sterile surgical gown has been the keystone of the operation room attire. All these years, the sole purpose of surgical gowns has been to prevent the spread of infections to both the patient and the wearer. The current surgical gown was not designed with ergonomics and efficiency in the working environment in mind. While serving as an infection transmission barrier, the current surgical gown is not designed to fully optimize the operator's comfort or function.
One major limitation of the current gown design is that it does not provide any features for wrist and arm resting or inactivity to the operator. Throughout a surgical operation, which can take hours, the operators' arms and hands are constantly in motion, even when they are not operating (i.e., during studying obtained images when another operator is performing, during discussing the next surgical approach, etc.).
The operators keep their hands up during procedure pauses to avoid accidentally touching the nonsterile environment. This non-ergonomic arm position can cause physical stress and fatigue. For the same reason, the most common practice among surgeons and other medical staff is to hold their hands up in front of their chest or to pinch the gown in the chest area, which does not provide the operator's hands with an adequate amount of rest, because their arm and hand muscles are still engaged in a sterilization activity and they are unable to rest their arms or hands. Holding the hands up for a longer period of time or pinching the gown in the chest area may cause fatigue and sometimes physical injuries. Fatigue can lead to operational errors and distractions during surgery, increasing operational risks such as touching unsanitary or unwanted surfaces or objects.
Ergonomics in the operating room (OR) is often overlooked. Although infrequently researched and usually discounted, OR ergonomics is essential for maximizing efficiency, endurance, and career longevity. The trauma of inappropriate or discomfiting operators' position in the OR can lead to frequent ergonomic injury. Research reports approximately 80% of surgeons experience pain or strain, predominantly in the cervical or lumbar spine. Ignoring these symptoms caused by musculoskeletal strain can hinder operative ability instigated by chronic pain and lead to leaves of absence, cervical or lumbar spine surgery, or even early retirement.
Appropriate posture is a critical aspect of ergonomics and human factors that should be considered to help mitigate physical strain or pain, prevent injuries, and prolong career longevity. A key part of the surgeons' appropriate posture is the position of the upper extremities to minimize the musculoskeletal strain on the hand, arms, and shoulders. Various OR procedures including many of the newer techniques require surgeons to adopt awkward and static postures for prolonged periods, with asymmetrical arm shoulder positioning. A recent international study on 486 surgeons revealed that 87% of surgeons reported experiencing discomfort at least ‘sometimes’ while performing the surgery.
Through extensive research, it is well established that surgeon fatigue and weariness represents a serious threat to patient safety. In the medical field, in many cases fatigue is inevitable. In addition, the impact of physical stress and fatigue on the quality of life of surgeons and operators during and after work has been extensively studied, and there is a good deal of attention around this issue in order to improve the work quality among medical staff.
Henceforth, there is a need in the art for an improved safe and ergonomic sterile surgical gown to reduce the risks of unsterilized incidents.
The present disclosure discloses a sterile surgical gown to provide comfort and support to professionals working in sterile environments. The sterile gown is designed for surgical room operators or users with user-friendly designed comfort and functionality while retaining the conventional barrier between the operator and the patient. The sterile gown is designed to offer professionals a comfortable place to rest their hands, wrists, and arms when their hands are not active. In particular, this could be achieved by providing users with a specific location to keep their hands still and rested during inactive times of the operations. In comparison to the currently available sterile gowns on the market, this is a safer design and technology to use.
In one embodiment, the sterile gown comprises a gown body having a front portion and a pair of back portions including a left-side back portion and a right-side back portion. The sterile gown further comprises a pair of sleeves attached to the gown body. In one embodiment, each sleeve includes a cuff at their distal end or lower end respectively, configured to assist the users involved in surgical procedures.
In one embodiment, the gown body further comprises a neckline portion at its upper end. The gown body extends from the neckline portion to a lower end. The neckline portion comprises an adjustable closure configured to secure the neckline portion around the neck of the user. In one embodiment, the adjustable closure is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a snap, a hook-and-lop fastener, a button, a tie, a magnet, and a hook.
In one embodiment, the gown body further comprises a support section. The support section includes a first support section or pair of vertical support sections and a second support section. The first support section extends from the neckline portion. The second support section is provided at the chest area of the gown body, wherein the ends of the second section are sewn to the extending ends of the first support section. In one embodiment, the first support section comprises a first pair of straps and the second support section comprises a second pair of straps. In one embodiment, one end of the second pair of straps is attached to the second support section, whereas another end is attached to the front portion of the gown body.
In one embodiment, the straps are ergonomic support straps configured to provide support to hands, wrists, and arms of the users working in the sterile rooms to avoid and minimize fatigue during various procedures. In one embodiment, the straps keep the hands functional while in use. In one embodiment, the straps may significantly impact the quality, performance, and effectiveness of medical staff during operations. The straps also provide a better solution to reduce the risk of touching unwanted areas and endangering the sterilization.
In one embodiment, the straps are added to the sterile gown at certain angles and locations that provide the best weight balance of the hands and arms at the torso. In one embodiment, the straps are designed to balance the weight of the hands, wrists, and arms on the torso of the user, thereby avoiding or minimizing the fatigue during prolonged period of times, where the professionals need to be still and exposed to the room air to maintain the sterile environment. Further, the ergonomic design of the straps enhances the overall performance, for example, stamina and/or focus, of the user.
In one embodiment, the sterile gown further comprises one or more belts for adjusting the size of the gown body. The one or more belts include a first belt and a second belt. The first belt is attached to the front portion of the gown body. The second belt is attached to a free-end of the right-side back portion. In one embodiment, the free-ends of the first belt and second belt are tied together and configured to adjustably secure the sterile gown around the user.
In one embodiment, the sterile gown further comprises one or more ventilation sections via high porosity sterile areas out of the critical zones. The one or more air ventilation sections include a first air ventilation section and a second air ventilation section. In one embodiment, the air ventilation sections are provided under the arms and back portion of the sterile gown, respectively. In one embodiment, the air ventilation sections are configured to provide improved air ventilation, thereby providing a comfort level to the user and thus enhancing the performance. The air ventilation sections are designed to minimize the unnecessary physical stress during the operations, and therefore, contribute positively to the procedure outcomes as well as the operator's job satisfaction.
One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a sterile surgical gown, comprising a gown body having a front portion and a pair of back portions including a left-side portion and a right-side portion linked to the front portion, wherein the gown body extends from a neckline portion to a lower end; a pair of sleeves attached to the gown body; and one or more straps including a first pair of straps and a second pair of straps attached to the front portion of the gown body, wherein the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are configured to hold or rest hands, wrists, and arms of users working in the sterile rooms, thereby avoiding and minimizing fatigue to mediate a more user-friendly working environment during various procedures.
In one embodiment of the surgical gown, the left-side portion and the right-side portion are overlapped with each other in a circumferential direction. In another embodiment, the neckline portion includes an adjustable closure for securing the neckline portion around the neck of the user. In a particular embodiment, the adjustable closure is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a snap, a hook-and-lop fastener, a button, a tie, a magnet, and a hook. In one embodiment, the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are provided on the chest and upper chest area of the gown body. In another embodiment, the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are configured to provide a comfortable place to rest the user's hands, wrists, and arms when not active, thereby maintaining sterilization during the operations.
In one embodiment, the first pair of straps and the second pair of straps are positioned in certain angles and locations configured to balance the weight of the hands, wrists, and arms, thereby avoiding/minimizing the fatigue and enhancing the overall performance of the user. In another embodiment, each sleeve includes a cuff at a distal end configured to assist the users involved in surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the surgical gown further comprises a first belt attached to the front portion of the gown body and a second belt attached to a free-end of the right-side back portion. In another embodiment, the first belt and second belt are tied together and configured to adjustably secure the sterile surgical gown around the user. In another embodiment, the surgical gown further comprises one or more air ventilation sections via high porosity sterile areas. In another embodiment, the one or more air ventilation sections are provided in the back portion and under the arms. In another embodiment, the one or more air ventilation holes are configured to provide improved air ventilation, thereby providing a comfort level to the user and thus enhancing the performance.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present disclosure generally relates to a sterile surgical gown to improve comfort users while working in sterile environments. The sterile gown is designed for surgical room operators or users with user-friendly designed comfort and functionality while retaining the conventional barrier between the operator and the patient. The sterile gown is designed to offer professionals a comfortable place to rest their hands, wrists, and arms when their hands are not active.
A description of embodiments of the present disclosure will now be given with reference to the figures. It is expected that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction nor to the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 is a safe and ergonomic product that has been designed to provide support to users working in sterile rooms and environments. The sterile gown 100 serves the primary purpose of protecting operators and patients from potential infections during operations. In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 also adds a higher level of comfort to the operator, which can lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness. This is due to the ergonomic design of the sterile gown 100, which addresses one of the most significant issues for operators in sterile environments, particularly surgeons, which is physical distress and exhaustion.
In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 comprises a gown body 102 and a pair of sleeves (104 and 106). The pair of sleeves (104 and 106) are attached to the gown body 102. In one embodiment, each sleeve (104 and 106) includes a cuff (108 and 110) at a distal end respectively, configured to assist the users involved in surgical procedures. In one embodiment, the gown body 102 further comprises a neckline portion 112 at its upper end. The gown body 102 extends from the neckline portion 112 to a lower end 114. In one embodiment, the gown body 102 further comprises a support section 116 having one or more straps or support straps or bands or arm-rest-bands. The one or more straps include a first pair of straps 118 and a second pair of straps 120.
In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 has a total length of about 131 cm. In one embodiment, the gown body 102 has a dimension of about 123 cm in length and about 70 cm in width. In one embodiment, the gown body 102 has a circumference of about 156 cm. In one embodiment, each sleeve (104 and 106) has a dimension of about 61 cm length and about 30 cm in arm diameter. In one embodiment, each cuff (108 and 110) has a length of about 9 cm. In one embodiment, the neckline portion 112 has a dimension of about 57 cm in diameter and 67.5 cm in circumference. In one embodiment, the support section 116 has a total length of about 39 cm. In one embodiment, the first pair of straps 118 have a length of about 19 cm and a width of about 4 cm. In one embodiment, the second pair of straps 120 have a length of about 19 cm and a width of about 4 cm.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 is of the back closing type with two back portions being divided from each other along the length of the sterile gown 100. In one embodiment, the sterile gown 100 comprises a gown body 102 having a front portion 122 and a pair of back portions including a left-side back portion 124 and a right-side back portion 126. The sterile gown 100 further comprises a pair of sleeves (104 and 106) attached to the gown body 102. In one embodiment, each sleeve (104 and 106) includes a cuff (108 and 110) at their distal end or lower end respectively, configured to assist the users involved in surgical procedures.
In one embodiment, the gown body 102 further comprises a neckline portion 112 at its upper end. The gown body 102 extends from the neckline portion 112 to a lower end 114. The neckline portion 112 comprises an adjustable closure 128 configured to secure the neckline portion 112 around the neck of the user 150. In one embodiment, the adjustable closure 128 is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a snap, a hook-and-lop fastener, a button, a tie, a magnet, and a hook.
In one embodiment, the gown body 102 further comprises a support section 116. The support section 116 includes a first support section or pair of vertical support sections 117 and a second support section 119. The first support section 117 extends from the neckline portion 112. The second support section 119 is provided at the check area of the gown body 102, wherein the ends of the second section 119 are sewn to the extending ends of the first support section 117. In one embodiment, the first support section 117 comprises a first pair of straps 118 and the second support section 119 comprises a second pair of straps 120. In one embodiment, one end of the second pair of straps 120 are attached to the second support section 119, whereas another end is attached to the front portion 122 of the gown body 102.
Referring to
The one or more air ventilation sections include a first air ventilation section 134 and a second air ventilation section 136. In one embodiment, the air ventilation sections (134 and 136) are provided under the arms and back portion of the sterile gown 100, respectively. In one embodiment, the air ventilation sections (134 and 136) are configured to provide improved air ventilation, thereby providing a comfort level to the user 150 and thus enhancing the performance. This feature can be most appreciated in prolonged operations, and in cases during which the operators are wearing multiple layers of attire underneath the gown (lead aprons, scrubs, etc.). The air ventilation sections (134 and 136) are designed to minimize unnecessary physical stress during the operations, and therefore, contribute positively to the procedure outcomes as well as the operator's job satisfaction.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the straps (118 and 120) are added to the sterile gown 100 at certain angles and locations that provide the best weight balance of the hands and arms at the torso. In one embodiment, the straps (118 and 120) are designed to balance the weight of the hands, wrists, and arms on the torso of the user 150, thereby avoiding or minimizing the fatigue during prolonged period of times, where the professionals need to be still and exposed to the room air to maintain the sterile environment. Further, the ergonomic design of the straps (118 and 120) enhances the overall performance, for example, stamina and/or focus, of the user 150.
In one embodiment, the straps (118 and 120) with ergonomic design are provided on the chest and upper chest areas or critical zone for allowing the user 150 to rest their hands and arms during operations required sterilization while hands are not involved/used in the core operational activity and they require to keep the contamination (sterilization protocols). The straps (118 and 120) help the users 150 to reduce the fatigue and hardship of holding their hands away from their body in the air position. By allowing the users 150 to rest their hands while remaining in the sterile safe zone, this feature also helps prevent users 150 from unintentionally touching non-sterile items or surfaces when they remain still during the procedure. The muscles in the hands, shoulders, arms, and wrists can relax because they are not used to pinch the gown or hold the hands up.
In one embodiment, the design of the straps (118 and 120) are intended to improve workplace efficiency by reducing the user's stress. Also, the strap design helps to maintain procedure sterility by allowing the user's hands to remain within the sterile area, making this a safer design and medical wearable technology to use. The straps (118 and 120) provide a better option for users 150 to rest their hands and arms when they are not actively using their hands. The straps (118 and 120) also provide a better solution to reduce the risk of touching unwanted areas and endangering the sterilization. In one embodiment, the straps (118 and 120) provide effective solution to the ergonomic discomfort issue, while lowering the risk of jeopardizing sterilization protocols by keeping the user's hands in the sterilization safe zone.
Advantageously, the sterile surgical gown of the present disclosure provides an effective solution to the ergonomic discomfort issue of the current sterile gowns. The improved design concept of sterile gown is very likely to be commercialized because of its affordability, ease of use, no need for additional training or education, ease of production, and distribution. There is now a higher likelihood of acceptance and adoption of this new feature in the healthcare industry because of the hotness and the physical discomfort issue among the healthcare workers, especially after the COVID-pandemic period. Other industries also tend to invest more in staff work quality and safety. The strap angles and locations are adapted to provide the best weight balance of the hands and arms at the torso of this new sterile gown, thus providing its ergonomic advantage to the performer with minimum cost and without substantial modifications to current operations.
The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. While the above is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above description and the examples should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims.
