BACKGROUND

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,476, filed on November 19, 2019. US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/937,476 is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to protecting sterility of primary garments and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to temporary sterile outer garments for protecting sterility of primary garments.

History of Related Art

[0003] This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] Currently, in an operating room, protecting a sterile field is an important aspect in preventing surgical site infections. Generally, hospitals make use of air filtration systems, for example, a ceiling-mounted air filtration system, that blows sterile air down towards a central region of the operating room where a patient is typically located. This site therefore becomes a location in the operating room where incisions into the patient typically occur. However, benefits of the air filtration systems are greatly reduced outside the central region of the operating room and towards outer walls or perimeters of the operating room. As such, there are higher concentrations of particulates and microbials in the air that result in less clean air in the operating room. SUMMARY

[0005] A temporary outer garment includes a first portion configured to cover hands of a user, a second portion configured to cover arms of the user, and a third portion configured to cover a front side of the user. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are attached together to form the temporary outer garment. The temporary outer garment is configured to be worn over primary garments of the user to only cover hands, arms, and front portion of the user.

[0006] A temporary outer garment includes a first portion configured to cover hands of a user, a second portion configured to cover arms of the user, and a third portion configured to cover a front side of the user. The first portion and the second portion form a uniform segment attached to the third portion, the third portion being separate from the uniform segment. The temporary outer garment is configured to be worn over primary garments of the user to cover only a front portion of the user without wrapping around sides and back of the user.

[0007] A temporary outer garment includes a first portion configured to cover hands of a user, a second portion configured to cover arms of the user, and a third portion configured to cover a front side of the user. The temporary outer garment further includes a face covering attached to the third portion. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are attached together to form the temporary outer garment. The temporary outer garment is configured to be worn over primary garments of the user to cover a face and a front section of the user without wrapping around sides and back of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] A more complete understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an operating room with an air filtration system;

[0010] FIG. 2A is a front view of a sterile outer garment for protecting sterility of primary garments according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2B is a front view of a sterile outer garment for protecting sterility of primary garments according to an alternate aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sterile outer garment for protecting sterility of primary garments according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4A is a front view of a sterile outer garment including a face covering according to an aspect of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 4B is a side view of a sterile outer garment including the face covering according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0016] Along outer perimeter or walls of an operating room is where surgical technicians often prepare a surgical back table that includes instruments and devices to be used during a surgical procedure. The surgical technicians wear sterile surgical gowns and sterile surgical gloves. Studies have indicated that the surgical back table can be contaminated in as little as approximately 30 minutes when exposed to airborne particles or contaminants in the operating room. This is due to the location in the operating room where the surgical back tables are prepared, typically near the outer perimeter or walls of the operating room. Such locations generally receive only partial beneficial effects of air filtration systems in the operating room.

[0017] In a particular study, it was identified that about 4% of surgical back tables were considered contaminated in as little as approximately 30 minutes, about 15% of the surgical back tables were considered contaminated in as little as approximately 1 hour, and about 22% of the surgical back tables were considered contaminated in as little as approximately 2 hours. Various products and techniques have been developed to address the issue of contaminated surgical back tables. However, no solutions have been developed to protect the sterile gloves, gowns, or other garments for surgical technicians, or other personnel, which are exposed to the same airborne contaminants as the surgical back tables. The surgical technicians are in general proximity to the surgical back table of surgical instruments and devices, and are thus exposed to the same airborne contaminants and particulates that potentially contaminate the surgical back table. As the surgical technicians handle the surgical instruments and devices during a surgical procedure, protecting sterility of the surgical technician's sterile garments, such as, but not limited to, surgical gloves, surgical gowns, or combinations of the same and like, is important. [0018] Accordingly, a need exists for surgical technicians, and other personnel entering the operating room, to have a sterile outer garment that can be temporarily worn over primary garments such as, for example, surgical gloves, surgical gowns, or combinations of the same and like, so that the primary garments are prevented from becoming contaminated by airborne particles or other contaminants. A need also exists for a sterile outer garment that can be temporarily worn over primary garments that can be quickly and easily donned and removed without assistance, and without compromising the sterility of the primary garments.

[0019] In view of the aforementioned, an aspect of the present disclosure generally relates to temporary sterile outer garments designed to be worn over primary garments in the operating room. In some embodiments, the temporary sterile outer garments protect the sterility of the primary garments from being contaminated in the operating room air by, for example, airborne particles, microbials, contaminants, or combinations of the same and like. As will be discussed in further detail below, the temporary sterile outer garments are configured to only cover gloves, arms, and a front side of a user. In this manner, the sterile outer garments do not cover, or wrap around, the sides or back of the user as would be typical of a standard surgical gown. This configuration allows the user to don or remove the temporary sterile outer garment without additional assistance and without contaminating the user’s primary garments such as, for example, surgical gowns, surgical gloves, or combinations of the same and like.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an operating room 100 with an air filtration system 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating room 100 includes the air filtration system 102 generally above an operating table 104 where a medical procedure is to be conducted on a patient (not explicitly illustrated). In general, the air filtration system 102 of the operating room 100 is utilized to deliver clean, filtered, contaminant-free air over the operating table 104 where the medical procedure is to be conducted. In some embodiments, the air filtration system 102 of the operating room 100 utilizes a diffuse and airflow designed to remove, for example, by laminar flow, infectious particles down and away from the operating table 104 as illustrated by the clean airflow arrows within box 105. In some embodiments, the laminar flow can be formed utilizing, for example, an air curtain, a multi-diffuser array, a single large diffuser, or combinations of the same and like. [0021] However, these designs do not accomplish an airflow pattern that allows for clean, contaminant-free air outside of a sterile operating field. The area outside the sterile operating field is generally a distance extending generally outward of the operating table 104, becoming more prominent towards the outer perimeter and outside walls of the operating room 100 designated by arrows within boxes 106, 108. The area outside the sterile operating field designated by arrows within boxes 106, 108, typically where a surgical back table with surgical tools and devices are stored, is also where surgical technicians 110 are usually located before the medical procedure is conducted on the patient (not explicitly illustrated). As illustrated in FIG. 1, circulated air often times becomes contaminated air (dirty air) by the time the air reaches the surgical technician 110.

[0022] FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of a sterile outer garment for protecting sterility of primary garments according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG 2A, a user 202, for example, a surgical technician has a sterile primary garment 204 that covers and wraps around the sides or back of the surgical technician 202. In some embodiments, the sterile primary garment 204 may include, for example, a sterile primary gown, sterile surgical gloves, or combinations of the same and like. In a typical embodiment, the sterile primary garment 204 is covered by a sterile outer garment 206. The sterile outer garment 206 may be, for example, a sterile outer gown. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 may be, for example, a temporary garment operable to be removed upon commencement of operating room procedures. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 is disposable. In other embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 is reusable.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can be made of, for example, a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can be made of, for example, a plastic. In some embodiments, the plastic can include, without limitation, polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, bioplastics, synthetic fibers, or combinations of the same and like. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can be made of, for example, a combination of plastics, polymeric materials, cotton, wool, leather, linen, silk, or similar fabric-making materials. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can be fashioned from, for example, a clear transparent material or an opaque material. [0024] In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 is composed of, for example, a singular, uniform, piece of material. For example, the sterile outer garment 206, as shown in FIG. 2A, includes a first portion 208 configured to cover gloves of the user 202, a second portion 210 configured to cover the arms of the user 202, and a third portion 212 configured to cover a front side of the user 202. In some embodiments, the first portion 208, the second portion 210, and the third portion 212 can each be individual sections attached together. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can be formed by uniform segments and individual sections. For example, a uniform segment can include the first portion 208 covering the gloves and the second portion 210 covering the arms. The second portion 210 of the uniform segment can then be attached to the third portion 212 via attachment means such as, for example, stitching, sewing, and the like. In this manner, the first portion 208 and the second portion 210 form one uniform piece that is attached to the third portion 212 which is a separate piece of the sterile outer garment 206. Further variations are also envisioned, for example, a uniform piece composed of the second portion 210 and the third portion 212 can be attached to the first portion 208 via attachment means such as, stitching, sewing, and the like.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first portion 208 configured to cover gloves of the user 202 can be of various different sizes. In some embodiments, the various sizes are utilized to, for example, accommodate varying sizes of gloves, such as, but not limited to, sterile surgical gloves. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can fit loosely over the sterile primary garment 204, such as, but not limited to sterile surgical gowns. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 can fit at varying tightness to accommodate comfort of the user 202.

[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the sterile outer garment 206 for protecting sterility of primary garments according to an alternate aspect of the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, the sterile outer garment 206 is similar in design and function as discussed above relative to FIG. 2 A with the exception that, in FIG. 2B, the first portion 208 configured to cover gloves of the user 202 is shaped like mittens to cover an entire hand or fist of the user 202 without having separate finger openings.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sterile outer garment 206 for protecting sterility of the primary garments 204 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 covers only the hands, arms, and front side of the user 202. As such, the sterile outer garment 206 does not cover, or wrap around, the sides or back of the user 202. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 ensures a lack of contamination of a chest portion, sleeves, and gloves of the sterile primary garment 204, including, but not limited to, sterile surgical gloves, the chest portion and sleeves of a sterile surgical gown, or combinations thereof. In contrast, the sterile primary garment 204, for example, the sterile primary gown as shown in FIG. 3, typically wraps around the sides and back of the user 202. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206, such as the sterile outer gown shown in FIG. 3, can be attached to a front portion of the sterile primary garment 204 via attachment means 214. In some embodiments, the attachment means 214 can include, without limitation, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, snap-type buttons, buttons, fabric adhesives, temporary fabric glues, fabric tape, or combinations of the same and like.

[0028] FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a sterile outer garment according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of a sterile outer garment according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, the sterile outer garment 206 is similar in design and function as discussed above relative to FIG. 2A with the exception that, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, includes a face covering 224. In a typical embodiment, the face covering 224 is attached to the third portion 212 via attachment means such as, for example, stitching, sewing, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, snap-type buttons, buttons, fabric adhesives, temporary fabric glues, fabric tape, or combinations of the same and like. In a typical embodiment, the face covering 224 may be, for example, a face shield that can be flipped-up to protect an entire face of the user 202 from contamination. In some embodiments, the face covering 224 can be made of, for example, a plastic. In some embodiments, the plastic can include, without limitation, polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, bioplastics, synthetic fibers, or combinations of the same and like.

[0029] In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 of the present disclosure allows for temporary usage such that the user 202 can wear the sterile outer garment 206 over the sterile primary garments 204, for examples, sterile surgical gloves and gowns, to prevent the sterile primary garments 204 from becoming contaminated by airborne particles or other contaminants. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 of the present disclosure can be quickly and easily donned or removed without assistance since the sterile outer garment 206 covers only the front side of the user 202 and does not cover or wrap around the sides or back of the user 202. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garments 206 are removed without compromising the sterility of the sterile primary garment 204.

[0030] In some embodiments, airborne particles and contaminants accumulate on a surface of the sterile outer garment 206 as opposed to accumulating on the sterile primary garment 204, such as, sterile surgical gowns and gloves. As such, the sterile outer garment 206 can be removed prior to the medical procedure being performed on the patient, leaving only the primary garments 204 on the user 202 which will remain contamination free. In some embodiments, the sterile outer garment 206 is a temporary gown removed prior to starting the procedure. In this manner, the sterile outer garment 206 helps maintain the sterility of the primary garments 204, including, but not limited to, sterile surgical gloves and sterile surgical gowns.

[0031] The aforementioned sterile outer garment 206 reduces the use of contaminated garments during the operating room procedures. Typically, after a prolonged period of time in the outer perimeter of the operating room and before the operating procedure, the user 202 (surgical technician) would be required to rescrub in before the operating procedure commences. This typically requires going to a sink and hand washing for approximately 1 minute, toweling each hand dry, adorning new sterile garments, which requires another nurse donning the sterile garments, such as, sterile surgical gloves and sterile surgical gowns, on the user 202. This generally requires a time of approximately 4 to 7 minutes. The sterile outer garment 206 of the present disclosure allow for the user 202 to eliminate the need of the aforementioned steps, as removal of the sterile outer garment 206 would leave the user 202 with sterile primary garments 204.

[0032] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as set forth herein.

[0033] The term "substantially" is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the terms "substantially", "approximately", "generally", and "about" may be substituted with "within [a percentage] of" what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.

[0034] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0035] While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will be recognized, the processes described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of protection is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.