Self-donning surgical gown

Abstract

The invention relates to a nonwoven gown made of a gown body terminating in two edges at a back of the gown. The gown contains a closure member that extends around the gown body and terminates at each edge. Manipulation of the closure member moves at least one of the edges toward the other thereby closing the back of the gown. A fastener located along at least a portion of at least one of the edges may be provided. Some suitable fasteners include tape, hook and loop type fasteners, and / or snaps. Such a gown enables a wearer to close and secure the gown by himself while keeping his hands sterile.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to gowns and other garments and particularly to surgical gowns. More particularly, this invention relates to improved gown closure mechanisms that enable a gown wearer to close the back of a gown without moving his hands outside a region commonly referred to as the “sterile zone” thus minimizing the risk of hand contamination prior to a surgical procedure.

[0002] As is generally known, sterile surgical gowns are designed to greatly reduce, if not prevent, the transmission through the gown of liquids and biological contaminants that may become entrained therein. In surgical procedure environments, such liquid sources include the gown wearer's perspiration, and patient liquids including blood and life support liquids such as plasma and saline.

[0003] Surgical gowns were originally made of cotton or linen and were sterilized prior to use in the operating room. These gowns, however, permitted transmission or “strike-through” of various liq...

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