Surgical gown tie attachment

Abstract

There is disclosed the use of bonding and the placement of a reinforcement piece to meet AAMI levels 3 and 4 barrier properties in surgical gowns and similar articles formed from thermally sensitive laminate barrier materials that are composed of thermoplastic polymers. The reinforcement piece is placed on the side opposite of the tie and the bonding uses a point-unbonded pattern.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Surgeons and other healthcare providers often wear an over garment during operating procedures in order to enhance the sterile condition in the operating room and to protect the wearer. The over garment is typically a gown that has a main body portion to which sleeves and a tie cord are attached. The tie cord encircles the wearer at the waist to keep the gown in place. In order to prevent the spread of infection to and from the patient, the surgical gown prevents bodily fluids and other liquids present during surgical procedures from flowing through the gown.[0002]Surgical gowns were originally made of cotton or linen, were reusable and were sterilized prior to each use in the operating room. A disadvantage of the materials used in these types of gowns is that they tend to form lint, which is capable of becoming airborne or clinging to the clothes of the wearer, thereby providing another potential source of contamination. Additionally, costly launder...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of the materials used in these types of gowns is that they tend to form lint, which is capable of becoming airborne or clinging to the clothes of the wearer, thereby providing another potential source of contamination.

Additionally, costly laundering and sterilization procedures were required before reuse.

Gowns made from completely impervious material provide a high degree of protection, though a surgical gown constructed of this type of material is typically heavy, expensive, and uncomfortably hot to the wearer.

Generally, however, the higher the breathability of the material, the lower the repellency of the material.

Different types of surgical procedures expose the healthcare provider to different levels of blood and / or fluid exposure, so it is not feasible or economical to use the same type of surgical gown for every surgical procedure conducted by the healthcare provider.

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