Elastic Superabsorbent Strap for Sealing Gown-Glove Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical gowns and gloves fail to provide a sealed interface at the gown-glove junction, leading to potential exposure to bodily fluids and contamination of healthcare providers.
Innovation Solution
A strap comprising a laminate of elastic material and superabsorbent material, designed to extend around a surgical gown at the interface with a glove, providing a stretchable and absorptive barrier to prevent fluid entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gloves are designed to fit over surgical gown sleeves, then the glove can be worn comfortably, but the interface between gown and glove remains unsealed allowing fluid penetration
Solution Approach 1:
A strap is introduced as an intermediary component between the gown and glove. The strap wraps around the gown sleeve at the interface region and uses an elastic laminate with absorptive properties to seal the gap, preventing fluid from reaching the glove while maintaining glove fit and comfort
2Ease of operation
If gown sleeves are made loose to allow movement, then comfort is improved, but bunching creates channels for fluid to flow underneath the glove
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the gown sleeve itself and transferred to a separate strap component. This allows the gown sleeve to remain loose for movement freedom while the dedicated strap addresses the fluid channeling problem at the interface region
3Reliability
If a strap is added to seal the gown-glove interface, then fluid barrier is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed to provide sealing only at the critical gown-glove interface region rather than requiring complete coverage. The elastic laminate with absorptive properties is concentrated locally where fluid penetration risk is highest, maintaining simplicity elsewhere
4Reliability
If the strap material is made highly absorptive to contain fluid, then fluid containment is improved, but the material may become less stretchable
Solution Approach 1:
The strap uses a composite elastic laminate structure combining elastic material layers with an absorptive layer containing superabsorbent polymer particles. This composite construction allows the strap to maintain stretchability and adjustability while the absorptive layer provides fluid containment when fluid is present
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The strap effectively prevents fluid from entering the gown-glove interface by absorbing and containing bodily fluids, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and infection for healthcare providers.
Implementation Method 1
a second layer comprising a superabsorbent material
Implementation Method 2
a carded web comprising superabsorbent fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods for preventing fluid from entering an interface are provided. For example, a strap is provided for preventing fluid from entering an interface. The strap comprises a first layer comprising an elastic material and a second layer comprising a superabsorbent material. The strap extends about or around a first material at a position at or near an interface between the first material and a second material. The interface may be an interface between a surgical gown and a surgical glove worn by a healthcare provider, and the strap may extend about the gown at a position at or near the glove. In some embodiments, the strap comprises an absorptive facing and an elastic laminate. The absorptive facing comprises a carded web containing superabsorbent fibers. Further, the absorptive facing and elastic laminate form a stretchable material having absorptive properties.