Protective Garment Sleeve-Cuff Sealing for Sterile Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interface between the sleeve of a protective gown and the cuff of a protective glove is a weak link that allows fluids such as perspiration and external fluids to contaminate the sterile environment, posing health risks and compromising sterile technique in surgical and other environments.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system is introduced, comprising a sleeve member with a moisture-wicking interior and impervious exterior, and a cuff member with a retention mechanism to secure the glove cuff, creating a liquid-impermeable seal and trapping any leaked fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional protective gown sleeve and glove cuff interface is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but fluids such as perspiration and external fluids can leak through the interface, compromising sterile technique
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple functional layers: an inner moisture-wicking layer that draws perspiration away from the skin, a middle fluid-barrier layer that prevents fluid penetration, and an outer glove-retention layer that secures the glove cuff. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, improving overall reliability while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The interface utilizes composite material construction combining different fabric properties: moisture-wicking fabrics (such as hydrophilic polymers or specially treated textiles) are layered with fluid-impermeable materials (such as laminated membranes or coated fabrics). This composite approach enables the interface to simultaneously manage moisture transport and block fluid penetration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If perspiration accumulates at the sleeve/glove interface, then fluid barrier function is maintained, but user comfort deteriorates and sterile technique may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-wicking layer extracts perspiration from the interface zone and transports it away from the glove-cuff boundary toward the sleeve interior where it can evaporate or be absorbed. This extraction function removes the harmful accumulation of moisture while maintaining the fluid barrier integrity, thereby preserving both sterile technique and user comfort simultaneously
3Reliability
If the glove cuff is not securely retained at the sleeve interface, then ease of donning is improved, but fluid leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface design merges glove retention functionality with the fluid barrier structure by integrating elastic bands, drawstrings, or snap closures directly into the layered interface construction. This merging allows the retention mechanism to work in conjunction with the moisture-wicking and fluid-barrier layers, ensuring secure glove positioning without requiring separate assembly steps, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving leakage prevention
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
This system effectively prevents fluid leakage, maintaining a sterile environment by wicking away perspiration and blocking external fluids, enhancing user comfort and safety in surgical and other protective gear applications.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve member having a first end, a second end, an interior surface, and an exterior surface... The interior surface of the cuff member may face and be moveable with respect to portions of the exterior surface of one or both of the sleeve member and the sleeve of the protective gown
Data Source
AI summary
An improved protective garment, and systems and methods of manufacturing are disclosed, wherein a method of manufacturing the protective garment, includes: providing a cuff material; providing a sleeve of a protective garment; and bonding the cuff material to the sleeve at a predetermined first bonding zone of the sleeve, wherein the bonding includes: applying an adhesive on the predetermined first bonding zone of the sleeve; positioning the cuff material over the sleeve such that a predetermined second bonding zone of the cuff material is aligned with the predetermined first bonding zone of the sleeve; and applying heat to the first and second bonding zones, thereby forming a seal between the elastic cuff material and the sleeve at the first and second bonding zones.