Protective Guard Sealing Gown Glove Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers, such as surgical gowns and gloves, lacks an effective seal at the interface between the gown and glove, leading to potential contamination from bodily fluids due to channeling effects and cuff slippage, which compromises the protective barrier.
Innovation Solution
A protective guard with a fluid impervious body, comprising a proximal and distal segment made of superabsorbent material, positioned on either side of the interface to create a customizable and compressive seal, using adhesive properties and raised patterns to prevent fluid ingress and ensure secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gloves are designed to fit over surgical gown sleeves, then the protective coverage is improved, but the interface between gown and glove creates channeling effects that allow fluid penetration
Solution Approach 1:
A protective guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the surgical gown and glove. This guard comprises a fluid impervious body that stretches to provide a customizable and compressive fit, creating a sealed interface that prevents fluid channeling while maintaining the compatibility of existing PPE components
Solution Approach 2:
The protective guard incorporates superabsorbent material at specific locations where fluid penetration is most likely to occur. This localized application of superabsorbent material creates a compressive seal that prevents fluid migration at the critical gown-glove interface without requiring modification of the entire PPE system
2Reliability
If the glove cuff is made to provide adequate protection, then the protective area is improved, but the cuff can slide down on itself decreasing protective coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective guard acts as a stabilizing intermediary between the gown and glove, creating a compressed seal that prevents the glove cuff from sliding down. The compressive force generated by the stretched fluid impervious body maintains constant pressure at the interface, ensuring cuff position stability throughout use
3Reliability
If a protective guard with fluid impervious material is used, then fluid barrier capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective guard is designed as a disposable component that can be easily applied and removed. This single-use design simplifies the overall PPE system by eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance procedures, while still providing effective fluid barrier protection
Solution Approach 2:
The protective guard utilizes a flexible fluid impervious body that can stretch and conform to the gown-glove interface. This flexibility allows the guard to provide effective sealing without requiring rigid structures or complex mechanical components, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliability
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 solution effectively prevents fluid penetration and channeling, enhancing the protective barrier by absorbing and containing fluids, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and improving the fit and durability of the seal.
Implementation Method 1
a protective guard having a superabsorbent material for absorbing and containing fluid such that the fluid may not flow to the interface
Implementation Method 2
a protective guard incorporating a fluid impervious body that stretches to provide a customizable and/or compressive fit
Data Source
AI summary
A protective guard is provided for sealing an interface. The protective guard includes a body having a fluid impervious material and proximal and distal segments that may comprise a superabsorbent or a non-superabsorbent material. The proximal and distal segments are positioned on first and second sides, respectively, of the interface. The protective guard extends about the interface to create a fluid barrier. In some embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be an elastic material, such as an elastic band, and in particular embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be nitrile. In further embodiments, the non-superabsorbent material may be an expandable material that expands upon contact or interaction with a fluid.