Disposable, Sterile, Windowed Surgical Gown

Abstract

Provided herein are garments, systems and methods for enabling surgeons and other medical staff to aseptically interact with smart devices, control systems of other medical equipment, or printed materials. The garment comprises a garment body or gown, a pair of sleeves affixed to the gown, a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof and a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings. The garment also comprises means for retaining electronic devices or printed materials behind the transparent windows. This apparatus may further comprise one or more internal and/or external sleeves through which to insert the electronic devices or printed materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for wearing, viewing and interacting with electronic devices or printed materials under sterile conditions during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 a garment body;   a pair of sleeves affixed to the garment body;   a plurality of openings disposed on the garment body, the sleeves, or a combination thereof;   a plurality of transparent windows affixed over the plurality of openings, each in a covering relationship with the openings; and   means for retaining electronic devices behind said transparent windows.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means are pockets disposed behind said transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2 , further comprising internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that said pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein said electronic device is placed in said pockets through said internal or external sleeves. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent window is sewn, sonic welded, glued, otherwise affixed over the opening, or otherwise incorporated into a material of said garment body or garment sleeves. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of said electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein said operating surface is a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic devices are smart electronic devices, medical device control systems, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein said printed material is an identification badge, printed surgical instructions, a paper note, printed instructions for medical devices or other printed matter. 
     
     
         10 . A surgical garment, comprising:
 a surgical gown;   a plurality of openings disposed on the surgical gown;   a plurality of transparent windows disposed on the surgical gown in a covering relationship with said openings thereon;   means for retaining electronic devices, or printed matters behind said transparent windows.   
     
     
         11 . The surgical garment of  claim 10 , wherein said surgical gown comprises a body portion and a pair of sleeves affixed thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical garment of  claim 10 , wherein said transparent windows and openings on the garment body and sleeves have substantially the same surface area as an operating surface of said electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical garment of  claim 12 , wherein said operating surface is a touch screen, an operating panel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical garment of  claim 10 , wherein said transparent window is affixed to the surgical gown via sewing, sonic welding or gluing. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical garment of  claim 10 , wherein said retaining means are pockets disposed behind the transparent windows, external straps, elastic bands, or ties. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical garment of  claim 15 , further comprising internal or external sleeves affixed to the body portion of the surgical gown such that said pockets are accessible through the internal or external sleeves. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical garment of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic devices are smart electronic devices or medical device control systems. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical garment of  claim 10 , wherein said printed matter is an identification badge, a paper note, printed surgical instructions, or printed instructions for medical devices. 
     
     
         19 . A system for interacting with smart devices or surgical devices during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 the garment of  claim 1 ; and   one or more of the smart devices or controls of the surgical devices disposed behind the transparent windows on the garment such that an operating surface of said device is touch accessible to one wearing the garment.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said medical device is a laparoscopic tower device, a surgical theater thermostat, a shadowless lamp, a camera, a surgical table or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said smart device is a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a smart watch. 
     
     
         22 . A method for improving operation of surgical devices by medical personnel during a surgical procedure, comprising:
 positioning one or more of a smart device or other controls of the surgical devices in the garment comprising the system of  claim 20 ;   donning the garment; and   accessing the operating surface of said device or other controls through the transparent windows via touch to operate the surgical devices.