Method Of Operating A Surgical Apparel System Including A Surgical Helmet And Surgical Garment

Abstract

A surgical garment configured for attachment to a surgical helmet to provide a barrier between an environment side and a wearer side of the surgical garment. The surgical garment comprising a shell and a transparent face shield. The shell formed from a fabric and defining an opening. The transparent face shield disposed within the opening of the shell and having a first surface and a second surface. A first attachment element for coupling the surgical garment to the helmet. The first attachment element including a head with a coupling recess defined in a proximal surface. A retention feature coupling the first attachment element to the transparent face shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical garment configured to provide a barrier defining an environment side and a wearer side of the surgical garment, the surgical garment intended for use with a helmet, the surgical garment comprising:
 a shell formed from a fabric, the shell defining an opening;   a transparent face shield disposed within the opening of the shell, the transparent face shield having a first surface and a second surface;   a first attachment element including a head having a distal surface and a proximal surface, a coupling recess defined in the proximal surface; and   a retention feature coupling the first attachment element to the transparent face shield.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the retention feature comprises at least one of an epoxy, glue, sealant, or an adhesive, the retention feature being disposed on the distal surface of the first attachment element to couple the first attachment element to the first surface of the transparent face shield. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment elements each comprises a ferromagnetic material for coupling with a magnetic coupler of the surgical helmet. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first attachment element further comprises a post extending distally from the head. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical garment of  claim 4 , wherein the retention featured is coupled to a distal end of the post. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical garment of  claim 5 , wherein the post extends through an aperture in the transparent face shield; and
 wherein the head of the first attachment element is positioned adjacent the first surface of the transparent face shield and the retention feature is positioned adjacent the second surface of the transparent face shield.   
     
     
         7 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the first attachment element comprises a first segment and a second segment, each of the first and second segments having an arcuate shape to define the coupling recess between the first and second segments. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the head of the first attachment element comprises one or more arcuate segments arranged to at least partially define the coupling recess of the head. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling recess defines a coupling surface that opens to the proximal surface of the head, the coupling surface having a concave shape. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment element is coupled to an upper portion of the transparent shield. 
     
     
         11 . A surgical garment to provide a microbial barrier between a medical environment and a wearer, the surgical garment configured to be disposed over a surgical helmet that includes at least two magnetic coupling members, the surgical garment comprising:
 a shell comprising an opening;   a transparent face shield disposed within the opening of the shell, the transparent face shield comprising:   a first surface and an opposing second surface; and   an upper portion and a lower portion; and   a first attachment element and a second attachment element, at least one of the first and second attachment elements being secured to the lower portion of the transparent face shield;   wherein each of the first and second attachment elements comprises a retention feature;   wherein at least one of the first and second attachment elements at least partially comprises a ferromagnetic material; and   wherein at least one of the first and second attachment elements defines a coupling recess on the wearer side of the microbial barrier, and each of the first and second attachment elements is configured to removably engage one of the magnetic coupling members on the surgical helmet.   
     
     
         12 . The surgical garment of  claim 11 , wherein the retention feature comprises at least one of an epoxy, glue, sealant, or an adhesive, the retention feature being disposed on a distal surface of the first attachment element to couple the first attachment element to the first surface of the transparent face shield. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical garment of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first or second attachment elements includes a head having a distal surface and a proximal surface, the proximal surface defining the coupling recess. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical garment of  claim 11 , wherein the first attachment element is coupled to the upper portion of the transparent face shield and the second attachment element is coupled to the lower portion of the transparent face shield. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical garment of  claim 11 , wherein the transparent face shield further defines an aperture; and
 at least one of the first attachment element or the second attachment element comprises a post extending distally from the distal surface of the head;   wherein the post of the first attachment element or the second attachment element is at least partially disposed in the aperture.   
     
     
         16 . A surgical garment configured to provide a barrier defining an environment side and a wearer side of the surgical garment, the surgical garment intended for use with a helmet, the surgical garment comprising:
 a shell formed from a fabric, the shell defining an opening;   a transparent face shield disposed within the opening of the shell, the transparent face shield having a first surface and a second surface;   a first attachment element including head having a distal surface and a proximal surface, the head being ring shaped and defining a coupling recess proximate the center of the head; and   a retention feature coupling the first attachment element to the transparent face shield.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical garment of  claim 16 , wherein the retention feature comprises at least one of an epoxy, glue, sealant, or an adhesive, the retention feature being disposed on the distal surface of the first attachment element to couple the first attachment element to the first surface of the transparent face shield. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical garment of  claim 16 , wherein the head of the first attachment element comprises a first segment and a second segment, each of the first and second segments having an arcuate shape to define the coupling recess between the first and second segments. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical garment of  claim 16 , wherein the coupling recess is defined by a through-hole in the first attachment element. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical garment of  claim 16 , wherein the shell is coupled to the second surface of the transparent face shield.