Advanced Surgical Gown: Smart Instrument Management Tech

Publication ID: 24-11857002_0001_PTD

Published: October 27, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Surgical Gown: Smart Instrument Management Tech,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857002_0001_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857002_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,002.

Background and Problem Solved

The original surgical gown patent, while providing a design for holding surgical instruments, has inherent limitations in terms of instrument access, organization, and tracking. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable pockets, communication modules, instrument categorization pockets, and integrated instrument tracking features that minimize distractions, reduce instrument exchange, and enhance surgical team collaboration.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention introduces novel features that distinguish it from the original patent, including adjustable pockets, communication modules, instrument categorization pockets, and integrated instrument tracking features. These advancements provide a significant improvement in surgical efficiency, organization, and safety, making the invention non-obvious and innovative compared to the existing art.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention may include variations in pocket design, material selection, and communication module integration. For example, the adjustable pockets could be replaced with zippered or Velcro-closure pockets, or the communication module could be integrated into a wearable device. Additionally, the invention could be adapted for use in other medical settings, such as emergency response or patient care.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced surgical gown has significant commercial potential in the medical industry, particularly in the areas of surgical efficiency, patient safety, and healthcare cost reduction. The target market includes hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device manufacturers, with potential for expansion into other medical settings and industries.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A41	A41D13/0012
A	A41	A41D13/1209

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical Protective Apparel Design, specifically surgical gown engineering with a focus on instrument storage and organizational systems for surgical team members

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical textile engineer or medical device designer with expertise in ergonomic clothing design, familiar with surgical workflow requirements, materials science, and functional garment engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core surgical gown design, utilizing standard design optimization techniques common in medical apparel engineering. The proposed modifications address known surgical team workflow challenges by incrementally improving instrument storage, communication, and tracking capabilities. These enhancements represent logical combinations of existing technical elements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to improve surgical gown functionality.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Surgical gown with first and second gown portions having instrument storage capabilities

PTD Variation

Adjustable pockets with elasticized edges for secure instrument storage

Obviousness Reasoning

Elastic pocket modifications represent a known textile engineering technique for improving garment storage functionality, providing predictable results in instrument retention and accessibility

Source Patent Element

Gown with pocket and loop configurations for instrument management

PTD Variation

Integrated communication module for real-time instrument availability notification

Obviousness Reasoning

Adding electronic communication capabilities to protective garments is a foreseeable design evolution, leveraging standard wireless communication and textile integration techniques

Source Patent Element

Surgical gown with multiple pocket configurations

PTD Variation

Instrument categorization pockets with labeled compartments

Obviousness Reasoning

Organizational compartmentalization represents a standard design approach for improving functional efficiency, using predictable systematic storage solutions

Source Patent Element

Gown with permanent connections and loop attachments

PTD Variation

RFID-enabled instrument tracking pockets

Obviousness Reasoning

Integrating tracking technology into garment components is a known method for enhancing inventory and location management, representing an obvious technological extension

Source Patent Element

Surgical gown with distinct gown portions

PTD Variation

Strategic pocket placement to minimize instrument exchange between surgical team members

Obviousness Reasoning

Ergonomic optimization of instrument accessibility is a predictable design improvement addressing known surgical workflow inefficiencies

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857002 and the disclosed technical variations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed surgical gown modifications obvious and lacking inventive step. The incremental improvements in instrument storage, communication, and tracking represent predictable design extensions that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby rendering potential claims in this domain anticipated and obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,002
Title	Surgical gowns
Assignee(s)	Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research