Advanced Surgical Gown: Customizable Instrument Management

Publication ID: 24-11857002_0006_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Surgical Gown: Customizable Instrument Management,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857002_0006_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857002_0006_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 solution for holding surgical instruments, has inherent limitations. The CST's focus on the Primary Surgeon can lead to distractions from the Assistants' needs, and the fixed design of the gown may not accommodate instruments of varying sizes. The new invention addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable loops, customizable designs, and integrated sterilization features to improve the efficiency and safety of surgical procedures.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention introduces several novel features that distinguish it from the original patent. The adjustable loop, customizable design, integrated sterilization features, and enhanced accessibility features are all new and non-obvious improvements that address the limitations of the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different materials or designs for the adjustable loop, varying sizes and shapes of pockets, or alternative sterilization methods. Additionally, the invention could be adapted for use in other medical procedures or industries, such as dental or veterinary care.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced surgical gown has significant commercial potential in the medical industry, particularly in hospitals and surgical centers. The invention's ability to improve efficiency and safety during surgical procedures makes it an attractive solution for healthcare providers. The customizable design and integrated sterilization features also make it appealing to individual surgeons and medical professionals.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A41 A41D13/0012
A A41 A41D13/1209

Field of Art

Medical Protective Apparel Design, specifically surgical gown engineering with a focus on instrument management and ergonomic functionality

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical textile engineer or medical device designer with expertise in protective garment design, familiar with surgical workflow requirements, materials science, and ergonomic principles for medical professionals

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable design extensions of the source patent's core surgical gown concept, utilizing standard engineering problem-solving techniques to address known limitations in surgical instrument management and accessibility. The proposed modifications represent incremental improvements using well-understood design strategies within the medical protective apparel domain. These variations would be considered routine design choices that a skilled practitioner could readily conceive when seeking to optimize surgical gown functionality.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Surgical gown with first and second gown portions configured for instrument holding
PTD Variation
Adjustable loop system for accommodating instruments of varying sizes
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that instrument loop adaptability is a predictable design improvement using known textile engineering techniques, representing a straightforward solution to varying instrument dimensions
Source Patent Element
Gown with multiple pocket configurations
PTD Variation
Pockets with transparent/translucent materials for enhanced instrument visibility
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection for improved visual accessibility represents a standard design optimization technique, utilizing known material science principles to solve a recognized workflow challenge
Source Patent Element
Base material with potential adhesive connections
PTD Variation
Integrated antimicrobial properties and sterilization compartments
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating advanced material treatments is a predictable evolution in medical protective equipment design, addressing known infection control requirements through standard material engineering approaches
Source Patent Element
Gown with configurable pocket arrangements
PTD Variation
Modular design with interchangeable loops and pocket systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular garment design represents a standard engineering approach to creating adaptable protective equipment, utilizing well-understood principles of component interchangeability
Source Patent Element
Surgical gown with instrument holding capabilities
PTD Variation
Enhanced efficiency method reducing assistant-technician interactions
Obviousness Reasoning
Workflow optimization through strategic design modifications is a predictable problem-solving approach in medical equipment engineering, representing an obvious extension of existing design principles
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on a comprehensive analysis of US Patent 11857002 and the presented Published Technical Disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious and lacking inventive step. The proposed modifications represent predictable design extensions utilizing standard engineering problem-solving techniques, and therefore would not meet the non-obviousness requirements under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,002
TitleSurgical gowns
Assignee(s)Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research