Protective apparel system with impervious protection
A protective apparel system is provided that comprises a helmet covering the wearer's head and a gown covering the wearer's body. A protective barrier extends between the helmet and the gown in order to separate an interior space from the exterior space. The helmet may be a reusable rigid helmet with an exterior surface that can be repeatedly disinfected. The helmet may also include an air transmission system.
1. A protective apparel system defining a barrier between an external space and an internal space, the apparel system comprising:
a sterile, reusable helmet comprising a transparent portion and a rigid barrier portion, separate from the transparent portion, wherein the rigid barrier portion comprises an exterior surface exposed to the external space and an interior surface exposed to the internal space;
a fan connected with the helmet;
a sterile disposable body portion; and
a sterile, flexible disposable protective barrier connecting a lower portion of the helmet and the body portion;
wherein the helmet is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a wearer; and
wherein the disposable body portion is adapted to cover at least a part of a body of the wearer.
2. The protective apparel system of claim 1 further comprising a fastening mechanism connecting the helmet with the protective barrier.
3. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
4. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises an adhesive.
5. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the protective barrier is connected with the exterior surface of the helmet.
6. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the protective barrier is connected with an interior surface of the helmet.
7. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the protective barrier is connected with an exterior surface of the helmet and an interior surface of the helmet.
8. The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the protective barrier contacts an exterior surface of the body portion.
9. The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the protective barrier contacts an interior surface of the body portion.
10. The protective apparel system of claim 1 wherein the protective barrier is attached to the body portion.
11. The protective apparel system of claim 10 wherein the protective barrier comprises a collar extending from the body portion.
12. The protective apparel system of claim 11 wherein the collar extends into an interior area of the helmet.
13. The protective apparel system of claim 1 further comprising an air transmission system.
14. The protective apparel system of claim 13 wherein the helmet comprises an air port connected with the air transmission system.
15. The protective apparel system of claim 1 , wherein the reusable helmet can withstand repeated sterilization.
16. The protective apparel system of claim 1 , wherein the reusable helmet can withstand repeated disinfection.
17. The protective apparel system of claim 2 wherein the fastening mechanism continuously connects the helmet with the protective barrier.
18. A protective apparel system defining a barrier comprising:
a sterile helmet comprising a transparent portion and a rigid barrier portion, separate from the transparent portion, wherein the rigid barrier portion comprises an exterior surface exposed to an external space and an interior surface exposed to an interior space defined by the helmet;
a fan connected with the helmet;
a sterile disposable gown adapted to cover at least a part of a body of a wearer and having an exterior surface exposed to the external space;
a sterile, flexible disposable protective barrier connecting the helmet and the gown.
19. The protective apparel system of claim 18 wherein the helmet is reusable, and the exterior surface of the helmet is disinfectable.
20. The protective apparel system of claim 19 further comprising a fastening mechanism connecting the protective barrier with the helmet.
21. A protective apparel system defining a barrier comprising:
a sterile, reusable helmet comprising: a transparent portion, a rigid barrier portion separate from the transparent portion, and an air port extending through the rigid barrier portion, wherein the rigid barrier portion comprises an exterior surface that is disinfectable and exposed to an external space and an interior surface that is exposed to an internal space;
a fan connected with the helmet;
a sterile disposable gown covering at least a part of a body of a wearer;
a sterile, flexible disposable protective barrier connecting the helmet and the gown;
a fastening mechanism attaching the protective barrier to the helmet; and
an air transmission system in fluid connection with the air port and comprising an air channel.
22. A protective apparel system defining a barrier between an external space and an internal space, the apparel system comprising:
a sterile reusable helmet comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a front facing portion and a rear facing portion, the front facing portion comprising a transparent portion exposed to the external space, and the upper portion comprising a rigid barrier having an exterior surface exposed to the external space and an interior surface exposed to the internal space;
a fan connected with the helmet;
a sterile, flexible disposable body portion;
a sterile, flexible disposable protective barrier connecting the helmet and the body portion; and
a sterile fastening mechanism connecting the disposable protective barrier to a lower portion of the helmet;
wherein, the helmet is adapted to cover at least a part of a head of a wearer; the helmet lower portion includes an opening adapted to receive a human head; the helmet can withstand repeated disinfection; and the disposable body portion is adapted to cover at least a part of a body of the wearer.