Surgical gown material guide

Surgical gown materials for optimal protection

Personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by healthcare professionals during surgery creates a crucial barrier between the sterile surgical field and the external environment. The design and material composition of surgical gowns enable this barrier. The material must meet performance requirements set by regulatory bodies as well as meet comfort and mobility standards that allow surgical teams to perform easily and without hindrance. Surgical gown material choice influences how impermeable to fluid it is and how effective it is in preventing microbial ingress, maintaining sterility and supporting HCP comfort and wearability.

Underlying material selection is a number of different factors, including different properties, manufacturing processes and standards. For example, what kinds of properties does a surgical gown need to have to fulfil its purpose at a given level?

Surgical gown material properties

Surgical gown material must have a high level of impermeability to prevent the passage of bacteria and viruses. Barrier protection against microorganisms, bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents is assumed for all surgical gowns, but certain procedures require more rigorous protection than others.

Surgical gown material must also possess durability. Surgical gowns undergo rigorous use during the course of an operation and need to retain their protective properties throughout the procedure to ensure safety and reduce the risk of tears or breaches in the material.

Breathability and comfort are also considerations in selecting surgical gown material. It needs to maintain a barrier against external contaminants but still needs to allow for adequate airflow for the wearer’s comfort. Reducing moisture buildup and heat retention is key to keep the OR staff comfortable while performing their tasks, especially during long procedures.

Surgical gown regulations and guidelines and compliance

Different standards and regulations govern the medical devices, including surgical gowns and the material they are made of, in order to oversee their safety and efficacy. Standards bodies, such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develop industry standards that define the requirements for surgical gown materials. These standards specify criteria such as the properties listed above, such as barrier performance, as well as standards for flammability and biocompatibility to ensure the quality and safety of the products.

Manufacturers are also required to demonstrate compliance with these regulations and standards through testing and certification processes.

Surgical gown material platforms

Material platforms: Polypropylene SMS

Polypropylene SMS

SMS stands for Spunbond/Meltblown/Spunbond. It is a synthetic material made from polypropylene.

Structure:
• Spunbond, located outside of the fabric, provides strength to the product.
• Meltblown, on the inside of the fabric, provides the repellency to the product.

The layers are bonded together with point bonds or heat (small dots, oval or diamond) that hold all the fibres together.

BARRIER^® surgical gowns made of SMS:
• Primary - Comfortable and ergonomic, suitable for dry procedures
• Primary Plus - Comfortable multi-purpose surgical gown
• Primary Plus –More sustainable, ISCC certified version of Primary Plus
• Ultimate - Increased repellency for advanced protection

Material platforms: Spunlace

BARRIER surgical gowns made of spunlace

Spunlace is a soft textile-like material made from pulp/polyester nonwoven fibers. It is produced with more than 50% bio-based material.

Structure:
• The spunlace fabric is a tissue layer on the outside of the gown, which provides increased comfort.
• Polyester fibres on the inside of the gown provide strength. The fibres are embedded into the tissue with water jets.

Because the tissue is naturally absorbent, the fabric is always treated with fluorochemical to make it blood repellent.

BARRIER^® surgical gowns made of spunlace:
• Classic - Extra comfort, suitable for most procedures
• Classic Urology - Extra comfort, impermeable to fluid

BARRIER Classic gowns are made with FSC™ certified paper. By choosing this surgical gown, you are supporting responsible management of the world’s forests. Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™), FSC license code: N003452. Learn more: www.fsc.org.

Material platforms: Laminate

Laminates consist of different layers of material with different properties. Two different laminates are used for the FFP and the VPP gown.

Structure FPP:
• The FPP laminate consists of a microporous polyethelene film on the outside of the gown and a nonwoven material on the inside of the gown. The microporous film make the gown breathable, and the nonwoven layer provides comfort for the wearer.

Structure VPP:
• The VPP laminate consists of 3 layers that together make the material resistant to virus. The inside and outside of the gown is made from nonwoven material. The middle layer is a microporous polyethylene film that allows air and moisture to move from the body to the outside of the gown.