Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a body having a closed front, an open back, and sleeves. The closed front extends below a wearer's knees when the garment is donned. The closed front incorporates a section of elastomeric material that extends generally from an upper chest region of the garment to a location above a bottom edge of the gown that is also below the wearer's knees when the garment is donned. A border region of non-elastomeric material extends generally transversely across the closed front between the bottom edge of the garment and a bottom of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing or eliminating the odors commonly produced by the sterilization of polyolefin-based products by gamma radiation. In addition, the invention also provides a method for minimizing the amount of fabric strength loss associated with the irradiation process and a method for actually increasing the fabric strength of a polyethylene that has been irradiated. Both the reduction in odors and the minimization of strength or increase in polyolefin strength are achieved in methods comprising the use of an oxygen scavenger. The invention further includes the use of non-gamma stabilized polyolefins. The polyolefinic product may also include an odor mask that may be used to mask any residual odor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid collection pouch which is extremely simple in design. The pouch utilizes a blank of fluid impervious material having a generally triangular shape including a first side and a second side joined at a common end point to themselves and at their distal ends to opposite ends of a third side. By joining the first and second sides to one another a fluid receiving chamber is formed with the third side forming an open end to the chamber and the joined distal ends of the first and second sides forming a flap portion which extends above the open end of the chamber. The fluid collection pouch is particularly well-suited for use in surgical procedures in which case it may be joined to a surgical drape in the expected path of fluid run-off or provided with a fenestration in the flap portion for registry with a corresponding fenestration in the surgical drape.