Apparatus and method for sterilization

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for disinfecting a target area of a patient's body, such as an arm, leg or a chest, in a pre-surgical environment. The apparatus and method disclosed herein further provides for maintaining the target area of the patient's body in an aseptic condition while transporting the patient to and into the surgery room. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention contemplate the use of one or more sterile layers (e.g., sterilized bags or the like) that are used to enclose the target area of the patient's body coupled with a sterile substance delivery mechanism that disinfects the target area and also maintains the target area in an aseptic condition. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-layer disposable garment or an inner bag nested inside an outer bag with a sterilization material being introduced into the inner bag, thereby disinfecting the target area. Once the patient has been transported into the operating room, the healthcare professional can remove the disposable garment or the outer bag, and then expose the target area for the selected procedure. Since the target area has been disinfected and also maintained in an aseptic condition, the healthcare professional can immediately begin to perform a selected procedure on the patient without having to spend additional time in the operating room to disinfect the target area of the patient's body that will undergo the selected procedure.