U.S. patent application number 10/958302 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for icu/ccu patient gown.
Invention is credited to Hatton, Richard L..
Application Number | 20050223468 10/958302 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46303020 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050223468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatton, Richard L. |
October 13, 2005 |
ICU/CCU patient gown
Abstract
An ICU/CCU gown to be worn by a patient during hospitalization
includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment
includes a pair of front panels releasably connected to each other
and to a neck panel leaving an open back. The lower garment
includes a waist panel having a pair of leg panels and a central
genital panel extending downwardly therefrom leaving an open back.
The lower garment can be provided with a rear panel having a
central examination panel. The upper and lower garments may be
releasably attached to one another.
Inventors: |
Hatton, Richard L.; (Okemos,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUTZEL LONG
DOCKETING DEPARTMENT
100 BLOOMFIELD HILLS PARKWAY
SUITE 200
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304
US
|
Family ID: |
46303020 |
Appl. No.: |
10/958302 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10958302 |
Oct 5, 2004 |
|
|
|
10200784 |
Jul 23, 2002 |
|
|
|
6799332 |
|
|
|
|
10958302 |
Oct 5, 2004 |
|
|
|
09697215 |
Oct 26, 2000 |
|
|
|
6460188 |
|
|
|
|
60307286 |
Jul 23, 2001 |
|
|
|
60318353 |
Sep 10, 2001 |
|
|
|
60162689 |
Nov 1, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1245 20130101;
A41D 13/129 20130101; A41D 13/1236 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/114 |
International
Class: |
A41B 009/00; A41D
010/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ICU/CCU gown to be worn by a patient during hospitalization,
comprising: an upper garment including a pair of front panels each
adapted to cover a portion of an upper front torso of a patient,
each of said front panels having an upper edge, a lower edge and a
central edge, and a neck panel attached at opposite ends to
respective ones of said upper edges of said front panels, said neck
panel and said front panels defining an opening for receiving a
head and neck of a patient; and a lower garment including a waist
panel adapted to extend across a lower body portion of a patient, a
pair of leg panels attached to and extending downwardly from said
waist panel, and a central genital panel attached to and extending
downwardly from said waist panel intermediate said leg panels, said
leg panels and said genital panel overlapping at an intersection
point, wherein said upper garment and said lower garment are
releasably attached together by cooperating fasteners for covering
a front of a body of a patient.
2. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said neck panel is
releasably attached to said front panels.
3. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 2 including fasteners
releasably attaching said neck panel to said front panels.
4. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said neck panel is
releasably attached to one of said front panels and fixedly
attached to another of said front panels.
5. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 including a pouch panel
attached to a one of said front panels and being sized to receive a
telemetry pack and a plurality of telemetry leads therein.
6. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein said lower edges
of said front panels extend below a hip level point of the
patient.
7. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 wherein lower edges of
said leg panels extend to a calf level point of the patient.
8. The ICU/CCU gown according to claim 1 including an optional rear
waist band attached to said waist panel for encircling a body of
the patient.
9. An ICU/CCU upper garment to be worn by a patient during
hospitalization, the garment comprising: a pair of front panels
each having a lower edge, a central edge portion and an upper edge,
said central edge portions being releasably attached together, said
front panels being sized to cover a front of an upper torso of the
patient; and a neck panel having opposite ends attached to
respective ones of said upper edges of said front panels, said neck
panel and said front panels defining an opening for receiving a
head of the patient.
10. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a pouch panel
attached to a front surface of at least one of said front panels
and said neck panel, said pouch panel being sized to receive a
telemetry pack and a plurality of telemetry leads therein.
11. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a pouch panel
attached to a front surface of one of said front panels, said pouch
panel being sized to receive a telemetry pack and a plurality of
telemetry leads therein, said one front panel having a slit formed
therein sized to receive the telemetry leads.
12. The upper garment according to claim 9 including a fastener
releasably attaching said front panels together.
13. The upper garment according to claim 9 wherein each of said
front panels includes a fastener attached at said lower edge
thereof for attachment to a lower garment.
14. The upper garment according to claim 9 wherein said lower edges
of said front panels extend below a hip level point of the patient
when the upper garment is worn by the patient.
15. An ICU/CCU lower garment to be worn by a patient during
hospitalization, comprising: a waist panel adapted to be placed on
a lower body portion of the patient; a pair of leg panels attached
to and extending downwardly from said waist panel; and a central
genital panel attached to and extending downwardly from said waist
panel intermediate said leg panels, said leg panels and said
genital panel overlapping at an intersection point.
16. The lower garment according to claim 15 wherein a lower edge
portion of each of said leg panels extends to a calf level point of
the patient.
17. The lower garment according to claim 15 wherein an upper
portion of each of said leg panels includes a fastener at for
attaching to an upper garment.
18. The lower garment according to claim 15 including an optional
rear waist band attached to said waist panel for encircling the
body of the patient.
19. An ICU/CCU lower garment to be worn by a patient during
hospitalization, comprising: a front panel and a rear panel adapted
to be placed on a lower body portion of the patient and each having
a lower edge; at least one of said front and rear panels including
a generally inverted triangle shaped central panel having a top
side integral with said at least one panel and a pair of free sides
to permit examination of the patient wearing the lower garment;
said at least one panel having a slit formed therein extending from
a point of said central panel to said lower edge; and a plurality
of fasteners attached to said at least one panel for releasably
cooperating to form a pair of leggings extending from said point to
said lower edge.
20. The lower garment according to claim 19 including a pair of
zippers releasably attaching said free sides to adjacent portions
of said at least one panel.
21. The lower garment according to claim 19 wherein said free sides
are releasably attached to adjacent portions of said at least one
panel along perforated separation lines.
22. The lower garment according to claim 19 wherein said at least
one panel and said central panel are formed of a paper material,
said fasteners are tab fasteners and including another tab fastener
for releasably closing said slit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/200,784, filed Jul. 23, 2002,
which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 60/307,286, filed Jul. 23, 2001, and the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/318,353, filed Sep. 10,
2001, and which is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. Pat. No.
6,460,188, issued Oct. 8, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/162,689, filed Nov. 11,
1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to garments worn by patients during
physical examinations conducted by physicians, and in particular to
such a gown to be worn by a patient in a physician's office, a
large or small clinic, or a hospital.
[0003] When a physician conducts a physical examination of a
patient, it is desirable to balance the physician's need for access
to the patient's body and the patient's desire for modesty. In
general, an examination can be best performed when a patient is
comfortable with the procedure. To reduce embarrassment and
maintain body temperature, various examination garments have been
developed. These garments can be reusable or disposable, and can be
formed from a variety of materials. Furthermore, various garments
have been developed for covering and providing access to specific
areas of a body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention includes a garment worn by a patient during a
stay in or visit to a hospital, a visit to a large or small clinic,
or a visit to a physician's office. The garment provides
accessibility of various parts of the body while providing a
satisfying amount of coverage for a patient. The garment includes
an upper garment covering portions of the upper torso and a lower
garment covering part of the lower torso including the pelvic
region. The garment can be formed from any desired material as a
disposable or reusable garment.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment, an examination garment to be worn
by a patient during a physical examination includes an upper
garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a first
front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel having an opening
for examination of a patient's spine, and fasteners for removably
connecting various points on the front and rear panels. The lower
garment includes a waistband, a first front panel overlapping at
least a portion of a second front panel, a front central panel
overlapped by the first and second front panels, a rear outer
panel, a rear inner panel having an opening overlapped by the rear
outer panel, and fasteners for removably connecting the front and
rear panels.
[0006] In an alternate embodiment, a garment in accordance with the
present invention may be worn by a bedridden patient in a critical
care unit (CCU), an intensive care unit (ICU) or the like that
balances the needs of the patient for warmth and coverage with the
needs of the caregivers for access. The ICU/CCU garment includes an
upper garment having left and right front panels joined by a neck
panel and a lower garment having a pair of leg panels and a central
genital panel. The upper and lower garments are joined at outer
edges by fasteners at approximately waist level.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of an upper garment according to this
invention illustrating first and second front panels;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper garment of FIG. 1 worn
by a patient illustrated in phantom lines wherein the first front
panel has been folded upwardly for a breast examination;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the upper garment illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the upper garment illustrated in
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of a lower garment according to this
invention illustrating first and second overlapping front
panels;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of the lower garment of FIG. 5
wherein the front panels have been extended to form leggings;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lower garment illustrated in
FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in
FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of a lower
garment according to this invention wherein the front panels have
been extended to form leggings;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a front view of a patient wearing the upper
garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the patient of FIG. 11 wearing the
upper garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a
lower garment in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the lower garment illustrated in
FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 14A is a rear view of a first alternative embodiment of
the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 14;
[0023] FIG. 14B is a rear view of a second alternative embodiment
of the lower garment illustrated in FIG. 14;
[0024] FIG. 15 is front view of the right leg member shown in FIG.
13 before and after mating of the fasteners;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fastener for
use with the lower garment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary rear view of the lower garment
shown in FIG. 14 utilizing the fastener shown in FIG. 16;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of an
upper garment in accordance with the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 19 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a
lower garment in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] A two piece patient garment according to this invention
includes an upper garment indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1, 2,
3, 4, and 11 and a lower garment indicated generally at 100 in
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
[0030] The upper garment 10 is fitted about the upper torso of a
patient and extends generally to the lower hip and buttock level of
a patient. The upper garment 10 is designed to permit a physician
to conduct a clinical examination of a patient from the waist to
the head with minimal manipulation of the garment 10 while
providing a satisfying amount of coverage for the patient.
[0031] The upper garment 10 includes a first front panel 12 and a
second front panel 14. Upper sections 16 and 18 of the panels 12
and 14, respectively, are received over a shoulder of a patient. A
patient's neck is received between upper sections 16 and 18.
Openings 20 and 22 are sized to permit examination of the shoulder
and arm pit areas without removal of the upper garment 10.
[0032] The upper garment 10 also includes a rear panel 23 divided
into a first rear panel 24 and a second rear panel 26. The rear
panels 24 and 26 include upper sections 28 and 30, respectively
that are joined with upper sections 16 and 18. In one preferred
embodiment, upper section 28 is connected to upper section 18, and
upper section 30 is connected to upper section 16. In other
embodiments, the upper sections can be joined as desired.
[0033] The rear panels 24 and 26 include cutouts 32 and 34 that
form an orthopedically designed slot 36 to expose a patient's
spine. The slot 36 can be formed with any configuration allowing a
deviation of approximately fifteen degrees (15.degree.) to the
right or to the left of the midline. An opening for examination of
another desired area can be formed in lieu of or in addition to the
slot 36. A slit 40 can be provided between lower portions of the
panels 24 and 26 to permit one or both panels to be folded for
examination.
[0034] Various fasteners are used to join the panels 12, 14, 24,
and 26 together. Preferably, metal fasteners are used for cloth
garments and crimps or tabs are used for paper garments. However,
other types of fasteners can be used.
[0035] Fastener 42 joins an inner edge 44 of the first front panel
12 with an inner edge 46 of the second front panel 14 at a level
close to the breastbone. Fastener 48 is provided to join an outer
edge 50 of the first front panel 12 with an outer edge 52 of the
first rear panel 24 beneath cutout 20. Fastener 54 is provided at a
bottom edge 56 of the first front panel 12 to join outer edges 50
and 52.
[0036] Fastener 58 is provided to join an outer edge 60 of the
second front panel 14 with an outer edge 62 of the second rear
panel 26 beneath cutout 22. Fastener 64 is provided at a bottom
edge 66 of the second front panel 14 to join outer edges 60 and 62.
Fastener 69 can be provided at or near a lower end of the slot
36.
[0037] Front panels 12 and 14, rear panels 24 and 26, and openings
20 and 22 are sized so that they the panels meet at the lowest
point of the armpits and are connected by fasteners 48 and 58. The
fasteners 48 and 58 stabilize the upper garment 10 so that it will
not slip or fall off a patient.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, a slit 68 is formed along a patient's
side between the outer edges 50 and 52 when fasteners 48 and 58 at
the top of edges 50 and 52 are mated. Slit 68 permits access for an
examination without disturbing the remainder of the upper garment
10.
[0039] Properly selected fasteners on the upper garment 10 can be
released to permit a panel to be folded for examination. For
example, in FIG. 2 the first front panel 12 is shown folded
upwardly to permit examination of a breast of a patient P. The
remainder of the upper garment 10 does not have to be disturbed,
thus providing a patient with coverage. The first front panel 12
can be draped over a patient's shoulder.
[0040] In another embodiment, the upper garment 10 can be formed
from a single piece of material having a front panel, a rear panel,
and cutouts for the neck and arms. A slot like slot 36 can be cut
from the rear panel. The slot 36 can have a predetermined width
extending equal distances from a midline. Also, a slit like slit 40
can be provided in the rear panel. A slit, like the slit 41, can be
provided in the front panel.
[0041] Any number of fasteners can be used with the panels 12, 14,
24, and 26. More fasteners, less fasteners, and the number of
fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are within the scope of the
present invention.
[0042] A lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at 100
in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. In a folded position, as shown in FIGS.
5, 7, and 8, the lower garment 100 is fitted about the waist level
of a patient and extends to approximately knee level, resembling a
skirt. In the extended position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, two
anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area. The lower
garment 100 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical
examination of a patient's abdomen, genitalia, anal and rectal
areas, and lower extremities while providing a satisfying amount of
patient coverage.
[0043] The lower garment 100 includes a waistband 102, preferably
formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment 100
at approximately waist level. A first front panel 104 and a second
front panel 106 are attached to the waistband 102 and partially
overlap one another. A central, inner front panel 108 is also
attached to the waistband 102 and is overlapped by panels 104 and
106. The central panel 108 is sized to cover a patient's external
genitalia. Each of panels 104 and 106 can be independently folded
on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities
without disturbing the central panel 108.
[0044] In FIG. 5, the panels 104 and 106 are illustrated in a
stored or folded position so that coverage extends to approximately
the level of the knees. In FIGS. 6 and 9, panels 104 and 106 can be
folded down as shown to provide leggings 112 and 116,
respectively.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the lower garment 100 also
includes an outer rear panel 120 and an inner rear panel 122.
Preferably, the panels 120 and 122 are attached to the waistband
102. The outer rear panel 120 overlaps the inner rear panel 122.
The inner rear panel 122 includes an opening 124 sized to permit
anal and rectal examinations. The outer rear panel 120 includes
side edges 121 and 123.
[0046] As illustrated best in FIG. 6, fasteners 126, 128, 130, 132,
156 and 160 are provided on the first front panel 104. Fastener 126
is provided along an inner edge 134 at a central portion of its
length. Fastener 128 is provided along an outer edge 136 at a
central portion of its length. Fastener 130 is provided along the
inner edge 134 at a bottom edge 138 of the panel 104. Fastener 132
is provided along the outer edge 136 at the bottom edge 138.
Fastener 156 is provided approximately midway between fasteners 130
and 132. Fastener 160 is provided approximately midway between
fasteners 126 and 128.
[0047] Fasteners 140, 142, 144, 146, 154, and 158 are provided on
the second front panel 106. Fastener 140 is provided along an inner
edge 148 at a central portion of its length. Fastener 142 is
provided along an outer edge 150 at a central portion of its
length. Fastener 144 is provided along the inner edge 148 at a
bottom edge 152 of the panel 106. Fastener 146 is provided along
the outer edge 150 at the bottom edge 152. Fastener 158 is provided
approximately midway between fasteners 140 and 142. Fastener 154 is
provided approximately midway between fasteners 144 and 146.
[0048] In the folded position (see FIG. 5), fastener 130 is mated
with fastener 126, fastener 132 is mated with fastener 128, and
fastener 156 is mated with fastener 160 to retain the legging 112.
Fastener 144 is mated with fastener 140, fastener 146 is mated with
fastener 142, and fastener 154 is mated with fastener 158 to retain
the legging 116.
[0049] In the extended (unfolded) position (see FIGS. 6 and 9),
fasteners 130 and 132 can be mated to wrap the legging 112 about a
patient's leg. Fasteners 144 and 146 can be mated to wrap the
legging 116 about a patient's leg.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the rear inner panel 122 can
include fasteners 162 and 164 provided at its outer edges. Fastener
162 can be mated to fastener 128 on panel 104 and fastener 164 can
be mated to fastener 142 on panel 106 to stabilize the rear inner
panel 122, particularly when a patient is lying on a side for an
examination.
[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a slit 170 is provided
between outer edge 150 and side edge 121. The slit 170 permits
access to the hip region without disturbing the remainder of the
lower garment 100. A similar slit (not illustrated) is provided on
the opposite side of the lower garment.
[0052] More, less, or the number of fasteners illustrated in FIGS.
5-9 can be provided on the lower garment 100.
[0053] A second embodiment of a lower garment for a patient is
indicated generally at 200 in FIGS. 10 and 12. In a folded
position, not shown, the lower garment 200 is fitted about the
waist level of a patient and extends to approximately knee level,
resembling a skirt. In the extended or unfolded position, as shown
in FIG. 10, two anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area.
The lower garment 200 is designed to permit a physician to conduct
a clinical examination of a patient's abdomen, genitalia, anal and
rectal areas, and lower extremities while provided a satisfying
amount of patient coverage.
[0054] The lower garment 200 includes a waistband 202, preferably
formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment 200
at approximately waist level. A first front panel 204 and a second
front panel 206 are attached to the waistband 202 and partially
overlap one another. A central, inner front panel 208 is also
attached to the waistband 202 and is overlapped by panels 204 and
206. The central panel 208 is sized to cover a patient's external
genitalia. Each of panels 204 and 206 can be independently folded
on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities
without disturbing the central panel 208.
[0055] The panels 204 and 206 can be arranged in a stored or folded
position so that coverage extends to approximately the level of the
knees, similar to the arrangement in FIG. 5. In FIG. 10, panels 204
and 206 can be folded down as shown to provide leggings 212 and
216, respectively, similar to the arrangement in FIG. 6.
Preferably, the leggings 212 and 216 (approximately the lower
halves of panels 204 and 206) are narrowed from the approximately
upper halves or portions of panels 204 and 206, respectively. For
example, the width of the leggings 212 and 216 can be reduced to
approximately twelve inches at the approximate ankle level,
significantly less than the upper portions of the panels 204 and
206.
[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 10, fasteners 228, 232, 256 and 260
are provided on the first front panel 204. Fastener 228 is provided
along an outer edge 236 at a central portion of its length.
Fastener 232 is provided along the outer edge 236 at a bottom edge
238. Fastener 256 is provided along an inner edge 235 at the bottom
edge 238. Fastener 260 is provided approximately midway the width
of the upper portion of panel 204 and approximately aligned with
fastener 228.
[0057] Fasteners 242, 246, 254, and 258 are provided on the second
front panel 206. Fastener 242 is provided along an outer edge 250
at a central portion of its length. Fastener 246 is provided along
the outer edge 250 at a bottom edge 252. Fastener 254 is provided
along an inner edge 237 at the bottom edge 252. Fastener 258 is
provided approximately midway the width of the upper portion of
panel 206 and approximately aligned with fastener 242.
[0058] In the folded position (not shown), fastener 232 is mated
with fastener 228, and fastener 256 is mated with fastener 260 to
retain the legging 212. Fastener 246 is mated with fastener 242,
and fastener 254 is mated with fastener 258 to retain the legging
216.
[0059] In the extended (unfolded) position (FIG. 10), fasteners 256
and 232 can be mated to wrap the legging 212 about a patient's leg.
Fasteners 254 and 246 can be mated to wrap the legging 216 about a
patient's leg.
[0060] Another embodiment of a lower garment for a patient is
indicated generally at 300 in FIGS. 13 and 14. The lower garment
300 is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical
examination of a patient's genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and
lower extremities while provided a satisfying amount of patient
coverage.
[0061] The lower garment 300 is preferably formed from a single
layer of material and includes a front panel 302 attached to a rear
panel 304 at a top seam 303. A first leg member 306 and a second
leg member 308 extend downwardly from a bottom seam or edge 307 of
the front panel 302. A front central panel 310 is formed from a
plurality of perforations 312 in the front panel and the bottom
seam 307. The front central panel 310 is sized to cover a patient's
external genitalia. The front central panel 310 is adapted to be
torn along the perforations 312 in order to be folded, or
reflected, upwardly on a patient's abdomen (not shown) at the time
of the patient's examination. A fastener 313 and a fastener 314 are
provided along a bottom edge 320 of the first leg member 306. A
fastener 316 and a fastener 318 are provided along a bottom edge
322 of the second leg member 308. The leg fasteners 313, 314, 316,
and 318 are male and female pairs to mate and permit the leg
members 306 and 308 to encircle the calf to form a short legging
during the examination as shown in FIG. 15. A knee level point 323
is shown on the first leg member 306 and the second leg member 308.
The bottom edge 320 and the bottom edge 322 preferably extend below
the knee levels 323.
[0062] The rear panel 304 has a top seam 305. The top seam 305 and
the top seam 303 of the front panel 302 can be attached to a
waistband such as the waistband 202 shown in FIG. 10. A rear
central panel 330 is formed from a plurality of perforations 331 in
the rear panel 304. The rear central panel 330 is sized to permit
an examination of a patient's anal and rectal areas. A panel
fastener 332 is attached at a top portion of the rear central panel
330 and a panel fastener 334 is attached at a bottom portion of the
rear central panel 330. Typically, prior to use, the rear central
panel 330 is substantially separated from the rear panel 304 along
the perforations with only a top end remaining attached. In a
closed position, prior to a patient's examination, the fastener 334
is attached to a fastener (not shown) on the rear panel 304
adjacent the bottom portion of the rear central panel 330 to fully
extend the rear central panel 330 and provide a satisfying amount
of patient coverage. In an open position, during a patient's
examination, the fastener 334 is attached to the fastener 332
folding the rear central panel 330 upwardly. After the examination,
the fastener 334 is detached from the fastener 332 and reattached
to the fastener at the bottom portion of the rear central panel. A
plurality of perforations 336 in the rear panel 304 extend from the
lower end of the rear central panel 330 to a bottom edge 338 to
permit separation and allow easier manipulation of examination
instruments (not shown) during the patient's examination. The
bottom edge 338 of the rear panel 304 is preferably at or slightly
below a knee level of the patient (not shown).
[0063] As an alternative, in a closed position, prior to a
patient's examination, the fastener 332 is attached to a fastener
(not shown) at the top portion of the rear central panel 330 to
fully extend the rear central panel 330 and provide a satisfying
amount of patient coverage. In an open position, during a patient's
examination, the fastener 332 is attached to the fastener 334,
allowing the rear central panel 330 to reflect upwardly. After the
examination, the fastener 332 is detached from the fastener 334 and
reattached to the fastener at the top portion of the rear central
panel.
[0064] There is shown in FIG. 14A an alternative rear panel 304a
having a top seam 305a and that also can be used as or with the
front panel 302 to provide a reusable (e.g. cloth material) garment
300a. A rear central panel 330a, generally in the shape of an
inverted triangle, is integral with the panel 304a on a top side
and is releasably attached to the panel 304a on the other two sides
by a pair of zippers 356. The rear central panel 330a is sized to
permit an examination of a patient's anal and rectal areas. A panel
snap fastener 332a is attached at a top portion of the panel 304a
and a panel snap fastener 334a is attached at a point of the rear
central panel 330a, the fasteners cooperating as previously
described with respect to FIG. 14. The zippers 356 terminate at an
upper end of a slit 336a that extends to a bottom edge 338a to
permit separation and allow easier manipulation of examination
instruments (not shown) during the patient's examination. The
bottom edge 338a of the rear panel 304a can be provided with
cooperating fasteners 358 to form leggings as described with
respect to FIG. 15.
[0065] There is shown in FIG. 14B another alternative rear panel
304b having a top seam 305b and that also can be used as or with
the front panel 302 to provide a disposable (e.g. paper material)
garment 300b. A rear central panel 330b, generally in the shape of
an inverted triangle, is integral with the panel 304b on a top side
and is releasably attached to the panel 304a on the other two sides
at a pair of perforated separation lines 360. The rear central
panel 330a is sized to permit an examination of a patient's anal
and rectal areas. The separation lines 360 terminate at an upper
end of a slit 336b (also could be a perforated separation line)
that extends to a bottom edge 338b to permit separation and allow
easier manipulation of examination instruments (not shown) during
the patient's examination. The bottom edge 338a of the rear panel
304a can be provided with cooperating tab fasteners 362 to form
leggings as described with respect to FIG. 15. Another tab fastener
364 can be provided just below the point of the panel 330b to
releasably close the slit 336b.
[0066] There is shown in FIG. 16 a fastener 340 for use with the
patient examination garment according to the present invention. The
fastener 340 includes a tab 342 that is attached an outwardly
facing surface of a movable portion of a garment, such as the rear
central panel 330 of the rear panel 304. The tab 340 is positioned
such that a free end overlaps the fixed portion of the garment. The
fastener 340 also includes a holder 344 that is attached to an
outer surface of the rear panel 304 adjacent the free end of the
tab 342. The holder 344 has a generally planar body 346 that is
attached to the garment. The body 346 has an outwardly facing
surface covered by a layer of adhesive material 348. A cover sheet
350 is releasably attached to the base member 346 to prevent
contact between the tab 342 and the adhesive material layer 348.
After the movable portion of the garment has been used, the cover
sheet 350 can be removed and the tab 342 attached to the holder 346
by the adhesive material 348.
[0067] There is shown in FIG. 17 a portion of the rear panel 304
including the rear central panel 330. A first fastener 352, like
the fastener 350 shown in FIG. 16, has the tab 342 attached to the
outer surface of the rear central panel 330 at a top end thereof.
The holder 344 of the first fastener 352 is attached to the outer
surface of the rear panel 304 adjacent the tab 342. Thus, the rear
central panel 330 can be partially detached at the perforations
along the top and sides and reflected downwardly for examination
purposes. After such use, the cover sheet can be removed from the
holder 344, the rear central panel 330 moved back into the covering
position shown, and the tab 342 attached to the holder 346 by the
adhesive material. A second fastener 354, like the fastener 350
shown in FIG. 16, has the tab 342 attached to the outer surface of
the rear central panel 330 at a side thereof. The holder 344 of the
second fastener 354 is attached to the outer surface of the rear
panel 304 adjacent the tab 342. Thus, the rear central panel 330
can be partially detached at the perforations along the top,
bottom, the right side and part of the left side and reflected
toward the left for examination purposes. After such use, the cover
sheet can be removed from the holder 344, the rear central panel
330 moved back into the covering position shown, and the tab 342
attached to the holder 346 by the adhesive material.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 18, an ICU/CCU upper garment for a
patient is indicated generally at 400. The upper ICU/CCU garment
400 is advantageously designed to be worn by or placed upon an
upper body portion of a patient when the patient is hospitalized in
a coronary care unit (CCU) or an intensive care unit (ICU) or the
like. The upper ICU/CCU garment 400 includes a generally
trapezoid-shaped right front panel 402, a generally
trapezoid-shaped left front panel 404, and an elongated neck panel
406. Preferably, the neck panel 406 is releasably attached to the
front panel 402 at an upper edge thereof by a plurality of
fasteners 408 and is fixedly attached to the right front panel 404.
However, the neck panel 406 could releasably attached to the front
panel 404 at an upper edge thereof by a plurality of the fasteners
408 and fixedly attached to the front panel 402, or releasably
attached to both front panels. The panels 402 and 404 are
releasably attached at adjacent central edge portions thereof by a
pair of cooperating fasteners 410. When attached, the panels 402,
404, and 406 define an opening 412 for receiving the head and neck
of a patient. When donned by or placed on the patient, the panels
402 and 404 of the ICU/CCU upper garment 400 provide a satisfying
amount of coverage of the front of the torso of the patient while
also allowing doctors and nurses access via the open rear and the
releasably attached front to provide treatment and care to the
patient.
[0069] A pouch panel 414 is attached to a lower portion of the
front surface of the panel 402 below a hip level point 415 of the
patient. The pouch panel 414 is preferably generally
rectangular-shaped and is preferably attached to the panel 402 at
two side edges and a bottom edge thereof to define an opening 416
at a top edge. The opening 416 and the pouch 412 are preferably
sized to receive and/or contain a telemetry pack and leads (not
shown) for the patient. Alternatively, the pouch panel 414 may be
attached to the front panel 404, or one on each of the front
panels. A slit 417 can be formed in the panel 402 behind the pouch
panel 414 to permit the telemetry leads to pass to the patient. A
fastener 418, discussed in more detail below, is attached at a
lower edge of each of the right front panel 402 and the left front
panel 404.
[0070] Referring now to FIG. 19, an ICU/CCU lower garment for a
patient is indicated generally at 500. The ICU/CCU lower garment
500 is designed to be placed on a lower body portion of a patient
when the patient is hospitalized in a CCU, an ICU or the like. The
ICU/CCU lower garment 500 includes a waist panel 502 adapted to
extend horizontally at waist level across the front of a patient.
The waist panel 502 has a right leg panel 504 and a left leg panel
506 attached at a bottom portion thereof and extending downwardly
therefrom. A lower edge portion of each of the leg panels 504 and
506 preferably extends to a calf level point 507 of the patient. A
genital or central panel 508 is attached to the waist panel 502 at
an upper edge thereof intermediate the leg panels 504 and 506. The
remainder of the central panel 508 is free to move with respect to
the waist panel 502 and the leg panels 504 and 506. The panels 504,
506, and 508 are arranged so as to overlap at an intersection point
510 in order to provide a modest coverage for the patient. A
fastener 512 is attached at an upper portion of each of the right
leg panel 504 and the left leg panel 506 to cooperate with the
fasteners 418. A fastener 514 is attached at each lower corner of
each of the right leg panel 504 and the left leg panel 506 to
cooperate in a manner similar to the fasteners 313 and 314 shown in
FIG. 15 to form leggings.
[0071] When placed on the patient lying in a bed on his/her back,
the panels 504, 506, and 508 of the ICU/CCU lower garment 500
provide a satisfying amount of coverage for the front of the lower
body of the patient while also allowing doctors and nurses access
to provide treatment and care to the patient. If desirable, a rear
waist band 503 can be attached to the ends of the waist panel 502
to encircle the body of the patient and prevent the lower garment
from slipping our of position.
[0072] The upper garment 400 and the lower garment 500 are
preferably worn together, wherein a lower edge of the upper garment
400 overlaps an upper edge of the lower garment 500. When worn
together, the garments 400 and 500 are releasably fastened or
attached together by the cooperating pair of fasteners 418 and 512.
The fastener 418 may be a male fastener and the fastener 512 may be
a female fastener or vice versa. The fasteners 408, 410, 418, and
512 may be, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, cooperating
Velcro.RTM. strips or the like. Alternatively, the pouch panel 414
is attached to an upper portion of the front surface of one of the
leg panels 504 and 506.
[0073] The upper garments 10 and 400 and the lower garments 100,
200, 300 and 500 can be formed from any desired materials,
including a disposable material, a biodegradable material, or
cloth. A patient can wear only one of the upper garments 10 and
400, or one of the lower garments 100, 200, 300 or 500, or both,
depending upon the extent of the examination or the type of patient
care required or the like. The locations and number of fasteners
shown in the figures and described above are illustrative only and
are not limiting.
[0074] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present invention has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted
that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or
scope.
* * * * *