U.S. patent application number 11/831160 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for restraint free garment.
Invention is credited to Maureen B. BARRETT, Katherine I. FORCIER, Laura Ann LUC GORBY, Cynthia A. STANDISH.
Application Number | 20090031464 11/831160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39870191 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090031464 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LUC GORBY; Laura Ann ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
RESTRAINT FREE GARMENT
Abstract
A restraint-free garment comprising an upper body part having at
least one hand shield that defines a space adapted to removably
receive a portion of a wearer's hand. The present invention also
relates to a restrain-free garment comprising an upper body part
having at least one hand shield that defines a space adapted to
removably receive a portion of a wearer's hand, and a lower body
part.
Inventors: |
LUC GORBY; Laura Ann;
(Chicago, IL) ; BARRETT; Maureen B.; (Chicago,
IL) ; STANDISH; Cynthia A.; (Evanston, IL) ;
FORCIER; Katherine I.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY LLP
224 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60604
US
|
Family ID: |
39870191 |
Appl. No.: |
11/831160 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/16 ; 2/114;
2/227; 2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/10 20130101;
A41D 2400/44 20130101; A41D 13/1245 20130101; A41D 13/1263
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/16 ; 2/114;
2/227; 2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00; A41D 1/06 20060101
A41D001/06; A41D 10/00 20060101 A41D010/00 |
Claims
1. A restraint-free garment comprising: an upper body part
comprising a first side, a second side, a first arm having a first
wrist region and a first cubital area, a second arm having a second
wrist region and a second cubital area, a bottom portion, a top
portion having a neck orifice, and at least one hand shield that is
adapted to removably receive a portion of a wearer's hand and
wherein the hand shield has a first end attached to the first or
second arm and a second end that defines a space adapted to
removably receive the wearer's fingertips; and a lower body part
comprising a first and second leg portion adapted to removably
receive the wearer's legs, and a hip portion having at least one
openable hip portion seam.
2. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the first arm
has at least one access port.
3. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the second arm
has at least one access port.
4. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the first and
the second arms have at least one access port.
5. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the first side
has at least one aperture through which the second side is
removably received and secured by at least one fastening
device.
6. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand shield
is made of a substantially flexible material.
7. The restraint-free garment device as in claim 1 wherein the hand
shield is reusable.
8. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand shield
further comprises an outer shell and an inner shell.
9. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand shield
is removably attached to the first and/or second arms.
10. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand
shield is adapted to removably receive the digits of the wearer's
hand.
11. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand
shield is adapted to removably receive the fingers of the wearer's
hand.
12. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hand
shield has a padded lip.
13. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the neck
orifice of the top portion has at least one openable seam.
14. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the lower body
part has at least one lower body access port.
15. The restraint-free garment as in claim 1 wherein the hip
portion of the lower body part has at least one elastic
waistband.
16. The restraint-free garment device as in claim 1 wherein the
garment is reusable.
17. A restraint-free garment comprising: an upper body part
comprising a first side, a second side, a first arm having a first
wrist region and a first cubital area, a second arm having a second
wrist region and a second cubital area, a bottom portion, a top
portion having a neck orifice, and at least one hand shield that is
adapted to removably receive a portion of a wearer's hand and
wherein the hand shield has a first end attached to the first or
second arm and a second end that defines a space adapted to
removably receive the wearer's fingertips.
18. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the first arm
has at least one access port.
19. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the second
arm has at least one access port.
20. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the first and
the second arms have at least one access port.
21. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the first
side has at least one aperture through which the second side is
removably received and secured by at least one fastening
device.
22. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield is made of a substantially flexible material.
23. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield is reusable.
24. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield further comprises an outer shell and an inner shell.
25. The restraint-free garment as in claim 24 wherein the inner
shell is affixed to the outer shell.
26. The restraint-free garment as in claim 25 wherein the inner
shell is removably affixed to the outer shell.
27. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield is removably attached to the first and second arms.
28. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield is adapted to removably receive the digits of the wearer's
hand.
29. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield is adapted to removably receive the fingers of the wearer's
hand.
30. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the hand
shield has a padded lip.
31. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the garment
is reusable.
32. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 wherein the neck
orifice of the top portion has at least one openable seam.
33. The restraint-free garment as in claim 17 further comprising a
lower body part having a first and second leg portion adapted to
receive the wearer's legs, and a hip portion having at least one
openable hip portion seam.
34. The restraint-free garment as in claim 33 wherein the lower
body part has at least one lower body access port.
35. The restraint-free garment as in claim 33 wherein the hip
portion of the lower body part has at least one elastic
waistband.
36. The restraint-free garment as in claim 34 wherein the hip
portion of the lower body part has an elastic waistline.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a restraint-free
garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Restraints are often used in hospitals, nursing homes and
other medical settings to prevent patients from dislodging tubes,
IVs, or other therapeutic devices. Historically, restraints have
included vests, wrist and ankle ties, waist belts, and hand mitts
among others. The purpose of physical restraints are to restrict
the movement of a patient in the medical setting. During the last
two decades considerable research has shown that physical
restraints contribute to patient deaths, delirium, decubitus,
increased risk of falls, immobility, patient decline and serious
emotional trauma. This research has persuaded the health care
community to discourage the use of restraints and encourage the
creation of alternatives to restraints which will promote patient
independence and dignity yet keep needed medical devices
secure.
[0003] More recently, there has been a focus on medical garments
that provide access for tubes and IVs, some of which also have
restraints, which are worn on the hands. However, there remains a
need for a restraint-free garment having potential apertures for
devices that access the wearer's body, features that camouflage the
devices and contribute to restraint free care as well as glove-like
components that have the dual purpose of providing freedom of
movement, independence, and comfort to the patient, while at the
same time, limit the ability of a patient to dislodge devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention may relate to a restraint-free garment
having an upper body part comprising a first side, a second side, a
first arm having a first wrist region and a first cubital area, a
second arm having a second wrist region and a second cubital area,
a bottom portion, a top portion having a neck orifice, and at least
one hand shield that is adapted to removably receive a portion of a
wearer's hand. The hand shield has a first end attached to the
first or second arm, and a second end that defines a space adapted
to removably receive the wearer's fingertips. The garment may also
have a lower body part with a first and second leg portion adapted
to removably receive the wearer's legs, and a hip portion with at
least one openable hip portion seam.
[0005] Alternatively, the present invention may relate to a
restraint-free garment having an upper body part with a first side,
a second side, a first arm having a first wrist region and a first
cubital area, a second arm having a second wrist region and a
second cubital area, a bottom portion, a top portion having a neck
orifice, and at least one hand shield that is adapted to removably
receive a portion of a wearer's hand. The hand shield has a first
end attached to the first or second arm and a second end that
defines a space adapted to removably receive the wearer's
fingertips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a preferred embodiment of
the restraint-free garment;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional perspective of a preferred
embodiment of the hand shield of the restraint-free garment;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a back perspective of a preferred embodiment of
the restraint-free garment with an exploded view of a preferred
embodiment of the hand shield/wrist region;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an elevated side view of a preferred embodiment of
the restraint-free garment; and
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front perspective of a preferred embodiment of
the restraint-free garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] In its simplest form, the restraint-free garment has an
upper body part with arms, at least one hand shield that preferably
encompasses all of the digits of a wearer's hand, and more
preferably encompasses the fingers of a wearer's hand. By the term
"digits" it is meant to include fingers and thumb of a wearer's
hand. By the term "fingers" it is intended to mean only the fingers
of a wearer's hand, excluding the thumb. The hand shield maybe
affixed to an arm of the upper body part at one end, and the second
end of the hand shield may terminate before the finger tips of the
wearer's hand.
[0012] Regarding the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view
of a preferred embodiment of a restraint-free garment 10. FIG. 1
illustrates an restraint-free garment 10 having a first arm 12 and
a second arm 14. The first arm 12 and the second arm 14 both have a
first wrist region 16 and second wrist region 18 respectively. In
use, the wrist region is located at approximately the wrist of the
wearer. The first and second wrist regions 16, 18 are adapted to
removably receive a wrist. In use, a wearer's arms are threaded
through the first and second arms 12, 14 and then the wearer's hand
extended through the first and second wrist region 16, 18
respectively. FIG. 1 illustrates the garment with an attached
finger hand shield 13, which is preferably detachable. The finger
hand shield 13 has a first end that may be attached to the wrist
region 16 of the arm 12 and a second end adapted to removably
receive and encompass a portion of a hand. By the term "removably
receive a portion of a hand," and similar terms, it is intended
that the present invention, in use, provides that a portion of a
wearer's hand is place inside the hand shield 13, 15.
[0013] All the digits of the wearer's hand may preferably be
removably received in the digit hand shield 15 wherein the digit
hand shield 15 is configured so that all the digits of the wearer's
hand are removably received into one aperture. The hand shield 15,
13 can preferably comprise a padded lip for the comfort of the
wearer. In a preferred embodiment of the digit hand shield 15, the
digit hand shield 15 is configured so that, in use, it can be
extended, preferably unrolled, from the wrist regions 16, 18 of the
arms 12, 14, to cover and substantially immobilize the digits of
the wearers hand, and when desired retracted, preferably rolled
back to the wrist regions 16, 18 (not shown).
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the hand shield, the
fingers of the wearer's hand may be removably received into at
least one aperture while the thumb is separated from the fingers
and removably received into a single thumb aperture, as depicted in
the embodiment of the finger hand shield 13. The finger hand shield
13 may preferably be configured to provide at least two finger
apertures so that, in use, each finger aperture removably receives
two fingers (not shown). The finger shield 13 may also preferably
be configured to have four finger apertures so that, in use, each
finger aperture removably receives a finger, for instance as a
glove would.
[0015] In use, a portion of the wearer's hand may be placed in the
hand shield 13, 15 first and then threaded through the arms 12, 14.
In such an embodiment, the hand shield 13, 15 is preferably
removably attached to the arm. The hand shield 13, 15 of the
present invention may preferably be substantially flexible, or
preferably substantially inflexible. The hand shield 13, 15 may
also be removably attached to an arm 12, 14 by any detachable
attachment means known to one of skill in the art including, but
not limited to, snaps, ties, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers,
and compatible groove and ridge features.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective of a hand shield 48
of the restraint-free garment. The hand shield 48 of the present
invention may comprise an outer shell 50 and an inner shell 52.
Preferably the outer shell 50 of the hand shield 48 is
substantially water resistant. The outer shell 50 of the hand
shield 48 may also preferably be substantially inflexible. The
inner shell 52 of the hand shield 48 may preferably be made of a
material that is substantially soft, flexible, and protective so
that, in use, the outer shell 50 provides limited movement and the
inner shell 52 prevents the wearer's hand from acquiring sores.
Moreover, the inner shell 52 may be provided with a moisturizing
lubricant so that, when in use, the inner shell 52 keeps the
wearer's hand from discomfort as a result of, for instance,
becoming dry and chafed. The inner shell 52 and outer shell 50 may
preferably be removable and replaceable, and may preferably be
disposable or reusable. Without being bound by theory, a reusable
hand shield could be ecofriendly and could be washed and reused.
The hand shield may further comprise a padded lip 54 for the
comfort of the wearer's hand, so that, in use, when the wearer's
hand strains to grasp an object, any pressure of the wearer's
digits and/or fingers against the hand shield is applied to the
padded lip 54. The padded lip 54 may preferably be made of, but is
not limited to, gel, water, fabric, silicone, rubber, and plastic.
The inner 52 shell and outer shell 50 of the hand shield 48 may
preferably be resiliently affixed to one another or preferably
removably affixed.
[0017] By providing a removably attached hand shield, a kit may be
used for creating a restraint-free garment wherein the kit has
multiple hand shields of different sizes so that the restraint-free
garment may be fit for the correct size for the patient. The sizes
may, of example, include extra small, small, medium, large, and
extra large. In addition, the hand shields of the kit may comprise
an outer and an inner shell wherein the inner shell may be
removably affixed to the outer shell and preferably have a
moisturizing lubricant and may be changed as necessary.
Furthermore, the hand shield of the kit of the present invention
may preferably comprise a padded lip for the protection of the
wearer's fingers and/or digits. The restraint-free garment of the
kit may be provided in a sterilized package. The restraint-free
garment and the package of the kit may be disposable. Both the
package and the restraint-free garment may be reusable and
preferably provide ease in reassembly between uses and may be
sterilized between uses. The package for a reusable restraint-free
garment may, for example, be in any shape adapted to enclose a
restraint-free garment including an openable envelope, a bag, or
any other package that can be re-sterilized between uses and
reassembled with the restraint-free garment.
[0018] Turning back to FIG. 1, the first and second arms 12,14 have
a cubital area. By the term "cubital area" it is intended that the
part of the arms 12, 14 have an area that, in use, is approximately
located at or about a wearer's elbow. The first and second arms 12,
14 may have at least one access port 20, for instance, in the
cubital area. The access port 20 may have an access port flap 22,
which is adapted to be removably received by a releasable seal 24.
In use, the access port flap 22 may be opened and closed as needed.
The releasable seal 24 may be a hook and loop type closure, or
other type of closure. Furthermore, the access port flap 22 may be
positioned such that it is opened at the releasable seal 24 in a
direction away from the inner margin of the arm. By using a hook
and loop type closure for the releasable seal 24 of the access port
flap, in use, any device accessing the body may be substantially
immobilized, camouflaged, and still accessible to medical
personnel. Such devices may include intravenous lines, electrical
leads, and tubes. Furthermore, by positioning the access port flap
22 so that it is released away from the inner margin, in use, the
wearer of the garment 10 is not as able to open the flap by
reaching across the wearer's body which could potentially dislodge
any device accessing the wearer's body.
[0019] Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a neck orifice 26 in the top
portion of the upper body part of the restraint-free garment 10
having at least one openable seam 28. The openable seam 28 has an
openable seam flap 30. The openable flap 30 is removably secured by
an openable flap seal 29. In use, the openable seam flap 30 can be
securely closed or opened, and may have an openable flap seal 29,
which may be secured by a closure such as a hook and loop type
fastener, ties, or any other type of known closure, as needed. When
using a hook and loop openable flap seal 29, the direction for
opening the openable seam is preferably from the front to back
direction of the garment 10. In use, a hook and loop type openable
flap seal 29 substantially immobilizes any device accessing the
body, camouflages the device, and also provides medical personnel
with access to the device. The front to back opening direction of
the openable seam 28, also reduces the ability of a wearer from
opening the openable seam and potentially dislodging any device
accessing the body and immobilized therein. Such devices accessing
the body through an openable seam may include, but are not limited
to, IVs, tubes, central lines, port-a-caths, and EKG leads.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of a preferred embodiment
of the restraint-free garment 10 of the present invention. At the
neck orifice 33 is shown a second side openable seam 32 and a
second side openable seal 34. The second side openable seal 34 can
be, but is not limited to, a hook and loop type closure, a tie, a
zipper, a latch, and a compatible groove and ridge feature. The
second side of the garment 10 may preferably comprises a first 36
and second half 38 each having at least one fastening device (not
shown) that is adapted to be removably received through an aperture
in the first side (not shown) and the second side is removably
fastened to the first side through the aperture and by the
fastening device. The fastening device may comprise, but is not
limited to, a hook and loop type closure, a tie, a clasp, and a
latch. In use, therefore, the second side may be secured to the
first side by a second side openable seam 32, such as that shown in
FIG. 3, and/or by at least one fastening device. In addition, the
second side may have at least one aperture through which a
fastening device retained on the first side may be removably
received. In this way, the wearer is provided with additional
privacy, and at the same time, medical personnel are provided with
access to the wearer's body.
[0021] FIG. 4 is an elevated side view of a preferred embodiment of
the restraint-free garment 10 comprising a first side 202 and a
second side 204, an arm 206, a hand shield 208 that is adapted to
removably receive all the digits of a wearer's hand and wherein the
hand shield 208 is attached to the arm 206 at the wrist region 210.
Also shown in FIG. 4 is an aperture 212 in the first side 202 of
the garment 10, through which a fastening device 214 may be
removably received. In use, therefore, the fastening device 214 may
be removably received through the aperture 212 and may removably
secure the second side 202 to the first side 204.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a front perspective of another preferred
embodiment of the restraint-free garment 10 comprising an upper
body part 301 having a first arm 312 and a second arm 314 wherein
the first arm may have a first arm access port 320 with a first arm
access port flap 322 which may be adapted to removably receive a
resealable seal 324. The resealable seal 324 may be buttons and
buttonholes, or any other type of commonly known and used seal. The
second arm 314 illustrates a second arm access port 311 in the
closed position. In use, a device accessing the body may be
threaded through the buttons so that it is immobilized,
camouflaged, and yet remains accessible to medical personnel. The
first arm 312 may terminate in a finger hand shield 313 that may be
adapted to removably receive the fingers of a wearer's hand and the
second arm 314 may terminate in a hand shield digit 315 that is
adapted to removably receive the digits of a wearer's hand. The
upper body part 301 also has a neck orifice 326. The first side of
the upper body part 301 may have at least one aperture. In this
embodiment of the garment 10, the first side of the upper body part
301 has two apertures 332 through which a fastening device 334 may
be removably received. The fastening device 334 may be a male and
female engagement device, or any other type of fastening device
334. In use, the fastening device 334 may removably secure the
second side of the upper body part 301 to the first side of the
upper body part 301.
[0023] Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is a lower body part 303. The
lower body part 303 has a first 340 and second leg portion 342, and
a hip portion comprising a first openable hip portion seam 344 and
a second openable hip portion seam 346. The first and second
openable hip portion seams 344, 346 comprise compatible sides and
an openable hip portion seal that, in use, engages the compatible
sides. The openable hip portion seal may be, but is not limited to,
a hook and loop type fastener, a button and button hole, snaps, a
male and female engagement device, a buckle, a zipper, and any
other openable hip portion seal known in the art. In use, the
openable hip portion seam may provide support for any device
accessing the body because the device is preferably substantially
immobilized, camouflaged, and still accessible to medical
personnel. Such devices include, but are not limited to, for
instance, Foley catheters. The first and second openable hip
portion seams 344, 346 of this invention may run the entire length
of the first and second legs, respectively, or may run only a
portion of the length of the first and second legs 340, 342,
respectively. By the term "run the entire length" it is meant that
the openable hip portion seam 344, 346 extends from the hip portion
of the present invention to the termination of the legs 340, 342 at
the outside margin of the legs 340, 342. For instance, the first
and/or second openable hip portion seam 344, 346 may preferably run
from the hip portion to a wearer's thigh. The lower body part 303
may also have at least one lower body part access port 348. The
lower body access port 348 may be located at the inner margin of
the second leg portion 342. There may be more than one lower body
part access port 348 at different locations on the legs 340, 342
including, but not limited to, for instance the groin region of the
wearer. In this way, in use, the wearer may easily urinate,
defecate, and/or be examined as needed. The hip portion of the
lower body part 303, may be fitted with a first elastic waistband
350 in the first side and/or a second elastic waistband 354 in the
second side. The first elastic waistband 350 may have a tie
midsection fastener 352, which may be a tie or other any other
means for cinching known in the art, connected to the first elastic
waistband 350 so that, in use, once the midsection fastener 352 is
correctly fitted to the wearer, it may not need to be readjusted.
Without being bound by theory, the lower body part 303 could
provide the wearer with privacy and comfort.
[0024] The restrain free garment including the upper and lower body
parts, and the hand shield may, in part or whole, be preferably
disposable or may preferably be reusable, as desired.
[0025] While preferred embodiments have been herein described,
those skilled in the art will understand the present invention to
include various changes and modifications. The scope of the
invention is not intended to be limited to the above-described
embodiments.
* * * * *