U.S. patent application number 11/875895 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for medical garments.
Invention is credited to Cynthia Butler.
Application Number | 20090100569 11/875895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40561944 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100569 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butler; Cynthia |
April 23, 2009 |
MEDICAL GARMENTS
Abstract
A medical outfit having one or more garments is provided. An
example garment has a front portion including an opening for a
person's neck, and an off-center opening extending in a downward
direction from the neck area. The off-center opening may extend
less than the full length of the front portion. This example
garment may also have one or more slanted and/or upright side
pockets. The back portion of the garment may include an off-center
opening extending in a downward direction from the neck opening.
Another example garment, which may be worn with or without another
example garment, is a covering for the lower part of a patient. The
garment may have left and/or right side openings configured to be
closeable and extending downwardly from a waist section. The waist
section may be adjustable at one or both the right and left side
openings.
Inventors: |
Butler; Cynthia; (Baldwin,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON LLP
ONE BROADWAY
NEW YORK
NY
10004
US
|
Family ID: |
40561944 |
Appl. No.: |
11/875895 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 ; 2/247;
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 1/00 20130101; A41D
13/1236 20130101; A41D 2300/32 20130101; A41D 27/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/114 ; 2/247;
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 10/00 20060101
A41D010/00; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00; A41D 27/20 20060101
A41D027/20 |
Claims
1. A medical garment, comprising: a front portion having a first
neck opening periphery, a first off-center opening extending in a
downward direction from the first neck periphery, the first
off-center opening extending less than the full length of the front
portion, and at least one exterior side pocket; and a back portion
having a second neck opening periphery, the first neck opening
periphery and the second neck opening periphery forming a neck
opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward
direction from the second neck opening periphery, the second
off-center opening extending the entire length of the back
portion.
2. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the first off-center
opening is configured to extend approximately to the bottom of a
wearer's ribcage.
3. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first off-center opening and the second off-center opening is
configured to be closed with hook-and-loop fasteners.
4. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first off-center opening and the second off-center opening is
configured to be closed with at least one of snaps and buttons.
5. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the second off-center
opening overlaps by between 4 and 8 inches when in a closed
position.
6. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the second off-center
opening overlaps by approximately 6 inches when in a closed
position.
7. The medical garment of claim 1, further comprising two sleeve
portions, at least one of the two sleeve portions having a sleeve
opening that extends from the neck opening to an outer end of the
sleeve portion.
8. The medical garment of claim 7, wherein the sleeve opening is
selectively closed with hook-and-loop fasteners.
9. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one
external side pocket is slanted.
10. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is
autoclavable.
11. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is
comprised of a fabric having a 65%/35% polyester/cotton blend.
12. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is
comprised of a fabric having a 75%/25% polyester/cotton blend.
13. The medical garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one
internal pocket.
14. A medical garment, comprising: a waist section; a left leg
opening; a right leg opening; a left side opening extending
downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, the left
side opening selectively closed with hook and loop fasteners; and a
right side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to
the right leg opening, the right side opening selectively closed
with hook and loop fasteners, wherein the waist section is
adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at at least
one of the right side opening and the left side opening.
15. The medical garment of claim 14, further comprising a front
opening extending downward from the waist section, the front
opening selectively closed with a hook and loop fastener.
16. A medical outfit, comprising: a first garment having a front
portion including a first neck opening periphery, and a first
off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first
neck periphery, the first off-center opening extending less than
the full length of the front portion, at least one side pocket, and
a back portion including a second neck opening periphery, the first
neck opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery
forming a neck opening, and a second off-center opening extending
in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery, the
second off-center opening extending the entire length of the back
portion; and a second garment configured to be worn with the first
garment, the second garment including a waist section, a left leg
opening, a right leg opening, a left side opening extending
downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, the left
side opening configured to be closed with hook and loop fasteners,
and a right side opening extending downwardly from the waist
section to the right leg opening, the right side opening
selectively closed with hook and loop fasteners, wherein the waist
section is adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at
at least one of the right side opening and the left side opening.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to medical garments. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a hospital gown, a
hospital shirt, and hospital shorts.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Hospital gowns are typically knee length garments made of
large sheets of cloth material with neck and waist ties on the open
sides of the material. Hospital gowns are placed on a patient while
the patient is standing, lying down, or sitting, and are retained
by joining the neck and waist ties at the backside of the patient.
Body areas that are generally considered "private areas" are
exposed when they are uncovered for examinations and procedures,
such as cardiac monitoring, catheterizations, wound dressings,
injections, feed line insertions, etc. The exposure of a patient's
"private areas" during such procedures often causes embarrassment
and stress. Thus, there is a need for a hospital garment that
provides accessibility to a patient's body for medical procedures
while at the same time providing some privacy for the patient.
There is also a need for a hospital garment that is configured to
provide support for different medical equipment. There is also a
need for a hospital garment that is comfortable, inexpensive and
durable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 shows a medical garment according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 shows a medical garment according to an embodiment of
the present invention with a monitoring device.
[0005] FIG. 3 shows a medical garment in an open-shoulder position
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 4 shows an interior view of a medical garment according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a medical garment according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 6 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 7 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts with a
front opening in an open position according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 8 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 9 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts with a
left side opening in an open position according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
a medical gown is provided for heart patients requiring cardiac
monitoring and for patients requiring cardiac catheterizations.
Additionally, the gown may be provided for any patient that has
drains or tubes or would simply like more privacy and coverage. The
gown may be configured to provide open access at the top such that
the chest and/or a sternal incision are easy to access and view.
The gown also may include pockets, e.g., two pockets on the outside
and one pocket on the inside of the gown to hold medical equipment,
e.g., a cardiac monitor and/or tubes. The pockets may be offset
toward the sides of the gown and/or may be provided at an angle.
These features offer comfort and facilitate movement. For example,
some medical devices, e.g., a heart monitor, may be hung from a
patient's neck. Such a configuration can be uncomfortable due to
the weight of the monitor. Further, such a configuration of a
hanging medical device may cause infection(s) and/or injury due to
the contact between, e.g., the hanging heart monitor and a
patient's chest wound. The aforementioned pockets of the gown, when
configured to hold a heart monitor, may therefore serve, for
example, to help prevent potential sternal wound infections and/or
further wounding by keeping the heart monitor off the sternal
incision.
[0013] In a further example embodiment, the shoulders of the
hospital gown may provide for easy accessibility for intravenous
therapy. For example, the shoulders may have hook and loop closures
running down the exterior of the sleeves. The back portion of the
gown may also have a closure, such as a hook and loop closure, that
is substantially vertical. The closure may be offset and/or
lateral. The back closure may be provided to prevent exposure of
the patient's backside when ambulating or walking.
[0014] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
a medical garment is provided in the form of a medical top. The
medical top may include any and all of the features discussed above
in various combinations with respect to the medical gown. The
medical top may have a shorter length than the medical gown.
[0015] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
a medical garment is provided in the form of medical boxer shorts.
The boxer shorts may include an elastic waist and with a closure at
the groin and/or waist. The closure may be a hook and loop closure,
snap closure, or other available closure device. The closures are
configured to provide access to the groin area for medical
procedures, e.g., for cardiac catheterizations, and post procedure
examinations, e.g., assessment of a puncture site, swelling,
bleeding or hematoma, while maintaining as much coverage of a
patient's private areas as possible. Such garments encourage
frequent assessments by medical/nursing staff, improve patient
comfort and reduce patient stress. The boxer shorts may be
configured for use with a hospital gown or medical top, embodiments
of which are described herein.
[0016] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the gown, top and/or boxer shorts described herein may be provided
in a polyester/cotton blend (e.g., a 65%/35% blend or a 75%/25%
blend) that is easily laundered and/or autoclavable. Other suitable
materials may be utilized.
[0017] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the use of hook and loop fasteners for the closures on the medical
garment(s) described herein provide for touch closure, easy
accessibility and comfort.
[0018] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the medical garment may include a front portion having a first neck
opening periphery, a first off-center opening extending in a
downward direction from the first neck periphery, the first
off-center opening extending less than the full length of the front
portion, and at least one exterior side pocket. The garment may
include a back portion having a second neck opening periphery,
where the first neck opening periphery and the second neck opening
periphery form a neck opening, and a second off-center opening
extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening
periphery, where the second off-center opening extends the entire
length of the back portion.
[0019] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the first off-center opening extends approximately to the bottom of
a wearer's ribcage. In an example embodiment, either or both of the
first off-center opening and the second off-center opening are
closable with hook and loop fasteners. In an example embodiment,
either or both of first off-center opening and the second
off-center opening is closable with either or both of snaps and
buttons. The second off-center opening may overlap by between 4 and
8 inches when closed. According to an example embodiment, the
second off-center opening overlaps by more than 8 inches or less
than 4 inches when in a closed position. The garment may include
two sleeve portions, where at least one of the two sleeve portions
has a sleeve opening that extends from the neck opening to an outer
end of the sleeve portion. According to an example embodiment, the
sleeve opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners. The
garment may have slanted external side pockets. The garment may be
autoclavable. The garment may, e.g., be made of a 65%/35%
polyester/cotton blend fabric and/or a 75%/25% polyester/cotton
blend fabric. In an example embodiment, the garment may have one or
more internal pockets.
[0020] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the medical garment may resemble boxer shorts. The medical shorts
may include a waist section, a left leg opening, a right leg
opening, a left side opening extending downwardly from the waist
section to the left leg opening, where the left side opening is
closable with hook and loop fasteners, and a right side opening
extending downwardly from the waist section to the right leg
opening, where the right side opening is closable with hook and
loop fasteners. In an example embodiment, the waist section is
adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at the right
side opening and/or the left side opening. The front opening may
extend downward from the waist section and/or be closable with a
hook and loop fastener.
[0021] According to an example embodiment of the present invention,
the medical garment may include a first garment and second garment
to be worn with the first garment. The first garment may include a
front portion having a first neck opening periphery, a first
off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first
neck periphery, where the first off-center opening extends less
than the full length of the front portion, and at least one
exterior side pocket. The first garment may include a back portion
having a second neck opening periphery, where the first neck
opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery form a neck
opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward
direction from the second neck opening periphery, where the second
off-center opening extends the entire length of the back portion.
The second garment may include a waist section, a left leg opening,
a right leg opening, a left side opening extending downwardly from
the waist section to the left leg opening, where the left side
opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners, and a right side
opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the right
leg opening, where the right side opening is closable with hook and
loop fasteners and the waist section is adjustable between
different hook and loop fasteners at either or both of the right
side opening and the left side opening.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment
of the present invention. The example medical garment 1 has a front
portion 5 and a back portion 10. The front portion 5 has a first
neck periphery 15 and the back portion 10 has a second neck
periphery 20. The first neck periphery 15 and the second neck
periphery 20 form a necking opening 25 which surrounds a wearer's
neck. The front portion has a first off-center opening 30 that
extends in a downward direction from the first neck periphery 15
and extends a distance less than the length of the front portion 5.
In the example of FIG. 1, the first off-center opening extends
approximately to the bottom of the ribcage of a wearer. However, it
should be appreciated that, according to other embodiments, the
first off-center opening can extend to any length up to the length
of the front portion 5. The first off-center opening is closable
with hook and loop fasteners 35, 40, which may be, e.g.,
Velcro.RTM.. While two separate fastening locations are depicted in
FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that any number of such points may
be employed, or a continuous strip of hook and loop fabric may be
used. It will be further appreciated that one or more types of
fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closures (e.g., hook
and loop, adhesive) snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks,
and/or other enclosure device(s). A combination of fastener types
may be used. The front section 5 also has two slanted side pockets
45. Although the medical garment of FIG. 1 extends approximately to
the knees of the wearer, it should be appreciated that, according
to other example embodiments, the medical garment may be longer or
shorter.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment
of the present invention with a monitoring device 50. The
monitoring device 50, which may be, e.g., a heart monitoring device
or any other medical device, fits in the slanted side pocket 45. A
slanted side pocket allows for minimal shifting of the monitoring
device and reduces fatigue on wires that extend from either the top
or the side of the monitoring device. The slant of the pocket(s)
may lean towards or away from the front center axis of the garment.
Non-slanted, e.g., vertical or horizontal, pockets may be used. In
an example embodiment, any number of pockets may be employed. FIG.
2 shows sleeve portions 55 having a sleeve openings 60 that extend
from the neck opening 25 to an outer end 65 of the sleeve portion.
The sleeve openings 60 are closed with hook and loop fasteners 70.
In this and other embodiments of the present invention, other
fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closures (e.g., hook
and loop, adhesive) snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks,
and/or other enclosure device(s).
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a medical garment 1 in an open-shoulder
position according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Because the sleeve opening 60 extends to the neck opening 25, the
entire shoulder of the wearer may be exposed by opening the
fasteners 70. This may provide for access to upper body regions
while limiting unnecessary exposure of other portions of the
wearer's body.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows an example interior view of a medical garment 1
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front
portion 5 has an interior pocket 75. The interior pocket 75 allows
wires directly from a monitoring device to a wearer without passing
through an opening in the exterior of the garment. It should be
appreciated that any number of interior pockets may be used and may
be offset rather than centrally disposed. It will be further
appreciated that slanted interior pockets may be used.
[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a medical
garment may have one or more slanted or otherwise (e.g., upright,
horizontal, etc.) outside pockets. The medical garment may also
have one or more slanted or otherwise interior pockets. The
position of the pocket(s) depend upon the intended use. For
example, a first interior pocket may be disposed at a higher or
side area as discussed herein to assist in holding, e.g., a heart
monitoring device. A second or more interior pockets may be
disposed at a lower location(s) to hold, e.g., a portable
drug-delivering or related device or other medical item(s).
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a medical garment 1 according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The back portion 10 has a
second off-center opening 80 extending in a downward direction from
the second neck opening periphery 20 and extending the entire
length of the back portion 10. The overlapping of the second
off-center opening 80 may be between 4 and 8 inches, e.g., 6
inches, to reduce the possibility of unwanted exposure of, e.g.,
the wearer's backside, thus increasing privacy. The second
off-center opening 80 is closed using laterally oriented hook and
loop fasteners 85. It should be appreciated, however, that other
fasteners may be employed, such as, e.g., a touch device (such as
hook and loop fasteners, adhesive), a vertically-oriented fastener,
snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks, and/or other enclosure
device. In an example embodiment, the overlapping of the second
off-center opening 80 may be larger or smaller than the 4 to 8
inches range. In an example embodiment, the overlapping is
dependent upon the physical size and/or individual preference for
closeness of fit of the person wearing the garment. For example,
for a small person, the overlapping may be large since the garment
may be tightened to give a desired closeness of fit. For example,
for a large-built person, the overlapping may be small since the
garment may not require much tightening to provide a desired
closeness of fit. In embodiments, the overlapping also may be
dependent upon the wearer's or supervising medical personnel's
desired closeness of fit of the garment.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The medical
boxer shorts 100 are a medical garment having an elastic waist
section 105, a left leg opening 110, a right leg opening 115, and a
front opening 120 that extends downward from the waist section 105.
Although the medical garment depicted in FIG. 6 is a pair of
medical boxer shorts, it should be appreciated that according to
other example embodiments, the medical garment may be longer, such
as, e.g., pants, cropped pants, short pants. It will also be
appreciated that, according to other example embodiments, the waist
section may be inelastic.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts 100 with a
front opening 120 in an open position according to an embodiment of
the present invention. The front opening may be closed with a hook
and loop fastener 125. It should be appreciated, however, that
other fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closure (e.g.,
adhesive, hook and loop fastener, etc.), snaps, buttons, zipper,
string, mechanical hooks, and/or other enclosure device(s).
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention. A left side
opening 130 extends downwardly from the waist section 105 to the
left leg opening 110.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts 100
with a left side opening 130 in an open position according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The left side opening may be
opened by opening hook and loop fasteners 135. In this regard the
entire left side of the medical boxer shorts 100 can be opened,
allowing access localized regions of the wearer's midsection while
reducing overall exposure. On each side of the left side opening,
the waist section has fastening elements. This allows the fastening
elements to be matched up so as to adjust the waist size. While the
fastening elements depicted in FIG. 9 are discrete, it should be
appreciated that, according to other example embodiments, the
fastening elements may be continuous. It will be further
appreciated that, although the fastening elements depicted in FIG.
9 are of the hook and loop variety, other fasteners may be
employed, such as, e.g., snaps, buttons, zipper, string, mechanical
hook (such as a metal hook to attach to a ring), and/or other
enclosure device(s).
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, an essentially
identical (mirror image to the left side opening described herein)
right side opening (not shown in FIG. 9) is situated on the right
side of the medical boxer shorts 100.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, a medical boxer
shorts may include all of the left side, right side, and front
openings, or various combinations of same.
[0034] It should be appreciated that the fastener(s) used with the
example hospital gown, medical top, and/or medical shorts, may be
any available fastener(s), including, e.g., a touch closure (such
as hook and loop, adhesive, etc.), snaps, button, zipper, string,
metal hook, and/or other enclosure device(s). More than one type of
fastener may be employed at a time and/or in a single closure
location on a garment.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular examples and embodiments, it is understood
that the present invention is not limited to those examples and
embodiments. Moreover, the individual features of the example
embodiments may be combined or separated in any manner. The present
invention as claimed therefore includes variations from the
specific examples and embodiments described herein, as will be
apparent to one of skill in the art.
* * * * *