U.S. patent application number 12/878378 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for adaptable medical gown.
Invention is credited to Briant G. Herzog.
Application Number | 20120060257 12/878378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45805212 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120060257 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herzog; Briant G. |
March 15, 2012 |
ADAPTABLE MEDICAL GOWN
Abstract
An adaptable medical gown may include a neck opening, a right
sleeve, a left sleeve, and a front opening. The front opening can
transition between an open position and a closed position. The
front opening may be configured to expose one or more of a
patient's upper chest and abdominal region while leaving a groin
region covered. The medical gown may also include a back opening
that is also configured to transition between an open position and
a closed position. The medical gown may further include one or more
front fasteners and one or more back fasteners to detachably secure
the front opening and the back opening in a closed position,
respectively. The front fastener and the back fastener may include
a fabric-based, hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a zipper, a lace,
a buckle, and a snap.
Inventors: |
Herzog; Briant G.; (Dallas,
TX) |
Family ID: |
45805212 |
Appl. No.: |
12/878378 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/114 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/1236
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/114 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/12 20060101
A41D013/12 |
Claims
1. An adaptable medical gown, comprising: a neck opening; a right
sleeve; a left sleeve; and a front opening configured to transition
between an open position and a closed position.
2. The adaptable medical gown of claim 1, wherein the front
opening, when in the open position, is configured to expose an
upper abdominal region of a patient while leaving a groin region
covered.
3. The adaptable medical gown of claim 1, further comprising: at
least one front fastener configured to detachably secure the front
opening in a closed position.
4. The adaptable medical gown of claim 3, wherein the at least one
front fastener is segmentable.
5. The adaptable medical gown of claim 3, wherein the at least one
front fastener is selected from the group comprising of a
fabric-based, hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a zipper, a lace, a
buckle, and a snap.
6. The adaptable medical gown of claim 1, further comprising: a
back opening configured to transition between an open position and
a closed position.
7. The adaptable medical gown of claim 6, further comprising at
least one back fastener configured to detachably secure the back
opening in a closed position.
8. The adaptable medical gown of claim 7, where the at least one
back fastener is segmentable.
9. The adaptable medical gown of claim 7, wherein the at least one
back fastener is selected from the group comprising of a
fabric-based, hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a zipper, a lace, a
buckle, and a snap.
10. The adaptable medical gown of claim 1, wherein the front
opening is configured to form a front overlap when in the closed
position.
11. The adaptable medical gown of claim 6, wherein the back opening
is configured to form a back overlap when in the closed position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] The present invention generally relates to medical apparel
and more particularly relates to adaptable medical gowns.
[0005] 2. Description of Technology
[0006] Medical gowns are often characterized as short-sleeved,
thigh-length garments worn by patients in hospitals and other
medical facilities. One purpose for medical gowns is to prevent the
transfer of microorganisms, bodily fluids, and fine matter between
patients and medical professionals. Doctors and nurses often find
medical gowns more convenient than traditional apparel since they
are typically thin, light-weight, and unrestrictive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable
medical gown includes a neck opening, a right sleeve, a left
sleeve, and a front opening. The front opening may be configured to
transition between an open position and a closed position. The
front opening may be configured to (when in the open position)
expose an upper chest and/or abdominal region of a patient while
leaving a groin region covered. In certain embodiments, the
adaptable medical gown also includes one or more front fasteners
that can detachably secure the front opening in a closed position.
In some embodiments, the front fasteners may be segmentable. In
certain embodiments, the front fasteners may include a variety of
structural features, including a fabric-based, hook-and-loop
fastener, a button, a zipper, a lace, a buckle, and a snap.
[0008] An adaptable medical gown may also include a back opening
that can transition between an open position and a closed position.
In certain embodiments, the adaptable medical gown may include one
or more back fasteners that can detachably secure the back opening
in a closed position. In some embodiments, the back fasteners are
segmentable. The back fasteners may include a variety of structural
features, including a fabric-based, hook-and-loop fastener, a
button, a zipper, a lace, a buckle, and a snap. In certain
embodiments, the front opening and the back opening may each be
configured to form a front and back overlap, respectively, when in
a closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A more particular description of the present invention will
now be rendered by reference to the appended Figures. These Figures
depict only some embodiments of the invention and are not limiting
of its scope. Regarding the Figures:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an adaptable
medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a left side view of an adaptable medical gown in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is rear elevational view of an adaptable medical gown
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown in an open position in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention has been developed in response to the
present state of the art, and in particular, in response to
problems and needs that have not yet been adequately recognized
and/or resolved by currently available technologies.
[0018] As discussed previously, currently available medical gowns
provide certain benefits such as prohibiting the transfer of
harmful substances. However, available medical gowns also suffer
from significant limitations. For instance, as part of the initial
and ongoing care of a patient, doctors and nurses often require
direct access to a patient's upper chest and abdominal region,
since these regions house the heart, lungs, and other vital body
parts.
[0019] However, examining these regions often requires patients to
lift their medical gowns past their abdomen. This is awkward and
embarrassing to many patients, and, to patients with shoulder and
other bodily injuries, it can even be painful. Moreover, even when
the medical gown is lifted, the upper regions of the chest and
abdomen often remain covered, which can mean that the doctor still
does not have adequate access to the chest and abdominal regions.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include an
adaptable medical gown that grants doctors and medical
professionals direct access to a patient's upper chest and
abdominal region without subjecting the patient to an awkward,
embarrassing, or painful experience.
[0020] The description and Figures presented herein demonstrate
that the present invention may be practiced or implemented in a
variety of embodiments. The discussion of these embodiments amounts
to a complete written description that enables those of ordinary
skill in the art to make and use the invention. While several
embodiments are expressly disclosed herein, it should be
appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the
specifically disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the structures,
features, operations or functions of the described embodiments may
be reorganized or reconfigured to create one or more embodiments
that are not specifically discussed herein, but nevertheless fall
within the scope the present invention.
[0021] Further, the use of words or phrases such as "certain
embodiments," "some embodiments," "may," "can," or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, function,
characteristic, or benefit described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, appearances of "certain embodiments," "some
embodiments," "may," "can," or similar language do not necessarily
all refer to the same embodiment or group of embodiments and the
described features, structures, functions, characteristics, or
benefits may vary from one embodiment to another.
[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an adaptable
medical gown 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention. The adaptable medical gown 100 includes a neck
opening 110, a right sleeve 120, a left sleeve 130, a skirt portion
140, and a front opening 150. As described herein, the adaptable
medical gown 100 can be modified during treatment to not only
increase the quality of healthcare received by patients but also to
avoid awkward, painful, and otherwise undesirable experiences.
[0023] The medical gown 100 may consist of a variety of materials
fit for serving as a medical garment, and which are designed to
satisfy any number of medical requirements or standards for such
garments. In certain embodiments, the front opening 150 may include
any variety or combination of front fasteners (not shown) capable
of detachably securing the front opening 150 to a closed position,
as depicted. Since the securing of the front opening 150 is
detachable, the front opening 150 may later be readily opened to
enable a doctor or medical professional to gain direct access to
the upper chest or abdominal region without creating a negative
experience for the patient.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention. The adaptable medical gown 200 includes a neck opening
210, a right sleeve 220, a left sleeve 230, a skirt portion 240,
and a front opening 250. In certain embodiments, the adaptable
medical gown 200 corresponds to the medical gowns discussed
elsewhere in this specification.
[0025] When a patient first puts on the medical gown 200, the front
opening 250 may be in a closed position, as depicted. Since the
front opening 250 may include a variety of front fasteners 252, the
patient is able to ensure that the patient's chest or front
abdominal region will not be unintentionally or unnecessarily
exposed while the medical gown 200 is being put on or worn
thereafter. Once it is time for the doctor or medical professional
to perform an examination, the patient may unfasten or disengage
the front opening 250 to grant access to the patient's upper
abdominal region.
[0026] After the examination is complete, the patient may once
again secure or fasten the front opening 250 in a closed position.
In certain embodiments, the front fasteners 252 on the front
opening 250 may be segmentable, such that the patient is able to
control how much of the front opening 250 is in an open position
and how much is in a closed position. For instance, in embodiments
where the front opening 250 comprises a series of short Velcro.RTM.
strips that are spaced apart from one another along the length of
the front opening 250, the patient, doctor, or nurse may choose to
only open or disengage two of the middle strips, leaving the
remaining portions of the front opening 250 in a closed position.
Accordingly, at least some embodiments of the adaptable medical
gown 200 are able to simultaneously maximize a doctor's access to
the patient's upper abdominal region and also increase the
patient's level of comfort and sense of security.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the design and dimensions of the
front opening 250 can be such that, when the front opening 250 is
in a closed position, there is a front overlap 258 of materials
involving a right portion 256 of the front opening 250 and a left
portion 254 of the front opening 250. Notably, the characteristics
of the depicted front overlap 258, such as the horizontal width of
the front overlap 258 (which runs parallel to horizontal axis arrow
260), are somewhat uniform throughout the vertical length of the
front overlap 258 (which runs parallel to vertical axis arrow 270).
However, the dimensions and characteristics of the front overlap
258 may vary a great deal from one embodiment to another.
[0028] For instance, in certain embodiments, the horizontal width
of the front overlap 258 may be approximately two inches, while in
other embodiments the horizontal width may be much greater or much
less than two inches. In other embodiments, the horizontal width of
the front overlap 258 may even vary at different locations along
the vertical length of the front overlap 258. For instance, in some
embodiments, the horizontal width of the front overlap 258 may be
greater near the neck opening 210 than the horizontal width of the
front overlap 258 at vertically lower portions of the front overlap
258.
[0029] Similarly, while the front overlap 258 depicted in FIG. 2 is
secured or otherwise held in place by somewhat evenly spaced
Velcro.RTM. fasteners 252, a variety of alternative fasteners,
fastener combinations, and/or fastener arrangements may be used.
For instance, in certain embodiments, the front overlap 258 may be
secured by a combination of buttons, snaps, and Velcro.RTM.
fasteners, while in other embodiments, the front overlap 258 could
be secured by a combinations of laces and adhesive-based strips or
segments.
[0030] In light of the above, it should be appreciated that, at
least in some embodiments, the dimensions and characteristics of
the front overlap 258 can not only better enable the medical gown
200 to cover a patient's body, but can also help ensure that the
front opening 250 is well-secured in a closed position--which can
enhance a patient's sense of comfort, dignity, and security.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a left side view of an adaptable medical gown 300
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention. The adaptable medical gown 300 includes a neck opening
310, a left sleeve 330, a skirt opening 340, a front opening 350,
and four back fasteners 360. While the neck opening 310 and the
front opening 350 are not clearly depicted because FIG. 3 is a left
side view of the medical gown 300, the neck opening 310 and the
front opening are nevertheless noted for orientation purposes. In
certain embodiments, the adaptable medical gown 300 corresponds to
the medical gowns discussed elsewhere in this specification.
[0032] The adaptable medical gown 300 is depicted as having short
sleeves 330 and a thigh-high skirt opening 340. However, the actual
dimensions of the adaptable medical gown 300 may vary from one
embodiment to another. For instance, in certain embodiments, the
length of the sleeves may be longer or shorter than the length
depicted in FIG. 3, and in some embodiments the sleeves may be two
openings in the adaptable medical gown 300 through which a patient
may insert his or her arms. Similarly, the height of the skirt
opening may also vary from one embodiment to another, and the
overall volume and weight of the adaptable medical gown 300 may
vary as well.
[0033] FIG. 4 is rear elevational view of an adaptable medical gown
400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention. The adaptable medical gown 400 includes a neck opening
410, a right sleeve 420, a left sleeve 430, a skirt opening 440,
several back fasteners 460, and a back opening 470. In certain
embodiments, the adaptable medical gown 400 corresponds to one or
more of the medical gowns discussed elsewhere in this
specification.
[0034] The adaptable medical gown 400 may include one or more back
fasteners 460 that enable the back opening 470 to be readily
alternated between an open and a closed position. In the depicted
embodiment, the back fasteners 460 consist of several laces or
strings that may be tied or untied. However, the back fasteners 460
may also be embodied by a variety of other fastener types or
combinations. For instance, the back fasteners 460 may include
snaps, buttons, zippers, adhesives, and/or fabric-based,
hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro.RTM.). In certain
embodiments, the back fasteners 460 may be segmentable such that a
patient, doctor, or nurse may control how much of the back opening
470 is in a closed position and how much is in an open position.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a variety of solutions
for opening and closing the back opening of a medical gown.
[0035] Similar to the front overlap discussed above in reference to
FIG. 2, the design and/or dimensions of the back opening 470 may be
such that, when the back opening 470 is in a closed position, there
is a back overlap 458 of materials involving a right portion 456 of
the back opening 470 and a left portion 454 of the back opening
470. As depicted, the characteristics of the back overlap 458, such
as the horizontal width (which runs parallel to horizontal axis
arrow 460), are somewhat uniform throughout the vertical length of
the back overlap 458 (which runs parallel to vertical axis arrow
470). However, also similar to the front overlap previously, the
dimensions and characteristics of the back overlap 458 may vary a
great deal as well.
[0036] For instance, in certain embodiments, the horizontal width
of the back overlap 458 may be approximately two inches, while in
other embodiments the horizontal width may be much greater or much
less than two inches. In other embodiments, the horizontal width of
the back overlap 458 may also vary at different locations along the
vertical length of the back overlap 458. For instance, in some
embodiments, the horizontal width of the back overlap 458 may be
less near the neck opening 410 than the horizontal width of the
back overlap 458 at vertically lower portions of the back overlap
458.
[0037] Also, while the back overlap 458 depicted in FIG. 4 is
secured or otherwise held in place by a combination of ties 460 and
Velcro.RTM. fasteners 462, a variety of alternative fasteners,
fastener combinations, and/or fastener arrangements may be used.
For instance, in certain embodiments, the back overlap 458 may be
secured by a combination of buttons, snaps, and Velcro.RTM.
fasteners 462, while in other embodiments, the back overlap 458
might be secured by a combination of laces and magnetic strips.
[0038] As such, similar to the benefits that can accompany at least
some embodiments of the front overlap, it should be appreciated
that the dimensions and characteristics of the back overlap 458 may
also enable the medical gown 400 to more completely cover a
patient's body and also to help ensure that the back opening 470
remains securely in a closed position--all of which can enhance a
patient's sense of comfort, dignity, and security.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown 500 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention. The adaptable medical gown 500 includes a neck opening
510, a right sleeve 520, a left sleeve 530, a front opening 550,
back fasteners 560, and a back opening 570. In the depicted
embodiment, both the front opening 550 and the back opening 570 are
secured in a closed position by the front fasteners (not shown) and
the back fasteners 560, respectively. In certain embodiments, the
adaptable medical gown 500 corresponds to medical gowns discussed
elsewhere in this specification.
[0040] FIG. 6 is also a top elevational view of another adaptable
medical gown 600 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention. Similar to the adaptable medical gown discussed
in reference to FIG. 5, the medical gown 600 of FIG. 6 includes a
neck opening 610, a right sleeve 620, a left sleeve 630, a front
opening 650, several back fasteners 660, and a back opening 670.
Also similar to the adaptable medical gown of FIG. 5, the front
opening 650 and the back opening 670 are secured in the closed
position by front fasteners (now shown) and the back fasteners 660,
respectively. However, unlike the adaptable medical gown of FIG. 5,
the fasteners 660 in FIG. 6 do not include any laces or ties near
the neck opening 610 representing the use of perhaps a more subtle,
comfortable, or convenient fastener, such as snaps or Velcro.RTM.,
to secure the upper portion of the back opening 670 in a closed
position.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an adaptable medical
gown 700 in an open position in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention. The adaptable medical gown
700 includes a neck opening 710, a right sleeve 720, a left sleeve
730, a skirt opening 740, a front opening 750, and a back opening
770. In certain embodiments, the adaptable medical gown 700
corresponds to medical gowns discussed elsewhere in this
specification.
[0042] In the depicted embodiment, the front fasteners 752 have
been disengaged to allow the front opening 750 to expand into an
open position. By contrast, the back fasteners (not shown) are
secured, keeping the back opening 770 in a closed position. The
closed position of the back opening 770 and the open position of
the front opening 750 can grant a doctor or medical professional
direct access to a patient's upper abdominal region, while avoiding
any uncomfortable and unnecessary exposure of the patient's body.
Once access to the patient's upper abdominal region is no longer
needed, the front opening 750 of the medical gown 700 may be
readily transitioned to a closed position, as depicted in FIGS. 1
and 2, thus better ensuring a pleasant experience for both the
doctor and the patient.
[0043] It should be appreciated that the embodiments of the present
invention are not limited to those specifically described above.
For instance, the adaptable medical gowns of the present invention
may include different structures, features, or characteristics than
those described above. Similarly, methods of making and using the
adaptable medical gown described herein may include different
operations, steps, or sequences than those described above.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *