GB2477818A

GB2477818A - Patient gowns

Info

Publication number: GB2477818A
Application number: GB1012194A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Katie Twigg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-10
Filing date: 2010-07-21
Publication date: 2011-08-17
Also published as: GB201006772D0; GB201002175D0; GB2477814A; GB201012194D0

Abstract

A patient gown 10 is made of material and comprises a first part 12 comprising a first portion 14 shaped to receive a wearer's upper arms and shoulders and to enclose the arms, and a second portion (16, figure 2) shaped to cover a wearer's back, the gown further comprising a second part 18 shaped to cover the front of a wearer. The first part may include sleeves, the material of the sleeves preferably being provided with a break (20, figure 9) along the length of the sleeves and fasteners 22 to selectively close said break. Engageable fasteners may be provided along an upper edge of the second part, to be selectively engageable with corresponding fasteners on the first part, and on both parts at locations extending in use in a line downwardly from a wearer's armpits 36. Ties (28, figure 4) or other fastening means may be provided on an upper part of the first part to permit the back portion, when disconnected from the second part, to be held in a rolled up condition (16). The second part is preferably proportioned such that the front of the gown is longer than the rear. The gown may be a birthing gown wearable by women during labour, birth and thereafter.

Description

Patient Gown This invention concerns patient gowns, and particularly but not exclusively birthing gowns wearable by women during labour, birth and thereafter.

During labour, the birth of a baby and after the birth, there are a number of medical procedures which may be required to be carried out on a mother. At this time it is desirable for a woman to be able to wear clothing which is comfortable, and enables these procedures to be carried out, whilst maintaining her dignity. It is also important for a women to be able to bond with her baby with skin to skin contact as soon as possible after birth, whilst again being comfortable and maintaining her dignity.

According to the present invention there is provided a patient gown made of material, the gown comprising a first part with a portion shaped to receive a wearer's upper arms and shoulders so as to enclose the arms, and a portion shaped to cover a wearer's back, and a second part removably connectable to the first part, the second part being shaped to cover the front ofawearer, The first part may include sleeves, and a break may be provided in the material along the length of the sleeves with fasteners to selectively close the break in the material of the sleeves. The break in the material of the sleeves may be provided along the underside of the sleeves.

Engageable fasteners may be provided on the first and second parts at locations extending in use in a line downwardly from a wearer's armpits, to permit the first and second parts to be selectively partially or wholly connected together. The spacing between adjacent fasteners respectively on the first and second parts may be such as to enable a hand to pass therebetween, whereby to permit medical examination or procedures to take place.

Ties or other fastening means may be provided on an upper part of the first part to permit the back portion of the first part when disconnected from the second part, to be held in a rolled up condition. The ties may be provided on the inside of the first part.

A break may be provided in the material of an upper part of the second part, extending downwardly in a line in use. Fasteners may be provided for selectively closing the break in the material in the second part.

The break in the material of the second part may extend centrally downwardly from the top of the second part for a significant distance to permit one or both breasts to be exposed.

Fasteners may be provided along an upper edge of the second part, selectively engageable with corresponding fasteners on the first part to hold same together.

A pleat may be provided in the material of the back portion on the first part, and the pleat may extend for the whole length of the back portion.

The fasteners may be any of poppers, press studs, strips of hook and loop or hook fasteners.

Pleats may be provided in the second part to permit use of the garment The second part may be proportioned such that the front of the gown is longer than the rear.

A tie may be provided to selectively extend around the gown below a wearer's breasts, and loops may be provided in the first and/or second parts to receive the tie extending therethrough.

The gown may be made of any appropriate material, and preferably a material which can be used in an operating theatre. Binding may be provided around edges of the material, or the material may be overlocked.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way 1() of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a patient gown according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the gown of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view of part of the gown of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the gown of Fig. 1 in a first condition; Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 but showing the gown being worn by a person; Fig. 6 is a front view of the gown of Fig. 1 in a second condition; Fig. 7 is a front view of the gown of Fig. 1 in a third condition; Fig. B is a front view of the gown of Fig. 1 in a modified third condition; and Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic front view of a gown of Fig. 1 in use in a fourth condition.

The drawings show a patient gown in the form of a birthing gown 10 which can be worn during labour and thereafter. The gown 10 comprises a first part 12 made up of a first portion 14 defining sleeves to cover a persons shoulders and upper arms, and a rear portion 16 to cover a person's back.

The gown 10 also includes a second part 18 which is selectively mountable to the first part, to form the front of the birthing gown.

The first portion 14 which forms the sleeves has a break 20 extending along a lower edge thereof, with a series of fasteners 22 for closing across the break 20 to close the sleeves. The rear portion 16 has a pleat 24 extending for the length thereof, and diverging downwardly, allowing use of the gown 10 with different sizes of women. Ties 28 are provided inside the top of the rear portion 16 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The second part 18 comprises a front panel for the gown 10, with pleats 30 on an upper part to permit use with different sizes of women. A break 32 extends vertically downwardly for approximately the top half of the second part 18, and fasteners 34 are provided for selectively closing the break 32.

A plurality of further fasteners 36 are provided on each side of the second part 18, which fasteners 36 are engageable with corresponding fasteners 36 down the sides of the rear portion 16 of the first part 12, to permit mounting together of the first and second parts 12, 18. The fasteners 36 are spaced sufficiently closely to maintain dignity, but far enough apart to enable a hand to extend therebetween for examination or to enable medical procedures to be carried out.

As shown in Fig. 2, the second part 18 extends a little lower than the first part 12, such that in use when the second part 18 extends over a pregnant abdomen the first and second parts 12, 18 may extend to substantially the same height. A pair of loops 38 are provided on either side of the second part 18 to receive a belt 40 which can be tied below a wearer's breasts.

In use the gown 10 can be put on in a conventional manner as a night dress, with a person fitting their head through the relatively broad neck opening42. In particular circumstances it may be that a wearer could not put on the gown 10 in a usual manner, and if so it may be appropriate to at least partially separate the first and the second parts 12, 18 to enable a person to put the gown 10 on. If required the belt 40 can be tied to provide shape to the gown 10.

It may be that access to a wearer's back is required for example for use with a Tens machine, for a back massage, or for a spinal or epidural procedure. To enable this to readily take place, the rear portion 16 can be disconnected from the second part 18 and rolled up. The further ties 28 can hold the rear portion 16 in a rolled up condition, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

If for example access is required to the whole of a wearer's front, for example for emergency procedures such as resuscitation, the second part 18 can readily be removed from the first part 12. This would also be appropriate if for example the second part 18 had become soiled, and required to be replaced by a fresh second part 18. As the first part 12 engages with a wearer's arms and shoulders, the gown 10 will remain on a wearer even with the first part 12 removed.

If though access is required for instance for featal oscultation and/or palpation of contractions, a midwife or other can slip her hand between a pair of respective fasteners 36.

In other instances one or both sides of the upper part can be lowered as shown in Figs. 6 to 7. This can be achieved by disconnecting the respective fasteners 36 attaching the second part 18 to the first part 12 on one or both sides as appropriate, and if only one half of the second part is to be lowered disconnecting the fasteners 34.

This may be required to breast feed a baby, or to provide initial skin to skin contact which is very important with a new baby. In Fig. 8 the drop down parts of the second part 18 have been folded up to cover up a baby 44 in skin to skin contact with its mother.

When breast feeding it is important to allow the breast to be fully exposed so that no part of the materials of the gown 10 is pushed under or around the delicate breast tissue as can occur with many previous gowns.

There should also be no pressure or restriction of the milk sacs in the breast, as this can cause the flow of milk or colostrum to become obstructed and lead to mastitis. This can be achieved with the gown 10, and also with the second part dropped down as shown, a mother will have a clear view of her breast and her baby feeding thereat.

Sometimes it is necessary to carry out procedures on a wearer's arm such as applying a blood pressure cuff or allowing IV access. Fig. 9 iiiustrates blood pressure cuffs 46 being applied. To enable this to take place the respective first portion 14 has the respective fasteners 22 undone to expose the arm.

A wide range of different fasteners can be used as required such as poppers, press studs, strips of hook and loop or hook fasteners. A wide range of appropriate materials can be used for the gown, and ideally the material should be usable in an operating theatre. The material of the gown may be finished and decorated as required, and binding around the edges or overlocking could be used.

There is thus described a birthing gown which provides for a wide range of advantages. The gown is however of conventional construction and can thus readily be manufactured for long term use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance different fasteners or ties may be used. It may be that a belt is not required. Whilst the invention has been described in terms of a birthing gown, such gowns could be used in other situations.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A patient gown made of material, the gown comprising a first part with a portion shaped to receive a wearer's upper arms and shoulders so as to enclose the arms, and a portion shaped to cover a wearer's back, and a second part removably connectable to the first part, the second part being shaped to cover the front of a wearer.
2. A gown according to claim 1, in which the first part includes sleeves.
3. A gown according to claim 2, in which a break is provided in the material along the length of the sleeves with fasteners to selectively close the break in the material of the sleeves.
4. A gown according to claim 3, in which the break in the material of the sleeves is provided along the underside of the sleeves.
5. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which engageable fasteners are provided on the first and second parts at locations extending in use in a line downwardly from a wearer's armpits, to permit the first and second parts to be selectively partially or wholly connected together.
6. A gown according to claim 5, in which the spacing between adjacent fasteners respectively on the first and second parts is such as to enable a * 25 hand to pass therebetween, whereby to permit medical examination or * * procedures to take place.SS.....

*
7. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which ties or other fastening means are provided on an upper part of the first part to permit the : . 30 back portion of the first part when disconnected from the second part, to be *:*.; held in a rolled up condition. -9
8. A gown according to claim 7, in which the ties are provided on the inside of the first part.
9, A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which a break is provided in the material of an upper part of the second part, extending downwardly in a line in use.
10. A gown according to claim 9, in which fasteners are provided for selectively closing the break in the material in the second part.
11. A gown according to claims 9 or 10, in which the break in the material of the second part extends centrally downwardly from the top of the second part for a significant distance to permit one or both breasts to be exposed.
12. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which fasteners are provided along an upper edge of the second part, selectively engageable with corresponding fasteners on the first part to hold same together.
13. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which a pleat is provided in the material of the back portion on the first part.
14. A gown according to claim 13, in which the pleat extends for the whole length of the back portion.* 25
15. A gown according to any of claims 3, 5, 10 or 12, or any claim dependent * S....

* thereon, in which the fasteners are any of poppers, press studs, strips of hook and loop or hook fasteners.
16. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which pleats are :..:. 30 provided in the second part to permit use of the garment with different size * * * women.S
17. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which the second part is proportioned such that the front of the gown is longer than the rear.
18. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which a tie is provided to selectively extend around the gown below a wearer's breasts.
19. A gown according to claim 18, in which loops are provided in the first and/or second parts to receive the tie extending therethrough.
20. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which the gown is made of a material which can be used in an operating theatre.
21. A gown according to any of the preceding claims, in which binding is provided around edges of the material.
22. A gown according to any of claims I to 20, in which the material is overlocked.
23. A patient gown substantially as hereinbefore described, and with reference to the drawings.
24. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. p..I * 25 * * * * * 0* * *