US20120060257A1

US20120060257A1 - Adaptable medical gown

Info

Publication number: US20120060257A1
Application number: US12/878,378
Authority: US
Inventors: Briant G. Herzog
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-09
Filing date: 2010-09-09
Publication date: 2012-03-15

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field
The present invention generally relates to medical apparel and more particularly relates to adaptable medical gowns.
2. Description of Technology
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

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.
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

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:

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is rear elevational view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of an adaptable medical gown in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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® 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.
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.
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.
Similarly, while the front overlap 258 depicted in FIG. 2 is secured or otherwise held in place by somewhat evenly spaced Velcro® 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® fasteners, while in other embodiments, the front overlap 258 could be secured by a combinations of laces and adhesive-based strips or segments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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®). 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.
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.
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.
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® 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® fasteners 462, while in other embodiments, the back overlap 458 might be secured by a combination of laces and magnetic strips.
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.
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.
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®, to secure the upper portion of the back opening 670 in a closed position.
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.
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.
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.

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.