Abstract:
An examination garment to be worn by a patient during a physical, examination includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel having an opening for examination of a patient&#39;s spine, and fasteners for removably connecting various points of the front and rear panels. The lower garment includes a waistband, a first front panel overlapping at least a portion of a second front panel, a front central panel overlapped by the first and second front panels, a rear outer panel, a rear inner panel having an opening overlapped by the rear outer panel, and fasteners for removably connecting the front and rear panels.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.60/162,689 filed Nov. 11, 1999. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to garments worn by patients during physical examinations conducted by physicians. 
     When a physician conducts a physical examination of a patient, it is desirable to balance the physician&#39;s need for access and the patient&#39;s desire for coverage. In general, an examination can be best performed when a patient is comfortable with the procedure. To reduce embarrassment and maintain body temperature, various garments have been developed. These garments can be reusable or disposable, and can be formed from a variety of materials. Furthermore, various garments have been developed for specific areas of a body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention includes a garment worn by a patient during a physical examination. The garment provides accessibility of various parts of the body while providing a satisfying amount of coverage for a patient. The garment includes an upper garment covering portions of the upper torso and a lower garment covering the pelvic region. The garment can be formed from any desired material as a disposable or reusable garment. 
     In a preferred embodiment, an examination garment to be worn by a patient during a physical examination includes an upper garment and a lower garment. The upper garment includes a first front panel, a second front panel, a rear panel having an opening for examination of a patient&#39;s spine, and fasteners for removably connecting various points of the front and rear panels. The lower garment includes a waistband, a first front panel overlapping at least a portion of a second front panel, a front central panel overlapped by the first and second front panels, a rear outer panel, a rear inner panel having an opening overlapped by the rear outer panel, and fasteners for removably connecting the front and rear panels. 
    
    
     Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of an upper garment according to this invention illustrating first and second front panels. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper garment of FIG. 1 worn by a patient illustrated in phantom lines wherein the first front panel has been folded upwardly for a breast examination. 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the upper garment illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a lower garment according to this invention illustrating first and second overlapping front panels. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the lower garment of FIG. 5 wherein the front panels have been extended to form leggings. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the lower garment illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of a lower garment according to this invention wherein the front panels have been extended to form leggings. 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a patient wearing the upper garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a rear view of the patient of FIG. 11 wearing the upper garment of FIGS. 1-4 and the lower garment of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A two piece patient garment according to this invention includes an upper garment indicated generally at  10  in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  11  and a lower garment indicated generally at  100  in FIGS. 5,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 . 
     The upper garment  10  is fitted about the upper torso of a patient and extends generally to the lower hip and buttock level of a patient. The upper garment  10  is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient from the waist to the head with minimal manipulation of the garment  10  while providing a satisfying amount of coverage for the patient. 
     The upper garment  10  includes a first front panel  12  and a second front panel  14 . Upper sections  16  and  18  of the panels  12  and  14 , respectively, are received over a shoulder of a patient. A patient&#39;s neck is received between upper sections  16  and  18 . Openings  20  and  22  are sized to permit examination of the shoulder and arm pit areas without removal of the upper garment  10 . 
     The upper garment  10  also includes a rear panel  23  divided into. a first rear panel  24  and a second rear panel  26 . The rear panels  24  and  26  include upper sections  28  and  30 , respectively that are joined with upper sections  16  and  18 . In one preferred embodiment, upper section  28  is connected to upper section  18 , and upper section  30  is connected to upper section  16 . In other embodiments, the upper sections can be joined as desired. 
     The rear panels  24  and  26  include cutouts  32  and  34  that form an orthopedically designed slot  36  to expose a patient&#39;s spine. The slot  36  can be formed with any configuration. An opening for examination of another desired area can be formed in lieu of or in addition to the slot  36 . A slit  40  can be provided between lower portions of the panels  24  and  26  to permit one or both panels to be folded for examination. 
     Various fasteners are used to join the panels  12 ,  14 ,  24 , and  26  together. Preferably, metal fasteners are used for cloth garments and crimps are used for paper garments. However, other types of fasteners can be used. 
     Fastener  42  joins an inner edge  44  of the first front panel  12  with an inner edge  46  of the second front panel  14  at a level close to the breastbone. Fastener  48  is provided to join an outer edge  50  of the first front panel  12  with an outer edge  52  of the first rear panel  24  beneath cutout  20 . Fastener  54  is provided at a bottom edge  56  of the first front panel  12  to join outer edges  50  and  52 . 
     Fastener  58  is provided to join an outer edge  60  of the second front panel  14  with an outer edge  62  of the second rear panel  26  beneath cutout  22 . Fastener  64  is provided at a bottom edge  66  of the second front panel  14  to join outer edges  60  and  62 . Fastener  69  can be provided at or near a lower end of the slot  36 . 
     Front panels  12  and  14 , rear panels  24  and  26 , and openings  20  and  22  are sized so that they the panels meet at the lowest point of the armpits and are connected by fasteners  48  and  58 . The fasteners  48  and  58  stabilize the upper garment  10  so that it will not slip or fall off a patient. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, a slit  64  is formed along a patient&#39;s side between the outer edges  50  and  52  when fasteners  48  and  50  at the top of edges  50  and  52  are mated. Slit  64  permits access for an examination without disturbing the remainder of the upper garment  10 . 
     Properly selected fasteners on the upper garment  10  can be released to permit a panel to be folded for examination. For example, in FIG. 2 the first front panel  12  is shown folded upwardly to permit examination of a breast of a patient P. The remainder of the upper garment  10  does not have to be disturbed, thus providing a patient with coverage. The first front panel  12  can be draped over a patient&#39;s shoulder. 
     In another embodiment, the upper garment  10  can be formed from a single piece of material having a front panel, a rear panel, and cutouts for the neck and arms. A slot like slot  36  can be cut from the rear panel. The slot  36  can have a predetermined width extending equal distances from a midline. Also, a slit like slit  40  can be provided in the rear panel. A slit like slit  41  can be provided in the front panel. 
     Any number of fasteners can be used with the panels  12 ,  14 ,  24 , and  26 . More fasteners, less fasteners, and the number of fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 are within the scope of the present invention. 
     A lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at  100  in FIGS. 5,  6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 . In a folded position, as shown in FIGS. 5,  7 , and  8 , the lower garment  100  is fitted about the waist level of a patient and extends to approximately knee level, resembling a skirt. In the extended position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, two anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area. The lower garment  100  is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient&#39;s abdomen, genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and lower extremities while provided a satisfying amount of patient coverage. 
     The lower garment  100  includes a waistband  102 , preferably formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment  100  at approximately waist level. A first front panel  104  and a second front panel  106  are attached to the waistband  102  and partially overlap one another. A central, inner front panel  108  is also attached to the waistband  102  and is overlapped by panels  104  and  106 . The central panel  108  is sized to cover a patient&#39;s external genitalia. Each of panels  104  and  106  can be independently folded on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities without disturbing the central panel  108 . 
     In FIG. 5, the panels  104  and  106  are illustrated in a stored or folded position so that coverage extends to approximately the level of the knees. In FIGS. 6 and 9, panels  104  and  106  can be folded down as shown to provide leggings  112  and  116 , respectively. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7,  8 , and  9 , the lower garment  100  also includes an outer rear panel  120  and an inner rear panel  122 . Preferably, the panels  120  and  122  are attached to the waistband  102 . The outer rear panel  120  overlaps the inner rear panel  122 . The inner rear panel  122  includes an opening  124  sized to permit anal and rectal examinations. The outer rear panel  120  includes side edges  121  and  123 . 
     As illustrated best in FIG. 6, fasteners  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  156  and  160  are provided on the first front panel  104 . Fastener  126  is provided along an inner edge  134  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  128  is provided along an outer edge  136  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  130  is provided along the inner edge  134  at a bottom edge  138  of the panel  104 . Fastener  132  is provided along the outer edge  136  at the bottom edge  138 . Fastener  156  is provided approximately midway between fasteners  130  and  132 . Fastener  160  is provided approximately midway between fasteners  126  and  128 . 
     Fasteners  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  154 , and  158  are provided on the second front panel  106 . Fastener  140  is provided along an inner edge  148  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  142  is provided along an outer edge  150  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  144  is provided along the inner edge  148  at a bottom edge  152  of the panel  106 . Fastener  146  is provided along the outer edge  150  at the bottom edge  152 . Fastener  158  is provided approximately midway between fasteners  140  and  142 . Fastener  154  is provided approximately midway between fasteners  144  and  146 . 
     In the folded position (see FIG.  5 ), fastener  130  is mated with fastener  126 , fastener  132  is mated with fastener  128 , and fastener  156  is mated with fastener  160  to retain the legging  112 . Fastener  144  is mated with fastener  140 , fastener  146  is mated with fastener  142 , and fastener  154  is mated with fastener  158  to retain the legging  116 . 
     In the extended (unfolded) position (see FIGS.  6  and  9 ), fasteners  130  and  132  can be mated to wrap the legging  112  about a patient&#39;s leg. Fasteners  144  and  146  can be mated to wrap the legging  116  about a patient&#39;s leg. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7, the rear inner panel  122  can include fasteners  162  and  164  provided at its outer edges. Fastener  162  can be mated to fastener  128  on panel  104  and fastener  164  can be mated to fastener  142  on panel  106  to stabilize the rear inner panel  122 , particularly when a patient is lying on a side for an examination. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a slit  170  is provided between outer edge  150  and side edge  121 . The slit  170  permits access to the hip region without disturbing he remainder of the lower garment  100 . A similar slit (not illustrated) is provided on the opposite side of the lower garment. 
     More, less, or the number of fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 can be provided on the lower garment  100 . is A second embodiment of a lower garment for a patient is indicated generally at  200  in FIGS. 10 and 12. In a folded position, not shown, the lower garment  200  is fitted about the waist level of a patient and extends to approximately knee level, resembling a skirt. In the extended or unfolded position, as shown in FIG. 10, two anterior panels can be extended to the ankle area. The lower garment  200  is designed to permit a physician to conduct a clinical examination of a patient&#39;s abdomen, genitalia, anal and rectal areas, and lower extremities while provided a satisfying amount of patient coverage. 
     The lower garment  200  includes a waistband  202 , preferably formed from an elastic material that supports the lower garment  200  at approximately waist level. A first front panel  204  and a second front panel  206  are attached to the waistband  202  and partially overlap one another. A central, inner front panel  208  is also attached to the waistband  202  and is overlapped by panels  204  and  206 . The central panel  208  is sized to cover a patient&#39;s external genitalia. Each of panels  204  and  206  can be independently folded on the abdomen for an examination of one or both lower extremities without disturbing the central panel  208 . 
     The panels  204  and  206  can be arranged in a stored or folded position so that coverage extends to approximately the level of the knees, similar to the arrangement in FIG.  5 . In FIG. 10, panels  204  and  206  can be folded down as shown to provide leggings  212  and  216 , respectively, similar to the arrangement in FIG.  6 . Preferably, the leggings  212  and  216  (approximately the lower halves of panels  204  and  206 ) are narrowed from the approximately upper halves or portions of panels  204  and  206 , respectively. For example, the width of the leggings  212  and  216  can be reduced to approximately twelve inches at the approximate ankle level, significantly less than the upper portions of the panels  204  and  206 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 10, fasteners  228 ,  232 ,  256  and  260  are provided on the first front panel  204 . Fastener  228  is provided along an outer edge  236  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  232  is provided along the outer edge  236  at a bottom edge  238 . Fastener  256  is provided along an inner edge  235  at the bottom edge  238 . Fastener  260  is provided approximately midway the width of the upper portion of panel  204  and approximately aligned with fastener  228 . 
     Fasteners  242 ,  246 ,  254 , and  258  are provided on the second front panel  206 . Fastener  242  is provided along an outer edge  250  at a central portion of its length. Fastener  246  is provided along the outer edge  250  at a bottom edge  252 . Fastener  254  is provided along an inner edge  237  at the bottom edge  252 . Fastener  258  is provided approximately midway the width of the upper portion of panel  206  and approximately aligned with fastener  242 . 
     In the folded position (not shown), fastener  232  is mated with fastener  228 , and fastener  256  is mated with fastener  260  to retain the legging  212 . Fastener  246  is mated with fastener  242 , and fastener  254  is mated with fastener  258  to retain the legging  216 . 
     In the extended (unfolded) position (FIG.  10 ), fasteners  256  and  232  can be mated to wrap the legging  212  about a patient&#39;s leg. Fasteners  254  and  246  can be mated to wrap the legging  116  about a patient&#39;s leg. 
     The upper garment  10  and the lower garments  100 ,  200  can be formed from any desired materials, including a disposable material, a biodegradable material, or cloth. A patient can wear only one of the garments  10  or  100 / 200 , or both, depending upon the extent of the examination. The locations and number of fasteners shown in the figures and described above are illustrative only and are not limiting. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.