Patent Publication Number: US-2015067944-A1

Title: Hospital friendly garment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a nonprovisional application, Ser. No. 61/876,703, filed on Sep. 11, 2013, whose content is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Hospital gowns or slip-ons are available in several variations, but they all suffer common problems: the gowns are made of insubstantial or light materials that are uncomfortable to wear, immodest, or the gowns are not conducive to the instruments or IVs that patients typically need to place on them. Furthermore, in their current variations, hey fail to provide warmth and coverage. 
     In addition, existing gowns lack hospital friendly openings for instruments to be attached to the patient&#39;s body. Many designs exist which are not currently in use or production within these variations. For example, the designs either have openings in the arm open all the way down from the shoulder to the wrist, or part way in the middle length of the arm. When full length sleeves do exist, the opening in the arm is often ill-placed, which can cause pressure or discomfort on the antecubital port site. Other designs have horizontal openings in the chest allowing for subclavian IVs, but are not long enough for stethoscopes, or nursing access. Moreover, prior technologies have subclavian IV port site openings that are connected to each other, like a triangular patch-like opening. Also, many of the hospital gown designs cover the back fully and open in the front, increasing the chance that the garment will be soiled during diaper changes. Designs that include openings for the subclavian and antecubital port site, concurrently, as well as coverage on arms and legs for warmth and modesty do not exist. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the invention overcome the prior technologies by tailoring a hospital friendly gown that is comfortable to wear both in terms of materials and design. For example, embodiments of the invention are designed to model after existing sleepwear with comfortable fabric. In addition, aspects of the invention provide convenient and strategically-positioned and strategically-sized openings that don&#39;t overly expose the patient to the chill elements but also enable instruments or IVs easy access to the patient. 
     In all embodiments, the gown accommodates IVs by having substantially vertical slits or cuts in the sleeves. These slits run substantially the full length of the sleeve and open on the inner side of the sleeve, with an opening that ends at a closeable wrist. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a hospital gown according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of a hospital gown according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a hospital gown according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of a hospital gown according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of another alternative hospital gown according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of a hospital gown according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of a hospital gown according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a hospital gown according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of a hospital gown according to yet a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a back view of a hospital gown according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a hospital gown according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a hospital gown according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a back view of a hospital gown according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are directed to a flowing “nightgown-style” hospital gowns, long nightshirts, or long unisex children&#39;s gowns. In one embodiment, embodiments of the invention include Victorian style in exterior appearance with long sleeves. Moreover, embodiments of the invention include strategically positioned cuts or slits that runs the front-side length of the arms from axis to wrist to accommodate IVs, as well as unsealed openings from the front of the axis area down to the waist to allow outlet for chest IVs, and nursing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hospital friendly gown  100  includes a front portion  102  and sleeves portion  104 . In one example, the hospital friendly gown (hereinafter “gown”)  100  is a one-piece nightgown construction. In another embodiment, the gown  100  is made of materials such as cotton or a variety of fabrics including cotton, but not limited to, flannel, cotton knit, bamboo knit, rayon, polyester, cuddle fleece, shirting cotton, and silk. The front portion  102  may have different sizes and length. In one embodiment, as evident in  FIG. 1 , the front portion  102  may be of a length extending to lower calf of a subject or patient. In another embodiment,  FIG. 6  shows another length of the front portion  102  extending to the knee of the subject. 
     Moreover, the front portion  102  includes a placket disposed neckline of the subject. In one embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the placket may be fastened by a set of buttons  106  where a center slit or opening is available. In another embodiment in  FIG. 3 , the placket may be fastened or loosened by a string or other fastening means. The fastening means could include Velcro, snaps, buttons, or ties. In one example, the set of buttons  106  in the front center also allow for chest IV lines, stethoscopes and nursing, and work in conjunction with a substantially vertical sleeve opening  108 , but without being connected to them. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the sleeves portion  104  includes a stretchable shoulder constructions connecting to the front portion  102 . In one embodiment, each of the sleeve portions  104  includes a sleeve for accommodating an arm of the subject wearing the hospital garment. Each sleeve includes the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  near an elbow of the subject disposed on the inner side to accommodate the antecubital port site. In another embodiment, the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  extends from near the axis to wrist. In one embodiment, the sleeve is fastened via one or more couplings disposed at a distal end of the sleeve. In one example, snaps, buttons, or Velcro may be used as fastening. 
     In another embodiment, the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  includes an opening having a length about a half of a length of the sleeve. It is to be understood that the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  is adapted to accommodate instrumentalities or the like accessing the arm of the subject at the location of the antecubital port site. For example, intravenous (IVs) lines may need to access the veins near the inner elbow area of the arm (antecubital port site). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the gown  100  includes the front portion  102  that further includes a first substantially vertical slit opening  308  near the chest area of the front portion  102 . In another embodiment, the front portion  102  also includes a second substantially vertical slit opening  310  near the chest area of the front portion  102 . In one embodiment, the front portion  102  further includes an opening for femoral port site at hip of the subject. In conjunction with the one or more types of fastening means discussed above near the placket, including but not limited to Velcro, snaps, or buttons, the top portion of the front portion  102  may accommodate any equipment on the chest of the patient or for nursing. 
     Referring to yet another embodiment,  FIG. 5  illustrates additional slits, cuts, or openings in the front portion  102 . In this example, the front portion  102  includes one or more femoral openings  518  for femoral port sites for instruments or IV lines accessing port site areas around the hip of the subject. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7  the gown  100  further includes closure mechanisms for the gown  100  from the back. It is to be understood the gown  100  includes a shoulder that connects the front portion  102  and a back portion to be illustrated below. For example, the gown  100  closes in the back thereof with a tie closure  212  (in  FIGS. 2 and 4 ) near the neckline and a tie closure  214  in ( FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  7 ) near the lower torso. The gown has decorative trim that acts to stabilize the garment from the top, and differentiate it from a traditional medical gown. Specifically, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes two tie closures  212 . It is understood that one or more tie closures  212  may be employed. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , on the other hand, no tie closure  212  is needed due to the need for the subject, such as those who are bed-bound patients. In this embodiment, the front portion  102  includes a back portion having an opening  616 . In  FIG. 6 , the size of the opening  616  is adjustable by the tie closure  214 . In  FIG. 7 , on the other hand, the size of the opening  616  is unrestricted by any tie closure (e.g., a backless embodiment) as this embodiment might be preferred for long term bed-bound patients. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the front portion  102  includes two substantially vertical openings (i.e., the first substantially vertical slit opening  308  and the second substantially vertical slit opening  310 ) on each side of the chest, top front side to middle front side just above patient&#39;s breast, but not below nipples. In one example, the two substantially vertical openings don&#39;t extend downward below nipples. In another example, the center opening may extend to the top of the stomach of the subject. In another embodiment, the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  extends down with a seam under axis (armpit) to wrist to secure the structure. In a further embodiment, the stretchable shoulder area, both front and back, for each sleeve is configured to stabilize the garment and allow abundant gathered fabric to be supported and hang. 
     In a further embodiment, the front portion  102  may be made of a construction of two long gathered panels that reach from shoulder to ankles that close in back of the subject. 
     Aspects of the invention provide openings through which medical equipment may connect to the different parts of the patient while attempting to maintain modesty and warmth for the patient by offering coverage more extensive than a standard hospital gown. In addition, the back of the gown  100  opens fully to accommodate stethoscopes and bed pans, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7 . 
     Aspects of the invention differ from prior designs in that most of the prior designs have short open sleeves with no cuffs, allowing drafts to enter. Aspects of the invention overcome that by having the side substantially vertical slit opening about the full length sleeves with cuffs. In one example, the wrist-cuff snaps closed and are fitted to the wrist. With such design, the sleeve secured in place. Due to the prior designs that have merely short openings in the sleeve, these designs do not have “fitted” wrists that specifically close to secure the garment and the sleeve. In one embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 8 , cuffs are used instead of fitted writs. 
     It is to be noted that the substantially vertical sleeve opening  108  on the sleeve is long: from slightly below axis all the way to wrist, and sealed by the snapping cuff. In this example, the shoulder is sealed/stitched. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the length of the front portion  102  may be shorter than the full body height of the subject. In this example, the gown  100  may be appealing to male subjects. Correspondingly,  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate two different back designs of the back portion and the opening  616  to accommodate the shorter front portion  102 . It is to be understood that the shorter front portion  102  may be coupled with any other back designs as described above. 
       FIG. 11  further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the gown  100  to accommodate children. In this example, the front portion  102  in  FIG. 11  includes the substantially vertical sleeve opening  104 , the first front substantially vertical opening  308  and the second front substantially vertical opening  310 , and the femoral openings  518 . There is no center opening or slit or cut  106  in  FIG. 11 . On the other hand,  FIG. 12  shows a gown  100  with the center opening  106 , the substantially vertical sleeve opening  104 , the first front substantially vertical opening  308  and the second front substantially vertical opening  310  without the femoral openings  518 . In other words, there may be a combination of the openings available for the gown  100 .  FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative back portion that may be suitable for children. 
     In one embodiment, the openings on the arms may be designed to remain open. In another embodiment, Velcro closures may be used to adjust the size of openings. It is the abundance of fabric that attempts to provide the modesty by naturally hanging together (in most positions.) The other designs may close with snaps or zippers on the arms. These examples do not intentionally remain open 100% of the time as the current embodiments. 
     Moreover, as noted above, the vertical openings (i.e., the first substantially vertical slit  308  and the second substantially vertical slit  310 ) create openings under the axis to the waist are fully vertical to allow for chest IVs cords access, stethoscopes, and nursing. In one embodiment, the openings under the axis are mostly absconded by the volume of fabric as to attempt to maintain modesty. They also close with snaps, such as the set of buttons or Velcro  106 . 
     Furthermore, the gown  100  includes a back portion of the front portion  100  that opens fully and attempts to provide modesty through the abundance of fabric and ties. Many of the existing garments include ties in front, like robes. This back opening (opening forward) makes it possible to accommodate bedpans and stethoscopes, as well as to prevent soiling in the case of toilet use. Aspects of the invention open in the back, allowing caregivers to pull it up out of the way during changing. 
     Embodiments of the invention improve over existing technology because the openings for the IVs fall naturally in a location that the IV sites are guaranteed to be undisturbed. This is also designed to look like a traditional nightgown worn at home, which will comfort and bring dignity to the patient. 
     It creates many options for use, ranging from incontinence/undergarment changing (through the back opening, so garment is spread on top of the patient to prevent soiling during changing—and ranging all the way to creating breast-feeding opportunities for mothers who are on IVs. The closed wrists also provide more shelter from air-conditioning drafts. 
     The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principals to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification or drawings, but the invention be defined by the claims set forth below and any equivalents.