Patent ID: 12193524

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed an article of clothing configured for use post-surgery, and in particular, post-mastectomy. The article of clothing may comprise a front portion, a back portion, and one or more strap portions, wherein the front portion comprises one or more side access portions. The article may further comprise a securing band proximal to the front and/or back portions, wherein the securing band comprises one or more detachable band access portions, the one or more detachable band access portions being in communication with the one or more side access portions.

According to some aspects, the article of clothing may comprise a bra. As interchangeably used herein, the term “bra” or “brassiere” may refer to an article of clothing configured to be worn on at least the upper portion of a wearer's torso, and in particular, to support the wearer's breasts. The bra may be configured for use post-surgery, and in particular, post-mastectomy. As used herein, the term “mastectomy” refers to a procedure wherein breast tissue is removed. According to some aspects, a mastectomy may refer to a total mastectomy, wherein an entire breast is removed, or a partial mastectomy, wherein a portion of a breast is removed. A mastectomy may also refer to a radical mastectomy, wherein an entire breast, underarm lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles under the breast are removed; a modified radical mastectomy, wherein an entire breast and a portion of underarm lymph nodes are removed; or a nipple-sparing mastectomy, wherein all of the breast tissue is removed without removal of the nipple.

The article of clothing may comprise a front portion, a back portion, and one or more strap portions. As used herein, the term “front portion” refers to a portion of the article configured to be worn on an anterior side of a wearer (e.g., the chest of a wearer). The term “back portion” refers to a portion of the article configured to be worn on a posterior side of a wearer (e.g., the back of a wearer). It should be understood that “front” and “back” as used herein are not particularly limiting. For example, the “back portion” as described herein may be worn on the anterior side of the wearer if, for example, the article is configured to be reversible.

FIG.1Ashows an example front portion12of article11according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.1A, front portion12may be connected with both back portion13and with two straps14a,14b. It should be understood that front portion12, back portion13, and straps14a,14bmay be provided as discrete materials connected together (e.g., via stitching or other techniques in the art) and/or may be provided as one continuous material.

As shown inFIG.1A, a neckline edge15of front portion12and inner edges114a,114bof straps14a,14bmay together delineate a neck portion of the article, that is, an opening in the article configured for encompassing a wearer's neck.

Front portion12may be formed of a material suitable for use post-mastectomy. For example, according to some aspects, the material may have a sufficient texture for contact with surgical sites (e.g., sufficient smoothness so as not to disrupt or irritate surgical incisions). According to some aspects, the material may have a sufficient breathability, that is, may allow a sufficient level of air-flow to and from surgical sites (e.g., to enhance healing). Examples of materials useful according to aspects of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, mesh fabrics, nylon, spandex, polyester, cotton, and combinations thereof. It should be understood that any material described herein may comprise an antimicrobial component. For example, any material described herein may be treated with an antimicrobial agent sufficient to provide the article with acceptable antimicrobial properties for surgery recovery.

Straps14a,14bmay be comprised of a material that is the same as or different from the material comprised by front portion12. For example, materials useful for straps14a,14baccording to aspects of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, mesh fabrics, nylon, spandex, polyester, cotton, metals, plastics, rubbers, fastener materials (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners), and combinations thereof. According to some aspects, straps14a,14bmay independently comprise an adjustable portion16a,16bconfigured such that straps14a,14bare adjustable. Adjustable portion16a,16bmay independently comprise, for example, loops, as shown inFIG.1A, and/or any other suitable fastener known in the art. For example, the faster may be selected from the group consisting of a tie, snap, button, fabric hook and loop fastener, zipper, buckle, hook and eye, cord, toggle, brooch, eyelet, and/or combinations of any of the foregoing. It should be understood that any suitable adjustable portion known in the art for providing adjustable straps may be selected for use with straps14a,14b.

As shown inFIG.1A, front portion12may comprise a front access portion16, which may be configured to provide acceptable access to an anterior of a wearer. Front access portion16may comprise one or more disconnectable connection points. As used herein, the term “disconnectable connection point” refers to a point at which two portions of article11may be connected in a disconnectable manner. For example, the disconnectable connection point may be a connection provided by a selectably connectable and/or disconnectable fastener. Examples of such fasteners include any suitable fastener known in the art that is configured to reversibly connect two portions of article11and are suitable for use in a medical setting. For example, the faster may be selected from the group consisting of a tie, snap, button, fabric hook and loop fastener, zipper, buckle, hook and eye, cord, toggle, brooch, eyelet, and/or combinations of any of the foregoing.

As shown inFIG.1A, front portion12may further comprise one or more side access portions17a,17b. As used in the context of “side access portion,” the term “side” refers to a position away from the midline of a wearer. For example, one or more side access portions17a,17bmay have a position configured to provide access to one or more surgical sites, for example, one or more surgical incisions and/or one or more drainage sites resulting from a mastectomy.

As shown inFIG.1A, article11may further comprise securing band110provided proximal to and secured to at least a portion of an edge of front portion12, and particular, an edge opposite neckline edge15. Securing band110may be configured to secure article11in position on a wearer's body. According to some aspects, securing band110may have a width w1 of between about 0.5 and 3 inches, optionally between about 0.5 and 2.5 inches, optionally between about 1 and 2 inches, and optionally about 1.625 inches. As shown inFIG.1A, the one or more side access portions17a,17bmay comprise an opening delineated at least in part by one or more edges18a,18bof front portion12. The opening(s) may also be delineated at least in part by one or more edges19a,19bof securing band110. According to some aspects, the opening(s) may have a diameter of between about 1 and 5 inches, optionally between about 1 and 4 inches, optionally between about 1 and 3 inches, and optionally between about 2 and 2.5 inches.

Securing band110may comprise any suitable material capable of providing a secure fit against a wearer's body, that is, such that securing band110remains relatively fixed in relation to a wearer's body during use. In this way, article11may be secured in position on a wearer's body, that is, such that unwanted movement of article11relative to a wearer's body may be reduced and/or eliminated. Examples materials useful for securing band110may be any suitable material capable of providing a secure and/or adaptable fit, including, but not limited to, elastic, mesh fabrics, nylon, spandex, polyester, cotton, metals, plastics, rubbers, fastener materials (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners), and combinations thereof.

As shown inFIG.1A, securing band110may comprise one or more detachable band access portions111a,111b. According to some aspects, detachable band access portions111a,111bmay comprise one or more disconnectable connection points proximal to side access portions17a,17b, respectively and may facilitate variance of the size or shape of the one or more side access portions17a,17b. For example, detachable band access portions111a,111bmay be positioned relative to side access portions17a,17bsuch that when detachable band access portions111a,111bare in a disconnected position (e.g., wherein the two portions of the disconnectable connection point are not connected to each other), a total surface area of side access portions17a,17b, respectively, is increased (e.g., by displacing edges19a,19bof securing band110relative to side access portions17a,17b, respectively, thereby increasing the opening size of side access portions17a,17b). In one non-limiting example (for example, as shown inFIG.1A), detachable band access portions111a,111bmay each comprise a hook and loop fastener provided on securing band110at a section proximal to side access portions17a,17b, respectively. In this example, the detachable band access portions111a,111bwhen placed in a disconnected position may correspond with each hook and loop fastener being in an open position to facilitate displacement of edges19a,19b, respectively, relative to side access portions17a,17b, respectively. It should thus be understood that providing detachable band access portions111a,111bin a disconnected position may facilitate easy access to one or more surgical sites (for example, one or more surgical incisions and/or one or more drainage sites), while providing detachable band access portions111a,111bin a connected position (e.g., wherein the two portions of disconnectable connection point are connected to each other) may secure article11in position relative to a wearer's body, as described herein. In one non-limiting example (for example, as shown inFIG.1A), detachable band access portions111a,111bbeing placed in a connected position may correspond with each hook and loop fastener being in a closed position so as to secure edges19a,19b, respectively, relative to side access portions17a,17b, respectively. According to some aspects, detachable band access portions111a,111bmay comprise one or more selectably connectable and/or disconnectable fasteners as described herein. For example, as discussed above,FIG.1Ashows detachable band access portions111a,111bcomprising fabric hook and loop fasteners.

As shown inFIG.1A, front portion12comprises arm edges112a,112b. Together with outer edges113a,113b, respectively, of straps14a,14b, arm edges112a,112bmay delineate arm openings, that is, openings through which a wearer's arms may be positioned when the article is worn. According to some aspects, arm edges112a,112bmay be posited a certain distance d1, d2 from securing band110. It should be understood that distance d1, d2 may correspond with a size of the corresponding arm opening of article11.

According to some aspects, distance d1, d2 may be selected in order to provide an arm opening that is acceptable for mastectomy recovery. For example, distance d1, d2 may have a dimension such that corresponding arm edges112a,112bare provided a certain distance from a wearer's armpit, and in particular, a distance such that one or more surgical sites are exposed when a wearer is wearing article11. In particular, in the case wherein underarm lymph nodes have been surgically removed from a wearer, it may be preferable that corresponding surgical incisions remain exposed when article11is worn by the wearer so as to reduce irritation to the sites and/or to provide access to the sites. According to some aspects, distance d1, d2 may be less than a corresponding distance in similar articles that are not configured for use with mastectomy recovery. That is, arm edges112a,112bof article11may be provided further from the armpit of a wearer as compared with arm edges of similar articles that are not configured for use with mastectomy recovery. According to some aspects, distance d1, d2 may independently be, for example, between about 5 and 15 inches, optionally between about 6 and 12 inches, optionally between about 7 and 10 inches, and optionally between about 7.5 and 9 inches.

According to some aspects, front portion12may comprise one or more additional features configured for use with mastectomy recovery. For example, front portion12may comprise one or more cavities for securing heating and/or cooling elements against a wearer's body, such as pockets.

FIG.1Bshows a reverse view of article11as shown inFIG.1A. In particular,FIG.1Bshows back portion13of article11, straps14a,14b, and securing band110, as described in relation toFIG.1A. Back portion13may comprise any suitable material as described herein. For example, back portion13may comprise a material that is similar to the material comprised by straps14a,14b.

Aspects of the present disclosure also relate to methods of making the article as described herein. For example, the method may comprise providing a front portion, providing a back portion in communication with the front portion, providing a securing band proximal and in communication with the front portion and the back portion, and providing one or more straps in communication with the front portion and the back portion, wherein the front portion comprises one or more side access portions, each of the one or more side access portions being delineated by a first edge of the front portion and a second edge of the securing band, and wherein the securing band comprises one or more detachable band access portions, each of the one or more detachable band access portions being in communication with one of the one or more side access portions.

While the aspects described herein have been described in conjunction with the example aspects outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the example aspects, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

Further, the word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. Nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

As used herein, the term “about” and “approximately” and “substantially” are defined to being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, the term “about” and “approximately” and “substantially” are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.