Medically Accessible Clothing

Abstract

Garments configured for medical access are disclosed. An upper-body garment comprises a torso portion, a neck opening, and a pair of sleeves. The upper-body garment further comprises at least one access configured to provide access to the underlying body. The at least one access may be a chest access, an arm access, or combinations thereof. Each access is openable and closable via a resealable element. A lower-body garment comprises a waistband and a pair of legs. The lower-body garment further comprises at least one access configured to provide access to the underlying body openable and closable via a resealable element. A clothing ensemble configured for medical procedure access comprises the upper-body garment and the lower-body garment.

Claims

1. An upper-body garment comprising: a torso portion comprising a chest, a back, and a pair of sides; a neck opening; a pair of sleeves each extending from the neck opening and one of the sides; and at least one access in the upper-body garment configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual without removal of the upper-body garment.

2. The upper-body garment of claim 1 further comprising at least one resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access.

3. The upper-body garment of claim 2, wherein the at least one resealable element is a zipper.

4. The upper-body garment of claim 2, wherein the at least one resealable element is a hoop and loop fastener.

5. The upper-body garment of claim 1, wherein the upper-body garment is manufactured from an antimicrobial material.

6. The upper-body garment of claim 1, wherein the chest comprises a chest access configured to expose a portion of a chest of the individual.

7. The upper-body garment of claim 6, wherein the chest access comprises a plurality of chest access resealable elements for opening and closing the chest access.

8. The upper-body garment of claim 7, wherein the plurality of chest access resealable elements are zippers.

9. The upper-body garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of sleeves comprises an arm access configured to expose a portion of an arm of the individual.

10. The upper-body garment of claim 9, wherein the arm access comprises an arm access resealable element for opening and closing the arm access.

11. The upper-body garment of claim 10, wherein the arm access resealable element is a zipper.

12. The upper-body garment of claim 10, wherein the arm access resealable element is a hook and loop fastener.

13. The upper-body garment of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of sleeves comprises an arm access configured to expose a portion of each arm of the individual.

14. The upper-body garment of claim 13, wherein each arm access comprises an arm access resealable element for opening and closing each arm access.

15. A lower-body garment comprising: a waistband; a pair of legs; and at least one access in the lower-body garment configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual without removal of the lower-body garment.

16. The lower-body garment of claim 15 further comprising at least one resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access.

17. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein at least one of the pair of legs comprises a leg access configured to expose a portion of a leg of the individual.

18. The lower-body garment of claim 17, wherein the leg access comprises a leg access resealable element for opening and closing the leg access.

19. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of legs comprises at least one leg access configured to expose a portion of a leg of the individual.

20. A clothing ensemble configured for medical procedure access, comprising: an upper-body garment comprising a torso portion, a neck opening, and a pair of sleeves; a lower-body garment comprising a waistband and a pair of legs; at least one access in the ensemble configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual without removal of the ensemble; and at least on resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an upper-body garment configured for medical procedure access in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the upper-body garment configured for medical procedure access in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a lower-body garment configured for medical procedure access in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an ensemble configured for medical procedure access comprising a plurality of accesses each in an open position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the ensemble configured for medical procedure access comprising the plurality of accesses each in a closed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

[0020] The present invention discloses a solution for individuals that require frequent medical procedures or therapies necessitating access to portions of a patient's body such as dialysis treatment. The garments described herein offer patients clothing options with openings provided for access to their treatment areas, such as an arteriovenous fistula or graft in a patient's arm or leg, or a catheter placed in the patient's neck or chest. The garments are unique tops and bottoms with openable and closable accesses at these anatomical sites so that the patient does not need to remove their clothing or push up their sleeves constricting their arms. The clothing is available in a variety of sizes for men, women, and children, and may include different colors, materials, patterns, and styles. The present invention may be manufactured from any textile such as, but not limited to, cotton, polyester, fabric blends, biocompatible fabrics, antimicrobial materials, and the like.

[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an upper-body garment 100 comprises a torso portion 102, a neck opening 114, and a pair of sleeves 116. The upper-body garment 100 may be a shirt, blouse, clothing top, sweatshirt, sweater, patient gown top, etc. The torso portion 102 comprises a chest 104, a back 110, and a pair of sides 112. Each of the pair of sleeves 116 extend substantially outward from the neck opening 114 and the adjacent side 112 terminating in a hand opening 122. The upper-body garment 100 further comprises at least one access in the upper-body garment 100 configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual wearing the upper-body garment 100 as described infra. The upper-body garment 100 further comprises at least one resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access as described infra. The at least one resealable element is typically an incremental fastening structure or device such as, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, a plurality of buttons or snaps, or the like. The upper-body garment 100 is designed so that the user need not remove the upper-body garment 100 or push up one of the pair of sleeves 116 when access to an anatomical structure is required or desired.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the chest 104 of the torso portion 102 comprises a chest access 106 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's chest. The chest access 106 may be configured as a flap, a slit, or a completely removable portion. The chest access 106 is openable and closable via at least one chest access resealable element 108. As discussed previously, the at least one chest access resealable element 108 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like. As illustrated, a pair of the chest access resealable elements 108 allow the wearer, care giver, or medical provider to easily open the chest access 106 for exposure of the wearer's chest or neck for treatment. Once the treatment is complete, the pair of the chest access resealable elements 108 are re-sealed so the wearer is no longer exposed. However, this is not meant to be a limitation, as there may be a plurality of the chest access resealable elements 108 as desired.

[0023] At least one of the pair of sleeves 116 comprises an arm access 118 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's arm. For example, the arm access 118 may be designed to easily expose the antecubital area, forearm, or upper arm where a fistula or graft is commonly found. The arm access 118 is typically configured as an extended slit, although any other shape that exposes a body area may be used. The arm access 118 is openable and closable via an arm access resealable element 120. As discussed previously, the arm access resealable element 120 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like.

[0024] Additionally, each of the pair of sleeves 116 may comprise an arm access 118 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's arms. Each arm access 118 is openable and closable via an arm access resealable element 120. While only one arm access 118 and associated arm access resealable element 120 is illustrated, there is no limitation on the number of each contemplated. For example, there could be an arm access and resealable element on both the upper and lower arms, proximal and distal, on both the anterior and posterior sides, etc.

[0025] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, a lower-body garment 200 comprises a waistband 202 and a pair of legs 204. The lower-body garment 200 may be a pair of pants, bottoms, pajama bottoms, scrub bottoms, etc. The lower-body garment 200 further comprises at least one access in the lower-body garment 200 configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual wearing the lower-body garment 200 as described infra. The lower-body garment 200 further comprises at least one resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access as described infra. The at least one resealable element is typically an incremental fastening structure or device such as, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, a plurality of buttons or snaps, or the like. The lower-body garment 200 is designed so that the user need not remove the lower-body garment 200 or push up one of the pair of legs 204 when access to an anatomical structure is required or desired.

[0026] At least one of the pair of legs 204 comprises a leg access 214 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's leg. While the leg access 214 as illustrated is located on a front 206 of the pair of legs 204, this is not meant as a limitation, as the leg access 214 may be located on the back or side of a leg 204 as desired. The leg access 214 is typically configured as an extended slit, although any other shape that exposes a body area may be used. The leg access 214 is openable and closable via a leg access resealable element 216. As discussed previously, the leg access resealable element 216 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like.

[0027] Additionally, each of the pair of legs 204 may comprise a leg access 214 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's legs. Each leg access 214 is openable and closable via a leg access resealable element 216. While only one leg access 214 and associated leg access resealable element 216 is illustrated, there is no limitation on the number of each contemplated. For example, there could be a leg access and resealable element on both the upper and lower legs, proximal and distal, on both the anterior and posterior sides, etc.

[0028] In another embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a clothing ensemble 300 configured for medical procedure or therapy access comprises an upper-body garment 310 and a lower-body garment 340. The upper-body garment 310 comprises a torso portion 312, a neck opening 324, and a pair of sleeves 326. The torso portion 312 comprises a chest 314, a back, and a pair of sides. Each of the pair of sleeves 326 extend substantially outward from the neck opening 324 and the adjacent side terminating in a hand opening 332. The lower-body garment 340 comprises a waistband (202 of FIG. 3) and a pair of legs 344 each terminating in a foot opening 352.

[0029] The clothing ensemble 300 further comprises at least one access in the clothing ensemble 300 configured to provide access to an underlying portion of a body of an individual wearing the clothing ensemble 300 as described infra. The clothing ensemble 300 further comprises at least one resealable element for opening and closing the at least one access as described infra. The at least one resealable element is typically an incremental fastening structure or device such as, but not limited to, a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, a plurality of buttons or snaps, or the like. The clothing ensemble 300 is designed so that the user need not remove the clothing ensemble 300 when access to an anatomical structure is required or desired.

[0030] The chest 314 of the torso portion 312 comprises a chest access 316 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's chest. The chest access 316 may be configured as a flap or a completely removable portion. The chest access 316 is openable and closable via at least one chest access resealable element 318. As discussed previously, the at least one chest access resealable element 318 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like. As illustrated, a pair of the chest access resealable elements 318 allow the wearer, care giver, or medical provider to easily open the chest access 316 for exposure of the wearer's chest or neck for treatment. Once the treatment is complete, the pair of the chest access resealable elements 318 are re-sealed so the wearer is no longer exposed. However, this is not meant to be a limitation, as there may be a plurality of the chest access resealable elements 318 as desired.

[0031] At least one of the pair of sleeves 326 comprises an arm access 328 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's arm. The arm access 328 is typically configured as an extended slit, although any other shape that exposes a body area may be used. The arm access 328 is openable and closable via an arm access resealable element 330. As discussed previously, the arm access resealable element 330 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like.

[0032] Additionally, each of the pair of sleeves 328 may comprise an arm access 328 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's arms. Each arm access 328 is openable and closable via an arm access resealable element 330. While only one arm access 328 and associated arm access resealable element 330 is illustrated, there is no limitation on the number of each contemplated. For example, there could be an arm access and resealable element on both the upper and lower arms, proximal and distal, on both the anterior and posterior sides, etc.

[0033] At least one of the pair of legs 344 comprises a leg access 354 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's leg. While the leg access 354 as illustrated is located on a front 346 of the pair of legs 344, this is not meant as a limitation, as the leg access 354 may be located on the back or side of a leg 344 as desired. The leg access 354 is typically configured as an extended slit, although any other shape that exposes a body area may be used. The leg access 354 is openable and closable via a leg access resealable element 356. As discussed previously, the leg access resealable element 356 may be a zipper, a hook and loop fastening system, or the like.

[0034] Additionally, each of the pair of legs 344 may comprise a leg access 354 configured to expose at least a portion of the wearer's legs. Each leg access 354 is openable and closable via a leg access resealable element 356. While only one leg access 354 and associated leg access resealable element 356 is illustrated, there is no limitation on the number of each contemplated. For example, there could be a leg access and resealable element on both the upper and lower legs, proximal and distal, on both the anterior and posterior sides, etc.

[0035] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.