MEDICAL GARMENT FOR CHEST DEVICES AND PROCEDURES

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure include a medical garment that resembles a shirt. The medical garment includes a body that includes a front portion attached to a back portion by one or more non-partable seams. The medical garment includes first and second sleeves on opposite sides of the medical garment. The first and second sleeves are coupled to the front portion and the back portion of the medical garment. The medical garment includes a flap formed on the front portion and configured to open to expose a portion of a person. The flap includes a partable seam that extends along a top of the body and a portion of a side of the body down to but not beyond a bottom part of the first sleeve where the first sleeve attaches to the body. The flap further includes a fastener to hold the partable seam in a closed position.

Claims

1. A medical garment, comprising: a body configured to enclose at least an upper torso of a person, the body comprising a front portion at least partially attached to a back portion by a non-partable seam that extends along the body from a bottom portion of a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to surround at least a portion of an arm of the person; an opening located at a top of the body; a flap formed in a shoulder region of the front portion and configured to open to expose a portion of the upper torso of the person; a fastener to hold the flap in a closed position; wherein when the flap is in a closed position, the medical garment comprises: a first partable seam that extends from the opening to a top portion of the sleeve; and a second partable seam that extends from the top portion of the sleeve down to but not beyond a bottom portion of the sleeve; wherein the medical garment substantially resembles a shirt, in that the sleeve extends to about the person's elbow or wrist, the body extends to about the person's waist, and, other than the flap, the body is substantially devoid of openings that would expose the upper torso.

2. The medical garment of claim 1, further comprising: a first overlap area defined by the flap in relation to the back portion and located on the first partable seam, wherein the flap overlaps an area of the back portion at the first partable seam when the flap is in the closed position; and a second overlap area defined by the flap in relation to the sleeve and located at the second partable seam, wherein the flap overlaps an area of the sleeve when the flap is in the closed position.

3. The medical garment of claim 2, wherein the fastener is attached to an inside surface of the front portion where the flap is formed, to an outside surface of the back portion, and to the first and second overlap areas.

4. The medical garment of claim 2, wherein the flap, the opening, the back portion, and the sleeve are reinforced at the first and second overlap areas.

5. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener.

6. The medical garment of claim 4, wherein the first and second overlap areas are reinforced by overlapping fabric.

7. The medical garment of claim 4, wherein the first and second overlap areas are reinforced by folding an edge portion of the back portion to the inside surface of the back portion, folding an edge portion of the sleeve to an inside surface of the sleeve, and sewing the edge portions of the back portion and an end of the sleeve in place, and by folding an edge portion of the flap to an inside surface of the flap and sewing the edge portion of the flap in place.

8. A medical garment, comprising: a body comprising a front portion attached to a back portion by one or more non-partable seams; first and second sleeves on opposite sides of the medical garment, wherein the first and second sleeves are coupled to the front portion and the back portion; a flap formed on the front portion and configured to open to expose a portion of a person, the flap comprising: a partable seam that extends along a top of the body and a portion of a side of the body down to but not beyond a bottom part of the first sleeve where the first sleeve attaches to the body; and a fastener to hold the partable seam in a closed position; wherein the medical garment largely resembles a shirt, in that the first and second sleeves extend to about the person's elbows or wrists, the front and back portions extend to about the person's waist, and, other than the flap, the body is substantially free of openings that would expose the portion of the person.

9. The medical garment of claim 8, further comprising: a back portion overlap area; and a flap overlap area; wherein the back portion overlap area and the flap overlap area are defined by the flap in relation to the back portion and are located at the partable seam, wherein the flap overlaps an area of the back portion at the partable seam when in the closed position.

10. The medical garment of claim 9, wherein in the closed position the fastener is attached to an inside surface of the flap on the flap overlap area and to an outside surface of the back portion overlap area.

11. The medical garment of claim 9, wherein the flap overlap area and the back portion overlap area are reinforced.

12. The medical garment of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener.

13. The medical garment of claim 11, wherein the flap overlap area and the back portion overlap area are reinforced by overlapping fabric.

14. The medical garment of claim 11, wherein the back portion overlap area is reinforced by folding an edge portion of the back portion and sewing the edge portion of the back portion in place, and the flap overlap area is reinforced by folding an edge portion of the flap and sewing the edge portion of the flap in place.

15. A garment that resembles a shirt, in that when the garment is worn by a person, first and second sleeves of the garment extend to about the person's elbows or wrists, the garment extends down to about the person's waist, and the garment is substantially free of openings that would expose a portion of the person, the garment comprising: a body comprising a front portion attached to a back portion by a non-partable seam, wherein the first and second sleeves are attached to the front portion and the back portion; a flap that opens to expose an area of the person, the flap comprising: a partable seam that extends along a top of the body and that further extends along a side of the body down to but not substantially beyond a bottom part of the first sleeve where the first sleeve attaches to the body and where an end of the non-partable seam is located; and a fastener to hold the partable seam in a closed position.

16. The medical garment of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener.

17. The medical garment of claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a clip.

18. The medical garment of claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a zipper.

19. The medical garment of claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a clasp.

20. The medical garment of claim 15, wherein an area of the garment where the flap overlaps the body is reinforced.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a medical garment with the outward appearance resembling a standard t-shirt in accordance with one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the medical garment of FIG. 1, with a flap in the open position.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a back view of the medical garment of FIG. 1, showing the back portion, the collar, and the back of the sleeves.

[0017] FIG. 4 is perspective view of the medical garment of FIG. 1, showing the flap in the closed position and further showing the first and second partable seams.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a closer view of the open flap of FIG. 2 as seen from the front, showing a first overlap area at the shoulder region and a second overlap area at the sleeve.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is usually accorded to such terms and expressions by those skilled in the corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where other specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the claims. The present embodiments address the problems described in the background while also addressing other additional problems as will be seen from the following detailed description.

[0021] The present disclosure relates generally to medical garments. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a medical garment designed to outwardly resemble a standard t-shirt, while providing easy access to medical devices attached to the wearer's chest.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a front view of a medical garment 100 with the outward appearance resembling a standard t-shirt in accordance with one embodiment. A body including a front portion 101 is shown, with a collar 110 configured to surround the wearer's neck at the top of the front portion 101. Adjacent to the collar 110 on each side are a first shoulder region 111 and a second shoulder region 112. On the sides of the front portion 101, a first sleeve 113 and a second sleeve 114 are attached, which are configured to surround the wearer's arms. A flap 120 in the closed position is located at the first shoulder region 111 and adjacent to the first sleeve 113. The flap 120 is positioned such that a portion of the chest area of the wearer is exposed when the flap 120 is in the open position. A first partable seam 121 is formed on the front portion 101, extending from the collar 110 and along the first shoulder region 111 to the top of the first sleeve 113. A second partable seam 122 is also formed on the front portion 101 and located at the proximal end of the first sleeve 113 and extends from the top to the bottom of the first sleeve 113. In this configuration, the flap 120 opens at the first partable seam 121 and the second partable 122 to expose the left side of the wearer's chest to provide access for medical personnel. Alternatively, the flap 120 may be positioned for access to the right side of the wearer's chest by locating the first partable seam at the second shoulder region 112 and the second partable seam at the second sleeve 114.

[0023] The configuration of the flap 120 and first and second partable seams 121 and 122 provide the benefit of easy access to medical devices used on the wearer's chest area while allowing the wearer to keep wearing the garment. Particularly, the orientation of flap 120 provides benefits in the use of central venous catheters (CVC) such as tunneled catheters or implanted ports (port-a-caths), which are used in chemotherapy treatments or other procedures. These types of CVC devices are implanted into patients and designed to provide ready access to administer medication or fluids, draw blood, or directly obtain cardiovascular measurements, thus eliminating the need for constant needle pricks. CVCs generally comprise an access port and line that enters at a point near or on the wearer's chest and tunnels under the skin, with the exit portion inserted into a blood vessel near the wearer's heart, typically the subclavian vein or the superior vena cava. These types of devices are designed to remain in place for long periods of time, on the order of months to years, and require some type of routine maintenance during its use to prevent infection and thrombosis. The flap 120 can be opened to allow access to catheter lines and other attachments for such medical procedures or maintenance. Further, the orientation of the flap 120 and the first partable seam 121 and second partable seam 122 allow for access to the wearer's chest while the wearer is sitting down (i.e., access from above) or while laying down.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, shown is a front view of the medical garment 100 of FIG. 1, with the flap 120 in the open position, partially revealing an inside surface of a back portion 301. The flap 120 is opened at the first partable seam 121 and second partable seam 122, with a plurality of fasteners 210 attached to the inside surface of the flap 120 and a plurality of opposing fasteners 211 attached to the back portion 301 at the first partable seam 121 and the first sleeve 113 at the second partable seam 122. As can be seen, the flap 120 opens to expose a portion of the wearer's chest while keeping the rest of the wearer's torso covered. The configuration of the first partable seam 121 and second partable seam 122 along the first shoulder region 111 and the first sleeve 113, respectively, allow for medical procedures to be conducted on the exposed portion of the wearer's chest from above if the wearer is in the sitting position. Such a configuration also allows medical tubing, wiring, or other medical devices and components to be routed out of the garment to external machines or devices in a comfortable manner.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a back view of the medical garment 100 of FIG. 1, showing the body including an outside surface of the back portion 301, the back view of the collar 110, and the back of the first sleeve 113 and second sleeve 114. Viewed from the back, the medical garment 100 resembles a standard t-shirt whether the flap 120 is in the opened or closed position.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, shown is a perspective view of the medical garment 100 of FIG. 1, showing the flap 120 in the closed position and further showing the first partable seam 121 and second partable seam 122. The first partable seam 121 runs from the collar 110 and along the first shoulder region 111, ending at the top of the first sleeve 113. The second partable seam 122 runs from the top of the first sleeve 113 to the bottom of the first sleeve 113. Fasteners hold the flap 120 closed against the back portion 301 at the first partable seam 121, and at the second partable seam 122. With the flap 120 in the closed position, the first partable seam 121 is aligned with the back portion 301 and the second partable seam 122 is aligned with the first sleeve 113 in such a way that the medical garment 100 outwardly resembles a standard t-shirt, concealing the appearance of the first and second partable seams 121 and 122.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a closer view of the open flap 120 from FIG. 2 as seen from the front, showing a first overlap area 520 at the first shoulder region 121 and a second overlap area 521 at the first sleeve 113. Fasteners 210 and 211 are affixed to the first overlap area 520 and the second overlap area 521. The areas on the flap 120 corresponding to the first overlap area 520 and the second overlap area 521 have a reinforcement 510, shown in FIG. 5 by a folding over of material from the front portion 101 and sewing the material in place. Likewise, the first overlap area 520 at the shoulder region and second overlap area 521 at the sleeve are reinforced by folding over material from the back portion at the first partable seam 121, and a folding over material from the sleeve at the second partable seam 122. Additional or alternative methods of reinforcing first and second overlap areas 520 and 521 and reinforcement 510 on the flap 120 may also be used, such as the addition of cloth or other material, or the embedding of other material.

[0028] Some embodiments include the use of different types of fasteners 210 and 211 to hold the flap 120 in a closed position, including hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, or zippers. Also, the length of sleeves or number of sleeves present on the garment can be altered in accordance with alternative embodiments.

[0029] Catheter lines and other attachments can be comfortably routed from the wearer's chest to outside the garment by passing the lines through the first partable seam 121 or second partable seam 122. The use of the appropriate fasteners at the first and second partable seams 121 and 122 allows the passage of the catheter lines and attachments even while the flap 120 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, avoiding large, hard fasteners at the first and second partable seams allow a person to comfortably wear the medical garment while lying down or sleeping. The medical garment provides efficiency and comfort for the wearer, in both medical and casual capacities.

[0030] For example, the use of hook and loop or button type fasteners is suitable for certain medical procedures and situations, particularly when medical tubing or wiring must pass from the wearer's chest to external equipment. The use of the medical garment would allow such tubing or wiring attached to the wearer's chest to pass through the garment while the flap 120 is in a closed position. However, compared to the use of buttons, hook and loop fasteners would provide more comfort to the wearer when the garment is worn laying down, as the hard buttons may impinge on the wearer's neck, shoulders, and arms.

[0031] While the disclosure has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, other modifications, variations, and arrangements of the present disclosure may be made in accordance with the above teachings other than as specifically described to practice aspects of the disclosure within the spirit and scope defined by the following claims.