Medical Gown for Better Patient Access and Easy Wearability

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical gown that is easy to wear, improves overall aesthetics and has the capability of accommodating personal items and small medical equipment. The gown has a front portion and a back portion, a hook and loop fastening system extending along the length of the back portion and is used for securing the gown around the body of a wearer, a plurality of pockets disposed on the front portion wherein a pair of pockets are disposed on lower portion of the front portion and a pocket is disposed on chest portion of the front portion. A front body opening or slit is disposed in the front portion and extends from the neck opening towards the side of the front portion. The front body slit helps in donning the gown and helps in revealing front body portion of a wearer during a medical examination/procedure.

Claims

1. A medical gown for providing patient access, the medical gown comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a neck opening; a front body slit; and a bottom lateral edge; wherein said front portion and said back portion integrally connectable to form a cover for a body of a user; wherein said front body slit extending for a front length from said neck opening downward along a side of a chest area of said front portion; wherein said front body slit having a front fastener for selectively closing and opening said front body slit; wherein said front portion having a plurality of pockets proximal to said bottom lateral edge; wherein said medical gown is generally mid-leg in length; and further wherein said back portion having a first rear portion selectively fastened to a second rear portion including a rear fastener extending along a rear length from said neck opening to said bottom lateral edge.

2. The medical gown of claim 1, wherein said rear fastener comprising said first rear portion comprises a hook fastener and said second rear portion comprises a loop fastener.

3. The medical gown of claim 2, wherein said medical gown is reusable.

4. The medical gown of claim 2, wherein said medical gown is disposable.

5. The medical gown of claim 4, wherein said front portion comprises an upper pocket proximal to said neck opening.

6. The medical gown of claim 4, wherein said front fastener comprises a first side portion having a plurality of snaps and a second side portion having a plurality of corresponding snap receivers for receiving said plurality of snaps.

7. The medical gown of claim 4, wherein said front fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

8. The medical gown of claim 4, wherein said front fastener comprises a first side portion having a plurality of buttons and a second side portion having a plurality of corresponding button receivers for receiving said plurality of buttons.

9. The medical gown of claim 4, wherein said front length extends from said neck opening to a lower chest area.

10. The medical gown of claim 9, wherein said gown having a pair of short sleeves.

11. A medical gown for providing patient access, the medical gown comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a neck opening; a front body slit; and a bottom lateral edge; wherein said front portion and said back portion integrally connectable to form a cover for a body of a user; wherein said front body slit extending for a front length from said neck opening downward along a side of a chest area of said front portion; wherein said front body slit having a front fastener for selectively closing and opening said front body slit; wherein said medical gown is generally mid-leg in length; wherein said back portion having a first rear portion selectively fastened to a second rear portion including a rear fastener extending along a rear length from said neck opening to said bottom lateral edge; and further wherein said rear fastener comprising said first rear portion having a hook fastener and said second rear portion having a loop fastener.

12. The medical gown of claim 11, wherein said front portion comprises a plurality of pockets proximal to said bottom lateral edge.

13. The medical gown of claim 12, wherein said medical gown is reusable.

14. The medical gown of claim 12, wherein said medical gown is disposable.

15. The medical gown of claim 14, wherein said front portion comprises an upper pocket proximal to said neck opening.

16. The medical gown of claim 11, wherein said front fastener comprises a first side portion having a plurality of snaps and a second side portion comprises a plurality of corresponding snap receivers for receiving said plurality of snaps.

17. The medical gown of claim 11, wherein said front fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

18. The medical gown of claim 11, wherein said front fastener comprises a first side portion having a plurality of buttons and a second side portion comprises a plurality of corresponding button receivers for receiving said plurality of buttons.

19. The medical gown of claim 11, wherein said front length extends from said neck opening to a lower chest area.

20. A medical gown for providing patient access, the medical gown comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a neck opening; a front body slit; and a bottom lateral edge; wherein said front portion and said back portion integrally connectable to form a cover for a body of a user; wherein said front body slit extending for a front length from said neck opening downward along a side of a chest area of said front portion; wherein said front length extends from said neck opening to a lower chest area; wherein said front body slit having a front fastener for selectively closing and opening said front body slit; wherein said front fastener is a hook and loop fastener; wherein said back portion having a first rear portion selectively fastened to a second rear portion including a rear fastener extending along a rear length from said neck opening to said bottom lateral edge; and further wherein said rear fastener comprising said first rear portion comprises a hook fastener and said second rear portion comprises a loop fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of a hospital gown of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the medical gown of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a user wearing the gown in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a rear perspective of another embodiment of the medical gown of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] 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. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0023] As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved medical gown that is easy and comfortable to wear. There is also a long felt need in the art for a medical gown that can be worn by a user independently without anyone's help or assistance to don. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved medical gown that can store small personal items and medical equipment. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved medical gown that improves overall aesthetics. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved medical gown that enables easy access to a front body portion of a wearer without removing the gown. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a hospital gown that maintains a more comfortable and stylish appearance compared to current gowns. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a hospital gown that offers a more comfortable and effective gown for those in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, hospice care facilities, and much more.

[0024] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel medical gown. The medical gown includes a front portion, the front portion is capable of covering a chest region, trunks, and frontal limbs of a wearer, a back portion capable of covering a back region and rear limbs of the wearer, the back portion has a hook and loop fastener closure system for securing the gown around the body of the wearer, the front portion having a flap like first portion configured to releasably attach to the second portion to form a front body slit, the flap and the second portion form a portion of the front portion. For donning the gown, the hook and loop fastener closure system is in an unfastened configuration and the first portion and the second portion are detached and once the gown is donned by a wearer, the hook and loop fastener are fastened and the first portion and the second portion are fastened together.

[0025] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of hospital gown of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The hospital or medical gown 100 of the present invention is designed as a multifunctional hospital gown for providing better patient access and may be available in a reusable form or in a disposable form as per preferences of users. The gown 100 has a front portion 102 and a back portion 104, the portions 102, 104 are integrally connected to cover a body of a user. The front portion 102 and the back portion 104 are generally mirror images to each other in shape and size. The gown 100 has a neck opening 106 such that the neck opening 106 extends to the front portion 102 forming a front body slit 108.

[0026] The front body slit 108 specifically located in a chest area 110 of the front portion 102 and may be embodied as a straight narrow cut, opening, or the like. The slit 108 is formed by a first portion 112 having a plurality of snap buttons 114 and a second portion 116 having a plurality of corresponding snap button receivers 118 wherein the buttons 114 are detached from the receivers 118 to enable the first portion 112 to drop down thereby forming the front body slit 108 to easily access the front body part of a wearer of the gown 100. The first portion 112 when overlapping the second portion 116 enables the front portion to cover the chest area of the wearer and form the circular neck opening 106. The means for securing the first portion 112 and the second portion 116 include, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, and hook and loop fasteners.

[0027] It should be noted that the front body slit 108 also enables a user to easily slip the gown 100 over the head, neck, and shoulders when the first portion 112 and the second portion 116 are detached, thus, obviating the assistance of others to don and wear the gown 100.

[0028] The front portion 102 has a pair of pockets 120, 122 positioned on the lower portion 124. The lower portion 124 is defined as the area of the front portion 102 covering the pelvis of a wearer. A separate pocket 126 is positioned on the chest area 110, preferably on the opposite side of the front body slit 108. The pockets 120, 122, 126 are designed to securely carry personal items, pacifiers, keys, medical equipment, such as monitors and wires and more. The pockets 120, 122, 126 can include a receptacle, a cavity, an opening, or a small baglike attachment forming part of a garment. In one exemplary embodiment, the pockets 120, 122, 126 have a size of about 6 (L)4 (W).

[0029] The gown 100 has a generally mid-leg length (i.e., knee length) bottom lateral edge 128 (and along with the front body slit 108), enabling caretakers easy access to various other parts of the wearer's body including upper legs, groin area, abdomen, pelvis, and back. The gown 100 is functional for performing feminine hygiene, perineal care, groin treatment, and the like. The gown 100 has a pair of short or half sleeves 130, 132 for covering a portion of the arms of a wearer that enable the wearer to easily receive an injection, blood pressure measuring machine, and more.

[0030] The gown 100 comes with a pair of matching socks 134 that go with the gown 100 to improve its overall aesthetic and to prevent slips and falls. The socks 134 can be of various lengths and are antimicrobial in nature.

[0031] It is envisioned that the hospital gown 100 and the socks 134 in accordance with aspects of the invention could be formed of many different fabrics or combinations of fabrics including, but not limited to, cotton, wool, silk, polyester, acrylic, nylon, and spandex. It is further contemplated that such gown 100 might include additional utilitarian features such as internal liner panels and pockets, as well as additional decorative features such as logos and designs. It may be desirable to have a fabric that is comfortable and durable as well as cost effective for manufacturing. There may be many uses for the various embodiments of the present invention that can be used as a hospital gown as well as that can be used at home and the like. A garment as described herein is not meant to be limited to the hospital setting. In alternative embodiments, the present invention may include a shirt, a house dress, and the like.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the medical gown 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The rear portion 104 of the gown 100 is configured to cover a rear or back portion of a wearer and extends from the neck opening 106 to the bottom lateral edge 202. The back portion 104 has at least one gown closure element 204 extending along the length of the back portion 104. The gown closure element 204 may include, but is not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, fasteners, snaps, buttons, ties, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the gown closure element 204 is a hook and loop fastener.

[0033] More specifically, the back portion 104 is open and has a first rear portion 206 and a second rear portion 208 that are fastened together using the gown closure element 204 to place the gown 100 around the body by a wearer. Free end 210 of the first rear portion 206 has a hook fastener 212 and the free end 214 of the second rear portion 208 has loop fastener 216 wherein the hook fastener 212 and the loop fastener 216 form the gown closure element 204. Using the gown closure element 204, the gown 100 closes completely to accommodate a wearer without any discomfort to the wearer. The gown closure element 204 enables easy opening and closing of the gown 100 such that the gown 100 can be easily worn by a wearer without any external assistance to don.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing a user wearing the gown 100 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The gown 100 once worn by a wearer covers at least a portion of the front and back areas of the wearer. For securing the gown 100 around the body of the wearer, the front body slit/opening 108 is closed by overlapping the first portion 112 onto the second portion 116 and closing the gown closure element 204 as described in FIG. 2.

[0035] The sleeve portions 130, 132 accommodate the arms of the wearer and the gown looks like a conventional medical gown, but with enhanced patient access and functions compared to conventional gowns.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, for wearing the medical gown, the front body slit and the hook and loop fastening system are opened or unfastened, the gown is then slipped over the head onto the body by the wearer, thereafter, the hook and loop fastener are releasably attached and the front body slit is closed using the snap or pop buttons to completely cover the body of the wearer.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a rear perspective of another embodiment of the medical gown of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the back portion 402 of the gown 400 includes two layers of hook fasteners 404, 406 positioned on the first portion 408 enabling a user to adjust the gown 400 by releasably fastening the hook fastener 410 positioned on the second portion 412. The hook fastener layers 404, 406 are positioned about three inches apart such that the gown 400 can be used by users of different sizes and weight.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the medical gown of various embodiments of the present invention effectively helps in better patient access and storage of personal items. Further, the gown can be worn independently without asking for assistance from others. The gown and the socks complement each other and help in improving overall aesthetics and preventing slips and falls.

[0039] The gown 100, 400 may be of any suitable size and color to fulfil the needs of the users. The gown 100, 400 may include a design or pattern as well on the front and back portions to provide additional aesthetic features. These designs or patterns could be brand names, logos, inspirational messages, or the like.

[0040] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein medical gown, hospital gown, gown, and multifunctional hospital gown are interchangeable and refer to the medical gown 100,400 of the present invention.

[0041] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the medical gown 100, 400 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the medical gown 100, 400 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the medical gown 100, 400 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the medical gown 100, 400 are important design parameters for user convenience, the medical gown 100, 400 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0042] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0043] 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.