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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/460,136, filed Apr. 3, 2003, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of post-surgical garments, and more particularly to a unisex pocketed garment to be worn after surgery. Three example articles of clothing are described, which have been designed to fit the needs of a patient having had surgery to the head, neck, face, chest, back, side, abdomen, or the extremities.
[0003] Numerous surgeries are performed each day with the patient exiting the operating room with one or more drains, such as a Jackson-Pratt closed drain or any of a variety of drain systems, which are inserted into the body to remove excess fluid from the surgical site. The drain is connected to tubing exiting the body and connecting to a bulb or other collection device, which is typically located outside the body. This bulb or collection device “hangs” on the end of the tubing. In the past, the tubing and collection device were typically taped to the patient's skin. The tape irritated the patient's skin and pulled on the skin at the point where the tubing was inserted or stitched to the skin. Alternately, the tubing was pinned to the clothing or hospital gown with a large safety pin. However, such an arrangement is quite inadequate as the collection device tended to dangle against the patient's body with each movement. To prevent the collection device from dangling, some patients have even pinned the tubing or collection device to a conventional belt, one that is normally used with their outer wear.
[0004] In an attempt to overcome the shortcomings of previous post-surgical garments, a bra-like garment was created with a pouch (to contain a collection device or the like) attached near the base of the garment. However, this garment has its own shortcomings. First, the bra-like garment fits closely to the body, much like a bra. The form fit of the garment could cause some patients additional discomfort to the wound or area of the incision. Moreover, even though the bra-like garment is feasible for patients who had breast or chest surgery, it is quite infeasible for those having surgery on other areas of the body because the pouch could only be secured to the garment at a point located beneath the patient's breastbone. Additionally, many men would be hesitant to wear a garment bound around the body in a bra-like fashion.
[0005] Other garments were created for retaining catheters and other types of tubing in place without vertical or horizontal movement of the patient. Such garments typically have multiple layers and adjustable straps for securing tubing and/or other monitoring devices. Garments such as these are quite cumbersome because the layers must be wrapped and adjusted before finally securing the tubes and other medical devices in place. If worn underneath outer clothing, such garments, with their many layers and straps and adjustments, would be uncomfortable for many patients because of the added layers and restrictiveness.
[0006] Thus, it can be seen that needs exist for an improved post-surgical garment. Needs further exist for an improved post-surgical garment that is versatile in that the garment can hold tubing and other medical devices secured at various locations about the body, that is comfortable for the patient to wear, and that can be worn underneath the patient's clothing. It is to an improved post-surgical garment meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.
[0007] The present invention provides an improved post-surgical garment. In one aspect, the present invention is a loose-fitting garment to be worn on the body of a human or animal patient, the garment preferably having at least one front panel and at least one back panel. The garment preferably also has at least one opening formed along the intersection of the front panel and the back panel, and at least one pocket adjacent the at least one opening.
[0008] In another aspect, the present invention is a post-surgical system, preferably including a garment having at least one front panel, at least one back panel, at least one opening formed along the intersection of the front panel and the back panel, and at least one pocket adjacent the at least one opening. The system preferably also includes a medical device having a first portion for mounting in or on a body portion of a patient, a second portion for placement in the at least one pocket of the garment, and an intermediate portion for extension through the at least one opening in the garment to connect the first and second portions.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention is a vest comprising a back panel having an inside face and an outside face, first and second front panels, each having an inside face and an outside face, and closures along ventral edges of the first and second front panels for securing the vest about a wearer. Preferably, the first and second front panels are attached to the back panel along lateral edges thereof, and define arm-holes between the back panel and the first and second front panels for allowing a wearer's arms to pass therethrough. Also preferably, an access opening is provided between the back panel and at least one of the front panels for passage of a medical device.
[0010] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
[0011]
[0012]
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[0015]
[0016] The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
[0017]
[0018] The garment
[0019] These bound slits/openings
[0020] One or more front pockets
[0021] Two large interior pockets
[0022]
[0023] The side seams
[0024] Below the knee
[0025] The pants
[0026] Just below the waist
[0027] In addition to post-surgical drains and associated tubing, the garment of the present invention is compatible with a number of other medical devices, such as pulse monitors, TENS-stimulators, injection ports, and access ports having a portion mounted in or on the patient's body and another portion that is carried externally of the patient's body and connected by intermediate tubing, wires or the like.
[0028] The garments
[0029] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.