POST-SURGICAL GARMENT

Abstract

A garment worn to assist in the relief of discomfort and provide support to a surgical patient is provided. The garment includes a body having a front side and a rear side. The front side has a front surface, a rear surface and a top edge. A pouch is secured to the front surface and is capable of accommodating and securing an ice pack therein. A compartment is secured directly to the rear surface of the front side and is capable of supporting a scrotum of the patient. The compartment is provided a predetermined distance below the top edge of the front side. The compartment has an opening along a top edge to allow entry of the scrotum of the patient therein.

Description

This application claims the domestic benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/816,229 filed on Jun. 23, 2006, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a garment worn after a surgery, such as a vasectomy, a vasovasostomy, hernia repair or any other surgery that requires support and comfort of the scrotum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After a vasectomy, it is common to experience a throbbing ache and/or tight sensation around the surgical area once the procedure was completed. In the past, doctors have recommended wearing tight underwear and applying ice over the underwear to alleviate post operative pain and swelling.

In addition, prior art garments have been designed to include a pocket wherein an ice pack can be placed to provide cold therapy to a surgical area. These procedures and devices, however, have produced less than satisfactory results, as the scrotum is not adequately supported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention discloses a fitted garment worn to assist in the relief of discomfort and provide support to a surgical patients. The garment includes a body having a front side and a rear side. The front side has a front surface, a rear surface and a top edge. A pouch is secured to the front surface and is capable of accommodating and securing an ice pack therein. A compartment is secured directly to the rear surface of the front side and is capable of supporting a scrotum of the patient. The compartment is provided a predetermined distance below the top edge of the front side. The compartment has an opening along a top edge to allow entry of the scrotum of the patient therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the garment which incorporates the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the garment;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the front of the garment when turned inside out;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the garment through line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the garment showing a wearer's scrotum and an ice pack mounted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

A fitted garment 20 is provided for wearing by a patient after a surgery, such as a vasectomy, a vasovasostomy, hernia repair or any other surgery, that requires support and comfort of the scrotum 82 of a wearer. The garment 20 provides post-operative relief quickly, effectively and efficiently.

The garment 20 includes a waistband 22 which in use encircles the wearer's waist. As shown, the garment 20 includes a body 24 formed from a left leg portion 26, a right leg portion 28 and a crotch portion 30 which depend from the waistband 22 and which forms a boxer-brief. The garment 20 is fitted such that it fits the wearer snugly.

The left leg portion 26 is formed from a front panel 32 and a rear panel 34 which are secured together by stitching at the respective left ends 36 along the entire lengths thereof. The top ends 38 of the panels 32, 34 are stitched to the waistband 22. The front and rear panels 32, 34 are also stitched together along a portion of the respective right ends 40 a predetermined distance from the bottom ends 42 of the panels 32, 34. This forms a leg aperture through which the wearer's left leg extends. The bottom ends 42 surrounding the leg aperture may be reinforced by known means. The remainder of the right ends 40 of the panels 32, 34 angle from the bottom stitched portion toward the left ends 40.

The right leg portion 28 is formed from a front panel 46 and a rear panel 48 which are secured together by stitching at the respective right ends 50 along the entire lengths thereof. The top ends 52 of the panels 46, 48 are stitched to the waistband 22. The front and rear panels 46, 48 are also stitched together along a portion of the respective left ends 54 a predetermined distance from the bottom ends 56 of the panels 46, 48. This forms a leg aperture 58 through which the wearer's right leg extends. The bottom ends 56 surrounding the leg aperture 58 may be reinforced by known means. The remainder of the left ends 54 of the panels 46, 48 angle from the bottom stitched portion toward the right ends 50.

The crotch portion 30 joins the remainder of the left and right leg portions 26, 28 together. The crotch portion 30 has a pair of upper ends 60, 62 which are stitched to the waistband 22. The crotch portion 30 is generally U-shaped and the upper ends 60, 62 are wider than the lower portion 64 of the crotch portion 30. The left end 66 of the crotch portion 30 is secured to the right ends 40 of the panels 32, 34 by stitching. The right end 68 of the crotch portion 30 is secured to the left ends 54 of the panels 46, 48 by stitching.

A front side of the body 24 is formed by the front panels 32, 46, and a front side of the crotch portion 30. The front side has a front surface 72 and rear surface 74. A rear side of the body 24 is formed by the rear panels 34, 48, and a rear side of the crotch portion 30.

While a specific form and shape is described herein, it is to be understood that the garment 20 may take other forms. For example, the panels 32, 34, 46, 48 of the leg portions 26, 28 can be shortened to form conventional briefs. If desired, a full legged pant can also be provided. In addition, while the garment 20 shown and described herein is comprised of left and right leg portions 26, 28 and the crotch portion 30 which depend from the waistband 22, it to be understood that the body 24 can be structured in other known manners. For example, the left and right leg portions 26, 28 can be formed of continuous material, instead of front and rear panels. Other modifications to the body 24 which would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably, the garment 20 is formed from a mix of 94% cotton and 6% lycra. Other materials or mixes of materials having similar properties and stretch characteristics could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a pouch 78 is provided on the front surface 72 of the front side to hold an ice pack 80 or the like or the like firmly on the scrotum 82 of the wearer. Preferably, the pouch 78 is formed from a mix of 95% cotton and 5% lycra. Other materials or mixes of materials having similar properties and stretch characteristics could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The pouch 78 is generally square, and is preferably sized at 20 cm×20 cm to accommodate the ice pack 80 which is intended to be included with the garment 20 when sold. The pouch 78 has a left side edge 84, a right side edge 86 and a bottom edge 88 which are secured to the front surface 72 of the front side by stitching. The top edge 90 of the pouch 78 is not secured to the front side such that an entry opening 92 is provided. A reinforcement can be provided along the top edge 90. The ice pack 80 or the like is passed through the entry opening 92 during use. As shown, the pouch 78 generally overlaps the front of the crotch portion 30 and overlaps onto the front panels 32, 46 of the left and right leg portions 26, 28.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, a compartment 94 is provided on the rear surface 74 of the front side and is used to support the scrotum 82 of the wearer. Preferably, the compartment 94 is formed from a mix of 95% cotton and 5% lycra. Other materials or mixes of materials having similar properties and stretch characteristics could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The compartment 94 is mounted a predetermined distance downwardly from the waistband 22 and upwardly from the lower portion 64 of the crotch portion 30. Preferably, the top edge 96 of the compartment 94 is located 8 cm down from the waistband 22. The compartment 94 is preferably trapezoidal and has an upper horizontal measurement of 15 cm, a lower horizontal measurement of 13 cm, and a height of 6 cm. As a result, the compartment has a left side edge 98 which angles outwardly from a lower end to an upper end thereof, a right side edge 100 which angles outwardly from a lower end to an upper end thereof, a generally horizontal bottom edge 102, and the top edge 96 is generally horizontal. The left and right side edges 98, 100 are secured directly to the rear surface 74 of the front side by stitching. This stitching may falls along the same line of the stitching between the crotch portion 30 and the front panels 32, 46. The bottom edge 102 is secured directly to the rear surface 74 of the front side by stitching. The top edge 96 of the compartment 94 is not stitched to the rear surface 74 of the front side such that an entry opening 104 is provided. A reinforcement can be provided along the top edge 96. During use, the wearer places his scrotum 82 into the compartment 94 through the entry opening 104. As a result of the shape of the compartment 94, the scrotum 82 is fully supported and may be lifted upwardly.

It has been found that the combination of the trapezoidal shape, the specific placement of the compartment 94 on the rear surface 74 of the front side, and the stretch of the material provided by forming the garment 20 from the mixture of materials discussed above allows any sized scrotal contents to fit smugly into the compartment 94 and to be cradled in the compartment 94. The scrotum 82 is immobilized and supported within the compartment 94 and this alleviates postoperative pain and swelling. As a result, superior support and relief of the discomfort commonly experienced after a surgery is achieved, and this significantly expedites the post-operative recovery period for most patients.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment worn to assist in the relief of discomfort and provide support to a surgical patient, said garment comprising:

a body having a front side and a rear side, said front side having a front surface, a rear surface and a top edge;

a pouch secured on said front surface of said front side and capable of accommodating and securing an ice pack therein; and

a compartment secured directly to said rear surface of said front side and capable of supporting a scrotum of the patient, said compartment being provided a predetermined distance which is spaced from said top edge of said front side, said compartment having an opening along a top edge thereof for allowing entry of the scrotum of the patient therein.

2. A garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said body and compartment are formed from a material that can stretch.

3. A garment as defined in claim 2, wherein said material is formed from a mix of 95% cotton and 5% lycra.

4. A garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said compartment is trapezoidal shaped.

5. A garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said compartment has an upper horizontal measurement of 15 cm, a lower horizontal measurement of 13 cm, and a height of 6 cm.

6. A garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said top edge of said compartment is reinforced.

7. A garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said top edge of said compartment is located 8 cm down from said top edge of said front side.

8. A garment as defined in claim 4, wherein said body and compartment are formed from a material that can stretch.

9. A garment as defined in claim 8, wherein said material is formed from a mix of 95% cotton and 5% lycra.

10. A garment as defined in claim 1, wherein said compartment includes side edges and a bottom edge which are secured directly to said rear surface of said front side.

11. A garment as defined in claim 10, wherein said top edge of said compartment is reinforced.

12. A garment as defined in claim 10, wherein said top edge of said compartment is located 8 cm down from said top edge of said front side.

13. A garment as defined in claim 10, wherein said body and compartment are formed from a material that can stretch.

14. A garment as defined in claim 13, wherein said material is formed from a mix of 95% cotton and 5% lycra.