Garment for Aiding in Recovery from Surgery or Injury

Abstract

A garment comprising one or more body openings for passage of a patient's head and/or extremities. The garment is slit away from, and generally perpendicular to, at least one body opening, such as extending along a leg or arm of the garment, to provide a closable opening for ready access to a wearer's treatment site with minimum discomfort to the wearer. The edge of the closable opening preferably includes hook-and-loop or zipper fastener material. The garment is formed of at least a durable outer layer material and a reduced-friction inner layer material and includes an exterior pocket for receiving a palliative element such as a thermal transfer element or a cushioning element. Preferably, the pocket area of the garment includes a waterproof layer, which may be the inner layer material or a separate layer.

Description

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS AND PATENTS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/353,721, filed Jun. 11, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to garments for injured persons; more particularly, to such garments having one or more openings for convenient access to a bandaged wound, injured site or surgical site (hereinafter referred to as “treatment site” or “site of treatment”) requiring periodic attention; and most particularly, to a such a garment having at least one easy-access opening, at least one outer pocket for receiving a heating or cooling element, and a low-friction barrier layer. The barrier site may also be waterproof or of a material designed not to readily stick or adhere to the treatment site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the medicinal arts to provide post-surgical or otherwise treating patients with a body garment, such as a pants or a shirt, defining an article of hospital clothing. The site of treatment may include, for example, wounds caused by lacerations, abrasions, burns, and broken bones resulting from an accident such as a vehicle collision. The site of treatment may also include healing areas following surgery, sore or fatigued muscles, etc. Typically, the sites of treatment of such a patient require periodic maintenance procedures such as examination, washing, application of topical medicines, and re-dressing.

US Patent Application Publication No. US2008/020818 discloses human clothing having, in one embodiment, inner and outer flexible layers that define a space sufficiently large to position a thermal transfer element in any of multiple, non-overlapping positions. The space and the thermal transfer element preferably have cooperating sides of a hook-and-loop attachment. Each space has one or more openings to access the space, and preferably at the shoulders or sides of the torso, or at the pocket areas of pants. The spaces are preferably large, not only relative to the size of a corresponding thermal transfer element, but also to the size of the garment. Thermal transfer elements are preferably disposed in pouches having a thermal insulation on one side, and have only a very thin, thermally transmissive, fabric on the other side.

A shortcoming of this garment is that there is no ready access to a treatment site requiring periodic maintenance procedures. Further, the inner layer is not provided as a material that can substantially reduce the discomfort felt at the treatment site by a patient when the material slides over the body disposed at the site. Still further, there is no provision for a waterproof layer between the thermal transfer element and the patient to prevent condensation from seeping through the garment.

US Patent Application Publication No. US2009/0139015 A1 discloses pants including a main pant body configured in the crotch area and inner leg areas with edges spaced apart to form an opening extending downwardly towards each ankle of a person; and an inner pant body, disposed in the opening, and affixed to the main pant body. The main pant body can be formed, at least in part, of an abrasion resistant material that protects the wearer from abrasive injuries. The inner pant body is formed, at least in part, of an elastic material that provides the person with greater flexibility while wearing the protective long pants.

This garment is not intended for hospital use but rather to protect the wearer from harm while traversing brush-filled country, affording a measure of wearer comfort by providing for a removable inner pant part formed of less rugged material. Further, there is no provision for a low-friction material as an inner layer in contact with a human wearer. Still further, there is no provision for one or more pockets to receive a heating or cooling element for treating a treatment site of the wearer. Still further, there is no provision for a waterproof layer between the thermal transfer element and the patient to prevent condensation from seeping through the garment.

What is needed in the medical arts is a patient garment having a) a closable opening extending from a body opening of the garment to permit ready access to a treatment site; b) a reduced-friction fabric that is in contact with the skin of a wearer; and c) at least one exterior pocket for receiving a heating or cooling thermal transfer element.

It is a principal object of the present invention to improve the ease of treatment, comfort, and speed of recovery of a patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, a garment in accordance with the present invention comprises one or more body openings for passage of a patient's head, arm, leg, etc. The garment is slit away from, and generally perpendicular to, at least one body opening, such as extending along a leg or arm of the garment, to provide a closable opening for ready access to a wearer's treatment site with minimum discomfort to the wearer. The edge of the closable opening preferably includes hook-and-loop fastener material. The garment is formed of at least a durable outer layer material and a low-friction inner layer material and includes an exterior pocket for receiving a palliative element such as a thermal transfer element for heating or cooling or a cushioning element. Preferably, the pocket area of the garment includes a waterproof layer and/or a non-stick layer, which may be the inner layer material or a separate layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a pants garment in accordance with the present invention disposed on a wearer, showing a closable side slit opened to permit easy access to a treatment site on the wearer's leg;

FIG. 2 is an isometric front elevational view of the pants garment shown in FIG. 1, showing the wearer's hand demonstrating an exterior pocket;

FIG. 3 is an elevational front view of a first embodiment of a pants garment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the structure of a pocket of the pants garment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational front view of a second embodiment of a pants garment; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational rear view of a third embodiment of a pants garment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The object of the present invention is to improve the ease of treatment, comfort, and speed of recovery of a person in need of treatment by providing a comfortable garment having easy access to a patient's treatment site(s) and pocket(s) for holding palliative element(s) adjacent to the patient's treatment site(s). As used herein, “garment” should be taken to mean any item of apparel such as, but not limited to, pants, shirt, cloak, robe, gown, sleeve, pant leg, band, and cap. For simplicity of presentation, only pants are exemplarily employed in the following discussion. Also as used herein, “treatment site” or “site of treatment” should be taken to mean any site on the body requiring attention, such as but not limited to a surgical incision site, abrasion site, burn site, laceration site, fracture site, or muscle strain site.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a first exemplary embodiment 10 of a pants garment in accordance with the present invention comprises a pelvic portion 12 terminating upwardly in a waist opening 14 and right and left leg portions 16,18 terminating downwardly in right and left ankle openings 20,22, respectively. At least one of right and left leg portions 16,18 includes a slit opening 24 extending away from its respective ankle opening in a generally perpendicular fashion and terminating at or before waist opening 14. (FIGS. 1 and 2 show a left-leg slit opening, whereas FIGS. 3-6 show a right-leg slit opening.) Opposing lips 26,28 respectively are provided with complementary hook-an-loop or zipper closure materials 30,32, or any other device that can removably attach lips 26,28 together, such that slit opening 24 may be conveniently and repeatedly opened and closed with minimal discomfort to a garment wearer. A particularly useful function permitted by garment 10 is to allow access to a treatment site to change bandages while a wearer is still sedated following knee or hip surgery or during recovery. Garment 10, for example, also permits a patient to dress himself and to put on a compression stocking without injury to the knee. FIGS. 1 and 2 show garment 10 being worn by a garment wearer, with the left leg slit opening opened to show the wearer's leg 34 with a bandaged wound 36 at the treatment site. Waist opening 14 may be surrounded by a drawstring 38 or other closure means in known fashion.

Garment 10 is formed of at least an inner material 40 proximate the treatment site and an outer material 42 formed to define the structure of the garment. Preferably, inner material 40 is a reduced-friction material to reduce friction between a wearer's knee and the pant leg, such as, for example, a cotton polyester material known commercially as “baby dry—rubberized flannel sheeting”, manufactured by Vogue Fabric of Evanston, Ill. Inner material 40 may also be formed of a material antiseptically treated or of a material known in the medical art not to readily adhere to a wound. Outer material 42 is a light-weight but durable material forming the garment itself. Garment 10 includes at least one preferably exterior pocket 46 attached to garment 10 at a strategic location, e.g., at the knee, for the healing purpose intended. Pocket 46 is receivable of a palliative element 48 in the form of, e.g., a removable thermal transfer element for either heating or cooling of a wearer's wound 36, or a cushioning element to distribute and minimize local pressure on the wearer in the vicinity of the pocket. Element 48 may be, for example, a hot or cold flexible gel pack known in the art. Inner material 40 may also waterproof to prevent wicking of condensation on a cooling transfer element in pocket 46. Alternatively, an additional waterproof layer (not shown) may be added adjacent pocket 46 as needed.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second embodiment 50 of an exemplary pants garment shows slit opening 24 extending from waist opening 14 along the left side of garment 50. A pocket 46 is formed for use of a removable thermal transfer element in the wearer's lower right abdomen or hip. Similarly, in FIG. 6, a third embodiment 60 includes a pocket 46 formed for use of a removable thermal transfer element in the wearer's left buttock or hip area.

While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment for aiding in recovery at a treatment site, comprising:

a) an outer garment material formed to define the structure of said garment;

b) at least one slit opening in said outer garment material extending proximate the treatment site provided with a closure;

c) a reduced friction material provided in the garment region of said treatment site and defining an inner garment material; and

d) a pocket formed on said garment for receiving a palliative element proximate the treatment site.

2. A garment in accordance with claim 1 selected from the group consisting of pants, shirt, cloak, robe, gown, sleeve, band, and cap.

3. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said palliative element is a thermal transfer element

4. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said palliative element is a cushioning element.

5. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner garment material is waterproof.

6. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inner garment material resists adherence to said treatment site.

7. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slit opening terminates at a body opening in said garment.