TEMPERATURE REGULATING GARMENT

Abstract

A garment for regulating temperature is provided, including a body having a back panel and at least one front panel made of a temperature insulating textile and partially joined along at least one common edge, the joined panels defining an inside chamber. At least one pocket having a top, bottom and side edges, is fastened to an inner surface of at least one of the front panel and the back panel on at least one side of the at least one pocket. The at least one pocket has at least one side opening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/167,083 filed Jan. 29, 2014, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/024,635 filed Feb. 10, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,671,464, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/353,442 filed Jun. 10, 2010.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to clothing, and more specifically to garments worn by medical personnel in operating rooms.

To create a proper working environment, medical operating rooms are usually maintained at a certain temperature which is often relatively cold to offset hot lighting, to keep stressed doctors and nurses comfortable while working, and/or to inhibit the spread of bacteria. In most hospitals, medical personnel are forbidden from bringing street clothing into the operating room. In some cases, anesthesiologists, nurses and any other personnel in the operating room who are not scrubbed in may wear a medical or hospital issue warm up jacket over their scrubs; however, these garments do not keep the wearer at a comfortable temperature. Excessive layers of garments are also counterproductive in the operating room, since they may restrict the mobility or dexterity of the personnel. On the other hand, limbs and fingers tend to get stiff when the body is cold.

Anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, perioperative nurses, and others participating in the operating room need their body to be at a comfortable level of temperature and dexterity to perform their functions over many hours. Additionally, medical personnel suffering from hormonal changes often have abnormal body temperature perceptions while participating in surgery. One example is post menopausal women, who suffer from periodic drastic perceived changes in body temperature and often feel much warmer than other individuals in the same room. Also, the surgical treatment of burn patients or pediatric patients usually requires the operating or treating room to be warmer than average for the patient's benefit. These situations have created a need for alternative measures for keeping medical personnel comfortable.

SUMMARY

The above-listed needs are met or exceeded by the present temperature regulating garment, usable in many situations when a wearer desires enhanced temperature regulation, and in particular for keeping operating room personnel at a desired temperature. A specially designed warm up jacket or vest is provided to be worn over scrubs. A version of the present garment is a specially designed vest provided to be worn over scrubs and under any sort of warm up jacket or surgical gown. In a preferred embodiment, the garment is made of a thermally insulating material, such as GORE® surgical fabric, preferably level 3 or 4. Furthermore, the present garment features at least one and preferably several pockets which are designed to releasably accommodate a temperature element such as a reusable heatable gel pack or chemical warming pack, cooling pack or the like.

It is contemplated that the size and locations of the temperature regulating elements are variable to suit the situation. The temperature regulating element can be a heating element, such as a battery-powered heating element, chemical warming pack, reusable heated gel pack or warmed up bag of IV fluid, or a cooling element, such as a phase change cooling element, chemical cooling pack, reusable cooled gel pack, refrigerated bag of IV fluid or ice packs. While preferably made of mesh material, the pockets are designed to allow the heat generated by the regulating elements to be distributed generally uniformly throughout an inside chamber defined by the present garment. The garment also features at least one single layer or double layer pocket, designed to hold a heating or cooling pack over the wearer's lumbar region. When provided as a vest, the present garment can be reversed to provide an additional layer of non-fenestrated material between the wearer and the temperature element. Such an additional layer is helpful when a cooling element is used to prevent the discomfort of localized cold upon the skin.

More specifically, a garment for regulating temperature is provided, including a body having a back panel and at least one front panel made of a temperature insulating textile and partially joined along at least one common edge, the joined panels defining an inside chamber. At least one pocket having a top, bottom and side edges, is fastened to an inner surface of at least one of the front panel and the back panel on at least one side of the at least one pocket. The at least one pocket has at least one side opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present temperature regulating garment shown in an open position with a temperature regulating element exploded out;

FIG. 2 is front view of the garment of FIG. 1 shown without the temperature regulating element;

FIG. 3a is a cross-section taken along the line 3a-3a of FIG. 2 and in the direction generally indicated;

FIG. 3b is a cross-section taken along the line 3b-3b of FIG. 2 and in the direction generally indicated;

FIG. 3c is a cross-section taken along the line 3c-3c of FIG. 1 and in the direction generally indicated;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present garment;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the garment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of another alternate embodiment of the garment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of another alternate embodiment shown in an open position with a temperature regulating element exploded out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 4, a garment for regulating temperature is generally designated 10, and in the preferred embodiment is a jacket including a body 12 with a back panel 14, at least one of a first front panel 16 and a second front panel 18. The first front panel 16 is partially joined along at least one first common edge 20 shared with the back panel 14. Likewise, the second front panel 18 is partially joined along at least one second common edge 22 shared with the back panel 14. As is known in the art, the common edges 20, 22 form seams. The first front panel 16 and the second front panel 18 are joinable along respective free edges 24, 26, preferably by fasteners 28, such as snaps, buttons, clips, zippers, VELCRO® hook and loop fastener material, and the like. Upon assembly, the joined panels 14, 16 and 18 combine to define an inside chamber 29.

A first arm hole 30 is defined in part by an end 32 of a seam 34 formed by joining the common edges 20 of the first front panel 16 and the back panel 14, and at an end 36 of the arm hole opposite the end 32 by a shoulder seam 38 formed by a junction of the first front panel 16 and the back panel 14. Likewise, a second arm hole 40 is defined by an end 42 of a second seam 44 formed by joining the common edges 22 of the second front panel 18 and the back panel 14, and at an end 46 of the arm hole 40 opposite the end 42 by a shoulder seam 48 formed by a junction of the second front panel 18 and the back panel 14.

A first sleeve 50 and a second sleeve 52 are optionally affixed respectively to the first and second arm holes 30, 40. Preferably, the body 12, and if provided, the sleeves, 50, 52 of the garment 10 are made of GORE® surgical fabric, level 3 or 4, but alternate embodiments are contemplated where the body is made of any thermally insulating, synthetic, non-linting medically acceptable textile, including, but not limited to polyester fabric, cotton polyester fabric, surgical fabric, nylon or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the garment 10 is depicted in an open position such that an inner surface 54 of the back panel 14, an inner surface 56 of the first front panel 16, and an inner surface 58 of the second front panel 18 are shown. A first pocket 60 dimensioned for accommodating a temperature regulating element 62 is fastened to the inner or interior surface 56 of the first front panel 16 approximately 10-15 centimeters from a bottom edge or hem 64 of the first front panel to a bottom edge 65 of the pocket and approximately 4 centimeters from a side edge 66 of the first front panel 16 to an adjacent pocket edge 67. A third pocket 68, preferably smaller than the first pocket 60, is fastened to an outer or exterior surface 70 of the first pocket 60. As an alternative, the third pocket 68, is directly fastened to the inner surface 56 of the first front panel 16, and therefore will lie inside the first pocket 60.

Likewise, a second pocket 72 dimensioned for accommodating the temperature regulating element 62 is fastened to an inner surface 58 of the second front panel 18 approximately 10-15 centimeters from a bottom edge or hem 76 of the second front panel 18 to a bottom pocket edge 77 and approximately 4 centimeters from a side edge 78 of the second front panel 18 to an adjacent pocket edge 79. A fourth pocket 80, preferably smaller than the second pocket 72, is fastened to an outer or exterior surface 82 of the second pocket 72. As an alternative, a fourth pocket 80, is directly fastened to the inner surface 58 of the second front panel 18, and therefore will lie inside the second pocket 72.

The preferred dimension of the first and the second pockets 60, 72 is 25 cm deep or tall, and 20 cm wide. These pockets 60, 72 are sized to accommodate a larger temperature regulating element 62, including but not limited to IV fluid bags, but may also hold a smaller temperature regulating element such as a chemical warming pack. The preferred dimensions of the third and fourth pockets 68, 80 are 12 cm deep or tall and 16 cm wide. The bottom edge 65 of the first pocket 60 and the bottom edge 77 of the second pocket 72 are preferably located 13 cm from bottom edges 88, 89 of the third and fourth pockets 68, 80, respectively. These pockets 68, 80 are sized to accommodate a smaller temperature regulating element 62, such as a chemical warming pack. For the purposes of this application, the above-identified combinations of the first and third pockets 60 and 68, and the second and fourth pockets 72 and 80 will also be referred to as double pockets.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a fifth pocket 90 and a sixth pocket 92 for accommodating a temperature regulating element 62 are fastened to the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14 approximately 20-25 cm from a bottom edge 94 of the back panel to a bottom edge 95 of the pockets. Advantageously, the fifth and sixth pockets 90, 92 are placed over a wearer's lumbar region to direct the temperature regulating element 62 over this body region. Accordingly, the preferred dimension of each of the fifth and sixth pockets 90, 92 is 12-25 cm deep or tall and 16-20 cm wide. In the preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the pockets 90 and 92 are separated by a seam 96. In FIG. 1, the seam 96 is omitted, leaving only a single pocket 90.

It is contemplated that at least one of the pockets 60, 68, 72, 80, 90 and 92 may have one of the temperature regulating elements 62 disposed inside of them at any given time. The location, dimensions, and design of the pockets 60, 68, 72, 80, 90 and 92 may vary from the above description to suit the application, provided that the pockets are constructed and arranged for allowing the heat or cooling from the temperature regulating element 62 to escape into the interior chamber 29 and this chamber is thus insulated from ambient temperature in the room, usually an operating room. Thus, the user will employ the type of temperature regulating element(s) 62 as needed to achieve a desired temperature within the interior chamber that has a perceived differential from the ambient temperature of the room. It is to be understood that this desired temperature will vary with the individual and the circumstances of the application.

The garment 10 is preferably made of a non-tinting, temperature insulating textile which can withstand multiple industrial or hospital launderings. Advantageously, the preferred material maintains the temperature within the inside chamber 29. In the preferred embodiment, the pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, and 92 of the garment 10 are made of polyester fabric, preferably mesh which allows for enhanced conductivity of the desired temperature in the inside chamber 29. However, in other embodiments, the pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, 92, can be made of other textiles. The pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, 92, are fastened to the garment 10 to withstand the weight of a one liter bag of IV fluid as well as repeated use of the pockets. In the preferred embodiment, the pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, 92, are sewn to the inner or interior surfaces 56, 58, 54, respectively, of the front first panel 16, the second front panel 18, and the back panel 14, although alternate ways of fastening the pockets to the front first panel, the second front panel, and the back panel are envisioned.

In the preferred embodiment, the temperature regulating element 62 is a heating element, such as a chemical warming pack, warmed up bag of IV fluid or other elements that are remotely heated and placed into the pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, 92, while warm. Advantageously, including a heating element allows the user to remain at a comfortable temperature while working in a cold operating room. In other embodiments, similar benefits are obtained when the temperature regulating element 62 is a cooling element, including elements that are remotely cooled, chemical cooling packs, refrigerated bags of IV fluid or ice packs. The placement of, and amounts of the temperature regulating element 62 can be individualized to the needs of the wearer. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the temperature regulating element 62 is not limited to those listed and can be substituted with similar temperature regulating elements.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a, 3c and 4, at least one supplemental pocket 102 is fastened to an outer or exterior surface 104 of either or both of the first and second front panels 16, 18. As is known in the art, such supplemental pockets 102 can be used to hold a pen, pencil or other instrument needed by the wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 the garment 10 preferably has a neck 108, formed by a top edge 110 of the first front panel 16, a top edge 112 of the back panel 14, and a top edge 114 of the second front panel 18. In the preferred embodiment, a collar 116, which will keep the wearer's neck warm, is affixed to the neck 108 of the garment 10. The garment 10 also preferably includes a cuff 118 affixed to each of the sleeves 50, 52. Note that the collar 116 is optional (FIG. 5). Advantageously, the cuffs 118 will keep the wrists of the wearer warm, and will serve to prevent heat from escaping into the room. The collar 116 and the cuffs 118 are preferably made of rib knit polyester, however other materials are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the garment is shown, generally designated 120. Components shared with the garment 10 are designated with identical reference numbers. The main distinction of the garment 120 is it does not have the first and second sleeves 50, 52. This embodiment is advantageous in that it helps keep the wearer's core warm or cool while being worn under a conventional warm up jacket or surgical gown. The garment 120 shown in FIG. 6 is preferably reversible such that the respective inner surfaces 56, 58, of the first 16 and second 18 front panels become an outer or exterior surface of the first 16 and second 18 front panels, respectively, and the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14 becomes an outer or exterior surface of the back panel 14. Reversing the garment 120 will place a non-fenestrated layer of material, that being the material of the body 12, between the wearer's skin and the temperature regulating element 62, particularly important if 62 is a cooling element. A temperature regulating element 62 for maintaining temperature range within the chamber between the vest and a conventional warm up jacket or between the vest and a surgical gown can be disposed into one or more pockets 60, 72, 68, 80, 90, 92.

Furthermore, the garments 10 and 120 are designed to meet guidelines for garments worn in hospital operating rooms as set forth by the American Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of the garment is shown, generally designated 130. Components shared with the garment 10 are designated with identical reference numbers. The main distinction of the garment 130, compared to the garments described above, is that the attachments of at least one of the pockets 60, 72, 90 to the back, first front, and second front panels 14, 16, 18, or the attachments of at least one of the pockets 68 and 80 to the pockets 60 and 72 have openings to facilitate the placement of at least one temperature regulating element connected by at least one wire and for the attached wires to have a neat appearance and to reduce tangling of the wires. Ultimately, the wires are connected to a battery pack for generating the desired heating or cooling.

In a preferred embodiment, openings 132 are preferably centered on edges 134 and 67 of the first pocket 60 facing the fifth pocket 90. In the preferred embodiment, each opening 132 is between 2-2.5 inches long. Similar openings 136 are preferably provided on edges 138 and 79 of the second pocket 72 facing the fifth pocket 90. The fifth pocket 90 has openings 140 and 142 preferably centered on edges 144 and 146. The openings 140 and 142 are also preferably 2-2.5 inches long. Preferably, the size of the openings 132, 136, 140, and 142 are smaller than a shortest size of the temperature regulating element 62 to prevent the temperature regulating element from falling through the openings regardless of its direction in the pockets. It is contemplated that the size and location of the openings 132, 136, 140, and 142 may vary to suit the application.

Preferably, there additionally are strap-like attachments 148, 150 with at least one end removably attached to the inner surfaces 54, 56, 58. In the preferred embodiment, the attachments 148, 150 are attached to the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14. These removable attachments keep a connecting wire 152 connecting the respective heating elements 62 from hanging freely. The removable attachments 148, 150 are fastened to the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14 with fasteners 151 located at at least one of the top and bottom of each of the removable attachments 148, 150. In the preferred embodiment, the removable attachments 148, 150 are detachable with a fastener 151 at one end, and permanently attached on the end opposite to the end with the fastener 151. These fasteners could include, but are not limited to, VELCRO® hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or buttons.

The removable attachments 148, 150, when fastened to the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14, define a passage for receiving the wires 152 from the temperature regulating elements 62, 154, 155 when the wires are threaded or passed from pockets 60 to 90 to 72 or alternatively 72 to 90 to 60. The removable attachments 148, 150 are removably attached to the inner surface 54 of the back panel 14, respectively between the first pocket 60 and the fifth pocket 90 and between the second pocket 72 and the fifth pocket 90. However, other attachment technologies and arrangements of the removable attachments are contemplated.

The openings 132, 136, 140, 142 are dimensioned to accommodate a folded temperature regulating element 62, or the like, which is connected via the wire or cord 152, to a second temperature regulating element 154 (shown hidden) located in one of the other pockets. Once inserted through the openings 132, 136, 140, 142, the temperature regulating element 62 is unfolded by the user so that it remains in the pocket. At the same time, the wire 152 maintains connection to the second temperature regulating element 154. Preferably, pockets 60, 72, and 90 are conventional, open-topped pockets, and can be either single or double pockets as discussed above.

Thus, a user can thread or pass the connected first temperature regulating element 62, second temperature regulating element 154, and third temperature regulating element 155 and wires 152 into the designated pockets without needing to disconnect any of the elements for separate placement in pockets. For example, the user first passes a third temperature regulating element 155 (shown hidden) sequentially through openings 140 and 142 of the fifth pocket 90 and then through opening 136 in the pocket 72. The second temperature regulating element 154, connected by wire 152, is passed through the opening 140 of the fifth pocket 90, and the temperature regulating element 62 is inserted into the first pocket 60 through the opening 132. Preferably, the removable attachments 148, 150 are unattached during the passing process, and fastened with fasteners 151 after elements 62, 154, and 155 are disposed in pockets 60, 90, and 72. Alternatively, the removable attachments 148, 150 are attached during the passing process, and each element 62, 154, 155 can be passed through the passage defined by the removable attachments.

In a preferred embodiment, openings 132, 136, 140, and 142 are generally aligned, and are disposed along a common latitudinal axis L. In the preferred embodiment, the removable attachments 148, 150 are also generally in alignment with openings 140, and 142, and in some cases also openings 132, 136. The removable attachments 148, 150 are preferably disposed along a common latitudinal axis ‘L’ such that the attachments are fastened with fasteners 151 disposed on either side of the axis L. Therefore, when elements 62, 154, and 155 are disposed in pockets 60, 90, and 72, the wire 152 preferably is level and parallel to axis L.

The third pocket 68 and fourth pocket 80 preferably have openings 156 and 158 on edges 160 and 162, each facing the fifth pocket 90. In a preferred embodiment, openings 156 and 158 are two inches in length and centered on edges 160 and 162. Preferably, pockets 68 and 80 are conventional, open-topped pockets. As is the case with the openings 132, 136, 140, 142, the length and position of the openings 156, 158 may vary to suit the application.

In a preferred embodiment, temperature regulating elements 62, 154, and 155 are connected to an associated battery pack 164 (shown hidden). The battery pack 164 is contemplated as being of any one of a commercially available style, including rechargeable removable batteries, rechargeable fixed batteries, being disposable as a unit, or the like. Preferably, while the temperature regulating elements 62, 154, 155 are passed through pockets 60, 90, and 72, the battery pack 164 is disconnected from the temperature regulating elements. Preferably, the battery pack 164 is placed in the pockets 68 or 80 conventionally through open tops of the pockets 68 or 80. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the battery pack 164 is placed in the pockets 68 or 60 through openings 156 or 158. It is also contemplated that the battery pack 164 is located in one of the other pockets that also houses a temperature regulating element. Once the temperature regulating elements 62, 154, 155 are disposed in the pockets 60, 90, and 72, the battery pack 164 is connected to the temperature regulating elements via a wire 166 and a suitable plug-in coupler (not shown). The battery pack 164 is also optionally provided with a power adjustment to enable user adjustment of the power distributed to the various temperature regulating elements 62, 154, 155.

While a particular embodiment of the present temperature regulating garment has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment for regulating temperature, comprising:

a body including a back panel and at least one front panel made of a temperature insulating textile and partially joined along at least one common edge, said joined panels defining an inside chamber; and

at least one pocket having a top, bottom and side edges, being fastened to an inner surface of at least one of said front panel and said back panel on at least one side of the at least one pocket, said at least one pocket having at least one side opening.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said at least one pocket is a double pocket which includes at least one first pocket and at least one second pocket being fastened to said inner surface of said front panel, said second pocket being fastened to an outer surface of said first pocket or directly to said inner surface of said front panel such that said second pocket lies inside said first pocket, said second pocket having a length extending approximately half a length of said first pocket.

3. The garment of claim 2 wherein said second pocket is fastened to the outer surface of said first pocket or directly to said inner surface of said front panel on at least one side of said second pocket, said second pocket having at least one side opening.

4. The garment of claim 1, further including multiple pockets, at least one said pocket disposed on each of said front and back panels, each said pocket having a side opening such that the openings are generally aligned with each other.

5. The garment of claim 4 further including at least one removable attachment disposed on at least one of said front and back panels, said attachments being generally aligned with said side openings.

6. The garment of claim 1 further comprising at least one temperature regulating element disposed inside one or more of said pockets, each said at least one temperature regulating element configured for maintaining a desired temperature within said inside chamber.

7. The garment of claim 6 further including a battery pack connected to said at least one temperature regulating element for providing power to said element.

8. The garment of claim 1 further including at least one removable attachment attached to an inner surface of at least one of said front panel and said back panel to create a passage constructed and arranged for receiving at least one wire from said at least one temperature regulating element.

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the at least one removable attachment is attached to the inner surface with at least one removable fastener.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein said at least one side opening is approximately two inches in length.

11. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pockets is fastened to the inner surface of said back panel approximately 20-25 cm from a bottom of said back panel to a bottom of the pocket so as to be placed over the wearer's lumbar region.

12. The garment of claim 11 wherein said at least one pocket is a double pocket which includes at least one first pocket and at least one third pocket being fastened to said inner surface of said front panel approximately 10-15 cm from a bottom of said first pocket to a bottom edge of said garment and approximately 4 cm from a lower front edge of said front panel of the garment to a side edge of said first pocket.

13. The garment of claim 1 having two arm holes each defined by an end of a seam formed by joining said common edges of said front panel and at an opposite end by a junction of said front panel and said back panel.

14. The garment of claim 13 further including a first sleeve and a second sleeve affixed respectively to said first and said second arm holes.

15. The garment of claim 1 further including at least one supplemental pocket fastened to the outer surface of said front panel.

16. The garment of claim 1 further including at least one of a neck or a collar.

17. The garment of claim 16 wherein at least one of said neck and said collar is made of rib-knit polyester.

18. The garment of claim 1 wherein at least one of said pockets is made of a material taken from the group consisting of polyester mesh, GORE® surgical fabric and polyester fabric.

19. The garment of claim 1 made of a material taken from the group consisting of polyester fabric, GORE® surgical fabric, cotton polyester fabric, and nylon.