US20120117710A1 - Garment For An Echocardiographic Patient - Google Patents
Garment For An Echocardiographic Patient Download PDFInfo
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- US20120117710A1 US20120117710A1 US13/358,843 US201213358843A US2012117710A1 US 20120117710 A1 US20120117710 A1 US 20120117710A1 US 201213358843 A US201213358843 A US 201213358843A US 2012117710 A1 US2012117710 A1 US 2012117710A1
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- privacy flap
- front panel
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/12—Surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses
- A41D13/1236—Patients' garments
- A41D13/1245—Patients' garments for the upper part of the body
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- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract
In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an examination garment for covering a patient's torso during a medical examination, wherein the garment comprises a back panel and a front panel connected to the back panel along a common top edge. The front panel includes an access opening for providing access to a patient's chest when the garment is worn by the patient. The garment additionally includes a privacy flap connected to the front panel such that the privacy flap will cover the access opening when the privacy flap is in a Closed position. Furthermore, the garment includes a monitor pocket disposed on the privacy flap.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/618,199 filed on Nov. 13, 2009. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present teaching relate to an examination garment to be worn by a patient during a medical examination
- The present disclosure relates to a patient garment, and in particular, relates to a garment configured to highlight the intercostal area of a patient during an echocardiographic examination using ultrasound imaging.
- Patients in hospitals, clinics, or doctors' offices are typically provided with garments in an effort to help patients maintain their privacy and modesty during examinations. A much used and well known garment has a split-open, dual rear section back, a solid-closed front, and dual short sleeves, made of a single sheet of cloth material. The garment is secured by drawing together one or more vertically spaced-apart ties that extend from opposite edges of the two rear sections of the split-open back, and by tying the drawn ties into bows.
- The rear opening of commercially available garments provides direct access for examination of underlying posterior areas of a patient. However, to examine a frontal portion of a patient's torso, it may be required for the patient to at least partially remove the garment to expose the desired area for examination. In such case, the patient is subjected to a more intrusive exposure than that required simply to complete the examination.
- For routine medical examinations, should medical personnel need to examine, e.g. a portion of the patient's front left torso, the patient is required to remove the left sleeve of the garment, essentially unflap their entire upper left quadrant, to provide unrestricted visible access to the medical personnel. In such case, the patient is required to expose a significant portion of their body simply to provide access to a frontal site.
- During an echocardiograph examination, the patient is positioned in the supine position. Typically, the patient is positioned in the left lateral decubitus position and, occasionally, in the right lateral decubitus position. This left lateral approach uses gravity, bringing more of the heart to the left of the sternum and facilitating the recording of most intracardiac echoes.
- Once the patient is properly positioned, the medical personnel then position the ultrasound probe on the patient's torso, e.g., the patient's chest, for an echo reading. In order to create images for a proper reading, the probe must be positioned to contact the bare skin of the patient. Accordingly, the garment is either removed or opened to expose the patient's torso (
FIG. 1 ). Existing garments expose the patient's breast or impede the quick access needed for imaging the targeted areas immediately after exercise for a stress echocardiogram. - After the echocardiograph reading, the patient undergoes a stress test such as running on a treadmill. Stress echocardiography is used to determine the presence of significant coronary artery disease. Subsequent the stress test, the medical personnel has only 90 seconds to properly place the patient in the supine position, handle and position the probe and place the probe in the proper position on the patient's torso, e.g., the patient's chest, for the post-stress reading.
- Due to the critical, but yet short, time period between the stress test and the echocardiograph reading, the patient typically wears the existing garment with the torso portion open during the stress test. Some patients even perform the stress test topless. The patient exposes the torso during the stress test to minimize the time for the medical personnel to properly position the ultrasound probe on the patient's torso, e.g., the patient's chest. Accordingly, the exposed torso assists the medical personnel in acquiring the echocardiographic images within the 90 second time frame.
- Performing the stress test while exposing the torso, however, causes the patient anguish from coldness and drafts in the room, or by unnecessarily compromising their modesty and privacy. Accordingly, patients and medical personnel require a garment that substantially covers the torso during a stress test and subsequent imaging; but, highlights, targets and allows access to a portion of the torso in a time efficient and convenient manner to the medical personnel for a post-stress, echocardiographic reading.
- The present disclosure provides a garment for covering a patient's torso during a medical examination. In various embodiments, the garment comprises a back panel and a front panel connected to the back panel along a common top edge. The front panel includes an access opening for providing access to a patient's chest when the garment is worn by the patient. The garment additionally includes a privacy flap connected to the front panel such that the privacy flap will cover the access opening when the privacy flap is in a Closed position. Furthermore, the garment includes a monitor pocket disposed on the privacy flap.
- The present disclosure also relates to a method of highlighting, targeting and exposing the intercostal area of a patient during an echocardiograph examination.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a patient wearing a known examination garment illustrating that the garment opens in the front such that the patient's chest/breasts are exposed during an echocardiographic examination. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an examination garment for a medical patient, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the garment shown inFIG. 2 illustrating an access opening, a privacy flap and a monitor pocket disposed on a back side of the privacy flap for holding a cardiac monitoring device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of patient wearing the garment shown inFIG. 2 while undergoing a stress test, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5 illustrates the privacy flap of the garment shown inFIG. 2 in an ‘Open’ position revealing the monitor pocket disposed on the back side of the privacy flap as a patient wearing the garment lies on her/his side during an echocardiographic examination in which an echocardiographic probe is positioned on the patient's chest via the access opening, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6 illustrates the echocardiographic probe positioned under the privacy flap and within the access opening when the privacy flap is placed in a ‘Closed’ position, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 7 illustrates the echocardiographic probe inserted through a side opening of the garment shown inFIG. 2 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a full length embodiment of the garment shown inFIG. 2 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the full length garment shown inFIG. 8 wherein the access opening is narrow and elongated, in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of the garment shown inFIG. 9 wherein the monitor pocket is centered on the back of the privacy flap, in accordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure. - Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
- The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements.
- Referring to
FIGS. 2 through 11 , the present disclosure provides anexamination garment 10 to be worn by a patient during a medical examination. Generally, thegarment 10 can be used for any medical examination, however, for purposes of illustration only, thegarment 10 will be described herein, with regard to being worn by a patient during an echocardiographic examination. Components of thegarment 10 can have a variety of cross sectional shapes such as elliptical, oval, circular, triangular, square, rectangular or other appropriate geometric configuration. Thegarment 10 can be constructed in various sizes to accommodate patients of any size and to accommodate right handed or left handed medical personnel during the echocardiographic examination. - The ability to obtain a high-quality echocardiographic recording is an important factor in determining how useful an echocardiographic examination will be. No matter how expertly one interprets echocardiograms, it is not possible to obtain useful information from an inadequate examination, and examinations must be customized for each patient. Medical personnel cannot place an
echocardiographic probe 39, sometimes referred to as a transducer, on a patient's chest at specific locations, as is done with adhesive echocardiographic leads, and hope that the recording will be comparable from one patient to another. Echocardiographic examinations have become a highly sophisticated in technique and require the medical medical personnel to possess experience, skill, and an understanding of the requirements for a high quality and useful echocardiogram. - Almost all echocardiographic examinations are done with the patient in some variation of the supine position. Occasionally, the patient is flat, but more often the patient is in the left lateral decubitus position and, occasionally, in the right lateral decubitus position. The left lateral approach uses gravity to bring more of the heart to the left of the sternum, which can facilitate the recording of most intracardiac echoes. The most common place to begin an examination is along the left sternal border, which has been designated as the left parasternal or simply parasternal, with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position.
- The right parasternal window, however, can be particularly helpful in looking at the aorta or the interatrial septum. When examining from the right side of the sternum, the patient is best positioned in the right lateral decubitus. This approach is commonly used when recording blood flow across the aortic valve.
- Referring now to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thegarment 10 generally includes afront panel 12 and aback panel 14 joined together along a commontop edge 34 having aneck opening 16 disposed therein. Alternatively, thegarment 10 can be described as a single, folded over and contiguous panel having theneck opening 16 disposed therein. In various implementations, theneck opening 16 can be oval shaped, its longer axis being aligned with that of thetop edge 34. In various embodiments, theneck opening 16 has a size ranging from about 5 inches wide to about 10 inches wide and from about 4 inches long to about 10 inches long. Additionally, in various embodiments, thefront panel 12 and backpanel 14 can have sizes ranging from about 14 inches wide to about 30 inches wide and from about 18 inches long to about 30 inches long. - The
front panel 12 has a fronttop edge 18, afront bottom edge 20, a frontleft side 22 and a frontright side 24. When thegarment 10 is worn by a patient, thefront panel 12 substantially covers the front of the patient's torso. In particular, thefront panel 12 covers the patient's sternum and intercostal areas. As is known the medical field, the external intercostal muscles originate at ribs #1-11 and have their insertion on ribs #2-12, while the internal intercostal muscles originate at ribs #2-12 and have their insertion on ribs #1-11, and the area generally defined by the 3rd rib and 5th rib is often referred to as the area between the 3rd intercostal area and the 5th intercostal area of the patient's torso. - The
back panel 14 has a backtop edge 26, aback bottom edge 28, a backleft side 30 and a backright side 32. The backtop edge 26 connects to the fronttop edge 18 along the commontop edge 34. When thegarment 10 is worn by a patient, theback panel 14 substantially covers the patient's back area. As described above, thefront panel 12 and theback panel 14 connect to each other along the commontop edge 34, however, the front and back leftsides garment 10 is worn by a patient, a left side opening 36 (shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 ) exists between the front and back leftsides right side opening 38 exists between the front and back right sides 24 and 32. The left andright side openings garment 10, respectively, and are configured to provide openings through which a medical personnel can insert theechocardiographic probe 39 and access to the patient's torso. - Although the
garment 10 is generally described and illustrated as being sleeveless, it is envisioned that in various embodiments thegarment 10 can include sleeves disposed at the top of the left andright side openings sides fasteners 40 disposed at one or more locations along the front and back leftsides fasteners 40 can comprise a opposing tassels attached to the front and back right sides 24 and 32 and opposing tassels attached to the front and back leftsides FIG. 3 , in various implementations, the tassels can be positioned from thetop edge 34 at a distance represented by “A”, e.g., about 5 to 15 inches. The opposing tassels are configured to removably fasten with one another to close, or partially close, the respective left andright side openings sides fasteners 40 can be any fastener that is suitable to support, stabilize or fasten together the front andback panels fasteners 40 can be any sort of structure adaptable to releasably hold an opening in a closed configuration. For example, in various embodiments, thefasteners 40 can alternatively be snaps, catches, latches, toggles, buttons, straps, strings, and hook-and-loop closures. - As shown in
FIGS. 2 , 3 and 5, thefront panel 12 includes an access opening, i.e., an aperture, 42 defined therethrough. Theaccess opening 42 is configured to highlight and target a specific area of the patient's torso, e.g., a specific area of the patient's chest, for an echocardiographic reading. In various embodiments, the access opening 42 can be oval-shaped having a top 44, a bottom 46 and opposingsides 48. When thegarment 10 is worn by a patient, the access opening 42 is generally positioned over the sternum area of the patient. As exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 3 , in various implementations, the access opening 42 can have the top 44 positioned at a distance “B” from about 2 inches to about 8 inches from thetop edge 34, a width measured between the opposingsides 48 from about 2 inches two about 6 inches and a length measured between the top 44 and the bottom 46 from about 2 inches to about 8 inches. - When the
garment 10 is worn by a patient, the access opening 42 generally surrounds a portion of the patient's torso between the 3rd intercostal area and the 5th intercostal area. Particularly, the access opening 42 highlights and targets the area between the 3rd intercostal area and the 5th intercostal area for the medical personnel to position theechocardiographic probe 39 during examination. More particularly, thegarment 10 is structured such that the access opening 42 reveals only the area between the 3rd and 5th intercostal area so that the breasts of the patient remain covered and concealed. As shown inFIG. 5 , the access opening 42 provides access to the proper location of the patient's torso for theprobe 39 such that an echocardiographic examination can be performed without exposing the patients breasts. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 , 3, 5 and 6, thegarment 10 further includes aprivacy flap 50 attached to thefront panel 12. In various embodiments, theprivacy flap 50 is removably attached to thefront panel 12 of thegarment 10 via a fastener (not shown) such as but not limited to a hook and loop fastener. Alternatively, in various other embodiments, theprivacy flap 50 can be integrally connected, e.g., sewn, to thefront panel 12. Theprivacy flap 50 is configured to overlap and conceal the access opening 42 when placed in a closed position (as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 ). Particularly, theprivacy flap 50 is moveable between an ‘Open’ position (as shown inFIG. 5 ), wherein the access opening 42 is exposed, and a ‘Closed’ position, wherein the access opening 42 is completely covered. As illustrated inFIG. 5 , when theprivacy flap 50 is in the Open position, aback side 51 of theprivacy flap 50 is exposed. - In various embodiments, the
privacy flap 50 can have rectangular shape with atop edge 52, abottom edge 54 and opposing left and right side edges 56 and 57. Theprivacy flap 50 is generally centered on thefront panel 12 such that it will cover the access opening 42 when in the Closed position. In various implementations, thetop edge 52 of theprivacy flap 50 is positioned at a distance “C” (shown inFIG. 3 ) from about 2 inches to about 7 inches from thegarment top edge 34. Additionally, in various implementations, theprivacy flap 50 can have a width, as measured between the opposingsides top edge 52 and thebottom edge 54, from about 8 inches to about 12 inches. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 , 5, 6 and 7, as described above, in various embodiments, theprivacy flap 50 is integrally connected, e.g., sewn, to thefront panel 12. Specifically, in various implementations, theprivacy flap 50 can be connected, e.g., sewn, to thefront panel 12 along substantially the entiretop edge 52 of theprivacy flap 50 and along at least a portion of one of the left or right side edges 56 or 57. For example, in various embodiments, the privacy flap can be connected to thefront panel 12 along atop connection line 82 that extends across substantially the entiretop edge 52 and along aside connection line 84 that extends along at least a portion of one of the left or the right side edges 56 or 57, e.g., connected along one-third, one-half, three-quarters or the entirety of the length of theleft side edge 56 or theright side edge 57. - As exemplarily illustrated in
FIG. 5 , a portion of theleft side edge 56 of theprivacy flap 50 is connected, e.g., sewn, to thefront panel 12 along theside connection line 84 such that when theprivacy flap 50 is placed in the Open position, theprivacy flap 50 will not fold straight up toward the patient's neck, i.e., toward theneck opening 16, but rather will fold diagonally up toward the patient's right shoulder. Importantly, as result of at least a portion of one of the side edges 56 or 57 of theprivacy flap 50 being connected tofront panel 12, when theprivacy flap 50 is placed in the Closed position and the patient is lying on her/his side, theprivacy flap 50 will be remain disposed over the entire access opening 42 and will not fall open toward the patient's lower side exposing the access opening 42 and the patient's chest, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 . Accordingly, the connection of theprivacy flap 50 to thefront panel 12 along at least a portion of one of theleft side edge 56 or theright side edge 57 maintains theprivacy flap 50 substantially in the Closed position when the patient is lying on her/his side that is opposite the connectedflap side edge left side edge 56 of theprivacy flap 50 connected to thefront panel 12, thereby maintaining concealment of the access opening 42 and the patient's chest during examination with theprobe 39, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 . Hence, theprivacy flap 50 covers the access opening 42 to provide privacy to the patient as the patient undergoes the echocardiographic reading and undergoes other portions of a stress test, as will be discussed. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 , 3 and 5, in various embodiments, thegarment 10 further includes amonitor pocket 58 attached to theback side 51 of theprivacy flap 50. In various implementations, themonitor pocket 58 can have a rectangular shape with a top 60, a bottom 62 and opposingsides 64. In various implementations, themonitor pocket 58 can have a width, as measured between opposingsides 64, from about 3 inches to about 6 inches, and a length, as measured between the top 60 and the bottom 62, from about 3 inches to about 6 inches. Themonitor pocket 58 is structured and operable to hold a cardiac telemetry monitoring device, or other device (not shown). - Having the
monitor pocket 58 disposed on theback side 51 of theprivacy flap 50 allows the weight of the monitoring device, or other device, to be distributed across the upper portion of thefront panel 12 of thegarment 10. Particularly, as described above, theprivacy flap 50 is connected to thefront panel 12 along substantially the entiretop edge 52 of theprivacy flap 50, specifically along thetop connection line 82, which extends across a substantial portion of the width of thefront panel 12. Therefore, when a monitoring device, or other device, is disposed within themonitor pocket 58, and the patient is in an upright position, i.e. standing or sitting up, the weight of the device will be distributed along thetop connection line 82 and across a substantial portion of the upper portion of thegarment front panel 12. - Accordingly, pulling stresses on the
front panel 12 of thegarment 10 caused by the weight of the device will be dispersed across the upper portion of thefront panel 12, and more particularly across thetop edge 18 of thefront panel 12, i.e., along the commontop edge 34 where the front andback panels top edge 18 of thefront panel 12 allows the patient to comfortably bear, or carry, or support, the weight of the device across their chest and shoulders as opposed to uncomfortably bearing/carrying/supporting the weight of the device across the back of their neck, as would be the case if themonitor pocket 58 were disposed on thefront panel 12 of thegarment 10. - That is, if the
monitor pocket 58 were attached to thegarment front panel 12 the pulling forces on thefront panel 12, caused by the weight of the device disposed therein, would be focused on a small portion of the upper portion of thefront panel 12 and not dispersed across a wide area of the upper portion of thefront panel 12. For example, if the monitor pocket were attached to thegarment front panel 12, generally centered between the front panel left andright sides neck opening 16 causing the patient to uncomfortably bear/carry/support the weight of the device with their neck. However, as described above, themonitor pocket 58 of thegarment 10 is attached on theback side 51 of theprivacy flap 50 such that the pulling forces caused by the weight of a device disposed in themonitor pocket 58 will be dispersed across a substantial portion of the width of the upper portion of thefront panel 12 allowing the weight to be comfortably borne across the patient's chest and shoulders. - It is envisioned that in various embodiments the
monitor pocket 58 can be attached to a front side 53 (shown inFIG. 2 ) of theprivacy flap 50 and provide the same pulling stress relief functionality described above with regard to the monitor pocket being attached to theback side 51 of theprivacy flap 50. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2 through 11 , thegarment 10 can be manufactured from any sort of drapable cloth-like material, including without limitation: cloth made from any material, plastic, paper, natural and synthetic fiber, and the like. In various embodiments, thegarment 10 can be manufactured from a durable cloth material that can be laundered for reuse. However, alternate materials can be employed for single sterile use prior to disposal. One material that is suitable for construction of thegarment 10 is poly-cotton blend. Tables 1-5 below illustrate embodiments of thegarment 10 for varying sized patients. -
TABLE 1 Average Adult Component Position From Top Edge 34Dimensions Access Opening “C” Dimension = 6½ Oval Shape - 4 inches 42 inches from the top edge 34wide × 6 inches long oval shape Privacy flap 50 “B” Dimension = 5½ Square Shape - 12 inches from the top edge 34inches × 12 inches Neck Opening 16 9 inches wide × 8 inches long oval shape Front Panel 12 27 inches wide × 25½ inches long Fastener 40 “A” Dimension = 11 inches from top edge 34 -
TABLE 2 Extra Large Adult Component Position From Top Edge 34Dimensions Access Opening “C” Dimension = 6½ Oval Shape - 4 inches 42 inches from the top edge 34wide × 6 inches long oval shape Privacy flap 50 “B” Dimension = 5½ Square Shape - 12 inches from the top edge 34inches × 12 inches Neck Opening 16 9 inches wide × 8 inches long oval shape Front Panel 12 37½ inches wide × 28½ inches long Fastener 40 “A” Dimension = 14 inches from top edge 34 -
TABLE 3 Small Adult/Teen Component Position From Top Edge 34Dimensions Access Opening “C” Dimension = 6½ Oval Shape - 4 inches 42 inches from the top edge 34wide × 6 inches long oval shape Privacy flap 50 “B” Dimension = 4 inches Square Shape - 10 from the top edge 34inches × 10 inches Neck Opening 16 9 inches wide × 8 inches long oval shape Front Panel 12 23 inches wide × 23 inches long Fastener 40 “A” Dimension = 11 inches from top edge 34 -
TABLE 4 Average Child Component Position From Top Edge 34Dimensions Access Opening “C” Dimension = 4½ Oval Shape - 3 inches 42 inches from the top edge 34wide × 4 inches long oval shape Privacy flap 50 “B” Dimension = 4 inches Square Shape - 10 from the top edge 34inches × 10 inches Neck Opening 16 7 inches wide × 6 inches long oval shape Front Panel 12 18 inches wide × 18 inches long Fastener 40 “A” Dimension = 9 inches from top edge 34 -
TABLE 5 Small Child Component Position From Top Edge 34Dimensions Access Opening “C” Dimension = 3½ Oval Shape - 3 inches 42 inches from the top edge 34wide × 3½ inches long oval shape Privacy flap 50 “B” Dimension = 3 inches Square Shape - 9 from the top edge 34inches × 9 inches Neck Opening 16 7 inches wide × 5 inches long oval shape Front Panel 12 16 inches wide × 16 inches long Fastener 40 “A” Dimension = 7 inches from top edge 34 - The noted dimensions are representative of various exemplary embodiments and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Many other dimensions can also function well; and it is anticipated that, for different sized patients or different types of examinations, other dimensions can be suitable as well.
- During use of the
garment 10, the patient inserts their head through theneck opening 16. Thefront panel 12 substantially covers the front of the patient's torso and theback panel 14 substantially covers the patient's back. Once thegarment 10 is donned, the access opening 42 will be positioned over the patient's sternum providing access from approximately the 3rd intercostal area to the 5th intercostal area of the patient. The access opening 42 highlights and targets the intercostal areas of the patient's torso. In particular, the access opening 42 provides access to the 3rd intercostal area to the 5th intercostal area of the patient. - After the patient puts the
garment 10 on, the medical personnel places the patient in the supine position. As described above, due theprivacy flap 50 being connected along at least a portion of one of the left or right side edges 56 or 57, theprivacy flap 50 continuously covers the access opening 42 to provide privacy to the patient while in the supine position, i.e., when the patient is lying on her/his side. Subsequently, the medical personnel can insert theprobe 39 under theprivacy flap 50 and through the access opening 42 such that theprivacy flap 50 maintains concealment of the patient's chest. The access opening 42 highlights a portion of the patient's torso, particularly; the access opening allows access to a discreet portion of the patient's chest. The access opening 42 assists in directing the medical personnel to properly position theprobe 39 on the patient's chest during the examination. - During the examination, the medical personnel positions the
probe 39 through the access opening 42 so that theprobe 39 contacts the patient's chest. As described above and illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7 , connection of theprivacy flap 50 along at least a portion the appropriate flap left orright side privacy flap 50 in the closed position such that theprivacy flap 50 covers and conceals theprobe 39, the medical personnel's hand and the access opening 42 to provide privacy to the patient during the examination. Accordingly, during the examination, thegarment 10 covers the patient's breasts, thereby maintaining privacy for the patient. - For a particular examination, the medical personnel can also insert the
probe 39 through either theleft side opening 36 orright side opening 38 of thegarment 10 to contact other areas of the patient's torso. For example, the medical personnel can insert theprobe 39 through theright side opening 38 to contact the apical areas located under the patient's breast without exposing the breast. Importantly, as described above, thefront panel 12 andprivacy flap 50 cover and conceal the front portion of the patient's torso to maintain privacy of the patient during examination. During this procedure, the medical personnel can also leave the patient's cardiac telemetry monitor disposed in themonitor pocket 58. - After the echocardiographic examination for obtaining rest images, the patient performs a stress test while wearing the
garment 10. During the stress test, thefront panel 12 andprivacy flap 50 maintain provision of patient privacy by covering the patient's breast. Typically, the patient runs on a treadmill for a predetermined amount of time. Particularly, theprivacy flap 50 covers the access opening 42 while the patient runs on the treadmill. That is, theprivacy flap 50 covers the portion of the torso, i.e., the chest, that is accessible via the access opening 42 to provide privacy to the patient during the stress test. - Upon completion of the stress test, the patient returns to the supine position lying on her/his left or right side. Since the access opening 42 highlights and provides access to the preferred area of the patient's chest, the access opening 42 targets the
probe 39 against the preferred area, e.g., the area between the 3rd intercostal area and the 5th intercostal area. The access opening 42 assists medical personnel in obtaining and echocardiographic reading within a 90 second time window. During the examination, the medical personnel positions theprobe 39 under theclosed privacy flap 50 and through the access opening 42 so that theprobe 39 contacts the patient's torso, i.e., the patient's chest. Again, as described above, in the closed position, theprivacy flap 50 covers theprobe 39, the medical personnel's hand and the access opening 42 to provide privacy to the patient during the entire stress test and examination. - For imaging of apical views located under the left breast, the medical personnel can conveniently insert the
probe 39 through theright side opening 38. Since theopening 38 exists between thefront panel 12 and backpanel 14, theopening 38 assists the medical personnel in targeting theprobe 39 on the apical area of the patient. - Thus, the access opening 42 of the
garment 10 allows access to both sides of the sternum to obtain echocardiographic images from the parasternal windows. The access opening 42 orside openings - Some stress tests are chemically induced and require intravenous (“IV”) access. The
front panel 12 and backpanel 14, which are separated by looseningfasteners 40, allow for convenient putting on and pulling off thegarment 10 while maintaining IV access. Additionally, some echocardiographic images need contrast enhancement which also requires IV access. Still further, during the stress test or during the echocardiographic examination of the patient, if the patient experiences cardiac arrest, the medical personnel can easily unloosen thefastener 40 remove thefront panel 12 and/or moveprivacy flap 50 to expose the front portion of the torso for proper medical procedures. - Turning to
FIG. 8 , in various embodiments, thegarment 10 can comprise a full length garment, referred to herein as garment 66, wherein afront panel 68 and a back panel (not shown) are connected together along the sides and along a common top edge. The back panel is separated to provide overlapping tie closures that allow the patient to put on and take off the gown. The garment 66 includes aneck opening 72, anaccess opening 74 and aprivacy flap 76. The garment 66 also includes a side access opening 74. The side access opening 74 is configured to allow access by theechocardiographic probe 39 to the sides of the patient's torso. As shown, the garment 66 further includessnap fasteners 80 positioned along the top edge areas of the garment 66. Thesesnap fasteners 80 allow access to the patient's upper body should the patient experience cardiac arrest during the stress test. In various implementations, the garment 66 further includes amonitor pocket 81 attached to the back side of theprivacy flap 76 for holding a cardiac telemetry monitoring device, or other device. The dimensions forgarment 10, described above, can also be used for garment 66. The size, shape and functionality of the access opening 74, theprivacy flap 76 and themonitor pocket 81 are substantially the same as those of access opening 42,privacy flap 50 and monitorpocket 58 described above. - Turning to
FIG. 9 , in various other embodiments, thegarment 10 can comprise a full length garment, referred to herein as garment 83, wherein afront panel 84 and a back panel 85 are connected together along a common top edge and along opposing sides. In such embodiments, the garment 83 includes aneck opening 86, an access opening 88, aprivacy flap 90 and a side access opening 92. The side access opening 92 is configured to allow access by the echocardiographic probe to the sides of the patient's torso. As shown, the garment 83 further includessnap fasteners 94 positioned along the top edge areas of the garment 83. Thesesnap fasteners 94 allow access to the patient's upper body should the patient experience cardiac arrest during the stress test. Additionally, the garment 83 further includes amonitor pocket 96 attached to the back side of theprivacy flap 90 for holding a cardiac telemetry monitoring device, or other device. Furthermore, in such embodiments, the access opening 88 is an elongated slit generally positioned over the sternum area of the patient. The top of the access opening 88 can be positioned at a distance from about 2 inches to about 8 inches from the top edge of garment 83 and can have a width such that the sides of the slit freely touch each other, the slit is exaggerated inFIG. 9 for purposes of clarity. The access opening 88, i.e., the slit, can have a length, as measured between the top and the bottom of thefront panel 84, from about 2 inches to about 30 inches. The functionality of the access opening 88, theprivacy flap 90 and themonitor pocket 96 are substantially the same as those of access opening 42,privacy flap 50 and monitorpocket 58 described above. - Turning to
FIG. 10 , in various other embodiments, thegarment 10 can comprise shirt-like garment, referred to herein as garment 98. In such embodiments, the garment 98 includes afront panel 100 connected to aback panel 102 along a common top, aneck opening 104, anaccess opening 106 and aprivacy flap 108. The garment 98 additionally includes amonitor pocket 110 attached to the back side of theprivacy flap 108 for holding a cardiac telemetry monitoring device, or other device. Theaccess opening 106 comprises an elongated slit and is generally positioned over the sternum area of the patient. The access opening 106 highlights and targets the torso areas for the medical personnel to position the echocardiographic probe during examination. The top of the access opening 106 can be positioned at a distance from about 2 inches to about 8 inches from the top edge of garment 98. The access opening 106 can have a width such that the sides of the slit freely touch each other. As shown inFIG. 10 , the slit is exaggerated for purposes of clarity. The access opening 106 can have a length, as measured between the top and the bottom of thefront panel 100, from about 2 inches to about 30 inches. The functionality of the access opening 106, theprivacy flap 108 and themonitor pocket 110 are substantially the same as those of access opening 42,privacy flap 50 and monitorpocket 58 described above. - In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (11)
1. An examination garment for covering a patient's torso during a medical examination, said garment comprising:
a back panel and a front panel connected to the back panel along a common top edge, the front panel including an access opening for providing access to a patient's chest when the garment is worn by the patient;
a privacy flap connected to the front panel such that the privacy flap will cover the access opening with the privacy flap is in a Closed position, and
a monitor pocket disposed on the privacy flap.
2. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the privacy flap is connected to the front panel along a top edge of the privacy flap.
3. The garment of claim 2 , wherein the connection of the privacy flap to the front panel along the top edge of the privacy flap distributes pulling forces caused by the weight of a device disposed within the monitor pocket across an upper portion of the front panel so that the weight of the device is borne across the patient's chest and shoulders.
4. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a back side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
5. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a front side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
6. An examination garment for wearing by a patient during a medical examination, said garment comprising:
a back panel and a front panel connected to the back panel along a common top edge, the front panel including an access opening for providing access to a patient's chest when the garment is worn by the patient;
a privacy flap connected to the front panel such that the privacy flap will cover the access opening with the privacy flap is in a Closed position, the privacy flap connected to the front panel along a top edge of the privacy flap; and
a monitor pocket disposed on the privacy flap such that the connection of the privacy flap to the front panel along the top edge of the privacy flap distributes pulling forces caused by the weight of a device disposed within the monitor pocket across an upper portion of the front panel so that the weight of the device is borne across the patient's chest and shoulders.
7. The garment of claim 6 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a back side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
8. The garment of claim 6 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a front side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
9. An examination garment for wearing by a patient during a medical examination, said garment comprising:
a back panel and a front panel connected to the back panel along a common top edge, the front panel including an access opening for providing access to an area between a 3rd intercostal area and a 5th intercostal area of the chest of a patient wearing the garment;
a privacy flap connected to the front panel along a top edge of the privacy flap and along at least a portion of one side edge of the privacy flap such that:
when the privacy flap is placed in an Open position, the flap will fold diagonally up toward a shoulder of the patient wearing the garment exposing the access opening and the area between a 3rd intercostal area and a 5th intercostal area of the patient's chest,
when the privacy flap is placed in a Closed position and the patient wearing the garment is in an upright position the privacy flap will be disposed over the access opening covering the access opening and providing concealment of the patient's chest, and
when the patient wearing the garment is lying on her/his side and the privacy flap is placed in the Closed position, the privacy flap will maintain a disposition over the access opening and will not fall open toward the lower side of the patient, thereby maintaining coverage and concealment of the access opening and the patient's chest as the patient lies on her/his side; and
a monitor pocket disposed on the privacy flap such that the connection of the privacy flap to the front panel along the top edge of the privacy flap distributes pulling forces caused by the weight of a device disposed within the monitor pocket across an upper portion of the front panel so that the weight of the device is borne across the patient's chest and shoulders.
10. The garment of claim 9 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a back side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
11. The garment of claim 9 , wherein the monitor pocket is disposed on a front side of the privacy flap such that the monitor pocket faces toward the front panel when the privacy flap is in the Closed position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/358,843 US20120117710A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2012-01-26 | Garment For An Echocardiographic Patient |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/618,199 US20110113525A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2009-11-13 | Garment for an echocardiographic patient |
US13/358,843 US20120117710A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2012-01-26 | Garment For An Echocardiographic Patient |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/618,199 Continuation-In-Part US20110113525A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2009-11-13 | Garment for an echocardiographic patient |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120117710A1 true US20120117710A1 (en) | 2012-05-17 |
Family
ID=46046447
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/358,843 Abandoned US20120117710A1 (en) | 2009-11-13 | 2012-01-26 | Garment For An Echocardiographic Patient |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20120117710A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220248778A1 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2022-08-11 | Gold Health LLC | Garment for assisting holding an infant |
US11684098B1 (en) * | 2022-03-17 | 2023-06-27 | Deanna Wright | Intravenous tube compatible garment device |
KR102563371B1 (en) * | 2022-12-01 | 2023-08-03 | 주식회사 메딕프로헬스케어 | Operating Gown |
US11766081B2 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2023-09-26 | Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc. | Easy access apparel |
WO2023195611A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-12 | 영남대학교 산학협력단 | Medical gown |
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US818351A (en) * | 1903-12-19 | 1906-04-17 | Emma Clark | Invalid-robe. |
US4698848A (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1987-10-13 | Buckley Mary C | Blouse for cardiac patients |
US5611086A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-03-18 | Eggen; Kathleen R. | Nursing garment |
US20070271672A1 (en) * | 2006-05-25 | 2007-11-29 | Nedda Joy Lentini | JACKSON-PRATT.TM post surgical drain facilitator gown |
US20100050315A1 (en) * | 2006-07-14 | 2010-03-04 | Image Apparel Ltd. | Hospital garment |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US818351A (en) * | 1903-12-19 | 1906-04-17 | Emma Clark | Invalid-robe. |
US4698848A (en) * | 1986-09-26 | 1987-10-13 | Buckley Mary C | Blouse for cardiac patients |
US5611086A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-03-18 | Eggen; Kathleen R. | Nursing garment |
US20070271672A1 (en) * | 2006-05-25 | 2007-11-29 | Nedda Joy Lentini | JACKSON-PRATT.TM post surgical drain facilitator gown |
US20100050315A1 (en) * | 2006-07-14 | 2010-03-04 | Image Apparel Ltd. | Hospital garment |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11766081B2 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2023-09-26 | Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc. | Easy access apparel |
US20220248778A1 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2022-08-11 | Gold Health LLC | Garment for assisting holding an infant |
US11819142B2 (en) * | 2021-02-05 | 2023-11-21 | Gold Health LLC | Garment for assisting holding an infant |
US11684098B1 (en) * | 2022-03-17 | 2023-06-27 | Deanna Wright | Intravenous tube compatible garment device |
WO2023195611A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-12 | 영남대학교 산학협력단 | Medical gown |
KR102563371B1 (en) * | 2022-12-01 | 2023-08-03 | 주식회사 메딕프로헬스케어 | Operating Gown |
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Owner name: ECHOVEST, LC, MISSOURI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LENZEN, PATRICIA;REEL/FRAME:027647/0625 Effective date: 20120202 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
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