WO2017152236A1

WO2017152236A1 - A medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment

Info

Publication number: WO2017152236A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Demos KARKAZIS; Karen WASSON
Original assignee: Karkazis Demos; Wasson Karen
Priority date: 2016-03-11
Filing date: 2017-03-10
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: AU2017228933A1

Abstract

There is provided a medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment, the garment comprising: a garment body defining a neckline and sleeves; and a frontward, substantially midline garment panel, wherein: the garment panel is non-detachably fastened to the garment body at a non-detachable fastening point; the garment panel is releasably fastenable to the garment body by way of a plurality of releasable fasteners being located at a periphery of the garment panel; and the garment body is upper openable from the neckline to each respective sleeve and comprising upper openable releasable fasteners configured for selectively opening and closing the upper of the garment.

Description

A medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to medical garments and in particular, but not necessarily entirely, to a medical garment for facilitating torso access for infants for medical treatment.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use by infants and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and may be used also for children and adults with the necessary sizing modifications.

Background of the Invention

[3] A need exists for a medical garment, especially for infants, which provides superior access to the torso allowing for wound management, medical tests and checks and the like with minimal disruption and/or exposure to cold.

[4] Figure 1 shows garment as disclosed in U.S. laid open patent specification US 7810172 B2 (referred to hereinafter as Dl). Dl is designed for the accommodation of medical devices on the body of the wearer.

[5] The garment panel of Dl contains a detachable garment panel comprising a concealed pocket suitable for accommodating one or more medical devices.

[6] As such, and whereas Dl is directed to the locating accessory devices, equipment and the like on the body of a patient, Dl is not especially suited for facilitating torso access for medical treatment.

[7] For example, the garment of Dl is deficient in allowing ease of access to the upper back of the torso of the patient wherein, accessing the upper back using the garment of Dl requires unfastening of the pectoral fasteners of Dl and the folding back of the adjacent panels, not only being a cumbersome manoeuvre but also exposing the patient to cold. Furthermore, accessing the stomach using Dl requires both the unfastening of the lateral and lower fasteners of the garment of Dl. Dl is also deficient in certain other respects.

[8] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[9] The present invention seeks to provide a medical garment for facilitating ease of access to the torso for medical treatment, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [10] There is disclosed herein a medical garment for infants (and potentially also children and adults) allowing for superior access to the torso of the wearer as compared to conventional arrangements.

[11] In this regard, the garment may be utilised, for example, for post-surgery treatment, for infants with various medical conditions and the like.

[12] As will become apparent from the ensuing description, the present garment affords ease of access to the torso of the patient in a superior manner as compared to conventional arrangements including ease of access to the chest and stomach of the patient in a simple and convenient manner that minimises requisite repositioning of the patient or exposure to cold. As such wound management, tests and checks can be carried out with minimal disruption and exposure to cold.

[13] Furthermore, the present garment provides a plurality of access points through which sensor wires, tubes and the like may be fed which, in embodiments, extends right from the neck to the groin, so as to conveniently reach various parts of the torso, including the chest and stomach of the patient.

[14] Furthermore, in embodiments, the garment is separable across the shoulders so as to allow ease of access to the upper chest, shoulders and upper back of the patient yet again in a simple and convenient manner which also reduces the requisite manoeuvring of the patient and exposure to cold.

[15] Furthermore, in embodiments, the garment allows ease of access to the lower abdomen, groin, buttocks and lower back of the patient, yet again in a simple and convenient manner.

[16] As such, with the foregoing in mind, in accordance with the one aspect, there is provided a medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment, the garment comprising: a garment body defining a neckline and sleeves; and a frontward, substantially midline garment panel, wherein the garment panel is non-detachably fastened to the garment body at a non-detachable fastening point; the garment panel being releasably fastenable to the garment body by way of a plurality of releasable fasteners being located at a periphery of the garment panel; and the garment body being upper openable from the neckline to each respective sleeve and comprising upper openable releasable fasteners configured for selectively opening and closing the upper of the garment.

[17] As such, in contradistinction with the prior art and Dl, the present medical present garment affords ease of access to the torso of the patient in a superior manner as compared to conventional arrangements including ease of access to the chest and stomach of the patient in a simple and convenient manner that minimises requisite repositioning of the patient or and unnecessary exposure to cold.

[18] Furthermore, the non-detachability of the panel prevents the panel from becoming lost, and allows for the garment to be washed as a single unit and the like. [19] Furthermore, the upper openability of the garment from the neckline to each respective sleeve allows ease of access to the upper chest, shoulders and upper back of the patient yet again in a simple and convenient manner which also reduces the requisite manoeuvring of the patient and exposure to cold.

[20] The garment may comprise laterally opposite releasable fasteners located at a lower portion of the garment panel.

[21] The garment may comprise laterally opposite releasable fasteners located at a midline portion of the garment panel.

[22] The non-detachable fastening point may be located at an upper portion of the garment panel and wherein the releasable fasteners may comprise a releasable fastener located laterally opposite the non-detachable fastening point.

[23] The non-detachable fastening point may be located at a lower portion of the garment panel and wherein the releasable fasteners may comprise a releasable fastener located laterally opposite the non-detachable fastening point.

[24] The garment may be further lower openable.

[25] The garment may comprise a transverse portion configured for traversing between the front and rear of the garment between the legs of the infant.

[26] An edge of the transverse portion may comprise fasteners configured for mating with corresponding fasteners located at a lower edge of the garment panel.

[27] The garment may be configurable for use as a sleep suit in comprising a lower legging portion.

[28] The lower legging portion may be laterally openable at at least one lateral edge of the lower leg portion and wherein the garment further may comprise lower leg fasteners for selectively closing the at least one lateral edge of the lower leg portion.

[29] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[30] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[31] Figure 1 shows a medical garment in accordance with the prior art;

[32] Figure 2 shows medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[33] Figure 3 shows the medical garment in a sleep suit-type configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [34] Figure 4 shows the medical garment in a t-shirt-type configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[35] Figures 5 - 7 show a further embodiment including exemplary dimensions. Description of Embodiments

[36] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[37] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[38] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[39] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[40] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[41] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[42] Turning now to figure 2, there is shown a medical garment 1 for facilitating torso access for medical treatment.

[43] The garment 1 comprises a garment body 9. Furthermore, the garment 1 comprises a frontward, substantially midline garment panel 2.

[44] As alluded to above, the garment panel 2 is openable, allowing access to the torso of the wearer, eliminating or reducing the need to detach the garment 1 or to feed wires through sleeves or the neck of the garment or other workarounds. [45] In the embodiments described herein, the garment 1 will be described with reference to the garment 1 primarily being used for infants. However, it should be appreciated that, within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein, the garment 1 may be used by children and adults with appropriate sizing and configuration modifications.

[46] Now, the garment panel 1 is preferably non-detachably fastened to the garment body 9 at a non-detachable fastening point 5. The nondetachable fastening point 5 may be provided by way of cross stitching between the garment panel 2 and the garment body 9.

[47] The non-detachability of the garment panel 2 prevents the separation of the garment panel 2 from the body 9 and the subsequent inadvertent loss of the garment panel 2.

[48] Furthermore, the non-detachability of the garment panel 2 allows for the washing of the garment 1 as a single item without the need for having to match separated garment panels 2 and garment bodies 9.

[49] In the embodiment shown, the non-detachable fastening point 5 is located at an upper region of the garment 1 adjacent the neckline 6.

[50] However, in embodiments, such as is shown in figure 3, the non-detachable fastening point 5 may be located at a lower region of the garment 1 including for reasons of potentially preventing the ability for the garment panel 1 to inadvertently cover the face of an infant.

[51] Now, the edges of the garment panel 2 are releasably fastenable to the garment body 9 by way of a plurality of releasable fasteners 4. As can be seen, the releasable fasteners are located approximately along the periphery of the garment panel 2.

[52] Differing fasteners may be utilised within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein. However, in a preferred embodiment, the releasable fasteners 4 comprises plastic press stud fasteners such as 8mm plastic snaps.

[53] Figure 2a shows the garment 1 in a closed configuration wherein the garment panel 2 is fastened to the garment body 9 by way of the fasteners 4 and figure 2b shows the garment 1 in an open configuration wherein the releasable fasteners 4 have been released allowing the garment panel 2 to be drawn away from the garment body 9 so as to allow access to the body of the infant. It should be noted that differing fasteners 4 may be released or fastened so as to selectively provide access to differing parts of the torso.

[54] As can be seen, the configuration of the garment 1 as substantially shown in figure 2 allows for access to practically the entire front region of the torso allowing for the addition or removal of sensors, tubing and the like, wound management, medical inspections and the like without unnecessarily disrupting the infant, such as waking the infant or having to adjust the position of the body of the infant. [55] In this regard, and for example, were the infant sleeping, the fasteners 4 may be quietly released and the garment panel 2 drawn away so as to allow access to the front of the body of the infant where after, once the medical procedure or inspection has been performed, the garment panel 2 may be drawn back into place and fastened by way of fasteners 4.

[56] In the embodiment shown, the garment 1 comprises two opposing fasteners 4a located at a lower edge of the garment panel 2, two opposing fasteners 4b located at opposing mid region edges of the garment panel 2 and an upper fastener 4c opposite the non-detachable fastening point 5.

[57] However, it should be appreciated that the number and locations of the fasteners 4 may be varied within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein.

[58] Specifically, the fasteners 4 may be spaced far enough so as to allow for the extrusion of tubing, sensor leads and the like from underneath the garment panel 2 and between the garment panel 2 and the garment body 9. Furthermore, the fasteners 4 should be sufficiently close enough so as to prevent gaps therebetween.

[59] Now, in a further preferred embodiment, the garment body 9 is separable from the neckline 6 to each respective sleeve 7 so as to be upper openable. Specifically, the garment body 9 may be separable between front and back opposing lateral edges of the neckline 6 towards and terminating at an upper corner of each respective sleeve 7.

[60] Furthermore, as is shown in figure 2, the garment 1 comprises a plurality of upper openable releasable fasteners 3 (which may be of the same type of the garment panel fasteners 4 such as plastic press stud fasteners).

[61] As such, the garment 1, by being upper openable, allows the upper of the garment 1 to be opened such that the garment 1 may be drawn down from around the shoulders of the infant so as to allow for further access to the torso of the infant in addition to that which is provided by the front garment panel 2.

[62] For example, the upper openability of the garment 1 may further allow access to the upper back of the infant wherein, for example, the back or both the back and front of the garment 1 may be drawn down from around the shoulders of the infant so as to expose the upper back of the infant wherein, for example, sensors may be adhered to the upper back of the infant where after, once placed, the upper of the garment 1 may be closed again and fastened with upper fasteners 3.

[63] In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the garment 1 may further comprise transverse groin portion 10 which traverses between the front and the rear of the garment 1 between the legs of the infant.

[64] As can be seen also, the edge of the transverse portion 10 and the lower edge of the garment panel 2 comprise cooperating releasable fasteners 8 (which again may be a similar plastic type faster). In this manner, the garment 1 further allows access to the abdomen, groin, buttox and lower back of the infant.

[65] As can be appreciated, the combination of the front openability provided by the front garment panel 2, the upper openability of the garment 1 provided by the separation from the neckline to each respective sleeve and the lower openability provided by a traverse portion 10 (in one embodiment of the garment) allows access to practically the entire front of the torso and abdomen, upper back and either sides of the torso of the infant. Furthermore, even the lower back of the infant may be reached wherein the releasable fasteners 8 of the transverse portion 10 are released and the fasteners 4 of the garment panel 2 (especially the lower fasteners 4) are simultaneously released so as to allow the garment 1 to be drawn away from the lower abdomen of the infant allowing access to the lower back of the infant.

[66] Turning now to figure 3, there is shown a further embodiment of the garment 1 configured as a sleep suit. As can be seen in this embodiment, the garment panel 2 of the garment 1 is lengthened so as to cover the legs of the infant also.

[67] As can also be seen, the garment in this embodiment further comprises lower leg section fasteners 13 located to one lateral edge of the leg portion 12 so as to allow for the selective lateral opening of the leg portion 12. In embodiments, the lower edge of the leg portion 12 may be sealed, open or selectively openable by way of fasteners.

[68] Furthermore, turning now to figure 4, there is shown a further embodiment of the garment wherein the garment 1 is configured as a T-shirt. In this manner, the garment does not comprise the traverse portion 10 extending between the legs of the infant and may therefore be utilised in conjunction with shorts, leggings or the like.

[69] In embodiments, the edges of the garment 1 may comprise continuous binding in the form of

1/1.5 cm cotton/elastane binding and may comprises 3mm 2 needle topstitching.

[70] In embodiments, the garment 1 may be manufactured from a 180 GSM organic cotton material comprising and 95% cotton/5% elastane ratio and have a soft feel. In alternative embodiments, the garment 1 be manufactured from a 180 GSM organic bamboo material comprising a 95% bamboo 25% elastane ratio. In embodiments, a material may be selected having antibacterial properties.

[71] Figure 5 - 7 show a further embodiment of the garment 1 wherein exemplary measurements are provided in the table below.

[72] As can be seen, from the embodiment shown in figure 5 - 7, the lower edge of the garment panel 2 is more rounded and the upper fastener 4c opposite the nondetachable fastening point 5 is located lower than that shown in figure 2 so as to allow the corresponding upper edge of the garment panel 2 opposite the nondetachable fastening points 5 to also be more rounded.

[73] Exemplary measurements in centimetres corresponding to the annotations shown in the embodiment represented in figure 5 - 7 are given in the table below:

ZA DIFFERENCE FROM FRONT & BACK BOTTOM OPENING - edge of bands 9

FRONT RIGHT UNDERSIDE BINDING LENGTH - sleeve hem to leg opening at

ZB outer edge 41

FRONT LEFT UNDERSIDE BINDING LENGTH -neck under bind to leg

ZC opening to outer edge 25

FRONT LEFT SIDE BINDING LENGTH- outer rib edge of left sleeve to under

ZD neck bind 84

ZE ALL BINDING WIDTH 1.5

ZF SLEEVE HEM WIDTH 1.5

ZG ATTACHMENT POINT ON LEFT SIDE OF NECK - length stitched down 3

Interpretation

Embodiments:

[74] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[75] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[76] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[77] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[78] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

[79] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

[80] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[81] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[82] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[83] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

I ndustria l Applicability

[84] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the medical industries.

Claims

1. A medical garment for facilitating torso access for medical treatment, the garment comprising:

a garment body defining a neckline and sleeves; and

a frontward, substantially midline garment panel, wherein:

the garment panel is non-detachably fastened to the garment body at a non-detachable fastening point;

the garment panel is releasably fastenable to the garment body by way of a plurality of releasable fasteners being located at a periphery of the garment panel; and

the garment body is upper openable from the neckline to each respective sleeve and comprising upper openable releasable fasteners configured for selectively opening and closing the upper of the garment.

2. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises laterally opposite releasable fasteners located at a lower portion of the garment panel.

3. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises laterally opposite releasable fasteners located at a midline portion of the garment panel.

4. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-detachable fastening point is located at an upper portion of the garment panel and wherein the releasable fasteners comprises a releasable fastener located laterally opposite the non-detachable fastening point.

5. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-detachable fastening point is located at a lower portion of the garment panel and wherein the releasable fasteners comprises a releasable fastener located laterally opposite the non-detachable fastening point.

6. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment is further lower openable.

7. A medical garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the garment comprises a transverse portion configured for traversing between the front and rear of the garment between the legs of the infant.

8. A medical garment as claimed in claim 7, wherein an edge of the transverse portion comprises fasteners configured for mating with corresponding fasteners located at a lower edge of the garment panel.

9. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment body and the garment panel are lengthened to define a lower legging portion.

10. A medical garment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lower legging portion is laterally openable at at least one lateral edge of the lower leg portion and wherein the garment further comprises lower leg fasteners for selectively closing the at least one lateral edge of the lower leg portion.