US20220079274A1

US20220079274A1 - Patient garment

Info

Publication number: US20220079274A1
Application number: US17/421,205
Authority: US
Inventors: Cherie B. Mathews
Original assignee: HealincomfortCom LLC
Current assignee: HealincomfortCom LLC
Priority date: 2019-01-09
Filing date: 2019-01-09
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Also published as: WO2020145963A1

Abstract

A patient garment for post-surgical and other medical-related procedures is provided. The garment can include a main body with a front portion, rear portion, upper collar end, lower waist end and arm openings that are collectively configured to fit around a patient's upper body portion. The front portion can include first and second side sections, each having a longitudinal edge that form a separable front seam for opening and closing the front portion of the garment. The garment can include as many as twelve or more pockets located on the interior and exterior surfaces of the garment. The pockets can be located intermediately along the height of the front portion of the garment. At least one of the pockets located along the collar end of the garment is configured for receiving a drainage reservoir connected to a patient's cranial or neck drainage site. At least one surface of the garment, such as the interior of the garment, is fabricated from a material that has been chemically treated to reduce surface friction and irritation against the skin of a wearer. The chemical treatment of the fabric may comprise of dimethicone.

Description

BACKGROUND ART

Following surgical and other medical procedures, patients commonly have drainage systems and/or other medical equipment connected to portions of their body for all or part of their recovery period. The drainage systems typically include a drainage tube connected to a particular location on the patient's body with a drainage reservoir connected to the other end of the drainage tube in order to collect drain fluids from the patient's body as a result of the surgical or medical procedure. Similarly, patients may have medical equipment in the form of monitoring devices and other devices connected to portions of the patient's body via wires, cords and the like. The drainage systems and other medical devices can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient, but are needed to assist in the recovery of the patient and aid medical professionals in monitoring health-related information associated with the patient and the patient's recovery. However, these drainage systems also restrict the mobility of the patient and can make the patient uncomfortable as a result of the aesthetic appearance created by the drainage systems and medical devices connected to the patient's body.
A typical solution to this problem is to attach the drainage systems and other medical equipment directly to the patient using bandages, tape or safety pins (which can open and actually pierce the skin of the patient); however, this can be uncomfortable for the patient, the bandages and tape are prone to becoming detached from the patient, and are inconvenient when drainage reservoirs or medical equipment needs to be changed or replaced.
Another solution has been to provide a garment for the patient that includes pockets for holding the drainage systems connected to a patient following a surgical procedure. U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,593 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0331049 both relate to an upper-body garment that has a limited number of pockets provided along the lower edge of the interior of the garment having only a specific utility to hold the drainage reservoirs from the upper torso. These garments do not provide the flexibility to accommodate a variety of different surgical drainage sites or the ability to accommodate various types of medical monitoring equipment that might be connected to the patient for monitoring the patient's health status. Nor do these garments or other garments provide a means for a patient to communicate back and forth with healthcare personnel, alert others in the event of an emergency, or otherwise enable a patient to independently access self-help electronic and/or internet information resources. These garments also fail to accommodate smart code labels. Such failure precludes access to IoT monitoring, community connections, patient satisfaction surveys, clinical trial information or escape technology through 2D, AR and MR or other features that may be provided in conjunction with a smart device.
Accordingly, a need exists for a garment that can be used to comfortably, conveniently and discretely hold drainage systems and other medical equipment connected to multiple sites on a patient's body, while at the same time providing access for the patient to independently and appropriately supplement his/her communications and access to care portals.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an upper-body garment for use with patients following surgical procedures or other medical procedures. The garment of the present invention can be worn by a patient or user during the recovery period after a procedure and provides patient comfort, convenience and mobility through a series of strategically placed interior pockets for drainage systems and to contain medical equipment/monitor devices to the patient.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include a main body portion that is configured to fit around the upper-body portion of a user. The main body portion can include a front portion, a rear portion, an upper collar end, a lower waist end, and a pair of arm openings and/or arm sleeves. The front portion can include first and second separable front edges extending longitudinally between the upper collar end and the lower waist end and can divide the front portion into first and second side sections. According to one embodiment, the first and second front edges can include fastening means for selectively securing the edges together. According to certain embodiments, the arm openings can include larger than normal arm slots to allow very little contact with the user (such as for patients post sentinel node dissection).
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include at least one pocket formed into the interior side of the main body section directly adjacent to the upper collar end in order to accommodate a drainage reservoir and/or drainage tube connected to the user's head or neck area. In certain embodiments, the garment can include four of such pockets to hold surgical drains post cranial surgery. According to one embodiment, the garment can include a second pocket located on the interior side of the main body portion positioned along the height of the garment between the upper collar end and the lower waist end.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include lower pockets provided on the interior side (and/or exterior side) of the garment on each of the first and second side sections directly adjacent to the lower waist end. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include intermediate pockets provided on the interior side of the garment on each of the first and second side sections above the lower pockets. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include upper pockets on the interior side of the garment on each of the first and second side sections above the intermediate pockets and below the upper collar end of the garment. The lower, intermediate and upper pockets can be configured to hold and store drainage tubes and/or a drainage reservoir connected to the patient's body and/or configured to hold and store various types of medical monitoring equipment and devices connected to the patient's body.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include protective pockets provided on the interior side of the garment on each of the first and second side sections. The protective pockets can be configured to receive and hold prostheses or padding, and be related to a user's surgical or medical procedure. According to one embodiment, the protective pockets are positioned along the height of the garment to generally correspond to the chest region of the user's upper torso.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include arm sleeves extending from the arm openings, and a port pocket provided on one or both of the arm sleeves. The port pocket can be configured for receiving an electronics communications, monitoring or recording device. According to one embodiment, the port pocket can include an electronic port therein that can be in communication with monitoring devices provided within the garment or otherwise attached to the garment.
According to another embodiment, the garment can include one or more exterior pockets located in various locations and configured to hold smart devices, medications, speakers, strip thermometers, pedometers and/or other items for a patient. Each of these external pockets can be sized, configured and located for a specific item such as a speaker, pedometer, strip thermometer or other item.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include one or more smart code portals for receiving removable and/or permanent smart code stickers or tags (such as QR codes), which can be used to gain quick access to certain information relating to the user or patient.
Depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention, the garment can include any number of internal pockets, external pockets and smart code portals. According to some embodiments, the garment can include 12 or more total pockets. According to another embodiment, the garment can include 8 internal pockets, 8 external pockets and 4, 3, 2, or 1 smart codes. In further embodiments, the garment can include any number of pockets strategically positioned along the interior of the garment, any number of pockets strategically positioned along the exterior of the garment, and any number of additional smart code portals provided on the exterior surface of the garment, depending on the desired configuration and application of the garment.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating an interior of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating pockets located on an interior of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating protective pockets located on an interior of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating cranial drainage pockets located along a collar end of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the recovery garment of FIG. 5 illustrating the cranial drainage pockets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating cranial drainage pockets located along the rear of a collar end of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating an electronic connection pocket located on an arm sleeve of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating pockets located on an exterior of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a recovery garment illustrating smart code portals located on an exterior of the recovery garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be appreciated that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “left,” “right,” “side,” “end,” “front” and “back,” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the present invention, and the components thereof described herein, is within the scope of the present invention.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
The present invention is directed to a surgical recovery garment 10 that can be worn by a patient or user following a surgical or other type of medical procedure. Recovery garment 10 can be configured to provide comfort to the patient or user as well as efficiently hold and conceal from sight drainage tubes and reservoirs, medical equipment and monitoring devices, along with any number of other desired or required items. In addition, while recovery garment 10 is described herein in connection with post-surgical recovery patients, it is recognized that recovery garment 10 can also be suitably be used in any number of other applications and scenarios, including without limitation non-surgical or non-medical applications.
As described in greater detail herein, garment 10 can include one or more pockets 34 located within garment 10 that can be configured to hold various items. In particular, these pockets 34 can be configured to house drainage systems and reservoirs connected to drainage tubes extending from a surgical site of a patient following a surgical or medical procedure. Drainage systems are commonly utilized following surgical procedures in order to draw out fluids from a surgical site following a procedure. Similarly, the pockets 34 can be configured to house monitoring or other medical equipment that may be connected to certain regions of a patient for treatment and/or monitoring.
Garment 10 and the pockets located therein can allow the user comfortably store these drainage reservoirs/tubes and other medical devices in order to facilitate mobility for the user. Garment 10 and the pockets 34 located therein can further provide a means for limiting the visibility of the drainage tubes, wires, connecting devices, etc. in order to enable the user to be more comfortable in their appearance while recovering from a surgical or medical procedure. According to one embodiment, garment 10 can include pockets 34 strategically positioned within the interior of garment 10 so that at least one pocket 34 is located adjacent to a user's anticipated surgical site. In such an embodiment, pocket 34 can be used to store the drainage tubes and reservoir associated the anticipated surgical site to minimize the distance between the pocket 34 and the surgical site on the user and reduce the overall required length of drainage tubing needed. According to one embodiment, garment 10 can include several pockets 34 with each pocket 34 being positioned adjacent to common surgical sites to accommodate a variety of different users' recovery from a various surgical or other medical procedures.
Garment 10 and the components thereof can be constructed from any suitable fabric or material suitable for medical- or non-medical-based garments including materials suitable for user comfort, durability and performance. According to certain embodiments, the material(s) utilized in garment 10 can have moisture-resistive properties, moisture-wicking properties, heat and/or insulating properties, breathable properties or other desired property. According to certain embodiments, garment 10 can be constructed from a fabric that is coated on the inside with a safe silicon material that provides a soft inner surface to aid in the comfort of a user's skin (such as patients that have sensitive and often burned radiation skin). Such interior coating can be applied using any suitable materials and/or processes, and according to one particular embodiment, can be accomplished by applying the chemical dimethicone in liquid form during the dying process in water at increased temperatures to the fabric from which the garmet will be made, and then rolling the fabric over a stainless steel platform under high heat to seal the silicon coating to the interior fabric surface.
Turning to FIG. 1, garment 10 can be configured generally as a traditional front-opening shirt or similar type of upper-body garment that generally conforms to a user's upper body or torso region. As best shown in FIG. 1, garment 10 can include main body portion 11 that has a front portion 12 generally configured to enclose the front of a person's torso region and a rear portion 14 generally configured to enclose the back of a person's torso region in the same manner as a conventional shirt or other similar upper garment. As further shown in FIG. 1, main body portion 11 of garment 10 can include a collar 16 located at the upper end of garment 10 and defining an opening for accommodating the head and neck of a user, a lower waist end 18 that forms an opening when enclosed for accommodating the lower torso and waist region of a user, and arm openings and/or arm sleeves 20 for accommodating the arms of a user. As further shown in FIG. 1, garment 10 can include a front seam 22 extending along the front portion 12 of main body 11 between collar 16 and lower waist end 18 that allows garment 10 to be opened at its front portion 16 to facilitate a user in putting on and removing garment 10 from the user's upper body/torso region.
Turning now to FIGS. 2-3, front seam 22 can divide front portion 12 into a first (left) side section 24 and a second (right) side section 26. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, first side section 24 can include a first longitudinal edge 28 and second side section 26 can include a second longitudinal edge 30. First and second longitudinal edges 28 and 30 can come together to form front seam 22 and then be subsequently separated by a user in order to open the front portion 12 and divide front portion 12 into first and second side sections 24 and 26, respectively. Each of first and second longitudinal edges 28 and 30 (and front seam 22 overall) can include securing means 32 for enabling edges 28 and 30 to be removably and selectively secured together around the front of a user's upper body/torso region. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, securing means 32 can be configured has hook-and-loop fasteners on extending longitudinally along edges 28 and 30 according to on embodiment; however, securing means 32 can also be configured as any suitable fastening means, including without limitation, snaps, buttons, buckles, tie strings, or other suitable fastener in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
As best shown in FIG. 2, garment 10 can include one or more pockets or similar-type receiving means 34 located on the interior 36 of garment 10. Garment 10 can include any number of pockets 34 located at any number of positions on interior 36 of garment 10 depending on the desired use and application of garment 10. As shown in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment, garment 10 can include lower pockets 34 a located along the lower waist end 18 opening, intermediate pockets 34 b located intermediate along the height of garment 10 and upper pockets 34 c located toward the upper collar opening 16. In addition, as shown in both FIGS. 2-3, according to certain embodiments, pockets 34 can be located near longitudinal edges 28 and 30 on each of the first and second side sections 24 and 26 in order to provide easy access to pockets 34 and to insert and remove items therein. Pockets 34 can also be located at any desired location within the interior surface 36 of garment 10 (or exterior surface), including front portion 12, rear portion 14, collar portion 16, waist end 18, arm sleeves 20 or any other suitable location.
Each pocket 34 can be constructed from any suitable material, including the same material as the remainder of garment 10 or a different material depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. Pockets 34 can be constructed from a single panel of material that is secured to the interior surface 36 of garment 10 to create an opening therein. Pockets 34 can also be constructed as a self-contained pocket structures that are then secured to the interior 36 of garment 10. Pockets 34 can be secured to the interior surface 36 using any suitable method, such as by sewing, ironing, fastening or other suitable means. In addition, in certain embodiments of the present invention one or more pockets 34 provided on the interior 36 of garment 10 can be selectively removable from garment 10 if desired by the user.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, pockets 34 and include an enclosing component provided on the pocket 34 in order to allow the user to secure items within the pockets 34 and restrict items from accidentally falling out of pockets 34. The enclosing means can be constructed as any suitable type of fastener, including without limitation, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, ties or the like that can fully or partially enclose the opening that provides access to the interior of a pocket 34.
Pockets 34 can have any desired size and shape depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, pockets 34 can have a square or rectangular shape; however, any other desired shape or configuration can be used. According to certain embodiments, garment 10 can be configured to include pockets 34 of varying or different shapes and/or sizes that can accommodate different devices and items. According to certain embodiments, pockets 34 can be configured to house drainage systems and reservoirs that are attached to a patient via drainage tubes following a surgical or medical procedure. Pockets 34 can similarly be configured to house certain types of medical equipment and devices connected to a patient for monitoring and/or treatment.
According to one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, garment 10 can include padding or insert pockets 34 d that can be configured to house padded inserts or other protective elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, pockets 34 d can be configured as chest pockets configured to hold prostheses or padding for a patient having undergone a mastectomy or similar procedure. According to such an embodiment, pocket regions 34 d can be positioned and located toward the upper end (near collar 16) of garment 10 on each of first and second side sections 24 and 26 in order to correspond to the chest region of the user's upper torso when garment 10 is in use.
As shown in FIGS. 5-6, according to one embodiment, garment 10 can include cranial/neck drain pockets 34 e configured particularly for housing drainage reservoirs and/or tubing from a drainage site on a patient's head and/or neck. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, cranial drain pockets 34 e are located on interior surface 36 of garment 10 along collar 16 on each side section 24 and 26 of front portion 12. As best shown in FIG. 6, the upper edge of pockets 34 e can be positioned along or just below the edge of collar 16. This can allow pockets 34 e to discretely receive and store a drainage reservoir connected to a cranial or neck drainage tube. As further shown in FIG. 7, according to another embodiment, cranial/neck drain pockets 34 e may be located on interior surface 36 of rear portion 14 along and/or just below collar 16. Such an arrangement can allow garment 10 to more comfortably and efficiently house drainage reservoirs and/or tubing from a drainage site near the back of a patient's head and/or neck toward. In addition, while not specifically shown in the figures, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, garment 10 can include pockets 34 e on both front portion 12 and rear portion 14 near collar 16 in order to accommodate a variety of different arrangement options for patients and users.
As shown in FIG. 8, according to one embodiment, garment 10 can include a port pocket 34 f that can be configured to receive an electronic communications, monitoring and/or recording device used to communicate, monitor and/or record certain diagnostic information (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) from a user of garment 10. According to one embodiment, port pocket 34 f can be located on the exterior of arm sleeve 20 of main body 11 to easily allow for an electronic device to be inserted and removed from pocket 34 f; however, it is recognized that port pocket 34 f can be placed on any desired located of garment 10. According to certain embodiments, pocket 34 f can be configured with an electronic port that is connected to various monitoring equipment to enable a recording device inserted into pocket 34 f to receive data and information from such monitoring equipment. According to certain embodiments, port pocket 34 f can be electronically connected with monitoring equipment integrated with or into garment 10 or otherwise attached to garment 10. Port pocket 34 f can also be configured to communicate with electronic monitoring equipment and devices by means of a physical or wireless connection.
As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to any desired arrangement and configuration of pockets 34, garment 10 according to certain embodiments can include one or more exterior pockets 38 provided on main body 11 of garment 10 and configured to hold various items for a user or patient, including but not limited to Bluetooth speaker or other communication devices, mobile or smart devices, medications, personal items, and temperature strips. As best shown in FIG. 9, garment 10 can include one or more external pockets 38 a provided on front portion 12 on the exterior of garment 10 and configured to hold items such as a smart device, medications and/or other items for a user or patient. As shown in FIG. 9, according to one embodiment, garment 10 can include two external pockets 38 a, one on each of first and section side sections 24 and 26 in order to allow for convenient access for users and patients. in such an embodiment, external pockets 38 a can include dividing seam configured to divide each pocket 38 a into two regions to accommodate two or more items at one time. Depending on the particular embodiment of garment 10, pockets 38 a can have any desired size shape and configuration, and can be located in any desired location on garment 10.
As further shown in FIG. 9, according to certain embodiments, garment 10 can include one or more speaker pockets 39 b configured to hold a speaker device or other communication device (such as a Bluetooth speaker) for a user or patient. As shown in FIG. 9, pockets 38 b can be externally located on main body 11 and front portion 12 near collar 16 in order to allow for easy access to pockets 38 b and position such pockets 38 b close to the patient's ears in aid in the patient's ability to hear a speaker positioned within pockets 38 b. FIG. 9 illustrates garment 10 with two speaker pockets 38 b, one on each of side sections 24 and 26; however, it is recognized that any suitable number of speaker pockets 38 b may be utilized in any desired location on main body 11 of garment 10 in various embodiments of the present invention.
As further shown in FIG. 9, according to certain embodiments, garment 10 can include a thermometer strip pocket 38 c that is configured to hold a reusable thermometer strip. Strip pocket 38 c can be an elongated narrow pocket having a side opening that can be sized slightly larger than a standard thermometer strip. As shown in FIG. 9, strip pocket 38 c can be located toward the upper end of front portion 12 on the exterior of either side section 24 and 26 in order to provide convenient access for inserting and removing a standard strip thermometer.
As further shown in FIG. 9, according to certain embodiments garment 10 can include a pedometer pocket 38 d configured to hold a pedometer for use by a patient. Pedometer pocket 38 d can be located on the exterior of main body portion 11 of garment 10 and sized and configured to hold a standard pedometer. As shown in FIG. 9, according to one embodiment, pedometer pocket 38 d can be positioned on front portion 12 near collar portion 16; however, it is recognized that pedometer pocket 38 d can be placed in any suitable location on garment 10 depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10, according to certain embodiments, garment 10 can include one or more external smart code portals 40 located in various positioned on main body 11 of garment 10. Portals 40 can be configured to receive removable smart code stickers or permanent tag printed code stickers (such as but not limited to QR codes) depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention. For example, a first smart code portal 40 could be utilized to access patient records access applications to assist doctors and medical personnel in obtaining and accessing a patient's information; a second smart code portal 40 could be utilized to access video and other media, including augmented reality or mixed reality games and applications and motivational videos for patient to assist in maintaining a positive mindset for overcoming their ailment; a third smart code portal 40 could be utilized to provide access applications and technology to assist a patient in navigating through disease, chronic pain, surgery and recovery; and a fourth smart code portal 40 could be utilized to access safe exercises while the patient is recovering, such as isometrics, gentle stretching, yoga, band therapy, and walking with proper mechanics.
As shown in FIG. 10, garment 10 can include portals 40 on one or more arm sleeves 20, on front portion 12 near lower waist end 18 and/or on front portion 12 near collar 16; however, any suitable number of portals 40 can be applied to garment 10 in any desired locations depending on the particular embodiment. Portals 40 can be configured as stitched or printed outlines directly on garment 10 and operate as an indicator where a smart code patch may be applied. Portals 40 can also be configured as sewn or laminated patches secured to garment 10 to provide a location of easily securing a smart code indicator. Portals 40 can also have any other desired configuration in various embodiments of the present invention.
As described herein, garment 10 depending on the particular embodiment of the present invention can include any number and combination of pockets 34, pockets 38 and portals 40. For example, according to one embodiment, garment 10 can include four internal pockets 34 a (two on each of first and second side sections 24 and 28) located near lower waist end 18 for holding surgical drainage systems; four internal pockets 34 b and/or 34 c (two on each of first and second side sections 24 and 28) intermediately located on front portion 12 for holding heart monitoring equipment; four internal pockets 34 e located along collar 16 for holding cranial drainage systems for cranial surgeries; two external pockets 38 a (one on each of first and second side sections 24 and 28) located near lower waist end 18 for holding a mobile device and/or medications; two removable speaker pockets 38 b (one on each of first and second side sections 24 and 28) near collar 16 for holding removable speakers near the patient's ears; one temperature strip pocket 38 c located on front portion 12 for holding a removable temperature monitoring strip; one pedometer pocket 38 d located on front portion 12 for holding a removable pedometer; and four smart code portals 40 (one on each arm sleeve 20 and one on each of first and second side sections 24 and 28) for allowing quick electronic access to information and/or content using a QR code applied thereon. It is also recognized that any number of alternative configurations and combinations of pockets 34 and 38 and portals 40 may be utilized in other embodiments of the present invention.
Collectively, the various pockets 34 provided on garment 10 can enable garment 10 to accommodate a variety of different drainage tubes and reservoirs. As a result, garment 10 can be configured with the flexibility to be used with patients recovering from many different types of surgical and other medical procedures. Pockets 34 can be strategically placed in order to conveniently hold and store drainage tubes and drainage reservoirs for surgical sites in many different locations on a patient's body. In addition, pockets 34 can be utilized to hold a variety of different monitoring equipment and devices to collect data and information from a patient at any number of different locations on the patient's body.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
In yet another embodiment, at least one surface of the garment will be constructed from a fabric that has been treated with a chemical or solution, or other element, that provides at least one surface of the interior of the garment with a reduced abrasive and/or scratchy characteristic. The fabric surface coating and/or treatment provides for added comfort to a wearer. Such is particularly advantageous as part of the garment when worn by a patient with skin sensitivities and/or skin burns. In the case of radiation treatment, for example, a patent's skin is often burned by the radiation treatment, making conventional garments uncomfortable and/or further damaging to the patient's skin. The fabric treatment used to construct the interior of the garment that comes in contact with the wearer may also provide a hypo-allergenic feature to the garment. By way of example, a material that may be used to coat the surface of a fabric that is to be used to construct at least one interior surface of the garment is dimethicone. For purposes of manufacture of the garment, the untreated fabric will first be treated with the dimehicone in liquid form during the drying process in water (added at a high temperature to the fabric). The dimethicone-treated fabric will then be rolled, such as over a heated stainless steel platform, using high heat. This process acts to seal the silicon to the fabric. The treated fabric may then be used to create the garment or any part of the garment.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A patient garment comprising:

a main body portion configured to fit around a patient's upper body portion, said main body portion including a front portion, a rear portion, an upper collar end, a lower waist end, an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a pair of arm openings;

first and second separable front edges provided along said front portion and dividing said front portion into separable first and second side sections; and

at least one pocket located on an interior side of said main body portion adjacent said upper collar end, said at least one pocket configured for receiving at least one of a drainage tube and a drainage reservoir configured to receive a drainage fluid from a patient's head or neck area.

2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a second pocket located on an interior side of said main body portion between said upper collar end and said lower waist end.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein said second pocket is configured for receiving at least one of a drainage tube, a drainage reservoir, and a medical equipment monitoring device.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least one interior surface is coated with dimethicone.

5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a lower pocket provided on each of said first and said second side sections, said lower pockets being located on said interior side of said recovery garment, wherein each said lower pockets are located adjacent to said lower waist end.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein at least one of said lower pockets is configured for receiving at least one of a drainage tube and a drainage reservoir.

7. The garment of claim 5, wherein at least one of said lower pockets is configured for receiving a medical equipment monitoring device.

8. The garment of claim 5, further comprising an intermediate pocket provided on each of said first and said second side sections, said intermediate pockets being located on said interior side of said recovery garment, wherein each of said intermediate pockets is located above said lower pockets.

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein at least one of said intermediate pockets is configured for receiving at least one of a drainage tube, a drainage reservoir, and a medical equipment monitoring device.

10. The garment of claim 8, further comprising an upper pocket provided on each of said first and said second side sections, said upper pockets being located on said interior side of said recovery garment, wherein each of said upper pockets is located above said intermediate pockets and said lower pockets.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein at least one of said upper pockets is configured for receiving at least one of a drainage tube, a drainage reservoir, and a medical equipment monitoring device.

12. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a protective pocket provided on each of said first and said second side sections, said protective pockets being located on said interior side of said recovery garment, wherein said protective pockets are located below said collar end of said recovery garment and configured for receiving prostheses or padding.

13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising arm sleeves extending from each of said arm openings, wherein at least one arm sleeve includes a port pocket configured for receiving an electronics communications, monitoring or recording device.

14. The garment of claim 1, wherein said first and second separable front edges include fastening means for removably securing said first and said second separable front edges together.

15. The garment of claim 1, wherein said at least one pocket includes an enclosing component for selectively enclosing an opening of said pocket.

16. The garment of claim 1, wherein said at least one pocket comprises a first cranial drain pocket located on said interior surface of said first side section and a second cranial drain pocket located on said interior surface of said second side section.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein said first and said second cranial drain pockets are positioned adjacent to and below said collar end of said recovery garment.

18. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a smart code label attached to an exterior surface of said main body portion.

19. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a speaker pocket located on an exterior surface of said main body portion adjacent a shoulder region of said main body portion, said speaker pocket configured for holding a speaker near a patient's ears.

20. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a strip thermometer pocket located on an exterior surface of said main body portion, said strip thermometer pocket being configured to hold a strip thermometer.