Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • A41D13/1254—Patients' garments for the lower part of the body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D15/00—Convertible garments
  • A41D15/002—Convertible garments in their length

Definitions

• the present invention relates to hospital gowns.
• Hospital gowns strip autonomy from individuals seeking medical assistance.
• the gown has become a linchpin of transition, initiating the dehumanizing progression from “person” to “patient.”
• One of the main problems with the hospital gown is its exposing nature, often made light of with the joke, “Do you know who invented the hospital gown?... See-more Hiney!”
• the joke continued in two Super Bowl LIII commercials for a large academic healthcare system and insurance provider in Pennsylvania, depicting a construction worker and businessman clad in hospital gowns, mooning their less-than-pleased co-workers, to inform patients of expanded insurance coverage, i.e. “completely covered.”
• Hospital gowns are also a source of comedic fodder on sitcoms.
• Modem medicine emphasizes, values and even advertises evidence-based medicine, patient-centered care and high-quality care, yet the hospital gown stands as a stark contrast to this pledge to move forward as beacons of change. Hospital gowns have fallen outside of the scope of evidence-based research. One may ask why the gown remains decades behind modem medicine. It appears that this apathy stems from (1) accepting medical tradition and choosing to overlook the flaws of the current hospital gown; and (2) believing that changing the hospital gown would cost money. Still, several institutions have attempted change, including Hackensack University Medical Center partnering with Cynthia Rowley and Nicole Miller (1999), Cleveland Clinic partnering with Diane von Furstenberg (2010) and Henry Ford Health System of Detroit’s “Model G” gown (2016).
• the current hospital gown can unintentionally put a patient in harms’ way, posing a fall-risk for patients with petite frames overwhelmed by the bulk of the gown and also inhibiting fast access to the chest for placement of defibrillation pads in a code. Therefore, a need exists for a hospital gown that satisfies current expectations and standards for patient dignity while accommodating current medical care and hospital environments. The present invention addresses this need among others.
• the invention is a hospital gown having an overlapping, adjustable wrap front comprised of two front panels, each front panel having a fastened side and a seamed side, wherein each front panel is sewn at the seamed side to an adjacent back panel creating a side seam, wherein each front panel is secured at the fastened side to the gown using a fastener, and wherein each front panel has a bottom front hem
• This gown also has an overlapping back comprised of the two back panels and an adjustable neckline, wherein each back panel has a bottom back hem.
• first set of fasteners comprising at least one fastener located on each of the two front panels near the bottom front hem of each of the two front panels and at least a second set of fasteners comprising at least one corresponding fastener located on each of the two front panels near a front horizontal midline of the gown, a third set of fasteners comprising at least one fastener located on each of the two back panels near the bottom back hem of each of the two back panels, and a fourth set of fasteners comprising at least one corresponding fastener located on each of the two back panels near a back horizontal midline of the gown.
• the gown also has two sleeves, wherein each sleeve has a sleeve opening that runs the length of the sleeve.
• Figures 2A and 2B show the gown of Figures 1 A and IB adjusted to a shirt length
• Figures 3 A and 3B show and alternative embodiment of a full-length gown according to the present invention
• Figure 4 is a sketch of one embodiment of a gown according to the present invention, illustrating possible locations for snaps or fasteners;
• Figure 5 illustrates a pattern for the design of one embodiment of a front of a gown according to the present invention
• Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a full-length gown according to the present invention
• Figure 7 shows the gown of Figure 6 adjusted to a tunic length
• Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a gown according to the present invention adjusted to a tunic length
• Figures 9A and 9B are tables showing patient and provider suggestions for hospital gown improvements
• Figure 10 illustrates a pattern for the front of one embodiment of a gown according to the present invention
• Figures 11A and 11B show alternative images of the embodiment of the gown shown in Figures 6 and 7;
• Figure 12 illustrates a traditional petal sleeve
• Figures 13A through 13T shows a variety of data analyzed by gender
• Figures 14A through 14T shows a variety of data analyzed by age
• Figures 15A through 15T shows a variety of data analyzed by group
• Option 3 (gown of U Matter) was ranked as the top gown option across all participant responses, followed by Option 7 (tunic + pants of U Matter) as second, then a wrap design gown (Option 10) as third overall.
• community members again ranked U Matter as a gown 1st overall, followed by the tunic + pants version of U Matter second, followed by option 10 (the wrap grown) as third.
• Medical community members ranked U Matter as a gown 1st overall, followed by the wrap gown (option 10) second, followed by option 7 (the U Matter tunic + pants) as third.
• Recurring participant suggestions for patient gown redesign is shown in the tables shown in Figures 9 A and 9B.
• the top three suggestions for patient gown improvements were: modesty, separates/option for pants, and color.
• the top three suggestions from nurses were color options, separates/option for pants, and softer fabric.
• the top three suggestions from physicians were separates/option for pants, color options, and ease of access.
• Changes to attire could also serve to humanize and dignify patients in the eyes of providers, who express distress from offering threadbare, cold, drab, naked gowns they abhor to those seeking care.
• the present invention addresses these long felt patient and provider needs and wants.
• the various embodiments of the present invention hospital gown 1 utilize several novel elements and novel combinations of design details including, but not limited to, an optional faux collar 74 with an access point for central lines/ports; a petal sleeve 60 enabling patient independence in donning/doffmg the gown 1; double-backed construction; an optional snap-line down the front 10 of the gown 1 to improve exam access and minimize exposure; the ability to convert the gown 1 from full-length 2 to tunic-length 4; a wrap front 10; and a variety of securing options including snaps, ties and Velcro® 54.
• FIG. 1 The preferred embodiments of the present invention hospital gown 1 are illustrated in Figure 1 (and shown on people in Figures 6, 7 and 11 A and B), Figure 2 and Figure 3.
• FIG. 5 The preferred embodiment of the novel hospital gown 1, which will be described in more detail herein, comprises an overlapping, adjustable wrap front 10 made of two front panels 12 (non-limiting examples of which are shown in Figures 5 and 10).
• Each front panel 12 has a fastened side 14 and a seamed side 16. Additionally, each front panel 12 is sewn at the seamed side 16 to an adjacent back panel 32 at the back panel’s seamed side 36 creating a side seam 22 and each front panel 12 is secured at the fastened side 14 to the gown 1 using a fastener 50.
• Each front panel 12 also has a bottom front hem 18.
• This hospital gown 1 also has an overlapping back 30 made of two back panels 30 and an adjustable neckline 42.
• Each back panel 30 has a bottom back hem 38.
• the back panels 30 and the front panels 12 are of similar lengths so that the back hems 38 and the front hems 18 fall to approximately the same length.
• the various embodiments of hospital gowns 1 also have a plurality of sets of fasteners 50 positioned to make the length of the gown 1 adjustable.
• a first set of fasteners 50 is comprised of at least one fastener 50 located on each of the two front panels 12 near the bottom front hem 18 of each of the two front panels 12.
• a second set of fasteners 50 is comprised of at least one corresponding fastener 50 located on each of the two front panels 12 near a front horizontal midline 20 of the gown 1.
• This embodiment of a hospital gown 1 also has a third set of fasteners 50 comprised of at least one fastener 50 located on each of the two back panels 30 near the bottom back hem 38 of each of the two back panels 30.
• a fourth set of fasteners 50 comprises at least one corresponding fastener 50 located on each of the two back panels 30 near a back horizontal midline 40 of the gown 1.
• Alternative embodiments of the present invention incorporate additional sets of fasteners 50 to create numerous different lengths to which the gown 1 may be adjusted.
• a fifth set of fasteners 50 can be located on each of the two front panels 12 below the front horizontal midline 20 of the gown 1 to enable the bottom of the gown 1 to be shortened to a length in between full- 2 and shirt-length 6, such as to a tunic- length 4.
• a sixth set of fasteners 50 can be located on each of the two back panels 30 below the back horizontal midline 40 of the gown 1 to accomplish the same thing on the back 30 of the gown 1.
• Any number of sets of fasteners 50 can be placed along the front and back of the gown 1 to enable the length of the gown 1 to be adjusted to any length.
• the primary embodiment of a hospital gown 1 also has two sleeves 60.
• each sleeve 60 has a sleeve opening 62 that runs the length of the sleeve 60.
• the preferred embodiments of the gown 1 also have at least one fastener 50 along the back adjustable neckline 40 of the overlapping back 30 for adjusting the size of the back adjustable neckline 40.
• this fastener 50 is one or more plastic snaps 52.
• Various embodiments also have at least one telemetry pocket 70 on an upper portion 13 of at least one front panel 12.
• One alternative embodiment of the hospital gown 1 also comprises at least one fastener 50 located along each sleeve opening 62 to hold the sleeve opening 62 closed.
• a hospital gown 1 can also have at least one side seam 22 having at least one side seam opening 24 in the side seam 22. These side seam openings 24 allow for the passage of tubes, wires, and other medical equipment through the side of the gown 1.
• any of the embodiments of a hospital gown 1 according to the present invention can be used with a pair of hospital pants 100 designed according to the present invention.
• the preferred embodiments of these hospital pants 100 have an elasticized open waistband 102, a drawstring 104 threaded through the waistband 102, a fastener 50 to close the waistband 102, and an overlapping fly 106.
• the fasteners 50 for the present invention can be any of a wide variety of fasteners 50 as described in more detail herein. These fasteners 50 may be connected (by being sewn, glued, or adhered in any manner appropriate to the type of fastener 50) directly to the gown 1 or they may be connected to a tab 80 of material which is also attached to the gown 1. Some examples of fasteners 50 for use with the various embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, ties, Velcro® 54, snaps, hooks and eyes, buttons and button holes, zippers, etc.
• the ideal style of snap include the attributes of being lead- and/or metal-free and being able to withstand high heat. These attributes will help to eliminate x-ray artifacts, make the snaps more durable and enable the snaps to survive sanitation and washing.
• the adjacent front and back panels 30 While it is possible to construct the adjacent front and back panels 30 from one piece of material to avoid having a seam, most embodiments of the hospital gown 1 have the front and back panels 30 cut from different pieces of material. Then the seamed seamed side 36), which creates a side seam 22 (various views of these parts are shown in Figures 1 through 8, 10 and 11 A and 1 IB).
• the sleeves 60 of any design can have a sleeve opening 62 running the length of each sleeve 60. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve opening 62 is towards the top or shoulder side of the sleeve 60.
• the sleeve opening 62 can be closed using plastic snaps 52 or Velcro® 54 (or another appropriate fastener 50 or closing mechanism).
• Any embodiment can have at least one telemetry pocket 70 on at least one of the front panels 12 in the area of the patient’s chest.
• the design of the back 30 of the gown 1, also shown in Figure 1, is comprised of two overlapping back panels 30, which are secured to the front panels 12 at the side seams 22.
• One embodiment of the present invention has an adjustable neckline 40 along the back 30 of the gown 1.
• Plastic snaps 52 along the back neckline 40 secure the adjustable neckline 40 of the gown 1 and enable it to be adjusted for comfort and access.
• the side seams 22 of this preferred embodiment may have one or more slits near the patient’s midsection for tubing, drains and lines.
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a full-length hospital gown 2 that can be converted to a tunic-length hospital gown 4 (or a shirt-length gown 6).
• This ability to be converted has several advantages including, but not limited to, the following: allowing the length of the gown 1 to be adjusted to accommodate patients of different heights; minimizing tripping hazards caused by gowns 1 that are too long; eliminating excess length for gowns 1 that are worn over pants 100; and enabling patients to exert control and choices over their hospital clothing.
• both the front 10 of the gown 1 and the back 30 of the gown 1 are designed with at least four fasteners 50 on each side (front 10 and back 30).
• fasteners 50 may be any appropriate mechanism, including but not limited to Velcro® 54, snaps and ties.
• connection or joining of the corresponding at least two fasteners 50 near the hem of the gown 1 to the at least two fasteners 50 near the waist of the gown 1 creates and secures a fold in the front 10 and/or back panels 30 that decreases the length of those panels and coverts the gown 1 from a full- length gown 2 to a tunic-length gown 4.
• Figure 2 shows the full-length gown 2 of Figure 1 shortened to a shirt-length gown 6 by having secured corresponding fasteners 50.
• the hospital gowns 1 of the present invention While it is anticipated that the most common length transition will be from a full-length gown 2 to a tunic-length gown 4, it is possible to design the hospital gowns 1 of the present invention to be convertible from a variety of longer lengths to a variety of shorter lengths (and to have a single gown 1 that can be adjusted to multiple lengths). It is the ability to shorten the gown length and secure the gown 1 at that shorter length(s), that is encompassed by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the original and final lengths are variable. It is conceivable that, in some situations, a medical institution may prefer to have gowns 1 that convert from full-length 2 to shirt-length 6 or from tunic- length 4 to shirt-length 6.
• a gown 1 it is possible to design a gown 1 according to the present invention to convert to multiple shorter lengths by placing a series of snaps (or other fasteners 50) along the length of each panel so that the lower snaps can be secured to any of the corresponding upper snaps thereby creating even more options for length customizations.
• the various gown 1 embodiments of the present invention can be paired with pants 100 to increase patients’ comfort, modesty and self-esteem (an example of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2).
• the pants 100 will be pull-on with a drawstring 104 and an open elasticized waist secured with Velcro® 54.
• the pants 100 may have an open waist secured with a drawstring 104.
• the pants 100 of this embodiment will have an overlapping fly 106, which is optionally secured with Velcro® 54 or another fastener 50.
• the waist of the pants 100 may be designed to have a pull-on, elastic waistband 102 that, optionally, can be combined with a drawstring 104.
• the pants 100 may have optional back pockets 72 (as shown in Figure 3) for the patient’ s use and to make the pants 100 look more like streetwear and less like institutional clothing.
• Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, which shares many of the essential attributes of the gown 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, but which has some alternative design elements that may be desirable options for patients and/or providers.
• the gown 1 shown in Figure 3 has a faux collar 74, which makes the gown 1 look more like streetwear than a traditional hospital gown 1 and, again, can improve a patients’ self-esteem.
• the faux collar 74 of this embodiment lifts up to reveal at least one opening for lines, tubing and/or drains.
• the preferred design of this collar 74 is a modest V-neckline 40 along the front 10 and a relaxed crew neckline 40 along the back 30 to provide additional comfort and freedom of movement to the patient.
• the comfort and freedom of movement also are enhanced by the snaps along the back of the collar 74, which can be adjusted to fit various neck circumferences, to accommodate patient preferences and/or to accommodate medical interventions.
• the front 10 of the gown 1 is one-piece with a front placket having snaps running from the collar 74 to at least the midline 20 of the patient’ s chest.
• the front 10 of this embodiment also has at least one telemetry pocket 70 located near or over the patient’s chest.
• the design of the telemetry pockets 70 in general should minimize accidental exposure of the patient’s chests, particularly for female patients, by minimizing or eliminating wide openings that will gape or hang open.
• the gown 1 of this embodiment has sleeves 60 that are open along their length near the top of the sleeve 60.
• the sleeves 60 are designed as a petal sleeve 60.
• a petal sleeve 60 is a short sleeve 60, which sleeve 60 is sewn into the armhole in such a way that the material may overlap on the arm (illustrated in Figure 12).
• a petal sleeve 60 can be left unsecured where the ends meet near the top of the arm or the ends may be secured to each other using any of a variety of fasteners 50 including, but not limited to, snaps or Velcro® 54.
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention does not use a petal sleeve 60.
• the sleeves 60 of the preferred embodiment are designed as standard-shaped sleeve 60 that has a strip of Velcro® 54 (or another fastener 50) securing an open slit that runs the length of the top of the sleeve 60.
• a petal sleeve 60 design is a possible alternative design that accomplishes the same goals as the open-top traditional sleeve 60 of the preferred embodiment.
• the embodiment of the gown 1 shown in Figure 3 has at least one slit or opening 24 along at least one side seam 22 to accommodate lines, tubes and/or drains. It also has an overlapping back 30 designed utilizing two overlapping panels that provide access to the patient’s body while providing modesty and coverage of the back of the patient. These overlapping back panels 30 can be secured using a variety of mechanisms, including ties at the patient’s waist.
• the gown 1 shown in Figure 3 is designed to allow the length of the gown 1 to be shortened.
• the gown 1 illustrated in Figure 3 is designed to provide for more than two different lengths, unlike the gown 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 which, as shown, converts from full-length 2 to tunic-length 4.
• the gown 1 illustrated in Figure 3 demonstrates that by placing fasteners 50 in multiple places along the length of the gown 1, in addition to placing them near the hem of the gown 1, the gown can be converted from full-length 2 to tunic-length 4 or to shirt-length 6 (a shorter length is shown on a person in Figure 8). It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the number of fasteners 50 and the placement of fasteners 50 along the length of the of the front 10 and back 30 of the gown 1 creates a gown 1 that can be secured to create an almost infinite number of lengths.
• Figure 3 also shows another optional design of any of the embodiments of hospital gowns 1 of the present invention, namely, pockets 72 near the bottom seam of the front of the gown 1.
• pockets 72 near the bottom seam of the front of the gown 1 By placing at least one pocket 72 near the bottom front seam of the gown 1, the gown 1 will have front pocket(s) 72 near the patient’s waist when the length of the gown 1 is shortened.
• This optional design feature creates a gown 1 that feels more like streetwear than hospital wear by giving the patients access to pockets 72 that will be useful to them and by creating a stylistic aspect of the shortened gowns 1.
• Figures 4 and 5 illustrate various alternative designs for the front 10 of a gown 1 according to the present invention.
• the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4 uses fewer snaps than the gown 1 illustrated in Figure 3, which decreases production costs and x-ray artifacts.
• Figure 5 illustrates the ratios of widths and lengths for the front panels 12 of a gown 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention and optional fastener 50 placements.
• the various snaps, ties or other fasteners 50 can be color coded to better enable patients to understand how to correctly don, adjust and/or secure the gown 1. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a backing under the snaps (or fasteners 50) to better prevent them from tearing through the gown 1 material. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that there are a variety of ways to achieve this including, but not limited to, assembling the gown 1 so that the gown 1 material is sandwiched between a piece of interfacing on the underside of the gown 1 material and the snap on the opposite or exterior side of the gown 1 material.
• the various embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular fabric or category of fabric.
• the choice of fabric is determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, cost, comfort, durability, washability, ability to be sterilized, feel, breathability, etc.
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use of a variety of colors and patterns to take advantage of the positive impact on mood and to better help patients feel like individuals and not patients.
• the fiber content of the gowns 1 of the present invention may be determined by all of the above-identified factors
• the preferred embodiment of the present invention is made of a cotton-polyester blend, which withstands laundering at temperatures as high as 170°F.
• the design of the present invention is compatible with the use of MRIs on patients, the use of a snap line on some embodiments of the present invention creates a significant artifact in x-rays.
• the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have a snap-free front-closure with a double-backed rear flap to avoid this x-ray artifact.
• the preferred design pattern utilizes four pieces and a minimal number of snaps (see Figures 1, 2 and 10).
• the faux collar 74 can be eliminated on some embodiments of the present invention if it will be a potential hindrance in certain settings, and the front opening may be adjusted to sit at a level conducive to its intended purpose of port access.
• the preferred embodiment of the pant was modified from a closed drawstring-waist 104 to an open drawstring-waist 104 with Velcro® 54 closure to enable ease of donning/doffmg and accommodate catheterization.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

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• 2021
  • 2021-04-29 WO PCT/US2021/029799 patent/WO2021222502A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2021-04-29 CA CA3174952A patent/CA3174952A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-04-29 EP EP21797671.1A patent/EP4114222B1/en active Active
  • 2021-04-29 US US17/918,936 patent/US20230240392A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-04-29 JP JP2022566442A patent/JP2023524089A/ja active Pending

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