CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Application No. 14/563,196, filed on December 8, 2014, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 /914,289, filed on December 10, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/017,356, filed on June 26, 2014. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to gowns for performing procedures, and, specifically, patient hospital gowns. BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Hospital gowns are typically worn by patients in hospitals and outpatient medical facilities. Many patient gowns are rear-opening hospital gowns which allow an attending physician or nurse to easily access a patient's back from the rear of the gown or remove quickly from a patient lying in a bed. Patient gowns are often divided into panels which are snapped together at the sleeves and tied in back. Patient gown sleeves are often designed to snap together to account for, and allow easy access to, patients, I.V. lines, and other medical devices.

SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] An embodiment of a patient gown includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first sleeve and a second sleeve. At least one of the first sleeve and the second sleeve have a plurality of fixation devices removably fixing the front portion to the rear portion. The plurality of fixation devices are located along a top border of the front portion and a top border of the rear portion. The gown further includes a plurality of indicia. Each indicia surrounds a different one of the plurality of fixation devices and correlates to an indicia on a mating one of the plurality of fixation devices to distinguish a first pair of the fixation devices from a second pair of the fixation devices.

[0007] Another embodiment of a patient gown includes a front portion and a back portion. A first access opening is defined by the front portion, and a second access opening is defined by the front portion. A flap conceals the first access opening, such that the flap can be lifted to reveal the first access opening. A pocket surrounds the second access opening, such that the pocket conceals the second access opening.

[0008] Another embodiment of a patient gown includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed from a single panel and the second portion is formed from a first panel and a second panel. A plurality of pairs of fixation devices secure the first panel to the second panel. A vertical edge of the first panel is cut at a diagonal such that the first panel overlaps the second panel and wraps around a patient. A bottom of the first panel overlaps a bottom of the second panel more than a neck of the first panel overlaps a neck of the second panel.

[0009] Another embodiment of a patient gown includes a front portion, a rear portion, a first sleeve, and a second sleeve. The rear portion includes a first panel and a second panel. At least one first fixation device on at least one of the first sleeve and the second sleeve removably fixes the front portion to the rear portion. A first half of the first fixation device is on the front portion and a second mating half of the first fixation device is on the rear portion. At least one indicia surrounds the first half of the first fixation device and correlates to an indicia on the second mating half of the first fixation device to properly position the first fixation device. A first access opening and a second access opening are each defined by the front portion. A flap conceals the first access opening, such that the flap can be lifted to reveal the first access opening. A pocket surrounds the second access opening, such that the pocket conceals the second access opening. At least one second fixation device secures the first panel to the second panel. A vertical edge of the first panel is cut at a diagonal such that the first panel overlaps the second panel and wraps around a patient.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 is a front view of a patient gown according to the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 is a detail view of a pocket on the patient gown of Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 3 is a detail view of an access port and flap on the patient gown of Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 4 is a back view of the patient gown of Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 5 is a detail view of a sleeve on the patient gown of Figure 4; and

[0017] Figure 6 is a detail view of a fixation device on the patient gown of Figure 4.

[0018] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRI PTION

[0019] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0020] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0022] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. [0023] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0024] Referring to the drawings, where like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the several views, a patient gown 10 according to the present disclosure is illustrated. Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the patient gown 10 may include a front or first portion 14, a rear, back, or second portion 18, a left or first sleeve 22, and a right or second sleeve 26. The front portion 14 of the patient gown 10 may be formed from a single panel 30 (Figure 1 ), while the rear 18 of the patient gown 10 may be formed from a first rear panel 34 and a second rear panel 38 that are tied together when worn by a patient (Figure 4). The single panel 30, first rear panel 34, and second rear panel 38 may be a single piece of material, or may be stitched together along seam or edge 40.

[0025] Referring specifically to Figure 1 , the front portion 14 of the patient gown 10 may further include a pocket 42 and a flap 46 that masque or cover access openings or holes (Figures 2 and 3) in the front portion 14 of the gown 10. The pocket 42 may be a square, rectangular, or other shaped portion of material sewn or otherwise fixed to the front portion 14 in a chest location 50 of the patient gown 10. While the pocket 42 is illustrated as a single pocket located on the left side of the patient gown 10 in the chest area 50, it is understood that the pocket 42 may be located in various places on the gown including on the right side of the chest area 50, in a medial location of the chest area 50, below the chest 50, or in any other location convenient for the physician or nurse. Further, the gown 10 may include a plurality of pockets in different locations. The pocket 42 is positioned in the chest location 50 to represent a uniform gown accommodating a vast majority of patients (for example, at least 90% of patients). By creating a uniform gown, manufacturing costs are reduced and savings can be realized by hospitals and other consumers/purchasers of the gown 10.

[0026] The pocket 42 may be fixed on three sides 54, 58, 62, leaving an opening on a single side 66 for access to the pocket 42. Sides 54, 58, 62, and 66 may include reinforced edges and seams for durability. Referring additionally to Figure 2, an internal portion 70 of the pocket fixed on the front portion 14 of the gown 10 may include or define an access opening or slit 74 giving a physician or nurse access to a patient's body through the access opening 74.

[0027] The access opening 74 may be a predetermined length, such as, for example, within a range of approximately 0.5 inches to 3.0 inches, for receiving tubes or other types of equipment. The access opening 74 may further include reinforced stitching around the edges or perimeter and reinforced borders around the edges for durability. Examples of equipment that may be threaded through the access opening 74 include a heart monitor and associated wiring. For example only, monitoring devices may be equipped with a control box, wires, and probes that adhere to patients. The probes may be affixed to the patient, the wires may be run through the access opening 74, and the control box may be placed within the pocket 42.

[0028] Now referring additionally to Figure 3, the flap 46 may be a rectangular, square, or other shaped portion of material 46 that is sewn or otherwise fixed to the front portion 14 along a single edge or on a single side 78, leaving three sides or edges 82, 86, 90 unsecured. The flap 46 may further include a fixation device 94 such as a snap, button, tie, hook-and-loop fastener, or any other known fixation device to removably secure the opposing side 86 of flap 46 to the front portion 14. For example only, the fixation device 94 may be a snap, because snaps are quickly and easily fastened and unfastened and can withstand repeated laundering in harsh environments, such as with high temperature water, rough wash cycles, and harsh chemicals. The flap 46 conceals an access opening 98 allowing a physician access to a patient's abdomen through the access 98 without having to lift the gown 10 and expose the patient. The access 98 allows physicians and nurses convenient access to the patient's body without unnecessarily exposing the patient and thereby provides privacy and comfort to the patient.

[0029] The access 98 may be a predetermined length, such as, for example, within a range of approximately 4.0 inches to 12.0 inches, for allowing access for equipment, performing procedures, and viewing of the patient by a physician or nurse. The access 98 is a size that allows a physician or nurse to reach their hand through the access 98 to perform procedures, view incisions, or insert equipment through the gown 10. Access 98 may include reinforced seams and edges for durability. While the access 98 and flap 46 are illustrated as being located in a medial location on the patient gown 10, it is understood that the pocket 42 may be located in various places on the gown including in the chest area 50, on a more lateral portion on either side of the gown (as opposed to the illustrated medial location), or in any other location convenient for the physician or nurse. The access 98 and flap 46 are positioned in the medial location to represent a uniform gown accommodating a vast majority of patients (for example, at least 90% of patients). By creating a uniform gown, manufacturing costs are reduced and savings can be realized by hospitals and other consumers/purchasers of the gown 10.

[0030] Examples of procedures that may be performed through the access 98 include: abdominal inspection, palpation, delivery of medications by syringe and other delivery devices, auscultation using a stethoscope or other device, positioning and placing electrocardiogram (EKG) leads, bladder scanning, performing ultrasounds, routing medical equipment, and other known procedures. When the access 98 is not in use, fixation device 94 may be secured such that the flap 46 covers or conceals access 98 to provide patient privacy and comfort. In order for the flap 46 to cover access 98 when secured, sides 86 and 78 of flap 46 may be within the range of 6.0 inches to 13.0 inches and sides 82 and 90 of flap 46 may be within the range of approximately 2.0 inches to 4.0 inches. Each of the sides 78, 82, 86, 90 of flap 46 may include reinforced seams for durability. [0031] Now referring to Figure 4, the sleeve 26 of the first panel 34 and the sleeve 22 of the second panel 38 of the rear 18 of the patient gown 10 may be secured to the sleeves 22, 26 of the panel 30 on the front portion 14 of the gown by a plurality of fixation devices 102 located along a top portion 106 of the left sleeve 22 and the right sleeve 26. Each sleeve 22, 26 includes a first edge 107 on the front portion 14 of the gown and a second, opposing edge 108 on the rear 18 of the gown (Figure 5). Each pair of fixation devices includes a portion on the first edge 107 and a mating portion on the second edge 108. The plurality of fixation devices 102 may each be a snap, button, tie, hook-and-loop fastener, any other known fixation device, or a combination thereof. Snaps may be a preferred fixation device 102 because snaps are easily fastened and unfastened to fix and remove the patient gown 10. Further, snaps 102 are more durable than other types of fixation devices which may have shorter lives when washed repeatedly in high temperature water, chemicals, and in rough wash cycles with other patient gowns 10.

[0032] Referring additionally to Figure 5, the front portion 14, first edge 107 may include a plurality of female snap portions 1 10, and each of the second edge 108 may include a plurality of male snap portions 1 14 that mate with the female snap portions 1 10. Each of the edges 107, 108 may be reinforced along a border 1 18 of the sleeves. The plurality of female snap portions 1 10 and plurality of male snap portions 1 14 may be positioned along the reinforced borders 1 18 of the first edge 107 and second edge 108, respectively. The borders 1 18 along the top portion 106 of each sleeve 22,26 may further include different indicia to align the fixation devices 102 properly. The indicia may include material of different patterns or colors, fixation devices of different shapes, or any other indicia. Use of indicia to properly align the fixation devices 102 provides quicker assembly of the sleeves 22, 26 around patient arms and saves physicians and nurses several minutes per patient per day. Thus, since physicians and nurses see a large number of patients each day, the time savings is substantial.

[0033] In some embodiments, the indicia may be a plurality of different colored strips 122, 126, 130, 134, with a different color corresponding to each pair of male and female snap portions 1 14, 1 10 for each pair of fixation devices 102. Each of the pair of colored strips 122, 126, 130, 134 may be on the first edge 107 and the second, opposed edge 108 to properly align the female snap portion 1 10 with the correlating male snap portion 1 14.

[0034] For example, a first pair of strips 122 for a first pair of snap portions 1 10, 1 14 may be a first color, a second pair of strips 126 for a second pair of snap portions 1 10, 1 14 may be a second color, a third pair of strips 130 for a third pair of snap portions 1 10, 1 14 may be a third color, and a fourth pair of strips 134 for a fourth pair of snap portions 1 10, 1 14 may be a fourth color. The first through fourth pairs of strips 122, 126, 130, 134 may extend along the top portion 106 of each sleeve 22, 26 starting with the first pair of strips 122 closest to a neck 138, the second pair of strips 126 adjacent to the first pair of strips 122, the third pair of strips 130 adjacent to the second pair of strips 126, and the fourth pair of strips 134 adjacent to the third pair of strips 130 and an end border 142 of the sleeve 22, 26. The first pair of strips 122 for sleeve 22 may be the same color as the first pair of strips 122 for sleeve 26, the second pair of strips 126 for sleeve 22 may be the same color as the second pair of strips 126 for sleeve 26, the third pair of strips 130 for sleeve 22 may be the same color as the third pair of strips 130 for sleeve 26, and the fourth pair of strips 134 for sleeve 22 may the same color as the fourth pair of strips 134 for sleeve 26. While the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 , 4, and 5 illustrate four strips for each sleeve 22, 26, it is understood that any number of strips may be used. The number of strips 122, 126, 130, 134 may correlate to the number of fixation devices 102 on each sleeve 22, 26. Further, the colored pairs of strips 122, 126, 130, 134 for sleeve 22 may be different for each fixation device 102 on sleeve 22, and may also be different than the colored pairs of strips 122, 126, 130, 134 on sleeve 26 to distinguish the left sleeve 22 from the right sleeve 26. While the indicia is illustrated and described as different colored pairs of strips 122, 126, 130, 134, it is understood that the same effect may be realized by using material of different patterns or colors, fixation devices of different shapes, or any other indicia. [0035] The color coded fixation devices 102 may assist a physician, nurse, or other user to quickly and efficiently align and snap the sleeves 22, 26 of the patient gown 10 on a patient. Often patient gowns are difficult to properly align and put on patients, especially when multiple devices are connected to the patient. The color coded fixation devices 102 allow quicker and proper snap placement, saving physicians and nurses several minutes per patient per day. Because physicians and nurses see a large number of patients each day, the cumulative time savings is substantial. Further, the use of snaps with color coded strips is a durable fixation device with indicia that can last the life cycle of the gown when exposed to high temperature wash cycles, harsh chemicals for cleaning, and rough wash cycles with other laundered items. For example only, the use of snaps with color coded strips can withstand at least approximately 50 wash cycles, exceeding the average number of wash cycles for a typical hospital gown (approximately 40 wash cycles).

[0036] The strips 122, 126, 130, 134 for each fixation device 102 may be formed from dying portions of the reinforced border 1 18 along the top portion 106 of each sleeve 22, 26. Further, the strips 122, 126, 130, 134 for each fixation device 102 may also be formed from portions of fabric sewn or otherwise affixed to the reinforced border 1 18 along the top portion 106 of each sleeve 22, 26. While strips are illustrated in Figures 1 , 4, and 5, it is understood that the same result could be achieved by color coding the fixation devices themselves 102 or molding different designs of buttons or snaps such as a square, star, round, oval, etc., to differentiate between the fixation devices 102. However, use of strips 122, 126, 130, 134 allow for greater visibility than simply color coding the fixation device 102. Thus, by visually looking at the sleeve halves, the physician, nurse, or other user can identify the proper location of the sleeve snaps or fixation devices 102 and affix the sleeves 22, 26 together.

[0037] Referring to Figure 4, the rear portion 18 may include the first panel 34 and the second panel 38 that are tied together to secure the gown 10 around a patient. Each of the first panel 34 and the second panel 38 may include a reinforced border along the neck portion 138 of the panels 34, 38, a vertical edge 146, 150 of each panel 34, 38, and a bottom edge 154, 158 of each panel 34, 38. The first panel 34 may be secured to the second panel 38 by a plurality of ties 162, 166, 170, 174, 178, and 182 (see also Figure 6). In other embodiments, the first panel 34 may be secured to the second panel 38 by snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any known fastener. A first, outside, primary securing tie 162 may be sewn or otherwise secured to the vertical edge 150 of the first panel 34. The tie 162 may be positioned between one-quarter and three-quarters down the vertical edge 150 from the neck 138, generally around a waist of a patient. A second, outside, primary securing tie 166 may be positioned on the second panel 38, horizontally spaced away from the first tie 162 and near edge 40 and approximately the same distance from the neck 138 as the first tie 162. The first tie 162 and the second tie 166 may be along the same horizontal axis XX such that the first tie 162 and the second tie 166 may be tied together to secure the gown 10 around a patient. A third, outside, primary neck securing tie 170 may be positioned on the first panel 34 at the neck portion 138 along the vertical edge 150 of the first panel 34. A fourth, outside, primary neck securing tie 174 may be positioned a predetermined distance from the vertical edge 146 of the second panel 38 at the neck portion 138. For example only, the fourth tie 174 may be positioned within a range of 1 .0 inch to 3.0 inches from the vertical edge 146 of the second panel 38 along a border of the neck portion 138. Thus, when the third tie 170 is secured with the fourth tie 174, the first panel 34 overlaps the second panel 38 by an amount within the range of 1 .0 inch to 3.0 inches at the neck 138.

[0038] The vertical edge 146 of the second panel 38 may be parallel to or along vertical axis YY. The vertical edge 150 of the first panel 34 may be cut at an angle a with respect to a vertical axis YY such that the first panel 34 overlaps the second panel 38 and wraps around the patient for more privacy and comfort. For example only, the angle a may be within a range of approximately 3° to 10°. For example only, as previously mentioned the neck 138 of the first panel 34 may overlap the neck 138 of the second panel 38 by a range of 1 .0 inch to 3.0 inches. The bottom border 154 of the first panel 34 may overlap the bottom border 158 of the second panel 38 within a range of 4.0 inches to 8.0 inches. Thus, because of the angle a of the vertical edge 150 of the first panel 34, the first panel 34 wraps around the patient when the first tie 162 is secured to the second tie 166. This wrap provides more comfort for the patient in knowing that a gap does not exist in the rear 18 when the patient is wearing the gown 10.

[0039] Now referring to Figure 6, a fifth, optional, inside securing tie 178 and a sixth, optional, inside securing tie 182 may secure the gown inside the first panel 34. The fifth tie 178 may be sewn or otherwise fixed to the border 146 along the vertical edge 146 of the second panel 38 at a distance approximately one-quarter to three-quarters down the vertical edge 146 from the neck 138. Thus, the fifth tie 178 may be along the same horizontal axis XX as the first tie 162 and the second tie 166. The sixth tie 182 may be located on an interior 186 of the first panel 34, horizontally spaced away from the fifth tie 178 and near edge 40 and at a location along the same axis XX as first tie 162, second tie 166, and fifth tie 178. In some embodiments, first tie 162 and second tie 166 may be a first color and fifth tie 178 and sixth tie 182 may be a second, different color to distinguish between the fixation devices and ease assembly of the gown 10 on the patient.

[0040] To assemble the patient gown 10 on the patient, the patient's arms are inserted into sleeves 22, 26, fifth tie 178 is secured with sixth tie 182 around the patient's body, fourth tie 174 is secured with third tie 170 around the patient's neck, and first tie 162 is secured with second tie 166 on the patient's side. In some embodiments, fifth tie 178 and sixth tie 182 may be eliminated, as they are not necessary to secure the patient gown 10 on the patient. However, fifth tie 178 and sixth tie 182 may enhance the privacy and comfort feeling or perception of the patient, and therefore may be present.

[0041] Thus, patient gown 10 enhances the comfort and privacy of the patient by providing access openings 98 and 74 that are concealed by pocket 42 and flap 46 and also by providing ties including first tie 162, second tie 166, third tie 170, fourth tie 174, fifth tie 178, and sixth tie 182 and panels 34 and 38 that overlap and wrap around the patient, securing the gown in a comforting manner around the patient. Strips 122, 126, 130, and 134 and fixation devices 102 provide ease of assembly and fixation of top portion 106 of sleeves 22 and 26 around medical devices that may be attached to the patient through the sleeves 22 and/or 26. The fixation devices 102 provide ease of assemblage and further allow the physician, nurse or other user to quickly, efficiently, and effectively fix the sleeves around any medical equipment or devices that may be present. Further, access openings 74 and 98 allow physicians, nurses or other medical personnel to thread medical equipment (access opening 74 or 98) through gown 10 and perform procedures including visualization of the patient's abdomen (access opening 98) without necessitating the physician or nurse to lift the gown 10 for each procedure, thereby avoiding exposing the patient. Thus, access openings 98 and 74 together with flap 46 and pocket 42 provide ease of access to the patient and also provide comfort and privacy for the patient.

[0042] While the orientation of the patient gown 10 as illustrated and described is having a single front panel and first and second rear panels, it is understood that the same effect may be achieved and the same disclosure may be practiced with a patient gown having a first and second front panels that tie together and a single rear panel. In these embodiments, either or both of the front and rear may include access openings with pockets and flaps. Further, while the gown 10 is described and illustrated with fixation devices 102 on both sleeves 22, 26, it is understood that the fixation devices 102 may only be on one sleeve, or each sleeve may include different fixation devices. While the embodiments illustrated and described provide a gown that is a uniform gown which can be used by a majority of patients, it is understood that different configurations of the gown may also be included in this disclosure. However, by producing a uniform gown, manufacturing costs are reduced and savings can be realized by hospitals and other consumers/purchasers of the gown 10.

[0043] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.