The present disclosure relates to a protective garment, and in particular, a protective garment with an accessible pocket.
Disposable protective garments, such as surgical gowns and personal protective equipment (“PPE”) are used in the healthcare setting. These garments are worn over scrubs or other clothing to protect the healthcare provider during various healthcare services. After a service is provided for a patient, the healthcare provider will typically dispose of the garment before attending to a different patient. The protective garments are sterile.
The present disclosure relates to a disposable protective garment with a pocket assembly for easily accessing various healthcare related tools. In a first example aspect, a protective garment may include a body shaped for wear on a body part and a pocket assembly coupled to the body. The pocket assembly may include a first pocket and a second pocket adjacent to the first pocket. The first pocket may include a wall and a pouch at least partially defined by the wall. The second pocket may define a second pouch separate from the first pouch. An opening may extend through the wall of the first pocket.
In a second example aspect, a disposable protective garment may include a body shaped for wear on a body part, a base coupled to the body, and a pocket assembly coupled to the base. The pocket assembly may include a first pocket and a second pocket adjacent to the first pocket. The first pocket may include a first wall, a second wall, a first pouch at least partially defined by the first wall and the base, and a second pouch at least partially defined by the first wall and the second wall. The second pocket may define a pouch separate from the first and second pouches of the first pocket.
In a third example aspect, a pocket assembly for a protective garment may include a first pocket comprising a wall and a pouch at least partially defined by the wall. A second pocket may be adjacent to the first pocket. The second pocket may define a second pouch separate from the first pouch. An opening may extend through the wall of the first pocket. The pocket assembly may include an open end side, a closed end side opposite the open end side, a first side, and a second side. The first and second sides may extend between the open end side and the closed end side. The first side may be non-parallel to the second side.
In accordance with any one of the first and second example aspects, the garment and pocket assembly may include any one or more of the following forms.
In one example, a broad patch may be disposed between the body and the pocket assembly.
In some examples, the first pouch may be defined by the broad patch and the wall of the first pocket.
In another example, the second pocket may be defined by a second pocket wall and the broad patch.
In some examples, a holster may be coupled to the wall of the first pocket.
In one example, a holster may be coupled to an exterior side of the second wall of the first pocket.
In other examples, a ratio of a width of the first pocket relative to a width of the second pocket may be in a range of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1.
In one aspect, the pocket assembly may include a third pocket adjacent to the first pocket such that the first pocket is disposed between the second pocket and the third pocket.
In another aspect, a ratio of a width of the first pocket relative to a width of the third pocket may be in a range of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1.
In some aspects, the third pocket may include a first pouch and a second pouch isolated from the first pouch.
In other aspects, the first pocket may have a depth approximately equal to a depth of the second pocket.
In one form, the body may be a surgical gown.
In some forms, the body may be an apron.
In another form, the first pouch may have a depth approximately equal to a depth of the second pouch.
In other forms, the second pocket may include an inner wall and an outer wall.
In another form, the inner wall and the base may define the pouch of the second pocket.
In one form, the inner wall and the outer wall may define a different pouch of the second pocket.
In one example, an opening may extend through the first wall of the first pocket.
In another example, a second opening may extend through the second wall of the first pocket.
In other examples, the first pocket may have an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and a side seam extending between the open end and the closed end.
In some examples, the closed end may have a seam with a greater cross-sectional thickness than the side seam.
In one example, the pocket assembly may include an open end side, a closed end side opposite the open end side, and first and second sides extending between the open end side and the closed end side.
In one example, the first side may be non-parallel to the second side.
Examples of the present disclosure can include one or more of the following advantages.
This garment design could be of value in multiple settings to facilitate convenience and efficiency for the subject/user. However, as one illustrative narrative of its possible utilization, the garment and pocket assembly may be useful in the cardiac catheterization laboratory or in the interventional radiology (IR) suite procedures, where guide wires are routinely used.
The additional central pockets afforded by the multi-layered pocket assemblies described herein may be useful for some procedures that involve multiple wires.
The arrangement and locations of the openings and holsters may provide access to tools for left- and right-handed subjects. In some examples, the pocket assemblies have exit openings on both sides of the pocket to address the operational preferences of both left- as well as right-handed operators.
Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, figures, and claims.
As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” and “below” are used to provide a relative relationship between structures. The use of these terms does not indicate or require that a particular structure must be located at a particular location in the apparatus.
Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some arrangements may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The examples described herein are not limited in this context.
The present disclosure relates to a protective garment with a pocket assembly for easily accessing various tools and items. The protective garment and pocket assembly may be useful for surgical and non-surgical procedures in a healthcare environment, especially in situations when a subject (e.g., a healthcare provider) must wear PPE or other disposable protective clothing over scrubs or clothing. The disclosed garment is equipped with pockets, holes, and/or holsters to hold and provide access to tools used for various procedures. In one example, the disclosed garment and pocket assembly may be useful for interventional radiology suite and cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures, both of which routinely involve guidewires. Additionally, the garment and pocket assembly are useful for accessing various items by the subject (or person wearing the garment) as well as by other individuals that are involved in the procedure.
In
The pocket assembly 14 also includes a third pocket 38 adjacently disposed to the first pocket 22 such that the second and third pockets 30, 38 are disposed on either side of the first pocket 22. The first pocket 22 has a width W1 greater than widths W2, W3 of the second and third pockets 30, 38, respectively. A ratio of the width W1 of the first pocket 22 relative to the width W2 of the second pocket 30 is in a range of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1, and a ratio of the width W1 of the first pocket 22 relative to the width W3 of the third pocket 38 is in a range of approximately 2:1 to approximately 6:1.
The pocket assembly 14 (excluding the base patch 42) is defined by first and second parallel sides 16, 20 extending between top and bottom sides 24, 28. In the illustrated example, the pocket assembly 14 is rectangular shaped, however, in other examples, the pocket assembly 14 may be a trapezoid, parallelogram, or another shape.
Turning to
The second and third pockets 30, 38 also have multi-layered constructions. As shown in
The open ends 84, 88, 92, 96 of the second and third pockets 30, 38 (i.e., entry points) are horizontal (e.g., the second pocket 30) or angled (e.g., the third pocket 38) to facilitate access and entry into the pockets. The second and third pockets 30, 38 may be used to store instruments such as forceps or scissors, vials, or empty or pre-filled syringes. Under ordinary or post-procedure non-sterile conditions, the side pockets 30, 38 could also be conveniently used to store other objects such as pens, just as the larger central pocket could be used to store a pager, phone, note cards, or even a stethoscope.
The pocket assembly 14 has multiple openings 34, 36 of different shapes to accommodate multiple spools of wires. For example, if two different guidewires are required for a procedure, one guidewire spool may be disposed in the first pouch 58 of the first pocket with a guidewire threaded through the opening 34 in the first wall, and a second guidewire spool may be disposed in the second pouch 62 of the first pocket 22 with a guidewire threaded through the opening 36 in the second wall 54. The first opening 34 includes a reinforced patch with a round hole, and the second opening 36 includes a reinforced patch with a rectangular hole. In other examples, the holes may be other shapes and configurations to help assist the subject in accessing and threading the wires from the spools disposed in the pouches.
The pocket assembly 14 also includes first and second holsters 44, 46 attached to the second wall 54 of the first pocket 22. The holsters 44, 46 may be simple loops or a funnel-shape to provide greater stability for their contents.
Turning to
A depth D1 of the first pouch 58 is greater than a depth D2 of the second pouch 62 of the first pocket 22. While the first and second pouches 58, 62 terminate at the same closed end 48, the open ends 50, 52 are staggered. Accordingly, in this example, the inner pouch 58 has a deeper (longer) interior space than the outer pouch 62. The depths of the pouches of the second and third pockets 30, 38 are shorter than the depths of the pouches of the first pocket 22. However, in some examples, the depths of the pouches of the second and third pockets 30, 38 may be the same or similar to the depths of the pouches of the first pocket 22.
As shown in
The overall shape of the pocket assembly 214 of
The pocket assemblies 14, 114, 214, 314, 414 of
In some examples, the first, central pocket may be single or multi-layered, providing separate pouches.
In some examples, the second and third pockets may not be separated by the first pocket. Instead, in some examples, the second and third pockets may be adjacent to one another.
In some examples, the pocket assembly may not include a base patch. In this example, the pouch of the first pocket is defined by the wall of the first pocket and a layer of material of the body of the garment.
In some examples, the holsters 44, 46 may be single or multi-slotted, given the space that is available on the wide, central pocket 22. In some examples where the first pocket 22 only defines one pouch, the holsters 44, 46 are disposed on, and the openings 34, 36 extend through, the wall 26 of the first pocket 22. In some examples, one or more of the second and third pockets 30, 38 may have openings and/or holsters.
In some examples, the pocket assembly 14 is integrally formed with the garment during the manufacturing process. However, in other examples, the pocket assembly 14 may be adhesive-backed so that any garment can be outfitted with the pocket assembly 14 by removing a protective sheet covering the adhesive layer, and then attaching the adhesive layer to an outer surface of the garment. In other examples, the pocket assembly 14 may be configured for attachment to a surface of a garment in other suitable permanent or removable methods (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, welded seams, sewn seams, etc.).
As described herein, the pocket assembly includes a first pocket, that includes a single or multiple pouches, and smaller side pockets on either side of the first pocket. The assembly may be configured differently depending on the case, capability, and preference of the manufacturing facility. The pocket assembly could be directly attached to the garment, or the pocket assembly may include a broader single patch, which is itself attached and fixed to the garment. This may be determined by the technical desirability, efficiency, safety, and preferences of the manufacturing process.
The depths of the pouches may be shallow such that housing units of guidewires are always visible and accessible. In other examples, the depths of the pouches could be made deeper so that the housing unit coils are allowed to sink deeper into the pouches and prevent rubbing against the continual movement of the user's hands and arms.
In some examples, the materials of the pockets may include an elastic or stretchy material that would enable the pouches of the pockets to expand to hold certain items, but then collapse to a flat configuration when empty.
The material for the garment, base patch, and pocket assembly can be non-woven, partially woven, woven, or some type of combination. The material is a fabric, and can be polyester, cotton, polyamide, cellulose, or a blend of multiple fiber types. Examples of the fibers include, for example, natural, polymeric, semi-synthetic, fully synthetic fibers, or combinations of such. In some cases, the material may be natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic, which can be understood to mean a chemically-modified natural material or fiber, e.g., synthetically produced natural fiber-based fibers or textiles. Natural fibers are produced from plants (e.g., cellulosic, or plant-based fibers) or animals, and examples include cotton, kapok, bison, alpaca, sheep, mink, wool (e.g., cashmere, or mohair), rayon, bamboo, banana, orange, vegetable, jute, flax, sisal, acetate (e.g., triacetate), manila, hemp, or silk. In other examples, textile fibers that absorb the liquid 104 may be used. Synthetic and polymeric materials are generally man-made, examples of which include polylactic acid (PLA), aramid, acrylic, anidex, fluorocarbon, lastrile, nylon, olefin, polyester, spandex, polyamides, or combinations thereof. Common types used could include polyesters such as PET, and other synthetic fibers; rayon, nylon, modacrylic, olefin, spandex, fleece, or aramid fibers. The synthetic fibers can also include fibers produced from recycled polymers, e.g., recycled PET.
In some examples, the garment may be disposable or reusable.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular examples of particular disclosures. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate examples can also be implemented in combination in a single example. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single example can also be implemented in multiple examples separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the examples described herein should not be understood as requiring such separation in all examples, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together into a single product or packaged into multiple products.
Particular examples of the subject matter have been described. Other examples are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.
The priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 63/471,388, filed Jun. 6, 2023, is hereby claimed and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63471388 | Jun 2023 | US |