Right-and-left-seam opening medical-patient shorts and methods of use

Abstract

A pair of medical-patient shorts that are opened entirely at the right and left outside seams, while allowing the rear, front, and crotch seams to remain intact, is disclosed. The shorts include the use of a stuttered series of hook-and-pile patches that largely define the outer seams of the shorts, which are largely comprised of a front fabric panel and a rear fabric panel. The design of the outside side seams to enhance user comfort and to make access to the patient's body, dressing, etc. more convenient. In addition, the shorts provide features to provide convenient physical support for medical apparatuses, such as drainage bags and tubing, for example. Finally, associated methods of use for the medical-patient shorts are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 161,173, filed on Mar. 18, 2009, and is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Medical patients, particularly those treated in hospitals or day-surgery facilities, often find themselves with various tubes and other medical devices connected to their bodies; e.g., intravenous needles, canulas, joint-drainage tubes and associated collection bags, etc. When connected to such devices, the donning and removing of clothing without disturbing such connected medical devices is a challenge. Further, it is often undesirable for a patient to be wearing little more than a standard hospital gown that is open in the back and provides minimal modesty coverage for the lower body, particularly in the leg and groin areas. Many, if not most, patients prefer to be also wearing pants or shorts under such a gown for both comfort and modesty ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When connected to such devices, the donning and removing of clothing without disturbing such connected medical devices is a challenge.

Further, it is often undesirable for a patient to be wearing little more than a standard hospital gown that is open in the back and provides minimal modesty coverage for the lower body, particularly in the leg and groin areas.

Unfortunately, the wearing of some sort of shorts or pants leads to complications when the donning and removal of such apparel items interfere with the ongoing medical treatment.

In addition, many orthopedic patients find themselves needing to wear a knee brace or similar device on their injured / repaired leg.

It is often undesirable for practical and medical reasons to have a post-operative patient removing their own knee brace while still healing.

While these solutions may facilitate the ability to get a pair of pants on a disabled person without having to lift the disabled persons' body substantially, there are several reasons why this solution is not suited for an ongoing post-surgical patient scenario.

First, the placement of a full-length pant leg a post-surgical orthopedic patient may not be wise or desired for myriad medical reasons, including fighting infections.

Second, the full-length pant leg may be uncomfortable for the patient who has just experience trauma to the leg (including perhaps invasive surgery).

Third, many patients might find the feel of the mechanical snaps or full-length zipper or continuous Velcro strip uncomfortable.

Fourth, and most importantly, the nature of those three attachment schemes for the outside seams, even if used on a pair of shorts, inhibit ready access to a patient's leg and associated medical devices, as well as inhibit quick and easy detachment and reattachment of both seam members that form the outside seam, which in turn inhibits easy and quick donning an / or removal of the pair of shorts.

The DeRosa shorts provide no side seam whatsoever and as a result, modesty considerations are severely compromised from the standpoint of a potential patient who might use them.

Further, without a structured side seam, the DeRosa shorts provide little coverage of the user's legs and no ability to support the placement of medical devices.

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