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  Recovery garmentUSPTO Application #: 20060156450Title: Recovery garment Abstract: The patient recovery garment comprises a body portion defining an opening, positioned, configured and dimensioned to allow the performance of medical treatment procedures, and a closure device suitable for closing the opening when a procedure is not being performed. The recovery garment comprises of a warm material, a decorative pattern, or both. (end of abstract) Agent: Roger Pitt Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP - New York, NY, US Inventor: Catherine E. McGrath USPTO Applicaton #: 20060156450 - Class: 002114000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Vests, Bed Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060156450. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/644,771 filed Jan. 18, 2005, confirmation number 5870, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] (Not applicable). TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to a patient recovery garment designed with the objective of improving patient comfort and increasing the likelihood of a successful treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Every year, hundreds of thousands of people, for example, most of them men, are diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis can often be, initially at least, devastating to the patient. These issues are of neither superficial nor passing concern. To the contrary, it has been demonstrated that patient attitudes and outlooks have a direct bearing on recovery. [0005] Notwithstanding the above, the medical system functions in the same manner as the most mundane deliverers of goods and services. Patients are all too often queued in long lines, sometimes waiting for hours for a five or ten minute visit with the doctor, or to receive treatment. Very often, radiation treatment is dispensed in basement facilities. These facilities are usually kept relatively cool to discourage the spread of germs. [0006] Patients are forced to wait in line wearing a flimsy low-quality garment sometimes referred to as a standard hospital garment "johnny". The garment is of simple design, comprising a front portion, a pair of sleeves, and a pair of complementary rear left and right side portions, which may be tied to each other by ribbon-like ties. Tying the ties does not close the garment well, allowing chilly breezes to cause discomfort and not remotely providing any privacy. The "johnny" has an appearance which is plain and drab. It is embarrassingly open in the back. [0007] As noted above, the "johnny" is open and because of the flimsy material of which it is made, the johnny provides for little protection from the cold. This is particularly serious because, during the treatment and recovery from prostate cancer, the patient is in a weakened state and is particularly susceptible to chills, which are both uncomfortable and can affect the health. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In addition to the physical discomforts noted above, important and potentially serious psychological factors come into the picture. As soon as a person is diagnosed with a serious illness, there is a serious danger that he feels, to a certain extent, diminished. In addition to the fear of the uncertain, the health system imposes on the patient a depersonalized, uncomfortable, and debasing experience. Patients are gathered together in drab, flimsy, cold, exposing, and depersonalizing "johnny" uniforms. These garments, far from flattering the appearance of the wearers, make the wearers look weak and sick. The garments are also identified with people who are ill. The effect is immediate and the impact felt on all who visit the patient. Human nature being what it is, the looks most likely to be seen by the patient on the faces of visitors do nothing but have an adverse impact on the patient's spirit. This, in addition to causing pain and discomfort to the patient, cannot help but be reflected unfavorably in the prospects for the success of treatment. [0009] In essence, the patient fearing a loss of attractiveness is put in an unattractive garment which is plain and unflattering and which portrays one in a debasing, exposed, and weak-appearing way. In addition to this, the garment is depersonalizing, being commonly used by many individuals. [0010] The difficulties encountered by the patient in the above circumstances are compounded by serious additional chores and organizational tasks. Medications must be taken regularly. Treatment often results in sores which must be treated. Catheter bags must be maintained. During postoperative periods, the patient may be connected to catheter bags 24 hours a day, and must sleep in a relatively restricted position. If the patient rolls over while sleeping, the arrangement may be disrupted. [0011] In accordance with the invention, a recovery garment is provided and comprises pants made of a warm material, for instance cotton, flannel, or fleece, having slits along the outer seam of the leg and closure devices for opening and closing the garment and a pocket inside along one leg of the garment for holding catheter bags. The garment may include a second interior pocket near the waistband for holding post-surgical pouches or urostomy bags. The crotch portion of the garment may have an opening which may be positioned, configured and dimensioned to allow the performance of a prostate cancer treatment procedure, a medical examination or other medical testing. The outer seam leg opening of the garment runs from the waist down each outer leg seam. It is secured by non-metallic snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop material, or other closure devices. On one leg inside of the garment is a pocket that holds and conceals items such as catheter bags. The material of the garment may have a decorative pattern. [0012] In another aspect of the present invention, a recovery shirt is described and comprises a shirt made of warm material, for instance cotton, flannel, or fleece, having hook-and-loop fasteners instead of sewn seams along the arms of the garment as well as along the sides. The hook-and-loop fasteners permit ready access to many areas of the arms, back, and torso that frequently require close attention by medical personnel. [0013] A further aspect of the present invention is a sleeveless garment that comprises a fabric portion that covers the user's torso and shoulder straps that hold the torso portion in place. The fabric portion is made of warm material, for instance cotton, flannel, or fleece, and is closed by way of buttons or hook-and-loop fasteners, and the shoulder straps are held in place by buttons, snaps, or hook-and-loop fasteners. [0014] While the invention has been described with reference to prostate cancer, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it can be used in other cases as well, particularly where the patient is being treated for a condition that requires attention to the area of the lower abdomen, groin, or upper thighs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of the pants; [0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pants; [0018] FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing a front view of the pant with the additional hook-and-loop fasteners on the inseam. Continue reading... Full patent description for Recovery garment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Recovery garment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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