Attachable, constraint-free external drainage device support structure for use with standard hospital garments and patients' own clothing

Abstract

A low-cost removable drainage bag support structure that can be attached to any location on the patient's hospital garment or personal clothing, without any uncomfortable and cumbersome belts or other attachments that tie the drainage bag directly to the patient's body, and without use of any expensive and inefficient custom-made undergarments. An attachable, easily removable and disposable drainage bag support structure that can be easily and cost-effectively utilized with standard hospital garments, and at the same time safely and securely support drainage bags for the out-patients, allowing to place the drainage bag out-of-sight when in public and reducing interference with patient's mobility, whereby improving dignity and quality of life for the out-patients that must carry in public one or more drainage devices. A low-cost attachable support structure that allows quick and easy removal from the garment, easy disposal and also allows hospital staff to monitor and observe the content and condition of the drainage bag placed inside the support structure.

1 . A structure for attaching to a garment and supporting an external drainage device comprising:
 an attachable support structure having an inner and outer parts for forming said attachable support structure and at least one opening for housing and supporting the external drainage device, wherein the inside surface of the inner part of said support structure can be attached at any location on the garment to securely store the external drainage device.   
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said attachable support structure is placed on any standard hospital garment or patient's own clothing, without any extensive alterations or adjustments for height, weight, age, gender or body proportions of the patient. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using high tack tape-like removable material. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using iron-on-tape connection. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said support structure attaches to the garment using a plurality of hooks, connecting said garment and said support structure. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using Velcro. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using a plurality of snaps located on the garment and said inside surface. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of said outside surface of the outer part of said support structure is made of at least partially transparent material, whereby allowing medical staff to view and monitor the content of an external drainage device placed in said support structure. 
   
   
       10 . A structure for attaching to a garment and supporting an external drainage device comprising:
 an attachable support structure having an inner and outer parts for forming said attachable support structure and at least one opening for housing and supporting the external drainage device, wherein said inner and outer parts of said support structure are connected to each other by a plurality of corresponding snaps and allowing to vary the height of the formed support structure by using different sets of connecting snaps for connecting said inner and outer parts.   
   
   
       11 . A garment comprising:
 at least one attachable and detachable support structure having an inner and outer parts for forming said attachable support structure and at least one opening for housing and supporting at least one external drainage device, wherein the inside surface of the inner part of said support structure can be attached at any location on the garment to securely store said at least one external drainage device.   
   
   
       12 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said attachable support structure attaches to the hospital garment without any extensive alterations or adjustments for height, weight, age, gender or body proportions of the patient. 
   
   
       13 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said support structure attaches to the patient's own clothing without any extensive alterations or adjustments for height, weight, age, gender or body proportions of the patient. 
   
   
       14 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). 
   
   
       15 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using high tack tape-like removable material. 
   
   
       16 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using iron-on-tape connection. 
   
   
       17 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said support structure attaches to the garment using a plurality of hooks, connecting said garment and said support structure. 
   
   
       18 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using Velcro. 
   
   
       19 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said inside surface of the inner part of said support structure attaches to the garment using a plurality of snaps located on the garment and said inside surface. 
   
   
       20 . A garment according to  claim 11 , wherein at least part of said outside surface of the outer part of said support structure is made of at least partially transparent material, whereby allowing medical staff to view and monitor the content of an external drainage device placed in said support structure.