Portable pocket for medical garment

Abstract

A portable pocket for a medical garment comprises a base panel, an outer panel connected to the base panel, and an expansion pleat provided on the outer panel. The expansion pleat is moveable between (i) a folded position wherein a first interior volume is provided between the base panel and the outer panel and (ii) an expanded position wherein a second interior volume is provided between the base panel and the outer panel, the second interior volume being greater than the first interior volume. An adhesive layer is also provided on the base panel. The adhesive layer is provided on a side of the base panel that is opposite the side facing the outer panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable pocket, the portable pocket comprising:
 a base panel;   an outer panel connected to the base panel;   an expansion pleat provided on the outer panel, the expansion pleat moveable between (i) a folded position wherein a first interior volume is provided between the base panel and the outer panel and (ii) an expanded position wherein a second interior volume is provided between the base panel and the outer panel, the second interior volume being greater than the first interior volume; and   an adhesive layer provided on the base panel, the adhesive layer provided on a side of the base panel that is opposite the side facing the outer panel.   
     
     
         2 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  wherein the base panel and the outer panel are connected along a seam. 
     
     
         3 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  further comprising a paper backer sheet, the adhesive layer positioned between the base panel and the paper backer sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  wherein the expansion pleat is a box pleat. 
     
     
         5 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  wherein the expansion pleat includes a first crease, a second crease, and a third crease extending from a central junction, wherein the first crease extends to an upper middle edge of the outer panel, and wherein the second crease and the third crease extend toward lower sides of the outer panel. 
     
     
         6 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  wherein the expansion pleat includes a combination of a lower box pleat having a sunburst panel shape and an upper accordion pleat or side pleat having a straight panel shape. 
     
     
         7 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer is a film of adhesive substantially covering the side of the base panel. 
     
     
         8 . The portable pocket of  claim 1  further comprising a medical gown including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the adhesive layer adhered to the interior surface of the medical gown. 
     
     
         9 . The portable pocket of  claim 8  further comprising a medical accessory retained in the portable pocket between the outer panel and the interior surface of the medical gown. 
     
     
         10 . A garment for a medical patient, the garment comprising:
 a torso covering having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the torso covering including a left shoulder portion, a right shoulder portion, an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion; and   a removable pocket secured to the interior surface of the torso covering, the removable pocket including an outer panel and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer in contact with the interior surface of the torso covering, the adhesive layer securing the outer panel to the interior surface of the torso portion.   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10  further comprising a medical accessory retained in the removable pocket between the outer panel and the interior surface of the torso covering. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11  wherein the medical accessory is a post-operative drain configured to collect bodily fluids or a telemetry packet. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the torso covering is comprised of a cotton material and the outer panel is comprised of an elastane material. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the outer panel includes an expansion pleat. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 14  wherein the expansion pleat is provided by a box pleat. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 14  wherein the expansion pleat includes a first crease, a second crease, and a third crease extending from a central junction, wherein the first crease extends to an upper middle edge of the outer panel, and wherein the second crease and the third crease extend toward lower sides of the outer panel. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the removable pocket includes an base panel provided between the adhesive layer and the outer panel, the base panel including a first side facing the outer panel and a second side facing the interior surface of the torso covering. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17  wherein the adhesive layer is a film of adhesive substantially covering the second side of the base panel. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the removable pocket is positioned on the lower torso portion of the torso covering in a side area of the lower torso portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method of loading a medical accessory on a patient, the method comprising:
 fitting a medical gown to the patient;   attaching a portable pocket to an interior surface of the medical gown after fitting the medical gown to the patient; and   inserting the medical accessory into the portable pocket such that the medical accessory is retained within the pocket on the interior surface of the medical gown.