Garment with defined openings for clinical inspection

Abstract

A garment includes a connected front and back panels forming a cavity for an upper body of a subject. Each of a pair of sleeves is connected to at least one of the front or back panel and is in communication with the cavity. A collar is configured to surround a neck of the subject. Each of a pair of shoulder straps is connected at one end to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front or back panels or a sleeve. A first opening is formed by at least the straps, a top edge of the front panel, and the collar to expose a top portion of the subject's chest. A second opening is formed by at least the straps, a top edge of the back panel, and the collar to expose a top portion of the subject's back.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A garment for use in clinical inspection, the garment comprising:
 a front panel having a top edge;   an opposing back panel having a top edge and being connected with the front panel along a lateral edge so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a subject is received when the garment is worn;   a pair of opposing hollow sleeves, each of the sleeves being connected to at least one of the front or back panel and in communication with the cavity so as to receive an arm of the subject when the garment is worn;   a collar configured to surround a neck of the subject when the garment is worn;   a pair of shoulder straps, each of the straps being connected at one end to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front panel, the back panel, or one of the sleeves;   a first opening formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the front panel, and the collar, and configured to expose a top portion of a chest of the subject when the garment is worn; and   a second opening formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the back panel, and the collar, and configured to expose a top portion of a back of the subject when the garment is worn.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first guide line located on the collar; and   a second guide line located on the front panel, the first and second guide lines being configured to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance when the garment is worn by the subject.   
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a third guide line located on the collar; and   a fourth guide line located on the back panel, the third and fourth guide lines being configured to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance when the garment is worn by the subject.   
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein the second guide line is located proximate the top edge of the front panel. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the top edge of the front panel has a V-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein a nadir of the top edge is configured to extend to a xiphoid process of the subject when the garment is worn. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the front and back panels, the sleeves, the collar, and the shoulder straps are made from a blend of cotton and spandex. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 7 , wherein a ratio of cotton to spandex is between about 86/14 to about 95/5. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the top edge of the front panel and portions of the collar and the shoulder straps bordering on the first opening are reinforced with one of threading or additional material. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 9 , wherein the top edge of the back panel and portions of the collar and the shoulder straps bordering on the second opening are reinforced with one of threading or additional material. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the top edge of the back panel extends generally horizontally between the sleeves. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein when the garment is worn by the subject, the second opening is configured to be positioned over an area of the back of the subject that the subject is able to reach by hand. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one writing located on at least one of the front or back panel. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the collar is cylindrical. 
     
     
         15 . A garment for use in clinical inspection, the garment comprising:
 a front panel having a top edge;   an opposing back panel having a top edge and being connected with the front panel along a lateral edge so as to form a cavity in which an upper body of a subject is received when the garment is worn;   a collar configured to surround a neck of the subject when the garment is worn;   a pair of shoulder straps, each of the straps being connected at one end to the collar and at an opposing end to at least one of the front panel or the back panel;   a first opening formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the front panel, and the collar, and configured to expose a top portion of a chest of the subject when the garment is worn; and   a second opening formed by at least the shoulder straps, the top edge of the back panel, and the collar, and configured to expose a top portion of a back of the subject when the garment is worn.