Adjustable Placket Closure System

This invention relates to a system for a closure or fastener having both releasable and fixed portions thereof, and more particularly to a device having a releasable fastener element for accessing space beneath the device without removing or otherwise disturbing the placement of the device.

Medical tube apparatuses include certain medical devices, such as central lines, feeding tubes, catheters, and other similar devices. One particular class of medical tubes, central venous access devices (CVADs), can be used to deliver medications, hydration, and intravenous feeding. CVADs can be used in the treatment of such conditions as cancer, short gut syndrome, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, mitochondrial disease, cystic fibrosis, and many others.

Tunneled central lines are thin catheters inserted under the skin and into a large vein for long-term use and are particularly fragile in several locations including the thinnest part of the line and near the hub. Line repair is reported in as many as 33% of catheters and there is a three-fold increase in the occurrence of sepsis in the thirty days following line repair.

Certain medical tubes present particularly difficult problems when used with children due to their lack of safety awareness, nearly constant movement, and poor impulse control. Some children who are infusing via central lines need to infuse continuously for the delivery of food and medicine. These children often forget the tubing needs to stay in place and may tug on the tubing, which can break a fragile central line or cause the line to be dislodged, thus exposing the line to contamination and infection. Indeed, the line may even become completely severed, which can result in a life-threatening event.

Line trauma is a common cause for repair in pediatric applications. Currently, pediatric tunneled CVADs have a failure rate of 29% prior to completion of therapy. This leads to a significant burden on the child and their family by necessitating additional time in the hospital to place a new line, losing time receiving treatment or nutrition, losing one of few access sites, and increasing the potential for further complications including death. Preventing line trauma directly impacts long-term outcomes by preserving access sites, with clinicians and families seeking a safe CVAD device to minimize line trauma and its resulting complications.

Another type of medical device, medical wraps, can be used with medical tubes. Medical wraps or wrappings are employed to surround portions of the subject's body for medical treatment. Well-known examples include elongated bandages; however, some medical wraps provide functions in addition to serving as bandages. For example, some wraps structurally support and stabilize broken or sprained limbs and joints. Others are employed to hold hot packs or cold packs against the skin. These wraps may be in the form of garments worn by a patient which facilitate the preceding functions. In some instances, medical wraps have been employed to secure medical tubes to patients.

Unfortunately, conventional medical garments and wraps are not particularly effective at keeping central lines safe, secure, and free from being pulled from the patient. Conventional medical garments and wraps are not particularly effective at limiting the risk of line breakage. Moreover, such devices are not designed to provide accessibility to the central line. These devices may prove difficult to manipulate when being fitted to a child. A child's medical tube must be fed through the device for the purpose of securing the tube to the device, which may not be easily accomplished using existing devices. A device is needed which may securely and comfortably fit to a child, and stay fitted, while simultaneously facilitating access to a medical tube apparatus. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved medical tube securing device.

One such improved device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 11,607,527 to Gus Gear, Inc. The apparatus disclosed therein relies on an interaction of finger and fastener elements primarily formed of fabric and surrounding an access slit. Fingers may be detached from the central garment and be re-secured around a medical tube which passes through the access slit. However, the positioning and placement of such a device on a wearer is relatively variable, and the finger(s) may be easily over- or under-tightened upon securing or re-securing after accessing the medical tube. This variability can lead to difficulties in ease of use, particularly when a caregiver is attempting to secure the device or access a medical tube on a child who may be restless, agitated, fidgety, uncomfortable, or otherwise fussy. Therefore, there is still room in the art for improvement.

Medical garments and devices are not the only area that can benefit from improved placket closure systems. For example, adaptive clothing is specifically designed for differently-abled people, such as from disability, injury, or advanced age. These individuals have reduced motor function and/or coordination that can make many tasks, including getting dressed, removing clothing and shoes, and accessing bags difficult. Manipulating fasteners like zippers, buttons, and snaps for opening and closing plackets on such items can be particularly vexing. Therefore, improved placket closure systems would be advantageous in these areas as well.

The present invention is directed to adjustable placket closure systems and devices on which they are utilized. In some embodiments, the device may be a medical garment, such as a vest, wrap, band, or other garment suitable for wearing. The device may accommodate different types of medical tubing, such as but not limited to a central line, catheter lines, trachea tubes, intravenous catheters, ports, PICC lines, or any one of many central venous access devices (CVADs). The device need not be a medical device or garment. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the device may be adaptive clothing designed for differently-abled individuals and can be any clothing or apparel item. In still other embodiments, the device may be an accessory rather than a clothing item, such as but not limited to a bag, backpack, luggage, pouch, pocket, purse, wallet, messenger bag, tote bag, rucksack, or other accessory.

Regardless of the embodiment, the device is formed of a material. In the first embodiment the device is a wearable garment having an adjustable placket closure system. The device includes a placket extending through the material, dividing the material into first and second material portions and defining a placket opening therebetween. The placket extends at any angle relative to the general orientation of the device, such as an oblique, transverse, acute, or perpendicular angle. For example, in at least one embodiment, the placket extends the entire length of the device substantially perpendicularly to at least one edge of the material. In other embodiments, the placket may extend at an oblique angle relative to at least one edge of the material. A first placket side formed on the first material portion and a second placket side formed on the second material portion extend along at least a portion of the length of the placket opening on opposite sides thereof.

In some embodiments, one or more access slits may be formed within at least one of the first and second material portions. The slit(s) may have a terminal end at the first or second placket side, so that the material may be separated at the slit. The slit(s) may extend through the first or second material portions at any angle relative to the placket, such as an oblique or transverse angle. The slit(s) define a finger portion in the material between the slit and the material end or between two slits in a common first or second material side. Some embodiments may have no slit(s).

The adjustable placket closure system includes a first fastener affixed to the first placket side and a second fastener affixed to the second placket side. Each fastener extends along the entire length of its respective placket side. The fasteners may be any type of fastener suitable for closing a placket, such as but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, magnetic closures, hook-and-loop fasteners such as VELCRO®, and the like. First and second fasteners interact to join the first and second placket sides and therefore the first and second material portions, closing the placket opening.

The fasteners include a releasable portion and a fixed portion thereof. However, in some embodiments, a given fastener may have only a releasable portion or a fixed portion. The releasable portion is selectively releasably affixed to the material at the placket side along at least a portion of the placket side. In embodiments having a slit(s) in the material, this releasable portion is selectively releasably affixed to the portion of the placket having the slit, preferably in proximity to the slit. In one embodiment, the releasable portion of the fastener is selectively releasably secured to the placket adjacent to and overlapping the slit such that the releasable portion spans the slit. When release from the placket is desired, the releasable portion is selectively removed, released, or otherwise detached from the placket, revealing the placket underneath, as well as the slit, in embodiments having a slit, and the terminal end thereof depending on the configuration. The releasable portion is selectively releasably attached to and released from the material at the placket through a selectively releasable attachment mechanism, such as by interdigitation of zipper halves, reception of male into female receivers as in buttons or snaps, interlocking of corresponding components such as hooks into loops of hook-and-loop fastener, and the like.

Once released, the releasable portion may be pulled away from the material and placket to reveal the same. When the releasable portion is selectively released, the finger formed by the slit may be manipulated such as by pulling, pushing, and twisting to reveal the space beneath the finger. In embodiments having a slit(s), importantly, the releasable attachment mechanism should be configured to both close the terminal end of the slit when the releasable portion is attached to the placket and, when released, not interfere with the ability of the terminal end to open and allow access to the continuous space between the slit and the placket opening. Accordingly, when released from the material, the releasable portion reveals the placket and the terminal end of the slit. When released, the releasable portion is interconnected with the device by the fixed portion of the fasteners.

In contrast, the fixed portion is fixedly attached to at least a portion of the placket and preferably is contiguous with the releasably attached portion. In embodiments having a slit(s), the fixed portion extends along the portion of the placket not having the terminal end of the slit. By a secure attachment, the fixed portion does not release from the placket, providing support to the system and device as a whole, the remainder of the material, and the releasable portion of the fasteners.

In certain embodiments, the device may be a garment in the form of a vest, medical garment, or other adaptive garment, clothing, or item to be worn by a user. The garment may contain a number of adjustable features which provide a secure fit on a user. For instance, shoulder supports and shoulder strap loops may be included on the material. In the first embodiment, first and second closure straps, or other similar securing mechanisms may extend from one or both the first and second portions of the material. An opposite closure, being a separate piece of material capable of receiving straps or other similar structures opposite the placket may be present and secured proximate to the back of a user. In at least one embodiment, this closure has loops to receive first and second closure straps allowing the closure straps to pass through the loop and attach to themselves via hook and loop or any similar attachment mechanism. In at least one embodiment, the opposite closure also has shoulder straps extending therefrom which pass through the shoulder strap loops and attach to themselves via hook and loop or any similar attachment mechanism.

The continuous space formed between the slit(s) and the placket opening allows the tubing of a medical apparatus to be passed through the garment. Accordingly, the slit is sized to accommodate such an apparatus and the slit is located on the garment proximate to where a medical tube entrance or access point may be located on a user when the garment is worn. A finger portion of the material is defined between the slit and the material end. The slit and finger are together located on the garment to provide access to the body of a user when worn. The tubing of the medical apparatus may reside beneath or near the finger or material portions of the garment adjacent to the slit and pass through the slit or may be secured by other tubing securement mechanisms described herein.

When released from the material, the releasable portions reveal the placket and the terminal end of the slit. The releasable portions are selectively releasably attached to the material via a hook-and-loop mechanism or other similar releasable mechanism. The releasable portions may be pulled away from the material and placket, to reveal the same. This also releases the finger portion which may be manipulated to reveal the user's chest beneath the finger. The releasable portions of the fasteners are folded down but maintain connection with the garment through the fixed portions of the fasteners. The finger may be replaced and the releasable portions may be reattached to their respective plackets accommodating the medical tubing now extending through the slit.

The fixed portions of the fasteners are fixedly attached to at least a portion of the placket and are preferably contiguous with the releasably attached portions. The portion of the garment having the fixed portions thereon is referred to as the support portion. The support portion may be lifted to reveal the torso of the user and may attach to the upper, opposite portion of the garment having the releasable portions via reception of male into female receivers as in buttons or snaps. In an alternate embodiment, the support portion may be attached to the upper portion of the garment by passing through the shoulder support loops.

In some embodiments, the adjustable placket closure system may further include a flap adjacent and secured to one of the fasteners. The flap is attached to the fastener opposite from the material so that it may be removed with the releasable portion and avoid restrictive interaction with the slit and finger. The flap has a width at least as large or larger than the combined width of the fasteners, such that it is sized to fold across and cover the same.

A user may wear the garment by placing the material on the upper body, preferably with the opposite closure at least partially affixed, as described above, so that a user may more easily make adjustments while the garment hangs on the body of a user. The fasteners are aligned and joined, bringing together the first and second placket sides and material portions, closing the placket opening. The shoulder straps and closure straps may be adjusted to fit the user.

Even when releasable portions of the fasteners are removed from the placket, the fixed portions remain attached to the placket, maintaining the placket closed. This ensures appropriate alignment and registration of the first and second material portions, and thus the proper positioning of the garment on the user. The adjustable placket closure system, by virtue of having releasable and fixed portions thereof, facilitates easy application and removal of the garment, even while infusing without stopping infusion. The fixed portions maintain the positioning of the garment when the releasable portions and finger are manipulated. This system ensures that the garment will not be too tight or too loose, and that the slit(s) will be properly positioned with respect to the area underneath for needed access. The releasable portions allow for easy access to the slit and space underneath without having to even partially remove the garment, which could change the positioning or fit of the garment. This system therefore facilitates easy application and removal of the garment with respect to a user. This is especially helpful with a user is fidgety, restless, fussy or not sitting still, or one with limited dexterity or coordination, which is an improvement over the prior art.

The device need not be a garment. For instance, in some embodiments, the device on which the adjustable placket closure system described herein may be used may be a bag, backpack, luggage, pouch, pocket, purse, wallet, messenger bag, tote bag, rucksack, or other accessory or container having an interior space suitable for carrying an item(s). The device may also be coverings such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, or other outdoor or tactical supplies. The adjustable placket closure system may be used or useful anywhere a fastener may be used to close a placket, such as but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and others.

In such embodiments where the device is a container, only one of the first and second fasteners may include a releasable portion. For instance, the first fastener may include a fixed portion extending along the entire length of the first placket side, secured by stitching to the first material portion. The second fastener includes both a releasable portion extending along a portion of its length and a fixed portion extending along at least one other portion of its length along the second placket side, secured by hook-and loop and stitching, respectively. When the releasable portion is detached from the second placket side, an opening is formed therebetween which provides access to an interior space beneath the material. This interior may be the main pocket of a bag, an interior pocket, or any other area on the side of the material opposite the fasteners. Fixed portions are securely attached to the bag and provide support for the releasable portions and openings formed therefrom. The releasable portion may be at a terminal end of the fastener, as in most embodiments, though in certain embodiments the releasable portion may be intermediate between fixed portions of the same fastener.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It is understood that the present subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided for purposes of illustration and not in a limiting sense. Indeed, the subject matter is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of these embodiments, which are included within the scope and spirit of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present subject matter may be practiced without such specific details set forth herein order to provide a thorough understanding of the present subject matter.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. It is contemplated that any features of one foregoing embodiment may be interchanged with an element of any of the other embodiments or the equivalents thereof.

The present invention is directed to adjustable placket closure systems and devices on which they are utilized. For instance, in some embodiments such as those depicted in, the device,may be a medical garment, such as a vest, wrap, band, or other garment suitable for wearing. In certain embodiments, such as shown in, the device,may be a central line vest accommodating a central medical line. In other embodiments, the device,may accommodate different types of medical tubing, such as but not limited to catheter lines, trachea tubes, intravenous catheters, ports, PICC lines, or any one of many central venous access devices (CVADs). Some embodiments can further include temperature sensors, pulse sensors, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the sensor can measure the body temperature of a user. In further embodiments, the sensor can measure the pulse of a user. In further embodiments, the sensors can collect information relating to respirations, which is an indicator of sepsis.

In other embodiments, the devicemay be adaptive clothing, such as but not limited to shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, undergarments, skirts, dresses, shoes, slippers, outerwear, and hats. As used herein, “adaptive clothing” means clothing and apparel items that are designed for differently-abled individuals, such as those with a disability or reduced motor function, to make the item easier to secure to, remove from, or adjust on the user. In some embodiments, adaptive clothing may also be considered a medical garment, such as described above, though it need not be.

Some embodiments of the device,come in sizes that can range from 13 inches to 60 inches as measured around the chest, preferably 15 to 34 inches in at least one embodiment. Other embodiments can come in sizes that range from 13 inches to 60 inches as measured around the waist, preferably 15 to 45 inches in certain embodiments. Those of skill in the art, however, will recognize that sizing depends on the size of the user. Some embodiments of the devicemay be sized for an infant or child, while other embodiments are sized for an adult. Still other embodiments of the devicemay be sized and configured for an animal, for uses such as, but not limited to, veterinary, animal husbandry, or research uses, and are of a size and shape suitable for the intended species.

In still other embodiments, the device,may be an accessory rather than a clothing item. For instance, as shown in the illustrative embodiment of, the devicemay be a bag or luggage or other type of garment such as a jacket. In other embodiments, the devicemay be a bag, backpack, luggage, pouch, pocket, purse, wallet, messenger bag, tote bag, rucksack, or other garment, accessory, or container having an interior space suitable for carrying item(s) and having a placketand closure,for accessing the interior space.

Regardless of the embodiment, the device,,is formed of a material,,having a first material portion,,and a second material portion,,thereof. The material,,can be made from a plurality of materials, including fabrics, elastic materials, polymers, plastics, or combinations thereof, as described further below. The material,,can be lightweight material, flexible material, elastic material, bonded material, and/or a combination thereof. The material,,and other suitable parts of the device,,may be made from the materials described herein. In some embodiments, the material,,can be a breathable fabric, a cotton material, a poly cotton material, a nylon Supplex® material, a synthetic hybrid material, a charged cotton fabric, an absorbent material, a material designed to wick and spread moisture away from the skin, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the nylon Supplex® material comprises nylon and spandex. In other embodiments, the nylon Supplex® material has nylon and spandex in a range from about 80% nylon to about 20% spandex, from about 90% nylon to about 10% spandex, from about 70% nylon to about 30% spandex, from about 60% nylon to about 40% spandex, from about 50% nylon to about 50% spandex, or a combination thereof. The material can be a synthetic material, a Lycra® material, a Lycra® spandex material, an elastane material, a material comprising polyurethane polymer, polyester polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, polyurethane polymer is in a range from about 50% to about 95%, from about 60% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 85% to about 95%, or a combination there of. In some embodiments, polyurethane polymer is about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, or about 95%. The material,,can be made from a bonded material or an elastic bonding film. In some embodiments, the bonded material can comprise a fiber web, including a fiber blend comprising from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a fiber having a fineness less than about 3 denier and from about 25 to about 50 weight percent of a fiber having fineness ranging from about 3 to about 5 denier wherein the fiber web is bound together by fiber bundles transverse to the plane of the web. The fiber blend can further comprise from about 3 to about 7 percent by weight of a fiber having fineness greater than about 5 denier. The fibers comprising the fiber blend can be entirely hydrophobic, or the about 3 to about 5 denier fiber can be hydrophilic.

The material,,and other suitable parts of the device,,may be made from absorbent material, which can exhibit a high degree of absorption and fluid retention and cannot wet back even under compression. The transverse fiber bundles formed during the mechanical bonding of the web can function as wicks for transferring fluid from the surface of the material,,to an inner portion of the material,,. The fiber bundles can also act as support structures resisting compression and maintaining void space and absorbent surface area within the material, even when wet. The material,,can be reusable and can be strong enough to withstand numerous washings. The material,,can be useful as a component of reusable absorbent products further comprising an outer layer or body-side layer. The material,,can be fluid impermeable, gas permeable or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the material,,can be disposable. In other embodiments of, the material,,may be leather, plastic, cotton, or any other synthetic or natural material which may be used to form garments, bags, luggage, or the like.

The material,,can be selected for comfort and/or for ease of removal. It may be hand washable or machine washable to ensure that it can be removed and cleaned rapidly, when necessary. In some embodiments, the material,,and other elements of the invention discussed below are integral with one another so as to include one material or a combination of materials. In other embodiments, the material,,and other elements of the invention can be made from separate components that can include one material or a combination of materials. The device,,may be made from a material that is non-invasive, non-adhesive, or a combination thereof. In further embodiments, the material can reduce medical adhesive related skin injuries (MARSI).

In some embodiments the device,,can include additional components that can increase the stretch, elasticity, or a combination thereof of the device,,. In some embodiments, the additional component is optional. In some embodiments, the additional component can be an elastic strip. In further embodiments, the material,,or other portions of the device,,can comprise the elastic strip. In some embodiments, the material,,may be layered and the elastic strip can be layered between a first material layer and a second material layer.

show a first embodiment of the present invention directed to a devicebeing a wearable garment having an adjustable placket closure system. As shown in, the deviceincludes a placketextending through the material. The placketmay extend through the materialat any angle relative to the general orientation of the device, such as an oblique, transverse, acute, or perpendicular angle. The placketmay be of any shape, size, length and in some embodiments, may change its angle relative to the deviceat any point along the placket. For example, in a first embodiment depicted in, the placketmay extend substantially perpendicular to at least one edge of the materialof the device. As shown, the placketmay extend the entire length of the device, such as from one edge of the materialto the opposite end of the material. In other embodiments, such as a fifth embodiment shown inand described further below, the placketmay extend diagonally across the device.

The placketdivides the materialinto firstand secondmaterial portions, defining a placket openingtherebetween. A first placket sideformed on the first material portionand a second placket sideformed on the second material portionextend along at least a portion of the length of the placket openingon opposite sides thereof. The firstand secondplacket sides may be substantially straight and may be correspondingly or matingly configured to one another when the firstand secondmaterial portions are joined at the placket.

In some embodiments, such as those shown in, one or more access slits,′ may be formed within at least one of the firstand secondmaterial portions. The slit(s),′ may have a terminal endat the firstor secondplacket side, so that the slit,′ is continuous with the placket openingand the materialmay be separated at the slit,′ as well as the placket opening. As shown in, firstand second′ access slits are provided on each of the firstand secondmaterial portions. The slit(s),′ may extend through the firstor secondmaterial portions at any angle relative to the placket, such as an oblique or transverse angle. The slit(s),′ may be of any shape and configuration, and in some embodiments, may change its angle relative to the placketat any point along a given slit,′. For example, as shown in, a slit(s),′ initially extends perpendicular to the placketbut changes direction as it progresses through the materialaway from the placket. A finger portionof the materialmay be defined between the slit(s),′ and the material end, as shown in. Although, a fingermay be formed between two slits,′ and on either or both of the firstand secondportions of the material. Other embodiments, such as but not limited to the sixth embodiment shown in, may have no slit(s),′.

Continuing with, the adjustable placket closure systemincludes a first fasteneraffixed to the first placket sideand a second fasteneraffixed to the second placket side. Because each placket side,is formed from its respective material portion,, the first fastenerand second fastenerare each attached to the material portions,by their attachment to the placket sides,. Each fastener,may generally extend along the entire length of its respective placket side,, or along a portion thereof. The fasteners,may be any type of fastener suitable for collectively closing a placket therebetween, such as but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, magnetic closures, hook-and-loop fasteners such as VELCRO®, and the like. Firstand secondfasteners interact to join the firstand secondplacket sides and therefore the firstand secondmaterial portions, closing the placket opening, as shown in. This joining may be accomplished by various methods, such as by interdigitation of zipper halves, reception of male into female receivers as in buttons or snaps, interlocking of corresponding components such as hooks into loops of hook-and-loop fastener, and the like, depending on the specific type of fastener. In certain embodiments, such as in, firstand secondfasteners collectively form a zipper and join first and second placket sides,and material portions,via interdigitation of zipper halves, closing the placket opening.

The first fasteneron the first placket sideincludes a releasable portionand a fixed portionthereof. However, in some embodiments, such as the sixth embodiment shown in, a given placket side may have only a releasable portion or a fixed portion. The releasable portionis selectively releasably affixed to the materialat the first placket side, extending generally along at least a portion of the first placket side. In embodiments having a slit,′ on the first material portion, this releasable portionis selectively releasably affixed to the portion of the first placket sidehaving the slit,′, preferably in proximity to the slit,′. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the releasable portionof the fasteneris selectively releasably secured to the first placket sideadjacent to and overlapping the slit,′ in covering relation to at least a portion of the slit,′ such that it spans the slit,′, as shown in. In embodiments where the terminal endof the slit,′ is at the placket opening, the releasable portionof the first fastenerspans the terminal endof the slit,′, as in. With reference to, when release from the first placket sideis desired, the releasable portionis selectively removed, released, or otherwise detached from the first placket side, revealing the first placket sideunderneath, as well as the slit,′, in embodiments having a slit,′, and the terminal endthereof depending on the configuration. The releasable portionis selectively releasably attached to and released from the first placket sidethrough a selectively releasable attachment mechanism, such as by interdigitation of zipper halves, reception of male into female receivers as in buttons or snaps, interlocking of corresponding components such as hooks into loops of hook-and-loop fastener, magnetic attachment mechanisms, and the like. To be clear, this selectively releasable attachment mechanismrefers only to how the releasable portion of the first fastenerattaches to the first placket side, not how the fasteners,interact with each other to open and close the placket. For instance, in the embodiments shown in, the first and second fasteners,collectively form a zipper for closing and opening the placket, whereas the selectively releasable attachment mechanismattaching the first fastenerto the first placket sideis a hook-and-loop fastener. This is but one non-limiting example. In some embodiments, the same mechanism may be used for both placket closure between the fasteners,and releasable attachment of the fasteners,to the placket sides,, though even in these embodiments the selectively releasable attachment mechanismis separate and distinct from the placketclosure. The foregoing may apply to any of the fasteners,,,,,, plackets,,, releasable portions,,,,,, and releasable attachment mechanisms,,,,,disclosed herein.

Once released, the releasable portionmay be pulled away from the first material portionand first placket sideto reveal the same, as shown in. When the releasable portionis selectively released, the fingerformed by the slit,′ may be manipulated such as by pulling, pushing, and twisting to reveal the space beneath the finger. For example,shows the fingermoved away from the general placketarea, with the releasable portionof the first fastenerbeing folded down. In embodiments having a slit,′, the releasable attachment mechanismshould be configured to both close the terminal endof the slit,′ when the releasable portionis attached to the first placket sideand, when released, not interfere with the ability of the terminal endto open and allow access to the continuous space between the slit,′ and the placket opening, as shown in. The releasable portionis proximate to one or more slits,′, the terminal ends, and one or more fingerssuch that the releasable portionmay extend across or span the slit,′, terminal endand fingerwhen affixed to the respective placket side. Accordingly, when released from the material, the releasable portionreveals the first placket sideand the terminal end of the slit. When released, the releasable portionis interconnected with the deviceby the fixed portionof the first fastener.

The first fasteneralso includes a fixed portionalong at least part of its length. The fixed portionis fixedly attached to at least a portion of the first placket side. The fixed portionmay extend generally along at least a portion of the first placket sideand preferably is continuous with the releasably attached portion. In embodiments having a slit,′, the fixed portionextends along the portion of the first placket sidenot having the slit,′ or terminal endthereof. The fixed portionmay be affixed to the first placket sideby a permanent, formidable, or secure attachment mechanismnot easily removed, such as but not limited to stitching, adhesive, a Bemis™ adhesive film or tape, bonding, being integral with the material, or the like. By this secure attachment, the fixed portiondoes not release from the first placket side, providing support to the systemand deviceas a whole. In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in, the fixed portionis attached to the first placket sidevia stitchingwhich extends through the material. The form of the devicealso allows the materialhaving the fixed portionof the first fastenerto be lifted as shown in, revealing the space beneath the materialand optionally attaching via reception of male into female receivers as in buttons or snaps or interlocking of corresponding components such as hooks into loops of hook-and-loop fastener located at the end of the materialhaving the releasable portion, covering the releasable portion.

The adjustable placket closure systemalso includes a second fasteneron the second placket side. The second fasteneris the mate to the first fastenerand is correspondingly and/or matingly configured to engage the first fastenerin closing the placket. Accordingly, the second fastenerhas both a releasable portionand a fixed portionthereof, each of which are largely as described above for the corresponding releasable portionand fixed portionof the first fastener. In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in, the second fastener, second placket side, releasable portion, and fixed portionare mirror images of the first fastener, the first placket side, the releasable portion, and the fixed portion, respectively. The second fastener, second placket side, and releasable and fixed portions,may have all the functionality described above. However, in alternate embodiments, the second fastenermay have any combination of a releasable portionand/or fixed portionwhile a first fastenermay have a non-identical combination of a releasable portionand/or a fixed portion. The releasable portionof the second fastenermay have an attachment mechanismas described above with regard to the attachment mechanismof the releasable portionof the first fastener. The fixed portionmay have an attachment mechanismas described above with regard to the attachment mechanismof the fixed portionof the first fastener.

The Figures show various embodiments of the adjustable placket closure system,,and device,,on which it is used. In the various embodiments shown throughout the Figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts and corresponding descriptions may apply to similarly numbered parts. For instance, in certain embodiments, the device may be a garmentin the form of a vest, medical garment, or other adaptive garment, clothing, or item to be worn by a user. In the first embodiment, as shown in, the garmentis a central line vest designed to accommodate a central line or other medical tube apparatusinserted in a userand which may be resident therein. The medical tube apparatus, in some embodiments, may be catheter lines, trachea tubes, intravenous catheters, ports, PICC lines, or any one of many central venous access devices (CVADs) or other medical tubes.

The garmentis made of materialin firstand secondportions which may be formed in substantially the shape of a vest or any other suitable garment. The garmentmay contain a number of adjustable features which provide a secure fit on a user. For instance, shoulder supportsand shoulder strap loopsmay be included on each of the firstand secondportions of the material. In the first embodiment, first closure strapsand second closure straps, or other similar securing mechanisms may extend from one or both the first and second portions,of the material. A closure, being a separate piece of material capable of receiving straps or other similar structures (not pictured) opposite the placketmay be present and secured proximate to the back of a user. In at least one embodiment, this closure has loops to receive first and second closure straps,, allowing the closure straps,to pass through the loop and attach to themselves via hook and loop or any similar attachment mechanism. In at least one embodiment, the opposite closurealso has shoulder straps extending therefrom which pass through the shoulder strap loopsand attach to themselves via hook and loop or any similar attachment mechanism. This opposite closure need not be adjusted, opened, or re-secured frequently due to the presence of the placketand the firstand secondfasteners thereon. Accordingly, the opposite closuremay have a semi-permanent attachment mechanism, such as ties, adhesive, a Bemis™ adhesive film or tape, bonding, or stitching, or any other attachment mechanism described herein, as well as adjustable ties, buckles, hook and loop, or the like. In other embodiments, the materialof the garmentextends continuously from the edge of the first material portionto the edge of the second material portionsuch that part of the materialspans the back of the user when worn. In such embodiments, a back closure is not necessary.

The placketis formed of a first placket sideand second placket sidewhich surround an openingbetween the first portionand second portionof the material. The placket sides,are sized and configured to allow the garmentto be put on or removed from a userwith ease. In the first embodiment shown in, the placket sides,extend from the portion of the vestclosest to the head of a userto the portion of the vest closest to the waist of the userwhen worn and are preferably centrally located on the vest. In alternate embodiments, such as the fifth embodiment shown inand described further below, the placketand placket sides,may extend diagonally across the body of a user. It should be appreciated that the placketmay extend in any direction across the garmentand relative to the useror edge of the material.

An access slitis formed within at least one of the firstand secondmaterial portions. Though not shown here, it should be appreciated that there may be multiple slits,′ formed within firstand secondmaterial portions, similar to. The slithas a terminal end, preferably at the firstor secondplacket side, so that the materialmay be separated at the slit. The slitextends within the firstor secondportions of the material from the terminal endat the placket. The terminal endof the slitallows the slitarea to be continuous with the placket opening. The continuous space formed between the slitand the placket openingallows the tubingof a medical apparatusto be passed through the garment. Accordingly, the slitis sized to accommodate such an apparatusand the slitis located on the garmentproximate to where a medical tube access pointmay be located on a user. The slitmay be of any shape and configuration. For instance, in the first embodiment shown in, the slit extends substantially perpendicular and proximate to the placketbut changes direction across the materialfurther from the placket. A finger portionof the materialis defined between the slitand the materialend. The slitand fingerare together located on the garmentto provide access to the chest of a userwhen worn. The tubingof the medical apparatusresides beneath or near the fingeror the remainder of the firstor secondmaterial portion of the garmentadjacent to the slitand passes through the slit. The slitand fingermay have other configurations such as shown inand described further below.

A first fasteneris affixed to the first placket sideand a second fasteneris affixed to the second placket side, as discussed more generally above. Each fastener,extends along the length of its respective placket side,. In the first embodiment and as shown in, firstand secondfasteners collectively form a zipper and join plackets,and material portions,via interdigitation of zipper halves, closing the placket opening. Each of the first fasteneron the first placket sideand the second fasteneron the second placket sidehave both a releasable portion,and a fixed portion,thereof. The releasable portions,are selectively releasably affixed to the materialat the firstand secondplacket sides. In at least one embodiment, such as the first embodiment shown in, the releasable portions,are proximate to one or more slits, the terminal ends, and one or more fingerssuch that the releasable portions,may extend across or span the slit(s), terminal endand finger(s)when affixed to the respective placket sides,.