Joey L Smith, 47Quitman, MS

5797786, Aug 25, 1998

Aug 2, 1996

8/691539

Joey Paulette Smith - Zebulon NC
Gerald William Smith - Zebulon NC

A41B 300

450 1

A post-operative brassiere for use by female patients following cardio-thoracic surgery is disclosed. The post-operative brassiere includes a first breast support cup and a second breast support cup being interconnected by a support strap which is worn about the neck and shoulders of the wearer so as to form an open gap between the first and second breast support cups over the area of the wearer's sternum whereon a surgical incision is located. The conventional torso encircling straps which overlie the sternum in brassieres of the prior art are eliminated. The post-operative brassiere allows access to the incision for routine examination and nursing care while providing adequate support to the wearer's breasts. In one embodiment the breast support cups include elastic panels disposed about the peripheral edges thereof to secure the same in position. In an alternative embodiment, the breast support cups include resilient underwire support means disposed within the elastic panels to counteract the natural downward and lateral pressure exerted by the weight of the breasts against the mid-sternal incision.