Medical Equipment Garment T-Shirt

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical equipment garment worn as a concealed T-shirt comprising a body covering section. The garment is light weight consisting of a front and back bodice. The medical equipment garment T-shirt includes constructed customized encasements that consist of pockets on the upper left and right underarms. A front compartment encasement is located on the lower center front of the shirt. These encasements allow for continuous connection to life sustaining equipment which monitors a medical patient's heart pump. Life sustaining equipment fits safely and discreetly into the upper left and right pockets and front encasements that allow for continuous connection to Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or heart pumps.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The medical equipment garment T-Shirt is invented as a concealed medical garment to be worn by persons who have been surgically implanted with the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or heart pump. The LVAD system is used for patients who have advanced heart failure and need help pumping blood throughout the body. The system includes a small external controller attached to the body by an external drive line and two batteries. The LVAD System weighs eight pounds. The System Controller is a small computer that controls and monitors the system's function. The medical equipment that comprises the heart pump consists of two 14 Volt Lithium (Li-Ion) batteries that power the system and can range in size from 3'' to 6'' wide and 5'' to 10'' long. (In some cases, these dimensions vary based on the type of LVAD system) The system further encompasses a System Controller which monitors the surgically implanted heart pump typically ranging from 4 to 8 inches wide and 3'' to 4'' long. Additionally, the system controller has two 23'' inch cables or leads that extend from the controller to the batteries that power the system. These power leads are exposed and can be hazardous if entangled with outside objects.

[0002] Currently, patients who have been implanted with the LVAD or heart pump wear an external Holster Vest to carry the equipment. The disadvantages of wearing the Holster Vest expose the equipment and cables. The batteries hang from two compartments that are attached on both sides of the body. The external System Controller is either worn on a belt or in a carrying case around the waist. The 20' inch cords are exposed to outside elements and have proven to be very cumbersome, hazardous and fatal in some instances. Some patients have even cut their power leads by becoming entangled or caught with other objects. The holster vest causes patients to slump due to the weight of the batteries and the system controller and often causes one's equilibrium to be off balance. The weight of the system components is eight pounds; the weight of the system's components is not equally distributed which makes the patient's mobility to be compromised. The holster vest is restrictive and causes the patient to feel inhibited. The equipment is very heavy to use while attempting to walk or perform rehabilitation activities or simple tasks such as using the bathroom or attempting to take sponge baths. Although, the patient's life has been saved by the heart pump; the appearance of the holster vest can affect a patient's self-esteem causing them to be introverted and embarrassed to participate in social activities. The holster fits over their clothes and is always visible. This often impacts the their self esteem and causes them to be self conscious about their appearance which can impede their ability to recuperate and can often alters their mental state while wearing the vest due to and the responses and stares from people when worn out in public. This fact holds true for most of the garments made to house equipment for LVAD patients, there are different types of vests on the market designed to be worn over the clothes that house the equipment, even police vests, however, the problem with the equipment and cords being exposed is the same.

[0003] Thus, the medical equipment garment T-shirt was invented as a concealed garment to house and carry all of the LVAD equipment in discreetly designed customized/tailored encasements and pockets. The advantages of wearing the medical garment T-shirt is, that, it is worn under the clothes and provides the discreetness and privacy that patients deserve. The batteries fit into the upper left and right pockets and the system controller fits into a front encasement that allow for continuous connection to the HeartMate II Pump that is necessary to monitor the functions of the System Controller. The cords and power leads fit into the customized pockets so that they are not seen or exposed to outside objects. Medical staff is able to perform complex and routine medical procedures and examinations without having the patient's comfort or privacy being compromised or the equipment being exposed. Patients are able to wear the concealed medical garment T-shirt under their clothes and continue with their rehabilitation activities in the hospital and continue to live a normal life once released from the hospital. Additionally, patients are able to wear their clothes that they wore before the surgery. The concealed medical equipment T-shirt provides the security and discreetness that the heart patient needs to fully recover and get back to living a normal life. The medical garment T-shirt equally distributes the weight of the system components, making it lighter than the holster vest. The medical garment T-shirt has proven to be more functional and discreet. The patient is able to maintain their dignity and integrity. It gives the patient the confidence that they need to get back to living a normal life, in additional to increasing the quality of life for the LVAD patient. The medical garment T-shirt also minimizes the risk of the power cords being exposed and entangled with outside objects that could be hazardous and cause serious accidents when the flow of the power leads and power cords are compromised. The medical garment T-shirt allows the patients to be more mobile without being restricted by the components of the heart pump system. The medical garment medical T-Shirt is the only one of its kind on the market that is worn under the clothes, concealed and at the same time, provide discreet compartments to house all of the equipment including the power leads and cords. For these reasons, the medical garment T-shirt was invented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel, medical equipment garment, worn under the clothing as a concealed T-shirt for patients who have been implanted with the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAD) or heart pump. This invention obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a customized/tailored, lightweight medical equipment garment T-shirt consisting of a front and back bodice that fits over the patient's torso extending below the waist, including encasements that consist of pockets on the upper left and right under arm that holds two 14 Volt Lithium (Li-ion) batteries that power the LVAD or heart pump system. The front compartment encasement on the lower center front of the shirt holds the System Controller or heart monitoring device which monitors the functions of the LVAD or heart pump System.

[0006] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a controller compartment which houses the System Controller. The band is lined and made with a thick canvas which allows the controller to sit stable on the band without shifting while being worn. The controller encasement folds downward which exposes the inside of the compartment. The inside flap of the encasement is lined with Velcro fasteners which attaches to hook and loop fasteners on the back of the compartment ensuring concealed and stable closing of the compartment.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a front compartment encasement on the lower center front of the shirt which holds the System Controller or heart monitoring device which monitors the functions of the LVAD or heart pump system and allows for continuous connection to the HeartMate II Pump that is necessary to monitor the functions of the System Controller or monitoring device. It connects the implanted pump to the external power sources. The controller pocket is lined and constructed with a sateen fabric.

[0008] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a wide compartment flap that fastens and extends over onto the battery pocket on the left side of the shirt to stabilize the system controller, which has two leads extending from the controller which are approximately 20'' long and hold the power leads and power cords that flow into the battery pockets. These power leads/cords extend from the LVAD patient's body and are attached to the batteries providing power for the pump that is attached to the person at all times.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention there is provided two Battery Pockets located on each side of the shirt. The pockets hold the two 14 Volt-Lithium Batteries that power the LVAD or heart pump system. The pockets are made out of a polyester or comparable fabric doubled for durability and reinforcement. They are double-stitched and sewn at the seam on each side of the shirt. The pockets are placed downward, slightly from the under arm hole of the shirt. The battery pockets are approximately 6'' wide×10'' long. The battery pockets vary in diameter based on the type of LVAD system that is implanted inside of the heart. The battery pockets are designed for the batteries to have easy entry into the pockets from the controller compartment which is placed slightly below the battery pockets. The batteries attached to battery clips fit into the pockets along with the battery power leads or cords. The left battery pocket has two Velcro fasteners on the top and the controller flap has Velcro fasteners on the back. This flap closes over the power leads and power cord that lead to the battery pockets.

[0010] In another embodiment there is provided a flap on the left side of the shirt which extends over a slit that allows entrance and exit of the system controller. The slit is closed by a Velcro fastener at the bottom of the shirt that fully closes the shirt. The slit is adjacent to the controller pocket allowing for exit and easy access of the Percutaneous leads and power cords to fit into the battery pocket. This slit also allows an opening for the exit of the controller for entrance from the exit site from the body into the controller compartment. The power leads flow from the controller pocket into the battery pockets secured by Velcro fasteners which provide secure closure of the batteries and room for the percutaneous lead and power cords.

[0011] In another embodiment there is provided a band with finger enclosures sewn on top of each battery pocket which further allows easy access for the wearer to push the batteries and power leads inside of the pockets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will now be explained, by way of example only, with reference to certain embodiments, and the attached Figures in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a medical garment according to an embodiment of the invention

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of a medical garment according an embodiment of the invention

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a medical garment representing how it would look when worn with heart monitoring equipment in encasements located on the garment according to an embodiment of the invention

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a medical garment including attachments located on the medical garment according to an embodiment of the invention

Claims

1. A medical garment comprising a front and a rear bodice with front and rear neck opening periphery with two arm openings on each side forming openings for the arms to extend out of the shirt. a. This medical equipment garment T-shirt is invented as a concealed medical garment to be worn under the clothing to house and carry the equipment for patients who have been implanted with the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) system or heart pump.

2. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises tailored encasements consisting of pockets on the upper left and right under arms that hold two batteries that power the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or heart pump.

3. A medical garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein the battery pockets are fastened with Velcro hook and loop fasteners to secure the batteries or other medical equipment housed in battery pockets.

4. A medical garment as claimed in claim 3 which further consist of a front compartment encasement on the lower center front of the garment which holds the HeartMate II (LVAD) system controller that holds and monitors the system's functions. The equipment fits safely and discreetly into pockets allowing continuous connection to the HeartMate II Pump. The front compartment pocket encasements provide secure and concealed closure of the System Controller.

5. A medical garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cooperating fasteners for the front compartment encasement is secured with Velcro hook and loop type fasteners.

6. A medical garment as claimed in claim 4 which further consist of a pocket to secure the inside of the controller pocket or compartment. The pocket is lined and constructed with a crescent shaped sateen fabric with a band that holds and stabilizes the LVAD system controller and/or monitoring device.

7. A medical garment as claimed in claim 6 which consists of a band constructed with canvas allowing the system controller to aid in holding the controller to sit stable on the band without shifting while being worn by the patient.

8. A medical garment as claimed in claim 7 which further comprises an inside flap located in the System Controller Compartment pocket. The inside flap is lined with fabric and fastened by a polarity of Velcro fasteners to secure the compartment.

9. A medical garment as claimed in claim 8 further includes a portion of the left side of the garment made with a long slit adjacent to the controller pocket to allow for exit and easy access of the leads and power cords to fit into the battery pockets. The slit also allows an opening for the entrance of the controller from the exit site from the body into the controller compartment.

10. A medical garment as claimed in claim 9 wherein a band allowing for finger enclosures to assist in opening the battery pockets. The band with finger enclosures is sewn on top of each battery pocket which further allows easy access for the patient to push the batteries and power leads inside of the constructed battery pockets.

11. A medical garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the garment is made to specifications of a given patient.

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