Sash-style telemetry pouch

Abstract

A telemetry pouch (12) with sash (10) is provided for maintaining a telemetry unit (30) adjacent to a patient (8). Telemetry unit (30) is attached to patient (8) when sash (10) is threaded through the arm, over a patient's head, coming to rest comfortably on the shoulder. The pouch (12) includes a fold (20) to secure the telemetry unit. A slit (16) at the top of the pouch (12) accommodates the cables of the telemetry unit (30) but also allows easy accessibility. The sash style telemetry pouch (10, 12) can be worn above or beneath clothing when made of the natural rubber latex free material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/872,742, filed 2006 Nov. 30 by the present Inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to medical apparatus, more specifically to a pouch-like apparatus which supports and attaches a telemetry unit or the like to a patient with a sash.

2. Background of the Invention

Telemetry monitoring has become widely used in the care of patients such as coronary and rehabilitating patients. Most hospitals now have the equipment to continuously monitor the condition of a patient by portable individual telemetry units with a centralized receiving and recording system.

Several types of telemetry pouches have been developed with attachments to secure a telemetry unit to a patient. One type of telemetry pouch attaches to a patients clothing or gown with a large pin. Patients on rehabilitation units are encouraged to wear their own clothing, and the weight of the telemetry unit pulls and creates holes at the points of insertion.

Other types of telemetry pouches have been developed to attach a telemetry unit to a patient consisting of a pouch made of plastic or fabric or a combination thereof with a thin band of fabric or string connected at the top that loops or ties around a patient's neck. This method of attachment has shortcomings. The band or cord wedges in to the patients neck from the weight of the telemetry unit becoming quite uncomfortable with prolonged use. Another disadvantage to this style of telemetry pouch, is with any bending over the patient is at risk of the monitor striking the face. There have been attempts to alleviate this problem by adding an additional cord at the base of one side of the pouch which encircles the patient around their back and fastens to the other side of the pouch. Disadvantages are, besides being complicated and more costly with increased fasteners, most of the time the patient is unable to manipulate this themselves decreasing independence.

Several styles of telemetry pouches are comprised of plastic. Some are hard plastic, and some similar to a plastic ZIPLOC® brand freezer bag. Plastic pouches do not allow air to permeate the bag and cool the telemetry unit, the pouch can become quite hot and uncomfortable especially when worn next to the skin.

Telemetry pouches and their attachments are constructed from differing materials, increasing a patient's risk of hypersensitivities and allergic reactions.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are that of comfort, simplicity, patient independence and normalcy, durable, disposable, cost effective and can be latex free.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention presents a medical telemetry pouch and attachment sash that eliminates or substantially reduces the shortcomings of the prior art telemetry pouches. The present invention provides a telemetry pouch for supporting and attaching a telemetry unit to a patient while providing freedom of movement. Securing the unit is provided by a flap/fold sewn into the design of the pouch with a slit accommodating the cables. The pouch may be formed with a natural rubber latex free material allowing said unit to breathe and remain cool. Said material also protects the monitor from moisture and perspiration and the patient from skin irritants when worn under the clothing when telemetry monitoring is preferred discrete.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a telemetry pouch is provided which can receive various types of telemetry units and allow easy access to view and access batteries. The pouch is designed for independent application and access, and constructed from non abrasive durable materials in an economical manner to allow the pouch to be disposable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the telemetry pouch of the present invention shown attached to the patient in a front position

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the telemetry pouch of FIG. 1 shown attached to the patient from the back

FIG. 3 shows the components before the seams and folds

FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d shows pouch before and after the creation of a button hole like slit and the securing fold with reinforcing seams

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d shows placement of pouch on the sash before the connecting seam at the base of the sash and after the connecting seam at the base of the pouch

FIG. 6 shows connecting seam around the pouch, forming the opening at the top connecting it to the sash and the finishing seam around the edges

FIG. 7 shows the connecting seam at the base of the sash

FIG. 8 shows the sash style telemetry pouch and its components

DRAWINGS

Reference Numerals

• 8 patient
• 10 sash
• 12 pouch
• 14 opening
• 16 slit
• 18 cables
• 22 connecting seam—sash
• 24 connecting seam—pouch
• 28 midline
• 30 telemetry unit
• 32 finishing seam
• 26 reinforcing seam
• 20 securing fold

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, telemetry pouch 12 connects to patient 8 with sash 10 by threading sash 10 through the arm, over the head coming to rest on patient 8 shoulder. Telemetry unit 30 slides into the opening 14 of pouch 12 and is secured by the securing fold/flap 20 that has an accommodating slit 16 for the cables 18 of the telemetry unit 30.

Sash-style telemetry pouch may be worn above or beneath the clothing. In the preferred embodiment it will be constructed from a natural rubber latex free material available from Kimberly Clark.

Referring to FIG. 3, sash 10 approximately 60″×6″ size small and 84″×6″ size large back wall of pouch 12 12″×6″ before the folds and seams.

Referring to FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d front wall of pouch 12, measure 3″ down from top and center, chalk mark a 2″ vertical line, sew a button hole to create the slit 16 which will accommodate the cables 18 turn top 3″ inward to form the securing fold 20, from both top corners measure ¾″ inward, sew a ¾ horizontal reinforcing seam 26.

Referring to FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, fold sash 10 in half to determine midline 28 and reopen, center pouch 12 from top to bottom and left to right, chalk mark on sash 10 at base of pouch 12, lay pouch 12 right side to right side of sash 10, sew a connecting seam 24

Referring to FIG. 6 fold edges of sash 10 and pouch 12 inward ½″ on both sides, sew finishing seams 32 creating also the connecting seams 24

Referring to FIG. 7 fold sash 10 inside out, right side to right side, matching the ends and sew a connecting seam 24 at a 45 degree angle at the base of the sash 10, fold right side out

Referring to FIG. 8 “Sash-Style Telemetry Pouch” showing it's components

To use the pouch 12, telemetry unit 30 is inserted into the top opening 14. Most telemetry units have cables that disconnect, allowing connection of the cables into the telemetry unit after they have been inserted through the slit 16, securing the telemetry unit under the created flap or securing fold 20 but still allows easy access for readings and battery changes. Sash 10 with pouch 12 can be secured to patient 8 before or after the insertion of the telemetry unit. Most patients are able to don/doff the sash-style telemetry pouch independently.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the sash and pouch can be made from various materials, and dimensions may be altered to accommodate a specific medical apparatus, and reinforcing and finishing seams may not be deemed necessary.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus which supports and attaches a telemetry unit or the like to a patient or individual over the shoulder, comprising:

(a) a piece of material of sufficient size to accommodate the length of a person from shoulder to waist

(b) another piece of material of sufficient size to accommodate the telemetry unit or the like

2. A method of attaching a telemetry unit or the like to a person, by:

(a) providing a comfortable over the shoulder application

(b) providing secure but also easy access to said telemetry unit

2. A means of allowing telemetry monitoring to remain continuous, by:

(a) Allowing removability of a telemetry unit for personal hygiene

(b) Allowing easy access to said unit for readings and battery changes