VAD battery holster

VAD Battery Holster is a device that contains the batteries of a VAD in holsters and allows the holsters to fit securely to the body of the user. VAD Battery Holster utilizes two adjustable straps that are designed to be situated on either side of the front of a user and extend from the front to the back of the user where they cross over one another. The two adjustable straps attach in the front and the back to two holsters designed to be located on either side and near the hips of the user. The holsters have hoops on them to permit a belt to be attached through them and wrapped around a user's waist. An additional strap in the front of the device connects the adjustable straps to secure the device around the chest of the user and another strap on the back of the device connects the holsters around the lower back of the user to further support and secure the device to the user.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claim priority to any United States Provisional Patent Application or any foreign patent application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the medical accessories industries. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of battery holsters for heart devices.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals suffer from heart disease, infection or other damage to the heart that requires surgery and/or the use of special equipment to save and improve their lives.

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is one type of device that patients can use to maintain adequate blood flow and blood pressure while decreasing the strain on the heart. A VAD consists of a blood pump and control unit for temporary support of blood circulation.

However, normally the VAD is battery powered and requires the use of holsters to contain the batteries used to power the pump and control unit. The VAD is often used temporarily as a life sustaining device as a patient awaits a heart transplant or to allow a heart to heal or to increase blood flow through the heart. A VAD may also be used permanently in situations in which a patient is ineligible for or unwilling to undergo a heart transplant.

Because many individuals use the VAD either permanently or for extended periods of time while awaiting a heart transplant, the VAD batteries must be properly contained in holsters and secured to the body to allow an individual to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.

Many patients that use a VAD are still able to pursue recreational activities, including moderately stressful ones such as golfing. Golfing, as well as many other activities, requires a full range of motion to permit the user to enjoy the activity completely. Unfortunately, standard VAD battery holsters do not permit an unimpeded range of motion to users because the battery holsters are not secured tightly enough to a user's body.

A standard device for holding VAD batteries utilizes two adjustable straps that cross in the back and attach to holsters on either side of the patient in both the back and the front. The holsters have hoops on them to permit a belt or the like to be attached to them. However, these two adjustable straps are inadequate to tightly secure the batteries and battery holsters of the VAD to the body of the user. Often, the holsters containing the batteries can preclude a VAD user from enjoying unimpeded motion with his arms and upper body.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, inexpensive, durable, safe and effective device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

VAD Battery Holster is a device that contains the batteries of a VAD in holsters and allows the holsters to fit securely to the body of the user. VAD Battery Holster utilizes two adjustable straps that are designed to be situated on either side of the front of a user and extend from the front to the back of the user where they cross over one another. The two adjustable straps attach in the front and the back to two holsters designed to be located on either side and near the hips of the user. The holsters have hoops on them to permit a belt to be attached through them and wrapped around a user's waist. An additional strap in the front of the device connects the adjustable straps to secure the device around the chest of the user and another strap on the back of the device connects the holsters around the lower back of the user to further support and secure the device to the user.

Other embodiments of the invention may utilize additional or fewer straps and belts to either tighten or loosen the battery holsters of the VAD around the user to achieve a comfortable and acceptable range of motion for a user.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD to permit the user a full range of motion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD that is convenient to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable device for securing the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of VAD Battery Holster is comprised of at least some of the following: two adjustable straps that attach in the front and the back to two holsters with hoops having a belt through them, a chest strap, and a lower back strap.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first adjustable strap 10 and a second adjustable strap 11 are designed to be situated on either side of the front of a user and extend from the front to the back of the user. The first adjustable strap 10 and the second adjustable strap 11 attach to the front of a first holster 12 and the front of a second holster 13 that are approximately rectangular and designed to hold VAD batteries.

The first holster 12 of the preferred embodiment is designed to be located on the right side of a user above the right hip of the user, and the second holster 13 is designed to be located on the left side of a user above the left hip of the user. The first holster 12 and the second holster 13 have hoops on the back of them to permit a belt 14 to be attached through them and they also have flaps 15 on the front of them to allow them to be easily opened for insertion of the VAD batteries. The belt 14 can be wrapped around a user's waist to prevent the first holster 12 and the second holster 13 from interfering with a user's range of motion.

A chest strap 16 is connected between the first adjustable strap 10 and the second adjustable strap 11 on the front of the device to secure the device around the chest of the user. The chest strap 16 has two pieces in this preferred embodiment with each piece attaching to either the first adjustable strap 10 or the second adjustable strap 11. The two pieces of the chest strap 16 are connected in approximately the center to create a buckle 17. The chest strap 16 is also adjustable to fit a wide range of users in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first adjustable strap 10 and the second adjustable strap 11 cross over one another on the back of the user and attach to the back of the first holster 12 and the second holster 13.

A lower back strap 20 is located between the first holster 12 and the second holster 13 to support and secure the device to the user. The lower back strap 20 is also adjustable and comprised of two pieces, one with a male and one with a female end, to permit the formation of a buckle 21 in approximately the middle when the two pieces are attached in the preferred embodiment. The flaps 15 on the first holster 12 and the second holster 13 and the belt 14 are also visible in this figure.

In other embodiments of the invention, additional or fewer straps and belts may be utilized to either tighten or loosen the battery holsters of the VAD on the user to achieve a comfortable and acceptable range of motion for a specific user.

To use the preferred embodiment of VAD Battery Holster, an individual places his head through the first adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap to situate the lower back strap on the back of the user with the holsters above the waist of the user and the chest strap in the front of the user. The first adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap are then adjusted to permit a firm but comfortable fit on the user's chest. The user then may secure the chest strap and the lower back strap and adjust these straps to create a tight but comfortable fit. A belt can then be maneuvered through the hoops of the holsters and around the waist of the user to further secure the holsters against the body.

The materials utilized for VAD Battery Holster may vary widely but could include metals and plastic along with other materials. The metals would ideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel and aluminum. The production process related to the use of these metals insures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. The selected metal should have high impact strength and be capable of accepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length of time.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of VAD Battery Holster can also be formed with the use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blow molding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefully injected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for the mass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form of extrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube being pushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube against the cold walls of the mold.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can be of various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that the components of the invention can be made of different types of metals, plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A device for holding batteries or other items close to the body of a user comprising:

(a) a first holster connected to a first strap and a second holster connected to a second strap;
(b) a first hoop on the rear of the first holster and a second hoop on the rear of the second holster; and
(c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the first hoop and the second hoop.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first strap and the second strap are adjustable.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first strap and the second strap cross over one another such that the first holster also connects to the second strap and the second holster also connects to the first strap.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first holster has a first flap that permits insertion of a first battery and the second holster has a second flap that permits insertion of a second battery.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a chest strap connected between the first strap and the second strap.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the chest strap has a first piece connected to the first strap and a second piece connected to the second strap wherein the first piece has a female end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle when connected.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the chest strap is adjustable.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a lower back strap located between the first holster and the second holster.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the lower back strap has a first piece connected to the first holster and a second piece connected to the second holster wherein the first piece has a female end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle when connected.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the lower back strap is adjustable.

11. A device for holding VAD batteries close to the body of a user comprising:

(a) a first holster connected to a first adjustable strap and a second holster connected to a second adjustable strap wherein the first strap and the second strap cross over one another such that the first holster also connects to the second strap and the second holster also connects to the first strap;
(b) a first hoop on the rear of the first holster and a second hoop on the rear of the second holster;
(c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the first hoop and the second hoop;
(d) a first flap on the first holster to permit the insertion of a first battery and a second flap on the second holster to permit the insertion of a second battery;
(e) an adjustable chest strap connecting the first adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap; and
(f) an adjustable lower back strap connecting the first holster and the second holster.

12. A device for holding VAD batteries close to the body of a user comprising:

(a) a first holster connected to a first adjustable strap and a second holster connected to a second adjustable strap wherein the first strap and the second strap cross over one another such that the first holster also connects to the second strap and the second holster also connects to the first strap;
(b) a first hoop on the rear of the first holster and a second hoop on the rear of the second holster;
(c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the first hoop and the second hoop;
(d) a first flap on the first holster to permit the insertion of a first battery and a second flap on the second holster to permit the insertion of a second battery;
(e) an adjustable chest strap that has a first piece connected to the first adjustable strap and a second piece connected to the second adjustable strap wherein the first piece has a female end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle when connected; and
(f) an adjustable lower back strap that has a first piece connected to the first holster and a second piece connected to the second holster wherein the first piece has a female end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle when connected.
Patent History
Publication number: 20100072241
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2010
Inventors: Willie Brown (Jacksonville, FL), Willhelmina Brown (Jacksonville, FL)
Application Number: 12/284,495
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Specified Receiver Details (224/645); Receiver Mounted On, Or Formed As Part Of, Means At Least Partially Encircling The Torso For Attaching Carrier To Bearer (224/660)
International Classification: A45F 5/00 (20060101); A45F 3/04 (20060101);