U.S. patent application number 15/889040 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-09 for wearable cardioverter defibrillator with breast support.
The applicant listed for this patent is West Affum Holdings Corp.. Invention is credited to Pamela Breske, Robert Reuben Buchanan, Kenneth F. Cowan, Eduard Deml, Kerstin Dorst, David Peter Finch, Daniel James Finney, Phillip Dewey Foshee, Laura Marie Gustavson, Amanda K. Hall, Garrett McCann Kotlarchik, Douglas Keith Medema, Dallas Eugene Meeker, Angela M. Stewart.
Application Number | 20190134379 15/889040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63038496 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190134379 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Gustavson; Laura Marie ; et
al. |
May 9, 2019 |
WEARABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR WITH BREAST SUPPORT
Abstract
A supportive clothing article for a wearable cardioverter
defibrillator (WCD), including a belt, the belt including a first
end with a first portion of a fastener and a second end with a
second portion of the fastener, wherein the belt is structured to
fasten around the torso of patient below the chest area of the
patient, the belt including a first conductive mesh portion
adjacent the first end of the belt or the second end of the belt,
two straps, a back portion extending from the belt at an
intermediary position on the belt to each of the two straps, the
back portion including a conductive mesh, a first support
receptacle attached to and extending from the belt and attachable
to one of the two straps, and a second support receptacle attached
to and extending from the belt and attachable to the other of the
two straps.
Inventors: |
Gustavson; Laura Marie;
(Redmond, WA) ; Dorst; Kerstin; (Brooklyn, NY)
; Stewart; Angela M.; (Granite Falls, WA) ;
Breske; Pamela; (New Castle, WA) ; Hall; Amanda
K.; (Seattle, WA) ; Kotlarchik; Garrett McCann;
(Kenmore, WA) ; Meeker; Dallas Eugene; (Kirkland,
WA) ; Finney; Daniel James; (Woodinville, WA)
; Deml; Eduard; (Waldmuenchen, DE) ; Buchanan;
Robert Reuben; (Bothell, WA) ; Finch; David
Peter; (Bothell, WA) ; Foshee; Phillip Dewey;
(Woodinville, WA) ; Medema; Douglas Keith;
(Everett, WA) ; Cowan; Kenneth F.; (Kirkland,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
West Affum Holdings Corp. |
Grand Cayman |
|
KY |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180221648 A1 |
August 9, 2018 |
|
|
Family ID: |
63038496 |
Appl. No.: |
15/889040 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62443686 |
Jan 7, 2017 |
|
|
|
62454784 |
Feb 4, 2017 |
|
|
|
62556693 |
Sep 11, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/005 20130101;
A41C 3/0064 20130101; A41D 2300/32 20130101; A61N 1/3968 20130101;
A61N 1/0484 20130101; A61N 1/046 20130101; A61N 1/3904 20170801;
A41D 2300/324 20130101; A41D 2300/326 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 1/04 20060101
A61N001/04; A41C 3/00 20060101 A41C003/00; A61N 1/39 20060101
A61N001/39; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A supportive clothing article for a wearable cardioverter
defibrillator (WCD), comprising: a belt, the belt including a first
end with a first portion of a fastener and a second end with a
second portion of the fastener, wherein the belt is structured to
fasten around the torso of patient below the chest area of the
patient, the belt including a first conductive mesh portion
adjacent the first end of the belt or the second end of the belt;
two straps; a back portion extending from the belt at an
intermediary position on the belt to each of the two straps, the
back portion including a conductive mesh; a first support
receptacle attached to and extending from the belt and attachable
to one of the two straps; and a second support receptacle attached
to and extending from the belt and attachable to the other of the
two straps.
2. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, wherein each of the
first support receptacle and the second support receptacle are
generally triangular shaped.
3. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, wherein each of the
belt, the back portion, the first support receptacle and the second
support receptacle have a two fabric layer construction.
4. The supportive clothing article of claim 3, wherein an outer
layer of the two fabric layer construction of the belt includes an
opening structured to receive an electronic device.
5. The supportive clothing article of claim 4, wherein the opening
is located at the intermediary position on the belt.
6. The supportive clothing article of claim 3, wherein the first
support receptacle and the second support receptacle each include
an opening between an outer layer and an inner layer of the two
fabric layer construction, the opening structured to receive a
breast support article.
7. The supportive clothing article of claim 3, wherein an outer
layer and an inner layer of the two layer fabric construction for
the first support receptacle and the second support receptacle are
the same type of fabric.
8. The supportive clothing article of claim 3, wherein an outer
layer of the two layer fabric construction of the belt and the back
portion is a first fabric and an inner layer of the two layer
fabric construction of the belt and the back portion is a second
fabric different from the first fabric.
9. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, wherein the fastener
of the belt includes a snap fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a
hook and loop fastener, or a button fastener.
10. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, wherein a length of
the two straps are adjustable.
11. The supportive clothing article of claim 10, wherein each of
the two straps include a plurality of loops, and an end of each of
the first support receptacle and the second support receptacle
includes a hook structured to attach to one of the plurality of
loops to adjust the length of the two straps.
12. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, wherein the first
supportive receptacle and the second supportive receptacle each
include stabilizer tape at the portion of the respective first and
second supportive receptacle that attaches to the belt.
13. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, further comprising
a first cable guide attached to an end of the back portion and a
second cable guide attached to the end of the back portion.
14. The supportive clothing article of claim 13, wherein the first
cable guide and the second cable guide are elastic.
15. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, the belt including
a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, and an interior
defined by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, the
interior including: at least one electrical component; and a
plurality of wires, at least one wire connected to the at least one
electrical component.
16. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, further including
polyurethane tape directly above and below the conductive mesh of
the back portion.
17. The supportive clothing article of claim 1, further including
polyurethane tape along a bottom portion of the belt.
18. A supportive clothing article for a wearable cardioverter
defibrillator (WCD), comprising: a belt, having a two fabric layers
construction, including a first side with a first portion of a
fastener and a second side with a second portion of the fastener,
wherein the belt is structured to fasten around the torso of
patient below the chest area of the patient, the belt including a
first conductive mesh portion on the inner layer adjacent the first
side of the belt or the second side of the belt; two adjustable
straps; a back portion, having a two fabric layer construction,
extending from the belt at an intermediary position on the belt to
each of the two straps, an inner layer of the back portion
including a conductive mesh; and polyurethane tape attached to an
end of the belt.
19. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, wherein an outer
layer of the two fabric layers of the belt includes an opening
structured to receive an electronic device.
20. The supportive clothing article of claim 19, wherein the
opening is located at the intermediary position on the belt.
21. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, wherein an outer
layer of the two layer fabric construction of the belt and the back
portion is a first fabric and an inner layer of the two layer
fabric construction of the belt and the back portion is a second
fabric different from the first fabric.
22. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, wherein the
fastener of the belt includes a snap fastener, a hook and eye
fastener, a hook and loop fastener, or a button fastener.
23. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, wherein a length
of the two straps are each adjustable.
24. The supportive clothing article of claim 23, wherein each of
the two straps include a plurality of loops, and the proximal end
of each of the first support receptacle and the second support
receptacle includes a hook structured to attach to one of the
plurality of loops to adjust the length of the two straps.
25. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, further comprising
a first cable guide attached to a proximal end of the back portion
and a second cable guide attached to the an end of the back
portion.
26. The supportive clothing article of claim 25, wherein the first
cable guide and the second cable guide are elastic.
27. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, wherein the back
portion includes a gathered hem at a proximal end.
28. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, the belt including
a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, and an interior
defined by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, the
interior including: at least one electrical component; and a
plurality of wires, at least one wire connected to the at least one
electrical component.
29. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, further including
polyurethane tape directly above and below the conductive mesh of
the back portion.
30. The supportive clothing article of claim 18, further including
polyurethane tape at an end of the belt.
31. A supportive clothing article for a wearable cardioverter
defibrillator (WCD), comprising: a patient facing fabric layer; an
outer fabric layer; an interior defined by the patient facing
fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the interior including: at
least one electrical component; and a plurality of wires, at least
one wire connected to the at least one electrical component.
32. The supportive clothing article of claim 31, wherein the
electrical component is an electrode.
33. The supportive clothing article of claim 32, wherein the
electrode is disposed in the outer fabric layer and is structured
to contact skin of a patient.
34. The supportive clothing article of claim 32, wherein the
electrode electrically contacts skin of a patient through the outer
fabric layer.
35. The supportive clothing article of claim 31, further including
a plurality of electrical components.
36. The supportive clothing article of claim 35, wherein the
plurality of electrical components includes an electrode and an
electrical contact to electrically connect to a removable
electronics module.
37. The supportive clothing article of claim 31, wherein the
plurality of electrical wires are disposed in the interior in a
serpentine fashion.
38. The supportive clothing article of claim 31, wherein the
plurality of electrical wires are attached to one of the first
layer or the second layer.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Sudden cardiac arrest accounts for more than 300,000 deaths
in the United States alone, annually. Some of the high-risk
population, such as post-myocardial infarction patients, that have
implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) have been shown in
randomize trials to have a reduced mortality rate from those in the
high-risk population that do not have ICDs.
[0002] However, there exists a population of patients who are not
deemed appropriate candidates for ICDs for a variety of reasons but
may still benefit from automatic external defibrillation. A
wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is a device designed for
patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) who are not
immediate candidates for ICD therapy. The WCD is an external device
including a fabric garment assembly that is fitted onto a patient's
chest which holds electrodes in place and is capable of automatic
detection and defibrillation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or
ventricular fibrillation (VF).
[0003] However, WCDs conventionally have been designed as unisex
devices that may not be comfortable for a female patient's anatomy.
Conventional WCDs generally required a female patient to either
wear a bra over the WCD, which may result in discomfort, or forego
a bra, which may lead to lack of support of the breasts of the
female patient. Further, conventional WCDs often have loose wires
that can get tangled in a patient's clothing and be uncomfortable
for the patient.
[0004] This disclosure addresses these and other deficiencies of
the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Aspects, features and advantages of embodiments of the
present disclosure will become apparent from the following
description of embodiments in reference to the appended drawings in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional WCD worn by a patient.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional WCD of FIG. 1 not worn
by a patient.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a supportive clothing article for a WCD
worn by a patient according to some embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates the supportive clothing article of FIG. 3
not worn by a patient.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a double layer construction of a
supportive clothing article according to some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an outer layer of a supportive clothing
article for a WCD according to some embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an inner layer of a supportive clothing
article for a WCD according to some embodiments of the
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an example conductive mesh according to
some embodiments of the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of a double layer
construction of a supportive clothing article according to some
embodiments of the disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates an outer layer of the double layer
construction of FIG. 9.
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates an inner layer of the double layer
construction of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates the appearance of a rear, bottom
perspective view of a supportive clothing article for a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator in an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates the appearance of a front, bottom
perspective view of the supportive clothing article of FIG. 12.
[0019] FIG. 14 illustrates the appearance of a rear view of the
supportive clothing article of FIG. 12.
[0020] FIG. 15 illustrates the appearance of a front view of the
supportive clothing article of FIG. 12.
[0021] FIG. 16 illustrates the appearance of a front assembled view
of the supportive clothing article of FIG. 12.
[0022] FIG. 17 illustrates the appearance of a rear assembled view
of the supportive clothing article of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION
[0023] In general, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a
wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) including a supportive
clothing article for including a belt, the belt including a first
end with a first portion of a fastener and a second end with a
second portion of the fastener, wherein the belt is structured to
fasten around the torso of patient below the chest area of the
patient, the belt including a first conductive mesh portion
adjacent the first end of the belt or the second end of the belt,
two straps, a back portion extending from the belt at an
intermediary position on the belt to each of the two straps, the
back portion including a conductive mesh, a first support
receptacle attached to and extending from the belt and attachable
to one of the two straps, and a second support receptacle attached
to and extending from the belt and attachable to the other of the
two straps.
[0024] Embodiments of the disclosure also relate to a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) including a supportive clothing
article including a belt, having a two fabric layers construction,
including a first side with a first portion of a fastener and a
second side with a second portion of the fastener, wherein the belt
is structured to fasten around the torso of patient below the chest
area of the patient, the belt including a first conductive mesh
portion on the inner layer adjacent the first side of the belt or
the second side of the belt, two adjustable straps, a back portion,
having a two fabric layer construction, extending from the belt at
an intermediary position on the belt to each of the two straps, an
inner layer of the back portion including a conductive mesh, and
polyurethane tape attached to an end of the belt.
[0025] Embodiments of the disclosure also relate to a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) including a supportive clothing
device having a supportive clothing article including a patient
facing fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, an interior defined by
the patient facing fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the
interior including, at least one electrical component, and a
plurality of wires, at least one wire connected to the at least one
electrical component.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional WCD 100 having a belt 102
structured to wrap around a torso of a patient 104 below a chest
area. The WCD 100 also includes two adjustable straps 106. The
conventional WCD 100 is illustrated on a male patient 104.
[0027] The straps 106 of the convention WCD 100 often cut into the
outer edge of the breasts of a female patient. Further, a female
patient either must wear a bra to support the breasts over the
conventional WCD 100, often a larger size bra than normal, or go
without a bra. Female patients are often also unable to wear a
preferred type of bra, such as an underwire bra, and the physical
interference between the bra and the conventional WCD 100 can cause
discomfort, such as pinching, to the female patient. The belt 102
of the conventional WCD 100 often rides up and cuts into the breast
fold at the chest area of the female patient.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates further components of the conventional
WCD 100 when not worn by the patient 104. The conventional WCD 100
may include a back portion 108 that extends from the belt 102 to
the straps 106. The conventional WCD 100 may also include a number
of electrodes 110 along the belt 102 and the back portion 108. The
electrodes 110 may be used to determine an electrocardiogram (ECG)
of a patient and/or to provide defibrillation to the patient. To
connect the electrodes 110 to an electronic module for
defibrillation, loose wires 112 are used to connect the various
electrodes and other electrical components. The loose wires 112
often get tangled and can be pulled on when a patient 104 is
getting dressed or undressed, which may injure a patient 104 or may
damage the electrodes or other various electrical components
attached to the wires 112.
[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates a WCD supportive clothing article
300 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3
illustrates the supportive clothing article 300 on a female patient
302, while FIG. 4 illustrates an outer layer of the supportive
clothing article 300 laying flat when not worn by a patient. While
the supportive clothing article 300 is shown on a female patient,
the supportive clothing article 300 may be worn by a patient of any
gender, particularly a patient who prefers breast support.
[0030] The supportive clothing article 300 includes an integrated
belt 304 structured to wrap around a torso of the patient 302 below
a chest area. The belt 304 may include a fastener, such as a snap
fastener 306. Although a snap fastener 306 is shown in FIG. 3, any
type of suitable fastener may be used, such as a hook and eye
fastener, a hook and loop fastener, or a button fastener, for
example. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the snap fastener 306 may
include a number of male components 308 arranged in a number of
rows. The side of the belt 304 with the male components 308 of the
snap fastener is longer than the side of the belt 304 with female
components 312 in a single row.
[0031] That is, the belt 304 may be adjustable in size around the
torso of the patient 302. In some embodiments, three rows of male
components 308 are provided and a first breast support receptacle
312, discussed in more detail below, starts at the second row of
male components 308 and a second breast support receptacle 312
starts at the single row of female components 312.
[0032] The first and second breast support receptacles 312 start at
the belt 304 and extend upwards, each toward a respective
adjustable strap 314. The adjustable straps 314 may include
ultrasonic bonded straps that have a number of loops 316 structured
to receive hooks 318 located at the top of the breast support
receptacles 312. The straps 314 are adjustable by selecting the
desired loop 316 in the strap 314 to connect the hook 318. The
lower the loop 316 used, the longer the strap 314 will be on the
patient 302. While bonded loop shoulder straps 314 are shown, one
of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that other
types of adjustable or non-adjustable (such as elastic) straps may
be used. For example, a tri-glide strap may be used in the front of
device, instead of the bonded loops and hooks.
[0033] Each breast support receptacle 312 may have a generally
triangular shape, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The breast support
receptacles 312 are constructed of one or more layers of a thin,
stretchable fabric. In some embodiments, the fabric is a wicking
fabric.
[0034] Snaps 320 may be located on one or both of the breast
support receptacles 312. The snaps 320 are structured to mate with
a matching snap located on a user device that connects to the
defibrillator, such as an alert button. The supportive clothing
article 300 may also include one or more flaps 322 that hold the
cable(s) for the user device in place. The flaps 322, for example,
may snap to the breast support receptacles 312 so that they may be
opened to insert the cord(s) and then closed to hold the cord(s) in
place. In other embodiments, the flaps 322 may be connected via a
button or a hook and loop fastener, or the flaps 322 may be elastic
and extend to receive the user device and cords through the flaps
322.
[0035] As seen in FIG. 4, the supportive clothing article may
include a receptacle 324 located on the belt 304. The receptacle
324 is structured to accept an electronic module that connects to
the support clothing article 300 to receive inputs from and send
instructions to various defibrillation components. The receptacle
324 may contain electrical contacts, as discussed in more detail
below, to electrically connect various electrical components to the
supportive clothing device that may be used by the defibrillator,
such as electrodes and a control module, for example. In some
embodiments, receptacle 324 may contain a hard plastic lining to
receive the electronic module. In other embodiments, rather than a
receptacle 324, another connector may be used to physically and
electrically connect the electronic module to the supportive
clothing article 300.
[0036] The supportive clothing article 300 also includes a back
portion 326 structured to extend from the belt 304 to the straps
314. As seen in FIG. 4, the back portion 326 may extend into the
belt 304. That is, the belt 304 includes a straight hem at a bottom
portion of the belt 304, and a curved hem from the top portion of
the belt, the top portion curving upwards from the snap fastener on
each side. The belt 304 includes a portion that is located between
the breast receptacle 312 and the back portion 326 on each side, in
an area corresponding to an underarm area of the patient 302.
[0037] The back portion 326 may include cable guides 328, 330, 332,
and 334, to align the cable(s) from the electronic module to the
user device along the spine and the shoulders of the patient 302.
The cable guides 328, 330, 332, and 334 may be elastic loops to
keep the wires in place along the spine of the patient 302. In
other embodiments, the cable guides 328, 330, 332, and 334 may be
removable to add the cable, such as with a snap fastener, and then
reattached over the cable. This keeps the cables routed over the
spine instead of over the shoulder blades, which provides comfort
to the patient 302 when seated. Because of the natural depression
in the spine of the patient 302, the cables can more comfortably
sit in this area. That is, the cable(s) may be secured between
cable guides 332 and 334, and then may be secured around the
shoulder of the patient 302 using either cable guide 328 or 330.
Cable guides 328, 330, 332, and 334 may also be included in a male
or unisex version of a supportive clothing article.
[0038] A pocket or opening 336 may be provided at the top of the
belt 304 that abuts the back portion 326. The pocket or opening 336
may include a fastener 338 to close the pocket or opening 336.
Further, a pocket or opening 340 may also be provided along the
belt 304 near the male components 308 of the snap fastener 306,
along with another fastener 338. The pockets and openings 336 and
340 may be used to place electrical components and/or wires within
the supportive clothing article 300, which will be discussed in
more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9-11.
[0039] In some embodiments, the supportive clothing article 300 may
be constructed with a double fabric layer construction, as shown in
FIG. 5. The supportive clothing article 300 may include an inner
fabric layer 500 that faces a garment wearer 302, i.e., a patient,
and an outer fabric layer 502 that faces away from the garment
wearer 302. As mentioned above and will be discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 9-11, this double fabric layer construction may
allow for wires and other electrical components to be placed within
the support clothing article 300 to prevent the wires from being
tangled by the patient or bothersome to the patient. However, as
discussed in more detail below, an inner fabric layer of a breast
receptacle, for example, may be different from an inner fabric
layer of a belt or a back portion.
[0040] Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the belt 304 may
contain one or more electrodes either within, attached it, or on
the inner fabric layer 500 that faces the garment wearer or patient
302. In some embodiments, the belt 304 may contain electrical
contacts for the electrodes to connect, rather than the electrodes
themselves. The electrodes may be used, for example, by the
electronic module to determine an ECG of the patient.
[0041] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates another embodiment of a supportive
clothing article 600 having a double fabric layer construction
according to some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates
an outer layer 502 while FIG. 7 illustrates an inner layer 500.
[0042] Similar to FIGS. 3 and 4, the supportive clothing article
600 may include an integrated belt 604 structured to wrap around a
torso of a patient below a chest area. The belt may include a
fastener 606, having a number of male components 608 and a number
of female components 610, or any other type of fastener discussed
above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4 may be used. A first breast
receptacle 612 may start at a middle row of the male components
608, and a second breast support receptacle 612 starts at the
single row of female components 610.
[0043] Starting from the positions discussed above, the breast
support receptacles 612 extend upward from the belt 604 toward a
respective adjustable strap 614, having the loops 616 and hooks 618
discussed above, or any other alternative discussed above.
[0044] Snaps 320 may be located on one or both of the breast
support receptacles 312. The snaps 320 are structured to mate with
a matching snap located on a user device that connects to the
defibrillator, such as an alert button. The supportive clothing
article 300 may also include one or more flaps 322 that hold the
cable(s) for the user device in place. The flaps 322, for example,
may snap to the breast support receptacles 312 so that they may be
opened to insert the cord(s) and then closed to hold the cord(s) in
place. In other embodiments, the flaps 322 may be connected via a
button or a hook and loop fastener, or the flaps 322 may be elastic
and extend to receive the user device and cords through the flaps
322.
[0045] As seen in FIG. 4, the supportive clothing article may
include a receptacle 324 located on the belt 304. The receptacle
324 is structured to accept an electronic module that connects to
the support clothing article 300 to receive inputs from and send
instructions to various defibrillation components. The receptacle
324 may contain electrical contacts, as discussed in more detail
below, to electrically connect various electrical components to the
supportive clothing device that may be used by the defibrillator,
such as electrodes and a control module, for example. In some
embodiments, receptacle 324 may contain a hard plastic lining to
receive the electronic module. In other embodiments, rather than a
receptacle 324, another connector may be used to physically and
electrically connect the electronic module to the supportive
clothing article 300.
[0046] The supportive clothing article 600 also includes a back
portion 626 structured to extend from the belt 604 to the straps
614. The back portion 626 may extend into the belt 604. That is,
the belt 604 includes a straight hem at a bottom portion of the
belt 604, and a curved hem from the top portion of the belt, the
top portion curving upwards from the snap fastener on each side.
The belt 604 includes a portion that is located between the breast
receptacle 612 and the back portion 626 on each side, in an area
corresponding to an underarm area of the patient 602.
[0047] Similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 discussed above, the back portion
626 may also include cable guides 628, 630, 632, and 634, to align
the cable(s) from the electronic module to the user device along
the spine and the shoulders of the patient 602. The cable guides
628, 630, 632, and 634 may be elastic loops to keep the wires in
place along the spine of the patient 602. In other embodiments, the
cable guides 628, 630, 632, and 634 may be removable to add the
cable, such as with a snap fastener, and then reattached over the
cable. Additional features of the cable guides 628, 630, 632, and
634 discussed above apply in this embodiment as well and are not
further discussed in detail here.
[0048] A pocket or opening 636 may be provided at the top of the
belt 604 that abuts the back portion 626. The pocket or opening 636
may include a fastener 638 to close the pocket or opening 636.
Further, a pocket or opening 640 may also be provided along the
belt 604 near the male components 608 of the snap fastener 606,
along with another fastener 638. The pockets and openings 636 and
640 may be used to place electrical components and/or wires within
the supportive clothing article 600, which will be discussed in
more detail below with reference to FIGS. 9-11.
[0049] Both the inner layer 500 and the outer layer 502 of the
breast support receptacles 612 are gathered at the bottom seam 642
near the belt 604. Each breast receptacle 612 may include an
opening 644 structured to receive a bra cup insert (not shown), in
various sizes, to provide additional support for the breasts of a
female patient. That is, the opening 644 allows the bra cup insert
to be placed between the inner fabric layer 500 and the outer
fabric layer 502.
[0050] In some embodiments, both the inner layer 500 and the outer
layer 520 are the same fabric, such as, for the entirety of the
supportive clothing article 300 may be made of the same fabric or
the entire outer layer may be made of the same fabric, such as a
thin, soft, and stretchy fabric, such as Sensitive.RTM. Plus
fabric, available from EUROJERSEY S.P.A. For example, using
industry standard testing, the fabric should exhibit at least a
125% increase in width and a 105% increase in length when subjected
to a 15 Newtons (N) force, and at least a 175% increase in width
and a 120% increase in length when subjected to a 35N force. In
some embodiments, each fabric layer is a wicking fabric to keep the
patient dry and comfortable.
[0051] In some embodiments, different components of the supportive
clothing article 300 include different fabric types. For example,
the belt 604 may include a first fabric on the outer layer 500
portion of the belt 604 that includes the male components 608 of
the fastener 606 until the opening 640, that includes stretch
recovery materials, such as Sensitive.RTM. Sculpt fabric, also
available from EUROJERSEY S.P.A. For example, using industry
standard testing, the fabric should exhibit at least a 110%
increase in width and an 85% increase in length when subjected to a
15 Newtons (N) force, and at least a 160% increase in width and a
110% increase in length when subjected to a 35N force. This portion
of the belt 604 may also include a foam layer between the inner
layer 500 and the outer layer 502. The remainder of the outer layer
502 of the belt 604 is constructed of the Sensitive.RTM. Plus
fabric.
[0052] The inner layer 500 of the belt 604 may be constructed of
the Sensitive.RTM. Sculpt fabric as well, as the high recovery
aspect of this material provides pressure on the electrodes,
discussed in more detail below, against the body of the patient.
However, a portion of the inner layer 500, as seen in FIG. 7, may
include a conductive mesh 646 that connects to an electronic module
of the defibrillator to provide defibrillation to the patient.
[0053] The outer layer 502 of the back portion 626 may include the
Sensitive.RTM. Sculpt fabric, to maintain pressure on a conductive
mesh portion 648 provided on the inner layer 500 of the back
portion 626. The remaining material at the top portion above the
conductive mesh portion 648 may also be the Sensitive.RTM. Sculpt
fabric to provide additional pressure to the conductive mesh
portion 648. In some embodiments, a foam and/or spacer mesh may be
added between the outer layer 502 and the conductive mesh 646 and
648 to further provide pressure to conductive mesh 646 and 648, as
well as improve gel transmission, discussed below. The conductive
meshes 646 and 648 may be any conductive mesh that acts as an
electrode during a defibrillation procedure, as discussed below,
such as the conductive mesh 800 shown in FIG. 8.
[0054] The conductive silver mesh 800 in FIG. 8 includes a thin and
open structure that allows for gel transmission through the mesh
prior to a defibrillation procedure. The conductive silver mesh 800
is not moisture wicking, which keeps some level of body moisture of
the patient 302 near the conductive silver mesh 800. Additionally,
although not shown in FIGS. 6-8, a gel transmission portion may be
provided to transmit gel through the mesh portions of the
supportive clothing article 600 prior to any defibrillation.
[0055] As seen in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the supportive
clothing article 600 may include a bottom hem 650 allowing access
to insert electrodes (not shown) and a flap 652 may be provided to
manage the cables from the electrodes. Similar to FIG. 4, a pocket,
or receptacle 624 may be provided to receive an electrical
component, such as a control module for the defibrillator, and may
include electrical contacts. The receptacle 624 may have a plastic
interior with electrical contacts to hold the electronic module in
place and provide connections to the various other electrical
components within the supportive clothing article 600.
[0056] The supportive clothing article 600 may also include
stabilizer tape (not shown) located between the two fabric layers
500 and 502 within the back portion 626, extending from the top hem
656. The back portion 626 may also include inserted stabilizer
tape. The fabric of both the inner layer 500 and outer layer 502 at
the top hem 656 may be gathered. The gathered hem 656, as well as
the elastic seams, maintain contact between the mesh portion 644
and the back of the patient by pulling in the garment toward the
back of the patient. The bottom hem 650 also include a thin strip
of polyurethane tape or stabilizer tape to pull the lower edge of
the defibrillator electrode(s) against the skin of the patient
302.
[0057] Further, a smooth and supportive sateen tape 642 may be
provided at the hem under each of the breast support receptacles
612, to provide additional support for the breasts of the patient.
In some embodiments, the breast support receptacles 612 and the
back portion 626 may include polyurethane tape sandwiched inside
the binding at the edges and the seams include a zigzag stitch on
the binding. Polyurethane tape 660 may also be included on the
inner layer 500 of the belt portion 604 to assist in keeping the
belt 604 properly position on the body of the patient during wear,
as well as at the upper hem 656.
[0058] In some embodiments, wires for the various electrodes that
may attach to the belt 304 may be contained between or within the
inner fabric layer 500 and the outer fabric layer 502. Such a
feature may be used on a clothing supportive article may be the
clothing supportive article discussed above, or may be a unisex
clothing supportive article that does not contain, for example,
breast support receptacles 312.
[0059] Similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 discussed above, and as discussed
in detail below with reference to FIG. 9, the belt 304 may contain
one or more electrodes either attached to, within or on the inner
layer 500. For example, slits or pockets 662 may be provided. The
electrodes and attached wires may be inserted into receptacle 624
and the electrodes may extend through slits 662 to contact a skin
of the patient while the wires connecting the electrodes may remain
between in the inner layer 500 and the outer layer 502. In some
embodiments, the electrodes and wires may be built into the
supportive clothing article and are non-removable. In such
embodiments, the belt may be free from pockets or openings to the
belt. In some embodiments, the belt 604 may contain electrical
contacts for the electrodes to connect, rather than the electrodes
themselves, and the wires connecting the electrical contacts are
located between the inner layer 500 and the outer layer 502.
[0060] All of the features discussed above, with the exception of
the breast receptacles 312 and 612, may be provided on a unisex
and/or male version of a supportive clothing article for better
performance of a unisex and/or male version of the supportive
clothing article.
[0061] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of a belt portion of a
supportive clothing article. Although a belt portion is shown, the
cross-section could also apply to the back portion of the
supportive clothing article, as well. The supportive clothing
article may be any supportive clothing article for a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator, such as the supportive clothing article
300 discussed above, as well as a unisex supportive clothing
article, also discussed above.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the supportive clothing article
900 includes an outer layer 902 and an inner layer 904, similar to
the outer fabric layer 504 and the inner fabric layer 500 discussed
above. Outer layer 902 and inner layer 904 define an interior 906.
In some embodiments, the outer layer 902 and the inner layer 904
are stitched together entirely or mostly entirely, such that
interior 906 has little to no volume. For example, the outer layer
902 and inner layer 904 may be stitched along the entire hem,
except where pockets are provided, such as one of pockets 402, 612,
614, and 706, for example. In FIG. 9, outer layer 902 and inner
layer 904 are shown a distance apart for ease of illustration and
discussion, and embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to
such a distance.
[0063] The cross-section view of FIG. 9 illustrates a horizontal
cross section through the belt portion of the supportive clothing
article 900. The supportive clothing article 900, as mentioned
above, may include an electrode 908, which may protrude from the
inner layer 904, such as through slit 706 discussed above with
reference to FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the inner layer 904 may
cover partially or entirely the electrode 908.
[0064] The supportive clothing article 900 may also include a
receptacle 910 that is recessed from the outer layer 902 and
structured to receive an electronics module (not shown) for the
defibrillator. The receptacle 910 may be attached to the outer
layer 902 or may be removable. The receptacle 910 may be a hard
plastic, or other similar material. When the electronics module is
not with in the receptacle 910, the supportive clothing article 900
may be washed, etc. The receptacle 910, may correspond, for
example, to pocket 402 in the supportive article 300 of FIGS. 4 and
6.
[0065] The receptacle 910 includes electrical contacts 912 that
electrically connect to electrical contacts on the electronics
module. Each of the electrical contacts 912 may be connected to a
wire, such as one of wires 914, 916, 918, and 920. Wires 914, 916,
918, 920, and 922 are within the interior 906 of the supportive
clothing article 900 and may be connected to the various electrical
components 908 and 912. For example, a wire 918 may be connected to
one of the electrical contacts 912 and the electrode 908. Then,
either an additional wire 922 may continue one from electrode 908,
as illustrated in FIG. 9, or the wire 918 may be continuous and
contact electrode 908, as well as other electrodes, in lieu of wire
922. The wires 914, 916, 918, and 920 being located within the
interior 906 so that a patient 302 does not have to manage the
wires and the wires are prevented from getting tangled within a
patient's clothing, for example.
[0066] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the supportive clothing
article 900 of FIG. 9. The portions of the supportive clothing
article 900 that are viewable are shown in solid lines and the
remaining components shown in dashed lines are located within the
interior 906 or inner layer 904. As seen in FIG. 10, an outer layer
902 is visible as well as the receptacle 910 and electrical
contacts 912. The electrode 908 is also shown in dashed lines since
the electrode 908 may either be in the interior 906 or within inner
layer 904.
[0067] Wires 914-922 may be disposed in a serpentine manner so that
wires 914, 916, 918, 920, and 922 may unfold as the fabric layers
902 and 904 stretch when worn by a patient. That is, additional
wire is provided within the interior 906 such that when the fabric
layers 902 and 904 are not stretched, the wires 914, 916, 918, 920,
and 922 are contorted, and when the fabric layers 902 and 904 are
stretched, the wires 914, 916, 918, 920, and 922 then straighten
out, depending on how far the fabric layers 902 and 904 are
stretched. In some embodiments, wires 914-922 may be attached to
the insides of either outer layer 902 or inner layer 904, or both,
in any manner of way to permit unfolding of the wires 914-922. For
example, as seen in FIG. 10, the wires 914, 916, 918, 920, and 922
may be attached to the outer layer 902 by stitching 924 at selected
points. In other embodiments, the wires 914, 916, 918, 920, and 922
are not attached to either the outer layer 902 or the inner layer
904.
[0068] FIG. 11 illustrate a bottom view of the supportive clothing
article 900 of FIG. 9. The portions of the supportive clothing
article 900 that are viewable are shown in solid lines and the
remaining components shown in dashed lines are located within the
interior 906. As seen in FIG. 10, an inner layer 904 is visible as
well as the electrode 908. The receptacle 910 and electrical
contacts 912 are located on the outer layer 902 and therefore are
not visible and are shown in dashed lines. As mentioned above, the
wires 914, 916, 918, 920, and 922 are located in the interior
906.
[0069] While a single electrode is shown in FIGS. 9-10, as would be
understood by one skilled in the art, the belt portion of the
supportive clothing article 900 may include multiple electrodes and
various wires. Further, the back portion and the belt will include
wires that connect the conductive mesh to the electronic
module.
[0070] FIGS. 12-17 illustrate an appears of a supportive clothing
article for a WCD according to an embodiment.
[0071] Aspects and examples of the present disclosure operate with
various modifications and in alternative forms. Specific aspects
have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described
in detail herein below. However, it should be noted that the
examples disclosed herein are presented for the purposes of clarity
of discussion and are not intended to limit the scope of the
general concepts disclosed to the specific examples described
herein unless expressly limited. As such, the present disclosure is
intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
of the described aspects in light of the attached drawings and
claims.
[0072] References in the specification to embodiment, aspect,
example, etc., indicate that the described item may include a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic. However, every
disclosed aspect may or may not necessarily include that particular
feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are
not necessarily referring to the same aspect unless specifically
noted. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described regarding a particular aspect, such
feature, structure, or characteristic can be employed in connection
with another disclosed aspect whether or not such feature is
explicitly described in conjunction with such other disclosed
aspect.
Examples
[0073] Illustrative examples of the technologies disclosed herein
are provided below. An embodiment of the technologies may include
any one or more, and any combination of, the examples described
below.
[0074] Example 1 is a supportive clothing article for a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), comprising a belt, the belt
including a first end with a first portion of a fastener and a
second end with a second portion of the fastener, wherein the belt
is structured to fasten around the torso of patient below the chest
area of the patient, the belt including a first conductive mesh
portion adjacent the first end of the belt or the second end of the
belt; two straps; a back portion extending from the belt at an
intermediary position on the belt to each of the two straps, the
back portion including a conductive mesh; a first support
receptacle attached to and extending from the belt and attachable
to one of the two straps; and a second support receptacle attached
to and extending from the belt and attachable to the other of the
two straps.
[0075] Example 2 is the supportive clothing article of example 1,
wherein each of the first support receptacle and the second support
receptacle are generally triangular shaped.
[0076] Example 3 is the supportive clothing article of example 1 or
2, wherein each of the belt, the back portion, the first support
receptacle and the second support receptacle have a two fabric
layer construction.
[0077] Example 4 is the supportive clothing article of example 3,
wherein an outer layer of the two fabric layer construction of the
belt includes an opening structured to receive an electronic
device.
[0078] Example 5 is the supportive clothing article of example 4,
wherein the opening is located at the intermediary position on the
belt.
[0079] Example 6 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 3-5, wherein the first support receptacle and the second
support receptacle each include an opening between an outer layer
and an inner layer of the two fabric layer construction, the
opening structured to receive a breast support article.
[0080] Example 7 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 3-6, wherein an outer layer and an inner layer of the two
layer fabric construction for the first support receptacle and the
second support receptacle are the same type of fabric.
[0081] Example 8 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 3-7, wherein an outer layer of the two layer fabric
construction of the belt and the back portion is a first fabric and
an inner layer of the two layer fabric construction of the belt and
the back portion is a second fabric different from the first
fabric.
[0082] Example 9 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-8, wherein the fastener of the belt includes a snap
fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a hook and loop fastener, or a
button fastener.
[0083] Example 10 is the supportive clothing article any one of
examples 1-8, wherein a length of the two straps are
adjustable.
[0084] Example 11 is the supportive clothing article of example 10,
wherein each of the two straps include a plurality of loops, and an
end of each of the first support receptacle and the second support
receptacle includes a hook structured to attach to one of the
plurality of loops to adjust the length of the two straps.
[0085] Example 12 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-11, wherein the first supportive receptacle and the
second supportive receptacle each include stabilizer tape at the
portion of the respective first and second supportive receptacle
that attaches to the belt.
[0086] Example 13 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-12, further comprising a first cable guide attached to
an end of the back portion and a second cable guide attached to the
end of the back portion.
[0087] Example 14 is the supportive clothing article of example 13,
wherein the first cable guide and the second cable guide are
elastic.
[0088] Example 15 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-14, the belt including a first fabric layer and a second
fabric layer, and an interior defined by the first fabric layer and
the second fabric layer, the interior including at least one
electrical component; and a plurality of wires, at least one wire
connected to the at least one electrical component.
[0089] Example 16 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-15, further including polyurethane tape directly above
and below the conductive mesh of the back portion.
[0090] Example 17 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 1-6, further including polyurethane tape along a bottom
portion of the belt.
[0091] Example 18 is a supportive clothing article for a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), comprising a belt, having a two
fabric layers construction, including a first side with a first
portion of a fastener and a second side with a second portion of
the fastener, wherein the belt is structured to fasten around the
torso of patient below the chest area of the patient, the belt
including a first conductive mesh portion on the inner layer
adjacent the first side of the belt or the second side of the belt;
two adjustable straps; a back portion, having a two fabric layer
construction, extending from the belt at an intermediary position
on the belt to each of the two straps, an inner layer of the back
portion including a conductive mesh; and polyurethane tape attached
to an end of the belt.
[0092] Example 19 is the supportive clothing article of example 18,
wherein an outer layer of the two fabric layers of the belt
includes an opening structured to receive an electronic device.
[0093] Example 20 is the supportive clothing article of example 19,
wherein the opening is located at the intermediary position on the
belt.
[0094] Example 21 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-20, wherein an outer layer of the two layer fabric
construction of the belt and the back portion is a first fabric and
an inner layer of the two layer fabric construction of the belt and
the back portion is a second fabric different from the first
fabric.
[0095] Example 22 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-21, wherein the fastener of the belt includes a snap
fastener, a hook and eye fastener, a hook and loop fastener, or a
button fastener.
[0096] Example 23 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-22, wherein a length of the two straps are each
adjustable.
[0097] Example 24 is the supportive clothing article of example 23,
wherein each of the two straps include a plurality of loops, and
the proximal end of each of the first support receptacle and the
second support receptacle includes a hook structured to attach to
one of the plurality of loops to adjust the length of the two
straps.
[0098] Example 25 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-24, further comprising a first cable guide attached to
a proximal end of the back portion and a second cable guide
attached to an end of the back portion.
[0099] Example 26 is the supportive clothing article of example 25,
wherein the first cable guide and the second cable guide are
elastic.
[0100] Example 27 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-26, wherein the back portion includes a gathered hem at
a proximal end.
[0101] Example 28 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-27, the belt including a first fabric layer and a
second fabric layer, and an interior defined by the first fabric
layer and the second fabric layer, the interior including: at least
one electrical component; and a plurality of wires, at least one
wire connected to the at least one electrical component.
[0102] Example 29 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-28, further including polyurethane tape directly above
and below the conductive mesh of the back portion.
[0103] Example 30 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 18-29, further including polyurethane tape at an end of
the belt.
[0104] Example 31 is a supportive clothing article for a wearable
cardioverter defibrillator (WCD), comprising a patient facing
fabric layer; an outer fabric layer; an interior defined by the
patient facing fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the
interior including: at least one electrical component; and a
plurality of wires, at least one wire connected to the at least one
electrical component.
[0105] Example 31 is the supportive clothing article of example 31,
wherein the electrical component is an electrode.
[0106] Example 33 is the supportive clothing article of example 32,
wherein the electrode is disposed in the outer fabric layer and is
structured to contact skin of a patient.
[0107] Example 34 is the supportive clothing article of example 32,
wherein the electrode electrically contacts skin of a patient
through the outer fabric layer.
[0108] Example 35 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 31-34, further including a plurality of electrical
components.
[0109] Example 36 is the supportive clothing article of example 35,
wherein the plurality of electrical components includes an
electrode and an electrical contact to electrically connect to a
removable electronics module.
[0110] Example 37 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 31-36, wherein the plurality of electrical wires are
disposed in the interior in a serpentine fashion.
[0111] Example 38 is the supportive clothing article of any one of
examples 31-37, wherein the plurality of electrical wires are
attached to one of the first layer or the second layer.
[0112] The previously described versions of the disclosed subject
matter have many advantages that were either described or would be
apparent to a person of ordinary skill. Even so, these advantages
or features are not required in all versions of the disclosed
apparatus, systems, or methods.
[0113] Additionally, this written description makes reference to
particular features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in
this specification includes all possible combinations of those
particular features. Where a particular feature is disclosed in the
context of a particular aspect or example, that feature can also be
used, to the extent possible, in the context of other aspects and
examples.
[0114] Also, when reference is made in this application to a method
having two or more defined steps or operations, the defined steps
or operations can be carried out in any order or simultaneously,
unless the context excludes those possibilities.
[0115] Although specific examples of the disclosure have been
illustrated and described for purposes of illustration, it will be
understood that various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the
disclosure should not be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *