Patent Publication Number: US-11654041-B2

Title: System for covering and visually distinguishing an injured limb

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/083,397 filed on Sep. 25, 2020. The current application is filed on Sep. 27, 2021 while Sep. 25, 2021 and Sep. 26, 2021 were on a weekend. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to medical care. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cover that can be used to provide local hypothermic effects at the zone of injury on the body of a victim who has sustained various injuries. The present invention also serves as a visual warning against unwanted contact to sensitive, injured regions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A covering device that can be conveniently used to protect patients&#39; injured body parts is in demand. 
     Medical covers or blankets provide comfort for patients who are experiencing trauma, and medical professionals can use them for various reasons, whether to prevent shock and rapid cooling, reduce hypothermia risks, or avoid wound complications. 
     In addition, medical covers and blankets can be used to assist with patient positioning by providing extra padding or can be rolled up to provide support. 
     For emergency medical care, surgery, and resuscitation, it is sometimes necessary to keep a patient&#39;s body warm, especially during emergencies that involve major blood loss, amid winter temperatures, or in water. 
     Because the human body uses blood to control the distribution of heat internally, low body temperatures can cause hypothermia with time, particularly when water and blood loss are involved: water conducts heat far more quickly than air does, and in a person who is wet while out of water, evaporative cooling can drain even more heat, especially in windy conditions. 
     Traditional casting applications for fractures may also use various covers and cloth strips to immobilize body parts during hardening of a cast, but many such covering mechanisms have their own drawbacks, including treatment-related problems and materials-related problems. Often such covers are difficult to detach after having been wrapped around injured parts, are difficult to use, or are uncomfortable when worn. 
     Some covers are made of materials that are not intended to provide local hypothermic effects at the zone of a traumatic injury to a patient&#39;s body and are not designed for use in medical care facilities, whether ambulances, operating rooms, or intensive care units. Thus, there is a need to develop a device that solves these problems. 
     The present invention is intended to address problems associated with and/or otherwise improve on conventional devices through an innovative covering device that is designed to provide a convenient means of wrapping local injuries and providing local hypothermic effects while incorporating other problem-solving features. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention, specifically an embodiment configured for use in combination with a shoulder sling. 
         FIG.  2    is a partially exploded view thereof, wherein internal components and regions of the present invention are indicated and rendered in broken-line. 
         FIG.  3    is a detail view of area  3 - 3  in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a detail view of area  4 - 4  in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a covering textile, wherein the covering textile is delaminated to shown construction and layering. 
         FIG.  6    is a detail view of area  6 - 6  in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a frontal perspective view of the present invention in-use by a patient, wherein the patient silhouette is rendered in broken-line. 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of the present invention in-use by a patient, wherein the patient silhouette is rendered in broken-line. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole. 
     In reference to  FIG.  1  through  8   , the present invention is a system for covering and visually distinguishing an injured limb comprising a medical brace  10 , a covering textile  12 , at least one fastener  25 , and at least one visual indicium  33 . The present invention is directed primarily towards modifying and improving existing medical slings, braces, immobilization harnesses, and other wearable medical devices with a distinctive covering. This arrangement ideally prevents unaware individuals from bumping into or otherwise disturbing an injured user by clearly identifying an injured or sensitive body part. 
     The medical brace  10  broadly encompasses any type of wearable or applique medical support as may be readily understood by any reasonably skilled individual. This categorization includes, but is not limited to, shoulder immobilizers, elbow immobilizers, rotator cuff supports, shoulder braces, compression sleeves, humeral splints, clavicle immobilizers, offset arm slings, knee braces, wrist splints, and other comparable medical devices. The components of the present invention are ideally configured, by manufacture or modification, to conform to all embodiments of the medical brace  10  without departing from the original spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The covering textile  12  constitutes a flexible polyester fabric ideally suitable for extended contact against a user&#39;s skin. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the covering textile  12  comprises an exterior surface  13  and an interior surface  14 . The exterior surface  13  is ideally a durable material suitable for extended exposure to moisture, abrasion, debris, or other hazards that may compromise the covering textile  12 . Conversely, the interior surface  14  ideally comprises a compressible, breathable fabric configured to enclose and support an injured limb without causing undue discomfort to a user. Accordingly, the medical brace  10  is enclosed within the covering textile  12  as shown in  FIG.  7   . The medical brace  10  is positioned against the interior surface  14 , including any uncovered portions of a user&#39;s body adjacent to the injured limb. This arrangement ensures that the portion of a user&#39;s body requiring the greatest protection, i.e., the portion of the body supported by the medical brace  10 , is fully engaged to the covering textile  12 . Opposite to the interior surface  14 , the exterior surface  13  will naturally be disposed outward from the medical brace  10  to present the most durable portion of the covering textile  12  against any external hazards. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the covering textile  12  is removably attached onto the medical brace  10  by the at least one fastener  25 . This attachment prevents the covering textile  12  from shifting or displacing from the medical brace  10  once affixed and is ideally adjustable to fit any embodiment of the medical brace  10  or any bodily dimensions of a given user. Accordingly, the at least one fastener  25  broadly defines any form of mechanical, magnetic, or adhesive connector as may be suitable for any given embodiment of medical brace  10 . Universal embodiments may constitute a closeable loop or strap of sufficient length to fully enclose the medical brace  10 . Possible alternate embodiments may utilize proprietary connectors configured to attach to corresponding hardpoint of the medical brace  10 , inducing at least one instance wherein the medical brace  10  is manufactured or modified to accept the at least one fastener  25  as a dedicated component of the present invention. 
     The at least one visual indicium  33  is mounted onto the exterior surface  13  of the covering textile  12  as shown in  FIG.  2   . The visual indicium  33  constitutes any distinct marking, insignia, color pattern, retroreflective surface, or other visible warning to casual observers or passersby that the user&#39;s limb beneath the covering textile  12  is potentially sensitive or delicate. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one visual indicium  33  will prevent anybody from unwittingly bumping into the user and causing undue discomfort to an injured limb. In another embodiment, the at least one visual indicium  33  may be used to relay pertinent medical information to first responders and medical personnel, e.g., that the user is on certain medications, has suffered specified injuries, or has implanted metallic reinforcements beneath the medical brace  10 . In general application, the visual indicium  33  serves as a user-configurable notice to the public that the user of the present invention is recovering from an injury and may require special considerations to avoid exacerbating said injury. 
     In reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the at least one fastener  25  is a first fastener  26  and a second fastener  27 . The first fastener  26  and the second fastener  27  ideally define similar, universal connection devices as previously outlined, but may also be configured as dissimilar connectors suitable for attaching to, e.g., a user&#39;s arm and the medical brace  10  respectively. The covering textile  12  also further comprises a skirt edge  15  extending between the exterior surface  13  and the interior surface  14 , wherein the skirt edge  15  extends outwards from the exterior surface  13  to conceal and protect the at least one fastener  25  in a preferred configuration. More specifically, a user attaches the first fastener  26  between the covering textile  12  and the medical brace  10 , such that the covering textile  12  wraps around or across a user&#39;s body to enclose the medical brace  10  as previously specified. The second fastener  27  is further attached to the medical brace  10  opposite the first fastener  26 , fixing the covering textile  12  in position across the user&#39;s body. Accordingly, the first fastener  26  is mounted to the interior surface  14  of the covering textile  12  adjacent to the skirt edge  15 . The second fastener  27  is also mounted to the interior surface  14  of the covering textile  12  adjacent to the skirt edge  15 , opposite the first fastener  26  across the covering textile  12 . 
     In another embodiment, each of the at least one fastener  25  further comprises a length of webbing  29 , an engagement device  30 , and length-adjustment mechanism  31  as shown in  FIG.  3   . The length of webbing  29  is terminally mounted to the covering textile  12  and the engagement device  30  is terminally mounted to the length of webbing  29 , opposite the covering textile  12 . The length of webbing  29  defines an elongate tensile strap, cord, or leash of suitable dimensions to extend between the covering textile  12  and the medical brace  10  in any embodiment thereof. The engagement device  30  broadly refers to any releasable fastener or fastener-like component compatible with any portion of the medical brace  10 . Ideally the engagement device  30  constitutes a paired set of hook-and-loop fasteners disposed between the medical brace  10  and the length of webbing  29 , but this embodiment should not be considered limiting to the overall scope of the present invention across all conceivable embodiments. Further, the length-adjustment mechanism  31  is mounted to the length of webbing  29  between the covering textile  12  and the engagement device  30 . The length-adjustment mechanism  31  is configured to moderate the overall length of the at least one fastener  25  by selectably retaining the length of webbing  29 , whereby the covering textile  12  may be tightened down over the medical brace  10 . The length-adjustment mechanism  31  is preferably a slip buckle wound into the length of webbing  29  but may also constitute a spring-loaded clasp in at least one alternate embodiment. 
     The present invention may further comprise at least one aperture  23  as shown in  FIG.  7   . The at least one aperture  23  traverses the covering textile  12  between the interior surface  14  and the exterior surface  13 , thereby forming an unobstructed path through the covering textile  12  in a variety of conceivable embodiments. In one embodiment, the aperture  23  is positioned to enable the unrestricted movement of a limb within the covering textile  12 , whereby the covering textile  12  is contoured for application to a specific subset of medical brace  10  in at least one embodiment. The at least one aperture  23  may also be positioned to permit the covering textile  12  to be mounted around a body part prior to attachment with the at least one fastener  25 . The at least one aperture  23  may also be configured to increase airflow across the medical brace  10  within the covering textile  12 . This configuration will ideally minimize any discomfort during extended use of the present invention in warmer climates by releasing body heat trapped within the covering textile  12 . 
     It is generally contemplated that the presentation and coloration of the covering textile  12  and the at least one visual indicium  33  serves as an effective visual indicator of an injured or sensitive limb. However, a user may also indicate the nature of an injury and any medical information related thereto using interchangeable visible markers. In one embodiment, the at least one visual indicium  33  comprises a retainer pocket  34 , a placard insert, and a transparent section  36 . The retainer pocket  34  is mounted to the exterior surface  13  of the cover member with the placard insert  35  positioned into the retainer pocket  34 . In turn, the transparent section  36  is mounted to the retainer pocket  34  and positioned over the placard insert. The placard insert  35  preferably contains any immediately recognizable visual warnings, identifying information, or pertinent medical indications that the user chooses to relay to the public. The retainer pocket  34  defines any attachable or moldable feature of the exterior surface  13  suitable for containing the placard insert, wherein the retainer pocket  34  constitutes suitable dimensions and retentive features to hold the placard insert  35  therein. Further, the transparent section  36  defines a portion of feature of the retainer pocket  34  of suitable dimensions to enable a casual observer to recognize and read the placard insert  35  within the retainer pocket  34 . 
     The variability of the covering textile  12  across all conceivable embodiments enables the present invention to be configured for a virtually unlimited range of climates by interchanging the constituent materials thereof. Colder weather may inform the construction of the covering textile  12  to include insulated materials and waterproof coatings, whereas warmer climates may require that an embodiment maximizes the use of sheer fabrics and open airflow across the medical brace  10 . Accordingly, the covering textile  12  further comprises a first textile  19 , a second textile  20 , an interstitial layer  21 , and an edge seam  22  in at least one embodiment. As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the edge seam  22  is perimetrically mounted between the first textile  19  and the second textile  20 , ideally forming a permanent material bond between the disparate materials of the first textile  19  and the second textile  20 . The interstitial layer  21  is delineated by the edge seam  22  and positioned between the first textile  19  and the second textile  20 . The first textile  19  and the second textile  20  constitute any set of dislike materials as may be commonly used in the garment industry including any type of woven, melt-blown, or laminated materials commonly used in the field. The interstitial layer  21  is preferably formed from a variable density material configured by manufacture for a target climate. For example, the interstitial layer  21  may be configured for insulating the user against colder weather in one embodiment or may be configured to resist heat buildup from intense direct sunlight and high humidity in another embodiment. General recombinations and variations of the materials comprising the first textile  19 , the second textile  20 , and the interstitial layer  21  to increase suitability for target environments are generally considered to fall within the original spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Although the medical brace  10  is generally considered to be self-supporting, it is recognized that the covering textile  12  is uniquely positioned to lend additional positional support to an injured limb by virtue of fully enclosing the medical brace  10 . To provide additional functionality as a secondary support to the medical brace  10 , the covering textile  12  further comprises at least one inelastic section  16  mounted between the exterior surface  13  and the interior surface  14 . The inelastic section  16  provides an integral strap or leash for the medical brace  10  formed into the covering textile  12 , arranged in support of extant portions of the medical brace  10  as shown in  FIG.  2   . In another embodiment, the inelastic section  16  may be disposed perpendicular to the normal range of motion of a limb, thereby preventing the hyperextension of a supported joint by halting the travel of the medical brace  10  engaged thereto. The inelastic section  16  is terminally positioned adjacent to the at least one fastener  25 , wherein the inelastic section  16  is configured to positionally support the medical brace  10 . 
     In regular use, the covering textile  12  normally contacts both the medical brace  10  and some portion of a user&#39;s skin directly. The medical brace  10  is generally constructed of an externally durable material and requires no special consideration, but long-term contact against an impermeable, coarse embodiment of the covering textile  12  will cause chafing and general discomfort for a user. Therefore, the covering textile  12  further comprises at least one vapor-permeable section  17  as shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2   . The vapor-permeable section  17  ideally constitutes a breathable, contact-safe portion of the covering textile  12  configured and positioned for direct contact against any portion of the user&#39;s body not covered by the medical brace  10 . Accordingly, the vapor-permeable section  17  is mounted between the exterior surface  13  and the interior surface  14 , wherein the at least one vapor-permeable section  17  is positioned offset from the medical brace  10 . 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.