Patent Publication Number: US-2015059070-A1

Title: Therapeutic Heart Pad

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/871,111 filed on Aug. 28, 2014, entitled “Therapeutic Heart Pad.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to post-operative garments for use by patients who are recovering from chest and/or abdominal surgery, and in particular for those who are recovering from cardiovascular surgery such as open heart surgery. 
     Patients who are recovering from surgery are often required to frequently cough in order to help keep the lungs clear. However, this can be quite painful after having chest and/or abdominal surgery. Patients are thus directed to utilize a pillow over one&#39;s chest and/or abdominal region and apply moderate and firm pressure thereto while coughing, laughing, sneezing, and the like. This can help to apply compression to the incision and surgical wound area of the body to reduce pain and further injury. 
     Conventional methods of applying compression and/or pressure to one&#39;s chest to protect the incision area involve holding a therapeutic pillow against one&#39;s chest when coughing, laughing, sneezing and engaging in other chest and abdominal straining activities. This however is impractical as it does not allow the patient to have access to the therapeutic pillow when sleeping, walking, driving, traveling and the like. Such pillows may be forgotten in one&#39;s home, lost or not be readily available when quickly needed. 
     More practical classes of post-operative pillows provide body worn apparatuses with straps that allow the patient to wear the device at all times thus having readily available access to the therapeutic pillow when traveling and sleeping. Still, these body-worn pillow devices do not provide for a back pad or back portion that can rest against the user&#39;s back and can cover the entire mid-section of the patient for applying therapeutic pressure thereto by the user. 
     Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new and improved post-operative apparatus having two detachable members that incorporate adjustable shoulder and torso straps. The invention provides a front member and a rear member in order to provide a device that can effectively protect and allow the patient to provide compression to the entire back and front mid-section of the patient&#39;s body if and/or when needed. The invention can extend from the clavicle to the navel on the front side of a user and from the upper back to the lower back on the back side of the user. A soft stuffing material is incorporated therein to allow for the user to apply pressure to the body thereto. The invention can be worn while sleeping, traveling and performing other activities and/or tasks. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to post-operative garments and pillows. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to post-operative garments or pillows wherein some of these devices have straps and can be worn on the body of the user. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
     Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,790 to Rankin describes a post-operative vest intended for patients who are recovering from abdominal surgery. The vest provides a centrally located pocket in which a surgical pillow can be placed therein in order to apply pressure to the surgical site. This enables the user to remain hands free while having a surgical pillow securely placed over a surgical site. The present invention however, provides a post-operative garment having an integrated surgical pillow wherein the garment applies compression to the thoracic, abdominal and chest region of the front and back side of the body. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,246 to Benedick discloses a chest pillow for use by a post-surgical patient that comprises a plate and padding that is enclosed in a fabric cover. The device provides separable straps in order to hold the pillow in place over the chest area of the user. This device however, only provides one pillow for use with the front chest area of the wearer and does not offer support for the back region of the wearer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 20,120,291,187 to Hawthorne provides a blocking shield to be worn over a person&#39;s chest that includes a pad cover that can be worn on a player&#39;s chest and affixed thereto via straps and buckles. The device can be utilized by players when engaged in sports activities, such as football in order to provide a better training experience and to maintain the shield in a secure position while allowing the player&#39;s hands to remain free. While this invention is helpful in the field of sports activities, it is not conducive for post surgical patients who require a compressive device for aiding in recovery and pain relief. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 20,120,284,925 to Bennet allows for a rolling prevention device that provides a foam panel that can be placed on the back of an infant via straps. The device can be used to promote crawling and to prevent the rolling of the infant onto his or her back. This device however, does not provide a pillow compression garment that can be applied to a post surgery patient without requiring him or her to lift their arms for placement thereon. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,613 to Yon describes a protective pad for use by a patient during the post-operative recovery period after open heart surgery that comprises a heart-shaped body pillow having a soft stuffing material therein. The patient can hold the device against his or her chest in order to protect the sternum, minimize discomfort, and avoid sternal malunions. This device however, does not provide straps in order to allow the patient to remain hands free and conduct other tasks while simultaneously protecting his or her sternum. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,692 to Chao discloses a spine and neck support device that is intended to support the cervical and upper thoracic spine while the user is in a cervical flexion position. The device can help the user with prevention of cervico-thoracic spine injuries as a result of prolonged positions in neck flexion. This device however, offers little utility for users who have undergone cardiovascular or other thoracic surgery and require the use of a compression pillow for the chest. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,617 to McNair provides a head and neck rest having a soft cushion and straps wherein the straps can be secured onto a seat backrest of headrest of a vehicle in order to provide support to the user. While this device is helpful for supporting the neck and head while riding in a vehicle, it is not structured or intended for supporting and applying compression to patients who have undergone chest and/or abdominal surgery. 
     These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The above discussed post-operative or therapeutic body devices do not provide for a body worn garment having detachable pieces and an integrated therapeutic pillow that includes adjustable shoulder and torso straps. Further, the above devices do not provide for a post-operative therapeutic apparatus that can extend from the clavicle to the navel region and the upper back to the lower back of the patient and can be worn while sleeping. 
     It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing post-operative therapeutic devices and garments. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of post-operative or post-surgical garments and pillows now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new post-operative pillow garment wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user during the recovery period after abdominal surgery, chest and/or thoracic surgery and in particular for cardiovascular surgery such as, open heart surgery. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved post-operative pillow garment device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-operative pillow garment that can be worn on the body of the user. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-operative pillow garment for patients recovering from abdominal surgery. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment for patients recovering from chest surgery. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment for patients recovering from thoracic surgery. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment having detachable members. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that is padded. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that provides compression to the body of the wearer in order to relieve pain after surgery thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that provides adjustable shoulder straps. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that provides adjustable torso straps. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that is machine washable. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a post-operative pillow garment that is dryer machine compatible. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the post-operative pillow garment wherein the cutout area, adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable torso straps having hook and loop fastening strips are shown. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of the front member of the post-operative pillow garment wherein the cutout area, adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable torso straps having hook and loop fastening strips thereon are shown. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the rear member of the post-operative pillow garment wherein the cutout area, adjustable shoulder straps and adjustable torso straps having hook and loop fastening strips thereon are shown. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the post-operative pillow garment. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for therapeutic purposes for providing compression and pain relief to the chest, back and abdomen of patients who have undergone surgery thereof. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the post-operative pillow garment  1 . The post-operative pillow garment  1  comprises two detachable members  2 ,  3  that include a front member  2  and a rear member  3 , wherein the front member  2  provides a first side  16 , a second side, a left, a right, an outer perimeter edge, a top and a bottom and the rear member  3  provides a first side  18 , a second side, a left, a right, an outer perimeter edge, a top and a bottom. The front member  2  provides a cutout  4  area at the top thereof having two mutually opposing shoulder straps  6 ,  7  on either end thereof, wherein the straps include a left shoulder strap  6  and a right shoulder strap  7 . The rear member  3  provides a cutout  5  area at the top thereof having two mutually opposing shoulder straps  9 ,  8  on either end thereof, wherein the straps include a left shoulder strap  9  and a right should strap  8 . Both the left and right shoulder straps  9 , 8  of the front member  2  have hook and loop fasteners provided on the first side  16  of the front member  2 , in a preferred embodiment, or can have other suitable fasteners, disposed thereon. Both the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  of the rear member  3  have hook and loop fasteners provided on the first side  18  of the rear member  3 , in a preferred embodiment, or other suitable fastener, disposed thereon. 
     The rear member  3  of the post-operative pillow garment  1  comprises torso straps  20 ,  21 , wherein the torso straps  20 ,  21 extend laterally therefrom. The left and right torso straps  20 ,  21  of the first side  18  of the rear member  3  provides a plurality of horizontally positioned hook and loop fastening strips  12  thereon wherein the first side  16  of the front member  2  provides a plurality of horizontally positioned hook and loop fastening strips  10  thereon. The vertically positioned hook and loop fastening strips  12  of the torso straps  20 ,  21  located on the first side  18  of the rear member  3  can be affixed to the plurality hook and loop fastening strips  10  of the first side  16  of the front member  2  thus forming a unitary structure and forming the post-operative pillow garment  1 . The torso straps  20 ,  21  of the rear member  3  provide an elongated structure that can extend therefrom wherein the user can manually adjust the torso straps  20 ,  21  via pulling and fastening them to the hook and loop fastening strips  10  of the first side  16  of the front member  2 , in order to snugly and securely fit the user thereon. 
     The front member  2  extends from the user&#39;s clavicle area to the navel, wherein the cutout  4  area located at the top of the front member  2  rests against the user&#39;s clavicle and extends down the user&#39;s body whereby the bottom of the front member  2  terminates at the navel thus covering the user&#39;s chest and abdominal cavity in its entirety. The front member  2  provides curved areas along the outer perimeter edge located at the top thereof and adjacent to the left and right shoulder straps  6 ,  7  wherein the curved areas conform to the natural contours of the front side of the human body and can rest beneath the front armpit area of the user. The rear member  3  provides curved areas along the perimeter edge located at the top thereof and adjacent to the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  wherein the curved areas conform to the natural counters of the back side of the human body and can rest against the back armpit area of the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a front view of the front member  2  of the post-operative pillow garment  1  comprising a first side  16  and a second side (not shown). The front member  2  provides a wearable garment structure having left and right shoulder straps  6 ,  7  located at the top area thereof and extending in a vertical fashion therefrom wherein the left and right shoulder straps  6 ,  7  oppose one another in a parallel manner and are located on either side of the cutout area  4 . The user can apply the post-operative pillow garment  1  to his or her person via manually affixing the hook and loop fastening strips of the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  of the first side  18  of the rear member  3  to the hook and loop fastening strips of the left and right shoulder straps  6 ,  7  of the first side  16  of the front member  2  thus forming the unitary structure of the post-operative pillow garment  1 . When the post-operative pillow garment  1  has been applied to the user&#39;s person, the second side of the front member  2  rests against the chest and abdominal cavity of the user wherein the first side  18  of the rear member  3  rests against the upper and lower back of the user thus providing full covering to the user&#39;s front and back torso and mid section region. 
     The user can place the post-operative pillow garment  1  thereon via the means described, wherein the user need not lift his or her arms in order to place the post-operative pillow garment thereon. This is especially useful for those who have undergone cardiovascular surgery such as open heart surgery, thoracic, back or abdominal surgery, where it can be painful and unfeasible to lift one&#39;s arms thereafter. The front member  2  of the post-operative pillow  1  garment can be filled with a soft stuffing and/or padding wherein the stuffing and/or padding can include, but is not limited to foam, cotton, polyester or other suitable material and can thus create a pillow like structure therein. The rear member  3  can also be filled with a soft stuffing and/or padding that can include foam, cotton, polyester or other suitable material, however the rear member  3  can have substantially less filling than that of the front member  2  wherein the rear member  3  does not form a pillow like structure therein. The user can utilize the device via placing one&#39;s arms against the exterior surface of the first side  16  of the front member  2 , against his or her chest and/or abdominal cavity of the front member, and thus applying pressure thereto when the user is coughing, sneezing laughing, walking and engaging in other activities that can cause pain and stress to the surgical wound region. 
     The first side  16  of the front member  2  of the post-operative pillow garment  1  can include a heart-shaped emblem having an image of a simulated heart located therein, however there can be various designs, characters, shapes, colors, and other patterns thereon. Both the front member  2  and rear member  3  of the post-operative pillow garment  1  can be machine washable and can be placed forthwith from the washing machine into a dryer machine. The post-operative pillow apparatus  1  can be made from cotton, polyester, terry cloth, foam, nylon, fleece or other suitable materials. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a front view of the rear member  3  of the post-operative pillow garment  1  wherein the cutout  5  area, adjustable shoulder straps  9 ,  8  and adjustable torso straps  20 ,  21  having hook and loop fastening strips  12  thereon. The rear member  3  provides a wearable garment structure having left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  located at the top area thereof and extending in a vertical fashion therefrom wherein the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  oppose one another in a parallel manner and are located on either side of the cutout  5  area. The rear member  3  comprises curved areas intended to conform to the natural contours of the back side of the human body wherein the curved areas are located at the outer perimeter edge adjacent to the bottom edge of the rear member forming the corner in between the bottom edge and the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8 . 
     The front member  2  and rear member  3  of the post-operative pillow garment  1 , when affixed to one another on the body of the patient, can be worn while sleeping, walking, running, driving and engaging in various activities. The post-operative pillow garment  1  acts as a vest-like structure that enables the user to have a therapeutic pillow on one&#39;s person at all times when coughing, laughing, walking and engaging in other tasks that may cause stress and pressure to the chest and/or abdominal cavity. 
     The hook and loop fasteners  10  of the first side  16  of the front member  2 , the left and right shoulder straps  6 ,  7  of the first side  16  of the front member  2 , the left and right shoulder straps  9 ,  8  of the first side  18  of the rear member  3  and the left and right torso straps  20 ,  21  of the first side  20  of the rear member  3  are not limited to such fastener and can be buttons, clips, magnets, carabineers and/or any other suitable fastener. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.