Clothing apparatus, carrier for a biophysical sensor, and patient alarm system

Abstract

A clothing apparatus is provided with at least one fabric panel, a panel of stretch fabric, a sensor unit retaining pocket, and a light opaque fabric. The at least one fabric panel is configured to encompass a patient thoracic region. The stretch fabric panel is joined to the fabric panel about the thoracic region of a patient when wearing the clothing apparatus. A free edge of the overlapping stretch fabric panel is configured to be releasably mated along an overlapping area of the stretch fabric panel with one of the fabric panel and the stretch fabric panel. The sensor unit retaining pocket is provided between the at least one fabric panel and the stretch fabric panel. The light opaque fabric is provided in the fabric panel about an opening in an inner surface of the fabric panel contiguous with the retaining pocket. The opening is configured to enable a sensor unit received within the pocket to maintain direct contact with a skin surface of a patient over the thoracic heart region. The light opaque fabric is configured to reduce ambient light levels immediately surrounding the pocket opening. A method is also provided.

1 . A clothing apparatus, comprising: 
 at least one fabric panel configured to encompass a patient thoracic region;    a panel of stretch fabric joined to the fabric panel about the thoracic region of a patient when wearing the clothing apparatus, a free edge of the overlapping stretch fabric panel configured to be releasably mated along an overlapping area of the stretch fabric panel with one of the fabric panel and the stretch fabric panel;    a sensor unit retaining pocket provided between the at least one fabric panel and the stretch fabric panel; and    a light opaque fabric provided in the fabric panel about an opening in an inner surface of the fabric panel contiguous with the retaining pocket, the opening configured to enable a sensor unit received within the pocket to maintain direct contact with a skin surface of a patient over the thoracic heart region and the light opaque fabric configured to reduce ambient light levels immediately surrounding the pocket opening.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stretch fabric panel comprises a band of stretch fabric sewn to the at least one fabric panel and configured to encircle the thoracic region of a patient.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the band of stretch fabric encircles the fabric panel and overlaps onto itself, and a free edge of the overlapping stretch fabric band is configured to overlie itself.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a releasable fastener is provided about the free edge of the stretch fabric band.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the releasable fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener strip assembly, the free edge comprises a flap, and one of a hook strip and a loop strip is affixed to the flap and a remaining one of the hook strip and the loop strip is affixed to an overlain portion of the band.  
     
     
         6 . A carrier for a biophysical sensor, comprising: 
 a clothing article having a retaining pocket with a light opaque fabric on one side and an opening on another side, the opening configured to be placed proximate a patient's thoracic region upon wearing the carrier.    
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the clothing article comprises a fabric panel configured to encircle a patient thoracic region and a band encircling the fabric panel and joined with the fabric panel to provide the retaining pocket therebetween.  
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 6  wherein the clothing article comprises an infant undershirt.  
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 8  wherein the clothing article comprises at least one fabric panel configured to encompass a patient thoracic region and a panel of stretch fabric sewn to the at least one fabric panel.  
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 9  wherein the panel of stretch fabric comprises an elastic fabric band configured to encircle the infant undershirt.  
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 10  wherein the retaining pocket is formed between the elastic fabric band and one or more of the at least one fabric panel.  
     
     
         12 . A patient alarm system, comprising: 
 a patient physiologic sensing apparatus having at least one sensor, processing circuitry, a transmitter, and an antenna, the sensor configured to generate an infant-derived data signal;    a sensor retainer having at least one fabric panel and an elastic fabric panel joined to the at least one fabric panel to provide a retaining pocket for the sensing apparatus, the retaining pocket having an aperture configured to enable the sensor to detect a skin surface of the patient;    wherein removal of the sensing apparatus from proximate a patient interrupts a data collection signal from the sensor relative to the skin, and the processing circuitry generates an alarm signal indicating interruption of the data collection.    
     
     
         13 . The carrier of  claim 12  wherein interruption of the data collection corresponds with dislodgment of the sensor relative to the patient's skin.  
     
     
         14 . The carrier of  claim 13  wherein the elastic fabric panel comprises an elastic fabric band configured to extend around a patient.