Apparatus For Protecting A Pacemaker

Abstract

The present invention relates to protective apparatus suitable to provide users of electrical implantable medical devices protection from impacts. More specifically, the present invention relates to protective apparatus suitable to provide users of pacemakers, both internal and external, protection from impacts due to applied or external forces. The apparatus comprises a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell or layer, an impact absorbing inner pad or layer and, optionally, a recess for containing an external electronic device. The outer shell or layer provides impact and deformation resistance while distributing impact forces. The outer shell or layer is formed using a sufficiently thermally pliable material capable of molding to the body part containing, or in contact with, the electronic device. Electrical implantable medical devices are further protected by the inner pad or layer comprising a high density closed cell foam. External electrical implantable medical device may be further protected in an optional recess comprising low density open cell foam.

1 . An apparatus for protecting a medical implantable device comprising:
 an outer shell comprising a rigid material, the outer shell having a hollow shape, an inside diameter, a front side and a back side, wherein the rigid material is thermally pliable and capable of being molded to a body part containing the medical implantable device; and   an inner pad attached to the outer shell, the inner pad comprising an impact absorbing material.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid material is at least one of plastics, thermoplastics, reinforced plastics, metals, metal alloys, and composites. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the impact absorbing material is at least one of rubber and high density closed cell foam. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad further comprises a recess on the back side of the inner pad capable of covering an internal or an external pacemaker, the recess having a front side and a back side. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the recess further comprises a rubber or low density open cell foam. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for protecting a medical implantable device comprising:
 an outer layer comprising a rigid material, the outer layer having a front side, and a back side, and wherein the rigid material is thermally pliable and capable of molding to a body part in contact with the medical implantable device;   an inner layer comprising an impact absorbing material, the inner layer having a front side and a back side and wherein the front side of the inner layer is attached to the back side of the outer layer; and   a garment comprising a compartment capable of housing a medical implantable protecting means, wherein the compartment is located substantially over the body part containing the medical implantable device.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid material has a thickness measured between the outer layer front side and outer layer back side between 1/16 inch and ¼ inch. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the impact absorbing material has a thickness measured between the inner layer front side and inner layer back side between ⅛ inch and ¾ inch. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the inner layer further comprises a recess on the back side of the inner layer capable of covering the implantable medical device. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the recess further comprises a rubber or low density open cell foam. 
   
   
       11 . A system to protect an implantable medical device, the system comprising:
 an outer shell comprising a rigid material, the outer shell having a hollow shape, an inside diameter, a front side and a back side, wherein the rigid material is thermally pliable and capable of being molded to a body part containing the implantable medical device;   an inner pad attached to the outer shell, the inner pad comprising an impact absorbing material; and   a garment, wherein the garment comprises a sealable compartment capable of housing the implantable medical device.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the compartment is located over a body part containing the implantable medical device.