Heel Protector Packaging with Integrated Calf Sizing Device

Abstract

A system ( 400 ) includes a package ( 401 ). A heel protector ( 402 ) is disposed within the package. The heel protector includes a leg engaging section ( 101 ) defining a leg insertion aperture ( 104 ), a fastener coupled to a first side of the leg engaging section, and a complementary fastener coupled to a second side of the leg engaging section. A measurement device ( 404 ) is incorporated into, but separable from, the package. The measurement device indicates whether the leg engaging section will fit a patient calf ( 302 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a package;   a heel protector disposed within the package, the heel protector comprising:
 a leg engaging section defining a leg insertion aperture; 
 a fastener coupled to a first side of the leg engaging section, the fastener having a predefined length; and 
 a complementary fastener coupled to a second side of the leg engaging section, the complementary fastener coupling to the fastener when the fastener spans the leg insertion aperture; and 
   a measurement device, incorporated into but separable from the package, the measurement device indicating whether a patient leg, when inserted into the leg engaging section, will allow the fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to span the leg insertion aperture with a span distance that is within a predefined span distance range.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a box, wherein the measurement device is incorporated into a major face of the box such that the measurement device defines a portion of the major face. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the measurement device is coupled to other portions of the major face by a perforation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a box, wherein the measurement device is incorporated into a tab extending from a major face of the box. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the measurement device is coupled to the tab by a perforation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a drawstring bag cinchable by a drawstring, wherein the drawstring defines the measurement device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a thermoplastic bag, wherein the measurement device is incorporated into a major face of the thermoplastic bag such that the measurement device defines a portion of the major face. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a thermoplastic bag, wherein the measurement device is incorporated into a tab extending from a major face of the thermoplastic bag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , the measurement device indicating whether a calf circumference of the patient leg, when the patient leg is inserted into the leg engaging section, will allow the fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to span the leg insertion aperture with the span distance that is within a predefined span distance range. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , the measurement device indicating that the calf circumference is between five and eleven inches. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , the measurement device indicating that the calf circumference is between eleven and nineteen inches. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , the measurement device indicating that the calf circumference is between nineteen and twenty-five inches. 
     
     
         13 . The measurement device of  claim 9 , wherein the predefined span distance range is between one and six inches. 
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 a package enclosing a heel protector, the heel protector comprising a leg engaging section having at least one fastener spanning a leg insertion aperture to engage a complementary fastener such that the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener define a circumference within a predefined range;   a measurement device, coupled to but separable from the package, the measurement device indicating whether a patient leg calf circumference will allow the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to define the circumference within the predefined range.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the measurement device is coupled to the package by a perforation, such that tearing the perforation separates the measurement device from the package. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , the measurement device further indicating, when the patient leg calf circumference fails to allow the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to define the circumference within the predefined range, whether a larger heel protector or a smaller heel protector would allow the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to define the circumference within the predefined range. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the measurement device is color-coded, with a first color identifying the larger heel protector would allow the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to define the circumference within the predefined range, and a second color identifying the smaller heel protector would allow the leg engaging section and the at least one fastener, when coupled to the complementary fastener, to define the circumference within the predefined range, wherein the first color and the second color are different. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a package enclosing a heel protector comprising a leg engaging section; and   a measurement device, coupled to but separable from the package, the measurement device indicating whether the leg engaging section will fit a patient leg calf;   wherein the measurement device is separable from the package without opening the package.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the measurement device is incorporated into a tab extending from a major face of the package. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a second package, the second package enclosing at least two packages enclosing heel protectors and comprising the measurement device.