Headband with tension indicator

• US 20040221370A1
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hannula, Don, Mannheimer, Paul D., Coakley, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,698,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/181
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 20/00 Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A headband having a low stretch segment sized to fit around a wearer'"'"'s head, and an elastic segment being smaller than the low stretch segment, and having a free end and an attached end, where the elastic segment is attached at its attached end with the low stretch segment. The headband also includes a tab portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tab portion being connected with the free end of the elastic portion, the second end of the tab portion configured to form a closed loop with the low stretch segment, around the wearer'"'"'s head. The headband also includes visual indicator configured for monitoring the extended position of elastic segment and optionally a stop portion that is configured to engage against the elastic segment to limit its stretch. When having a stop portion, the tab portion also includes an indicator portion between its first end and the stop portion such that the indicator portion when visible indicates that the headband needs re-tightening; and when the indicator portion is not visible it indicates an adequate level of tension corresponding with delivering a pressure in the range higher than the venous pressure and lower than the capillary pressure to the forehead of the wearer.

Claims

1. A headband, comprising:

a low stretch segment sized to fit around a wearer'"'"'s head; and

an elastic segment being smaller than said low stretch segment, said elastic segment having a free end and an attached end, said elastic segment being attached at said attached end with said low stretch segment, said free end of said elastic segment configured to form a closed loop with said low stretch segment around a wearer'"'"'s head.

2. The headband of claim 1 further comprising a visual indicator, said visual indicator configured for monitoring the extended position of said free end of said elastic segment.

3. The headband of claim 2 wherein said visual indicator is a notch, a line, a marking, or a combination thereof on said low stretch segment.

4. The headband of claim 1 further comprising a stop portion, said stop portion configured to engage against said elastic segment to limit the stretch of said elastic segment.

5. The headband of claim 4 wherein said stop portion comprises an opening having a width that is smaller than the width of said low stretch segment and the width of said elastic segment.

6. The headband of claim 1 further comprising a closure mechanism configured to couple said free end of said elastic portion with said low stretch segment to secure said closed loop.

7. The headband of claim 6 wherein said closure mechanism is a hook and loop closure, a snap, a button, an adhesive, a pin, or a combination thereof.

8. The headband of claim 1 further comprising a tab portion having a first end and a second end, said first end of said of said tab portion being connected with said free end of said elastic portion, said second end of said tab portion configured to form a closed loop with said low stretch segment.

9. The headband of claim 8 wherein said tab portion is less elastic than said elastic portion.

10. The headband of claim 8 further comprising a stop portion, said stop portion configured to engage against said elastic segment to limit the stretch of said elastic segment;

and

wherein said tab portion includes an indicator portion between its first end and said stop portion such that said indicator portion when visible indicates that the headband needs re-tightening; and

when said indicator portion is not visible it indicates an adequate level of tension corresponding with delivering a pressure in the range higher than the venous pressure and lower than the capillary pressure to the forehead of the wearer.

11. A headband for applying pressure to an oximetry sensor on the forehead of a patient, comprising:

a low stretch segment sized to fit around a patient'"'"'s head;

an elastic segment being smaller than said low stretch segment, said elastic segment having a free end and an attached end, said elastic segment being attached at said attached end with said low stretch segment;

a tab portion having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tab portion being connected with said free end of said elastic portion, said second end of said tab portion configured to form a closed loop with said low stretch segment around a patient'"'"'s head;

a visual indicator configured for monitoring the extended position of said free end of said elastic segment;

a stop portion, said stop portion configured to engage against said elastic segment to limit the stretch of said elastic segment, said stop portion comprising an opening having a width that is smaller than the width of said low stretch segment and the width of said elastic segment; and

a closure mechanism configured to couple said second end of said tab portion with said low stretch segment to secure said closed loop.

12. The headband of claim 11 wherein said visual indicator is on said tab portion between its first end and said stop portion such that said indicator portion when visible indicates that the headband needs re-tightening;

and when said indicator portion is not visible it indicates an adequate level of tension corresponding with delivering a pressure in the range higher than the venous pressure and lower than the capillary pressure to the forehead of the patient.

13. The headband of claim 11 wherein said visual indicator is a notch, a line, a marking, or a combination thereof on said low stretch segment.

14. The headband of claim 11 wherein said closure mechanism is a hook and loop closure, a snap, a button, an adhesive, a pin, or a combination thereof.