Methods and apparatus for adjusting blood circulation
First Claim
1. A method of forming a device used to increase blood flow and/or control body temperature in a mammal, comprising:
- forming a flexible body that has an internal region sized to substantially enclose at least a portion of an extremity of a mammal, wherein the method of forming the flexible body comprises;
sealably bonding a first portion of a first flexible compliant layer to a second portion of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the second portion forms;
at least a portion of the internal region; and
an opening that is configured to allow the portion of the extremity of the mammal to be positioned within the internal region through the opening; and
sealably bonding a manifold assembly to a region of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein the manifold assembly comprises a tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with the internal region;
disposing a second flexible compliant layer over a surface of the a first flexible compliant layer so that at least a portion of the second flexible compliant layer overlaps the portion of the first flexible compliant layer that forms the portion of the internal region; and
sealably bonding a first portion of the second flexible compliant layer to a third portion of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the third portion forms a fluid plenum that is disposed between the first flexible compliant layer and the second flexible compliant layer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes a pliant body element that is adapted to receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein, and then apply a pressure to a portion of the extremity when a pressure is provided to a region in which the extremity is positioned within the pliant body element. By evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed, a contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the pliant body element is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body element against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a device used to increase blood flow and/or control body temperature in a mammal, comprising:
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forming a flexible body that has an internal region sized to substantially enclose at least a portion of an extremity of a mammal, wherein the method of forming the flexible body comprises; sealably bonding a first portion of a first flexible compliant layer to a second portion of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the second portion forms; at least a portion of the internal region; and an opening that is configured to allow the portion of the extremity of the mammal to be positioned within the internal region through the opening; and sealably bonding a manifold assembly to a region of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein the manifold assembly comprises a tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with the internal region; disposing a second flexible compliant layer over a surface of the a first flexible compliant layer so that at least a portion of the second flexible compliant layer overlaps the portion of the first flexible compliant layer that forms the portion of the internal region; and sealably bonding a first portion of the second flexible compliant layer to a third portion of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the third portion forms a fluid plenum that is disposed between the first flexible compliant layer and the second flexible compliant layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming a device used to increase blood flow and/or control body temperature in a mammal, comprising:
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forming a flexible body that has an internal region sized to substantially enclose at least a portion of an extremity of a mammal, wherein the method of forming the flexible body comprises; sealably bonding a first portion of a first flexible compliant layer to a second portion of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the second portion forms; at least a portion of the internal region; and an opening that is configured to allow the portion of the extremity of the mammal to be positioned within the internal region through the opening; and sealably bonding a manifold assembly to a region of the first flexible compliant layer, wherein the manifold assembly comprises a first tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with the internal region, wherein the manifold assembly further comprises a second tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with a fluid plenum comprising a third portion of the first flexible compliant layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13)
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12. A method of forming a device used to increase blood flow and/or control body temperature in a mammal, comprising:
forming a flexible body that has an internal region sized to substantially enclose at least a portion of an extremity of a mammal, wherein forming the flexible body comprises; sealably bonding a first flexible compliant layer to a second flexible compliant layer, wherein a fluid plenum is formed between the sealably bonded first and second compliant layers; sealably bonding a manifold assembly to a region of the first flexible compliant layer and/or a region of the second flexible compliant layer, wherein the manifold assembly comprises a first tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with a fluid entrance portion of the fluid plenum; and a second tube that has a first end that is in fluid communication with a fluid exit portion of the fluid plenum; and sealably bonding a first portion of the first flexible compliant layer to a second portion of the first flexible compliant layer or a third portion of the second flexible compliant layer, wherein sealably bonding the first portion to the second portion or the third portion forms at least a portion of the internal region. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification