Inflatable apparatus

• US 20050070828A1
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Huntleigh Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Huntleigh Technology PLC (Getinge AB)
• Inventors: Webster, Nathan, Hampson, David Mark, Schild, Rolf
• Application Number:
  US10/484,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20050070828A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/085 Openable readjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/012 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0092 Cuffs therefor

Abstract

A compression sleeve (1) comprises two sheets of laminated materials welded to form a number of airtight chambers (P1, P2 and P3) between the two layers. Restrictors (5 and 6) interconnect the chambers (P1, P2 and P3). Chambers (P2 and P3) also have orifices (8 and 9) of a predetermined size for exhaust of air to atmosphere. Chamber (P1) is provided with a conduit (14) connecting chamber (P1) to the pump (2). Compressed air is supplied to chamber (P1) by conduit (14). The compressed air inflates the subsequent chambers (P2, P3) through restrictors (5 and 6), giving a sequential rise in pressure to each chamber (P2 and P3). The orifices (8 and 9) to atmosphere, control the leak rate out of each chamber (P2, P3) and are sized to give a predetermined pressure gradient between chambers (P1, P2, P3). The pressure is lower in the successive chambers (P1, P2 and P3), varying the pressure from ankle to calf to thigh.

Claims

1. A compression sleeve comprising a series of inflatable chambers, the first of the chambers connected to a fluid source, each of the chambers of the series interconnected so that the chambers inflate sequentially with respect to time and pressure, and control means to control the inflation pressure and time in each of the chambers, the control means located within the sleeve.

2. A compression sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the chambers in the series has means to exhaust to air.

3. A compression sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chambers are interconnected to each other by restrictors

4. A compression sleeve as claimed in claim 3 wherein the restrictor includes a thin inflexible tube of sufficient length to give the required air flow restriction.

5. A compression sleeve as claimed in claim 1 wherein an anti-kink device comprises the restrictor having a “

shepherd'"'"'s crook”

shape.