Calf compression devices

• US 20050070954A1
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Johnson, Richard, Allaf, Nile
• Granted Patent: US 7,637,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/202
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1355 Automated control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/10 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2209/00 Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776

Abstract

There is provided a calf compression device for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis which comprises an inflatable cuff (100, 200) adapted to be wrapped around the whole or part of a calf of a human person and a pump(104, 204) capable of first inflating the cuff (2) and then deflating the cuff over a regular repeating cycle, said repeating cycle comprising rapidly inflating the cuff (100, 200) to a pressure of between 40 and 70 mm mercury above ambient, maintaining the pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, deflating the cuff (100, 200) over a period of 40 to 50 seconds and then repeating the cycle by rapidly inflating the cuff (100, 200) within 10 seconds of commencement of the cycle.

Claims

1. A calf compression device for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis which comprises an inflatable cuff adapted to be wrapped around the whole or part of a calf of a human person and a pump capable of first inflating the cuff and then deflating the cuff over a regular repeating cycle, said repeating cycle comprising rapidly inflating the cuff to a pressure of between 40 and 70mm mercury above ambient, maintaining the pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, deflating the cuff over a period of 40 to 50 seconds and then repeating the cycle by rapidly inflating the cuff within 10 seconds of commencement of the cycle.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cuff is rapidly inflated within 5 seconds of commencement of the cycle.

3. A device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the cycle comprises deflating to 10mm mercury above ambient pressure.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cuff is inflated to a pressure of between 50 and 60 mm mercury.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cuff is maintained at the inflated pressure for between 11 to 14 seconds.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the cycle lasts for 50 to 70 seconds.

10. A kit which comprises a pair of devices as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8.

7. A method of reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis which comprises positioning an inflatable cuff around a calf, rapidly inflating the cuff to a pressure of between 40 and 70 mm mercury, maintaining the pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, and deflating the cuff over a period of 40 to 50 seconds.

8. A portable device for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis which comprises an inflatable cuff adapted to be wrapped around the whole or part of a calf of a human person, a pump and a battery for the pump, said pump capable of first inflating the cuff and then deflating the cuff over a regular repeating cycle, said repeating cycle comprising rapidly inflating the cuff to a pressure of between 40 and 70 mm mercury, maintaining the pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, deflating the cuff over a period of 40 to 50 seconds and then repeating the cycle by rapidly inflating the cuff within 10 seconds of commencement of the cycle.

9. (canceled).

11. (canceled).