A CUFF FOR PROVIDING COMPRESSION TO A LIMB

• US 20070049852A1
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swelling Solutions, Inc. (Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Inventors: Linnane, Patrick, Tabron, Ian, Bonnefin, Wayne, Boström, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 9,278,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/012 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1409 Hydraulic or pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• 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

A cuff for providing compression to a limb, the cuff comprising an outer wall joined to an inner wall to form a bladder, the bladder being provided with means to separate the walls to maintain a path for fluid flow into and out of the bladder characterised in that the separating means are a spacer provided on the interior of at least one wall, which separates the walls when the bladder is deflated.

Claims

1. A cuff for providing compression to a limb, the cuff comprising an outer wall joined to an inner wall to form a bladder, the bladder being provided with means to separate the walls to maintain a path for fluid flow into and out of the bladder characterised in that the separating means are a spacer provided on the interior of at least one wall, which separates the walls when the bladder is deflated.

2. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the inner wall of the bladder is provided with a spacer and the outer wall of the bladder is provided with a spacer which spacers abut when the bladder is deflated.

3. A cuff as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the spacer is in the form of an elongated, flexible strip welded to the bladder wall.

4. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the bladder walls are selectively welded to limit the inflation of the bladder in certain areas so that the pressure applied by the bladder is focused on selected areas of the patient.

5. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the bladder walls are welded to create elongate channels for the passage of air into and out of the bladder, the separating means being positioned in the channels.

6. A cuff as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the cuff is a foot cuff.

7. A cuff for providing compression to the foot, the cuff comprising an outer wall joined to an inner wall to form a bladder, and a spacer separating the walls when the bladder is deflated or constricted to maintain a path for fluid flow into and out of the bladder.

8. A channel for use in a compression device for connecting one or more bladders to each other or to a controller, the channel comprising an elongate outer wall joined to an elongate inner wall, the channel being provided with means to separate the walls to create a path for fluid to flow into and out of the channel and into and out of the bladder.

9. A channel as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the separating means to separate the walls are in the form of an elongate, flexible strip welded to the channel wall.

10. A channel as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the channel is connected to the bladder by welding.

11. A channel as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the channel is connected to the bladder by welding.

12. A channel as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the channel walls are made from the same material as the bladders.

13. A channel as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the channel walls are made from the same material as the bladders.

14. A channel as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that the channel walls are made from the same material as the bladders.

15. A channel as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that the channel walls are made from the same material as the bladders.

16. A channel for connecting one or more bladders to each other or to a controller in a compression device for providing compression to a limb, the channel comprising an elongate outer wall joined to an elongate inner wall, the channel being provided with means to separate the walls to maintain a path for fluid to flow into and out of the channel and into and out of a bladder.