Compression apparatus

• US 20070135743A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Meyer, Ann
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/06 specially adapted for feet or legs; Corn-pads; Corn-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1697 Breathability of the material
• 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

A compression apparatus is described having a sleeve and an inflatable member disposed within the sleeve, the inflatable member being movable in relation to the sleeve. The compression apparatus includes a hook and loop features attached to the foot sleeve for securing compression apparatus to the feet.

Claims

1. A compression apparatus comprising:

a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and

single inflatable member disposed in the space and the member is freely movable or repositionable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers, for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a body.

2. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.

3. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.

4. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second layers includes a foot facing surface that is configured for wicking fluids.

5. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member includes a lumen for fluidly coupling the inflatable member to a pressure source.

6. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second layers is a cushioning layer.

7. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inflatable member is attached to one of the first layer or the second layers such that the unattached layer is movable in relation to the inflatable member.

8. The compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is further comprised of one or more inflatable bladders therein.

10. The compression apparatus of claim 4, wherein the foot facing surface is maintained in a substantially fixed engagement with a surface of the foot.

11. The compression apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strap portion includes a hook with a hook tab for releasably securing the strap portion to an outer surface of the compression apparatus.

22. A compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer secures an outer surface of the inflatable member to an inner surface of the first or second layer.

23. A compression apparatus of claim 22, wherein the single inflatable member is free of overlap when disposed on the body part of a patient.

24. A compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first layer or the second layer is a continuous surface and the layers are sealed along the perimeter to form the space therebetween.

25. A compression apparatus of claim 1, wherein a strap is attached to the inflatable member, and further wherein the strap is inflatable.

9. (canceled)

12. A sleeve apparatus comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer joined to the first layer and defining a space therebetween;

single inflatable member disposed in the space, the inflatable member including first and second surfaces, at least a portion of the second surface being attached to the second layer such that the first layer freely moves or is repositionable with respect to the first surface, for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a body.

13. The compression apparatus of claim 12, wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.

14. The compression apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first layer is configured for wicking fluids.

15. The compression apparatus of claim 12, wherein the inflatable member includes a lumen for fluidly coupling the inflatable member to a pressure source.

16. A system for applying DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient comprising:

a compression apparatus including first and second layers defining a space therebetween and single inflatable member disposed in the space, the compression apparatus having a deflated state and an inflated state, the inflatable member being movable or repositionable in relation to at least one of the first or second layers when the compression apparatus is in the inflated state;

a source of pressurized fluid; and

a lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable member and the source of pressurized fluid.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the source of pressurized fluid is a compressor.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first layer is configured for wicking fluids.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the inflatable member is attached to one of the first layer and the second layers such that the unattached layer is movable in relation to the inflatable member.

21. A method of treatment using a compression apparatus for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a body comprising the steps of:

providing a compression apparatus having single inflatable bladder freely movable or repositionable between a first and a second surface;

releasably securing the compression apparatus to a foot;

applying the compression apparatus about the foot;

supplying a compressed air supply; and

initiating a compression therapy using a controller for intermittently inflating the inflatable member sequentially during a periodic compression cycle in a pressure gradient profile.

26. A compression apparatus for providing DVT prophylaxis treatment comprising:

a first and a second layer defining a space therebetween, wherein the layers are sealed along the perimeter and the layers are a continuous surface; and

a single inflatable member disposed in the space and the member is freely movable or repositionable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers.