Proximity detection apparatus

• US 20070249976A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swelling Solutions, Inc. (Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Inventors: Baker, Troy, Linnane, Patrick, Bergens, Thomas, Tabron, Ian, Wilson, Graham, Loof, Stefan, Tucker, Carl, Bonnefin, Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 10,092,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0134 Cushion or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0146 Mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• 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 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776

Abstract

A control unit for a medical device wherein the control unit comprises a pump, a conduit and control means for controlling the flow of fluid from the pump through the conduit; and wherein the conduit is a rigid internal passage located in the control unit.

Claims

1. A control unit for a medical device comprising a pump, a conduit and control means for controlling the flow of fluid from the pump through the conduit wherein the conduit is a rigid internal passage located in the control unit.

4. The control unit of claim 1 wherein the control unit comprises at least two conduits and a valve is located between the pump and each conduit.

5. The control unit of claim 4 wherein the rigid conduits form an air manifold in the control unit.

6. The control unit of claim 4, wherein the control unit further comprises a plurality of valves located between the pump and the conduits, the plurality of valves being arranged in a ranked structure.

7. The control unit of claim 6, wherein the ranked valve structure comprises a first rank latching valve connected to an external fluid source via the pump which valve when latched open in a first position allows fluid to flow to a second rank latching valve, which directs fluid flow between two conduits, said first rank latching valve when latched open in a second position allows fluid to flow to a further second rank latching valve which directs fluid flow between a further two conduits.

8. The control unit of claim 7, wherein each of the latching valves is located in the manifold of the control unit.

9. The control unit of claim 7, wherein the opening of a second rank valve in the valve structure permits the transfer of fluid between a first inflatable cell and a second inflatable cell in the device.

10. The control unit of claim 1, further comprising a portable battery as power source.

11. The control unit of claim 7, wherein a pressure sensor is located between each conduit and its latching valve.

22. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a processor.

2. A control unit assembly for a medical device comprising a control unit and a docking unit, the docking unit located on the medical device wherein

a. the control unit comprises a pump, a conduit and control means for controlling the flow of fluid from the pump through the conduit;

and

b. the docking unit comprises a detachable fluid transfer connector which connects the conduit to an inflatable cell of the device.

3. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the conduit is a rigid internal passage located in the control unit.

12. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the docking unit comprises a backing plate which carries the connectors and the control unit slides into connection with the backing plate to form a fluid tight seal between the connectors and the control unit.

13. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the medical device is a compression device for the limb comprising a sleeve with one or more inflatable cells.

14. The control unit assembly of claim 13, wherein the docking unit is located in a pouch on an outer surface of the sleeve which pouch receives the control unit.

15. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the device is adapted for use below the knee of a patient and comprises three inflatable cells located in the region between the knee and the ankle and two inflatable cells located in the heel and foot region.

16. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the medical device comprises at least two inflatable cells, each cell connected to a connector of the docking unit which in turn engages with a conduit in the control unit.

17. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the conduit in the control unit terminates in a connector able to engage the fluid transfer connector on the docking unit to form a fluid tight seal.

18. The control unit assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit, when assembled with the docking unit, is integrated into the outer contour of the device.

19. A control unit assembly for a medical device comprising a control unit and a docking unit, the docking unit located on the medical device wherein

a. the control unit comprises a pump, a conduit and control means for controlling the flow of air from the pump through the conduit;

and

b. the docking unit comprises a detachable air inlet connector which provides air to the pump, the connector being provided with a filter.

20. The control unit assembly of claim 19, wherein the docking unit comprises a number of connectors in addition to the air inlet connector detachably connected to a number of conduits in the control unit.

21. The control unit assembly of claim 19, wherein the connectors connect the conduits to inflatable cells of the device.