Systems and methods for applying reversed sequence pressure to control edema flow
First Claim
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1. A brace for applying therapy to a limb, comprising:
- a rigid outer shell, having an inner surface, adapted to be applied over proximal and distal sides of a limb about at least one joint, and a proximal bladder assembly including a plurality of inflatable fluid bladders attached to the inner surface of the rigid outer shell on the proximal side of the limb, and a distal bladder assembly including a plurality of inflatable fluid bladders attached to the inner surface of the rigid outer shell on the distal side of the limb.
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Abstract
The systems and methods described herein, include, among other things, orthopedic appliances and methods of applying therapy to limb of a patient for the purpose of reducing edema. In one aspect, the invention provides a therapy system that may be fitted over a patient'"'"'s limb about a joint for the purposes of treating limb injury by reducing or milking edema. In other aspects, the invention provides for systems and methods that may be adapted to provide intermittent massaging of lymph fluid through the lymphatic vessels in a direction toward the heart, which is toward the center of a patient'"'"'s torso and away from the patient'"'"'s affected limb.
97 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A brace for applying therapy to a limb, comprising:
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a rigid outer shell, having an inner surface, adapted to be applied over proximal and distal sides of a limb about at least one joint, and a proximal bladder assembly including a plurality of inflatable fluid bladders attached to the inner surface of the rigid outer shell on the proximal side of the limb, and a distal bladder assembly including a plurality of inflatable fluid bladders attached to the inner surface of the rigid outer shell on the distal side of the limb. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An inflatable bladder assembly for applying therapy to a limb, comprising:
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a bladder assembly positioned in the vicinity of an anatomical region of a limb and configured to apply pressure to the anatomical region, including;
a first inflatable bladder, a second inflatable bladder, positioned adjacent to the first inflatable bladder, and a third inflatable bladder, positioned adjacent to the second inflatable bladder, wherein the first, second and third inflatable bladders are positioned at least partially transverse to each other, and wherein a substantial portion of the distal end of the bladder assembly includes the first inflatable bladder and a substantial portion of the proximal end of the bladder assembly includes the third inflatable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of applying therapy to a limb, comprising:
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applying a proximal bladder assembly on a proximal side of the limb about a joint, applying a distal bladder assembly on a distal side of the limb about a joint, and applying compression to a limb by first inflating the proximal bladder assembly and then inflating the distal bladder assembly. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification