METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING VENOUS ACCESS
First Claim
1. A method of venous access in a extremity of a mammal, comprising:
- positioning a portion of an extremity of a mammal in an internal region that is at least partially enclosed by one or more flexible walls;
evacuating the internal region to a pressure below atmospheric pressure to expose the portion of the extremity of the mammal to the pressure below atmospheric pressure;
adjusting the pressure in the internal region;
transferring heat from a thermal exchange unit to the portion of the extremity; and
injecting a fluid or removing blood from a vein or artery in the extremity that has been dilated or distended by the transfer of heat to the portion of the extremity and the exposure of the portion of the extremity to the pressure below atmospheric pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing vasodilatation and/or controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired vacuum pressure to the skin of the extremity of a mammal. In some cases it is also desirable to provide heat to regions of the extremity of the mammal to further dilate the veins or arteries in the patient. In some cases it is also desirable to apply a contact pressure to regions of the extremity of the mammal to improve perfusion of these regions. In one embodiment, the device includes a device that is adapted to rigidly enclose a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein so that a sub-atmospheric pressure can be applied to the mammal'"'"'s extremity, which is further discussed below.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of venous access in a extremity of a mammal, comprising:
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positioning a portion of an extremity of a mammal in an internal region that is at least partially enclosed by one or more flexible walls; evacuating the internal region to a pressure below atmospheric pressure to expose the portion of the extremity of the mammal to the pressure below atmospheric pressure; adjusting the pressure in the internal region; transferring heat from a thermal exchange unit to the portion of the extremity; and injecting a fluid or removing blood from a vein or artery in the extremity that has been dilated or distended by the transfer of heat to the portion of the extremity and the exposure of the portion of the extremity to the pressure below atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of venous access in a extremity of a mammal, comprising:
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positioning a portion of an extremity of a mammal over a heat exchange surface that has a convex shape, wherein the heat exchange surface and the portion of the extremity are disposed in an internal region that is enclosed by a body element; urging a portion of the extremity against the convex heat exchanging surface; evacuating the internal region to a pressure below atmospheric pressure to expose the portion of the extremity of the mammal to the pressure below atmospheric pressure; transferring heat from the one or more thermal exchange units to the portion of the extremity while the portion of the extremity is urged against the convex heat exchanging surface; and injecting a fluid or removing blood from a vein or artery in the extremity that has been dilated or distended by the transfer of heat to the portion of the extremity and the exposure of the portion of the extremity to the pressure below atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for improving venous access, comprising:
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a body element having one or more walls that enclose an internal region; an opening formed in the body element that is adapted to receive an extremity of a mammal and allow a portion of the extremity to be positioned within the internal region; a heat exchange surface that has a convex shape and is disposed in the internal region; one or more thermal exchanging units that are in thermal contact with the heat exchange surface; a fluid source that is in fluid communication with the one or more thermal exchanging units; and a pump that is adapted to control the pressure within the internal region to a sub-atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification