SUPRAPATELLAR EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION APPARATUS

• US 20100056850A1
• Filed: 09/03/2009
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Anthony Pickett, James Russell Lusk
• Original Assignee: David Anthony Pickett, James Russell Lusk
• Inventors: Lusk, James Russell, Pickett, David Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/006 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows for compressive stressing of a part of the skeletal structure, e.g. for preventing or alleviating osteoporosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5056 pneumatically controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0456 Supine
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/005 with feedback for the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/008 Supine patient supports or bases, e.g. improving air-way access to the lungs
• 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

An external counterpulsation apparatus has an efficient cuff and bladder system. Embodiments of this system generally allow effective treatment at lower pressures and a reduced total body surface area being compressed. An accurate and reliable combination of automatic and preset timing for inflation and deflation of the bladder system is used to simplify use of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A compression system for an external counterpulsation system, including:

compression members for compressing the body of a patient; and

retention members adapted to hold said bladders against the superior-posterior knee regions, the inguinal regions and buttocks but not the remaining portions of the legs and pelvic regions of the patient.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said compression members comprise inflatable bladders.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said compression members comprise electromechanical actuators.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said retention members comprise cuffs.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one said compression member and one said retention member are integrally formed.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one said compression member and one said retention member are comprise the same material.

7. A method for performing external counterpulsation, comprising:

providing an external counterpulsation apparatus having a plurality of activateable compression members, an energy source for activating said compression members, a physiological sensor and a compression member controller;

attaching said compression members to a patient;

sensing heart activity in said patient;

compressing said patient with said activateable compression members in synchrony with said heart activity;

wherein said compressing step comprises less than about 10 percent of the total body surface area of said patient.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said compression members each have a compression surface area of less than about 40 square inches and the total compression surface area of said compression members is less than about 240 square inches.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said compressing step comprises temporarily occluding the femoral veins of said patient at about the inguinal ligament.

10. A method of treating a patient, performing external counterpulsation on a patient without compressing the lower limbs below the knee.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein external counterpulsation is performed without compressing the patient above the buttocks.