SPRING-DRIVEN FOOT COMPRESSION SYSTEM

• US 20140316313A1
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avex, LLC
• Original Assignee: Avex, LLC
• Inventors: Mayer, Matthew J., Rill, Gerald B.
• Granted Patent: US 10,799,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/84
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/38 with power sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/146 provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/147 for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/005 Moveable platforms, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platforms for standing, sitting, laying or leaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0173 Means for preventing injuries
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/123 Linear drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/149 rotation-linear or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1664 linear
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5028 Contact activation, i.e. activated at contact with a surface of the user to be treated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5084 Acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/805 used as a control parameter for the apparatus

Abstract

Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to a portion of the human body. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the body. In this manner, prevention and/or treatment of various medical conditions may be achieved, for example restless leg syndrome, edema, plantar fasciitis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, venous insufficiency, wound care, and/or the like.

Claims

1. A foot compression system, comprising:

a retractable, non-bendable pressure pad;

a spring coupled to the pressure pad, the spring configured to move the pressure pad into contact with a foot; and

a mechanism coupled to the spring, the mechanism operable to move the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by storing energy in the spring,

wherein the foot compression system is completely contained within an item of footwear.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism stores energy in the spring at set time intervals that are pre-programmed within the foot compression system.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a latch configured to hold the spring in a compressed position and to release the spring to move the pressure pad.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a shaft, wherein the spring is disposed about the shaft, and wherein the shaft is configured to guide the spring during extension and compression of the spring.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply coupled to the mechanism, wherein the power supply is completely contained within the item of footwear.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising the item of footwear, wherein the footwear is configured with a flexible sole.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is an electric motor.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operable to determine whether a user of the system is walking, and wherein, responsive to input from the sensor, the pressure pad is not extended when the user of the system is walking.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the compression spring is configured with a variable pitch.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the compression spring is configured with a free length of between 5 mm and 30 mm, and wherein the compression spring is configured with a diameter of between 3 mm and 15 mm.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the compression spring is configured with a spring constant of between 9 pound-feet per inch and 14 pound-feet per inch.

13. A method, comprising:

extending, via a spring, a retractable, non-bendable pressure pad into contact a first time with the venous plexus region of a foot to apply pressure to the venous plexus region of the foot, wherein the pressure pad and the spring are both completely contained within an item of footwear;

holding the pressure pad in contact with the venous plexus region of the foot for a period exceeding a selected duration;

retracting, via an electric motor coupled to the spring, the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by at least one of compressing or twisting the spring; and

extending, via the spring, the pressure pad into contact a second time with the venous plexus region of the foot.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the extending the second time is responsive to an elapsed time from the retracting exceeding 15 seconds.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected duration is 1 second.

16. A method of treating or preventing a medical condition selected from a group comprising deep vein thrombosis, edema, restless leg syndrome, venous insufficiency, plantar fasciitis, pulmonary embolism, or a wound, comprising:

moving, by a spring, a pressure pad a first time to bring the pressure pad into contact with a portion of a human body to compress the portion of the human body;

moving, by a mechanism, the pressure pad a second time to bring the pressure pad out of contact with the portion of a human body to allow the portion of the human body to at least partially refill with blood;

moving, by the spring, the pressure pad a third time to bring the pressure pad into contact with the portion of the human body to compress the portion of the human body,

wherein the spring, the mechanism, the pressure pad, and a power source for the mechanism are located entirely within an item of footwear.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanism is an electric motor.

18. A foot compression system, comprising:

a retractable, non-bendable pressure pad;

a spring coupled to the pressure pad, the spring configured to move the pressure pad into contact with a foot;

an electric motor coupled to the spring, the electric motor operable to move the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by storing energy in the spring;

a latch configured to hold the spring in a compressed position and to release the spring to move the pressure pad; and

a power supply configured to supply electricity to the electric motor, wherein the foot compression system is completely contained within an item of footwear having a flexible sole.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a compressible pad top coupled to the pressure pad, the compressible top configured to compress upon contact with a foot; and

electrical components configured to control operation of the motor and the latch.