SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY STABILIZING THE CHEST WALL AFTER INJURY, FRACTURE, OR OPERATIVE PROCEDURES

• US 20160242992A1
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norman A. Paradis
• Original Assignee: Norman A. Paradis
• Inventors: Paradis, Norman A.
• Granted Patent: US 11,179,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/002 fixed on the chest by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5087 Flow rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/405 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/655 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/02 "Iron-lungs" , i.e. involving chest expansion by applying underpressure thereon, whether or not combined with gas breathing means
• 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 method for treating chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, flail chest injuries or surgical incisions. The method comprising creating a localized airtight compartment external to the chest wall and fully covering the area of injury, varying the pressure within the compartment, and providing dynamic real-time counter forces that act reciprocal to the intrathoracic pressure changes that occur during ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has the capability of sensing the patient'"'"'s chest wall motion created by ventilation, a pressure control component capable of varying the pressure within the airtight compartment such that it opposes pressure changes within the chest. Said apparatus would be particularly useful in preventing the paradoxical movement of flail chest injuries. The method would also lessen pain experienced by patients with thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and post operative suffering.

Claims

1. A method for treating chest wall injuries, the method comprising:

creating a localized airtight compartment external to the chest and fully covering the area of injury;

varying the pressure within the compartment real-time so as to provide a dynamic counterforce to the changes in intrathoracic pressure that occur during each ventilatory cycle.

2. A device as in claim 1 further comprising the real-time sensing of ventilation or chest wall motion and dynamic variation of the pressure within the localized airtight compartment in such a manner that the pressure within the airtight compartment opposes pressure changes within the chest.

3. A device as in claim 2 further comprising real-time sensing of paradoxical flail chest free-segment movement and dynamic variation of the pressure within the localized airtight compartment in such a manner that the pressure within the airtight compartment opposes such paradoxical motion.

4. A device as in claim 2 also incorporating an adherent material on the patient-side surface of the apparatus at its circumference such that an adherent airtight compartment is created between the frame and the thorax.

5. A device as in claim 2 also incorporating an adjustable bladder component on the patient-side surface of the apparatus at its circumference such that the airtight compartment may adjust to chest wall anatomy.

6. A device as in claim 2 also incorporating the capability of receiving input signals from other devices measuring ventilation or chest wall movement.

7. A device as in claim 2 in which the frame is adjustable so as to better configure to the shape of the chest wall.

8. A device as in claim 2 in which the power source is contained within the device in the form of a battery.

9. A device as in claim 2 in which the apparatus incorporates a patient side sensor capable of detecting or measuring paradoxical chest wall motion and incorporating that data in the variation of pressure within the airtight compartment.

10. A device as in claim 2 in which the controller may be adjusted by an operator based on the patient'"'"'s subjective sense of painful paradoxical movement.

11. A device as in claim 2 in which the controller is of the form of general purpose computer and algorithm capable of synthesizing inputs from the patient and operator so as to minimize paradoxical chest wall motion.