LEG CONSTRICTING APPARATUS

• US 3,826,249 A
• Filed: 01/30/1973
• Issued: 07/30/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur L. Lee, Milton M. Michaels
• Original Assignee: Arthur L. Lee, Milton M. Michaels
• Inventors: Lee, Arthur L., Michaels, Milton M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/328,133
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 128/24R,64,DIG.20,327
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/085 Openable readjustable
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

Leg constricting apparatus includes an air pressure control system for supplying air under pressure to inflatable sacs within a plurality of elastically extensible wrappings interlocked around the lower extremity of an immobilized patient to aid in the venous return of blood to the heart and to prevent thrombus formation. Each of the plurality of elastically extensible wrappings are hooked to adjacent wrappings in overlapping arrangement around the extremity for a suitable length therealong and surrounds an elastic stocking fitted firmly over the extremity. An air inflatable sac is sewn onto the outside end of each of the plurality of extensible wrappings which envelop the sacs in folds around the extremity. Compressed air supplied from an air pressure control system is fed by conduits to a cam actuated air valve for sequentially delivering compressed air at preselected timed intervals to inflate the sacs. The sequential intermittent supply of compressed air to each of the wrappings inflates and deflates the sacs therein exerting pressure against the elastically extensible wrappings to thereby exert rhythmic pressure upon the extremity and to constrict the muscles thereof. The rhythmic constriction of the extremity muscles squeezes the blood in the veins to aid the venous return of blood to the heart.

Claims

1. A leg constricting apparatus comprising, an elastic stocking adapted to be fitted on the extremity of a patient, a plurality of segments having a rectangular configuration with the longitudinal dimension greater than the transverse dimension, said plurality of segments longitudinally encircling the extremity in overlying relation with said elastic stocking, interlocking means for fastening together said plurality of segments in lapping arrangement for a suitable length along the extremity, a plurality of inflatable chambers secured respectively within said plurality of segments adjacent said elastic stocking, fluid control means for sequentially supplying fluid under pressure to each of said plurality of inflatable chambers at preselected timed intervals, and said chambers intermittently expandable upon the sequential delivery of fluid thereto so that pressure forces are continuously exerted upon the extremity to aid the venous return of blood from the veins of the extremity to the heart of the patient.

2. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes, each of said segments being fabricated of an elastically extensible woven cloth material providing for longitudinal extension thereof, and said inflatable chambers being laterally spaced in parallel relation on said segments along the extremity of the patient.

3. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes, each of said chambers positioned transversely on said segments.

4. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said inflatable chambers includes, an opening extending through said chamber, and an elbow tube protruding through said chamber opening and arranged in fluid communication with said chamber, said elbow tube extending transversely relative to said segment.

5. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said segments include, an intermediate section, terminal end sections at opposite ends of each of said segments, a buckle having a slidable cylindrical catch therein secured to said intermediate section, said inflatable chamber secured to said segment adjacent a terminal end section thereof, said segment applied to the extremity of a patient in folds around the extremity so that said chamber is enveloped between the overlapping folds of said segment, and one of said terminal end sections being held in frictional engagement between said buckle and said catch to retain said segment firmly around the extremity.

6. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said interlocking means for fastening together each of said plurality of segments includes, a plurality of hooks positioned transversely at opposite edges of each of said segments, said hooks on one segment arranged to securely engage the hooks of an adjacent segment so that portions of adjacent segments overlap to form an extensible wrapping around the extremity for a suitable length therealong.

7. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherin said fluid control means includes, a fluid compressor, a prime mover drivingly connected to said compressor so that fluid supplied to said compressor is compressed to a predetermined pressure therein, a fluid receiver, a check valve operable to maintain said predetermined fluid pressure being supplied to said air receiver, first conduit means for connecting in series said receiver with said compressor and said check valve interposed therebetween so that fluid under pressure is fed from said compressor to said receiver, a valve means for supplying fluid under pressure therethrough at preselected timed intervals, and second conduit means for connecting said fluid receiver to said valve means so that fluid under pressure is conveyed from said fluid receiver to said valve means.

8. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which said valve means includes, a plurality of conduits arranged to provide fluid communication between said valve means and said chambers of said segments, and said valve means operable to sequentially feed fluid under pressure to said chambers through said plurality of conduits at preselected timed intervals so that said chambers intermittently inflate and deflate to thereby exert in timed sequence continuous pressure upon the extremity.

9. A leg constricting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes, said plurality of elastically extensible segments arranged to rhythmically constrict the muscles of the extremity upon delivery of fluid to said chambers at preselected timed intervals to thereby aid the venous return of blood to the heart through the veins of the extremity.