System for promoting the circulation of blood
First Claim
1. An apparatus for promoting circulation of blood through an extremity comprising:
- (A) an inflatable enclosure having a resilient flexible wall for covering at least a portion of the extremity and a deformable outer wall;
(B) fluid supply means for the enclosure for supplying a fluid flow to the enclosure to inflate the enclosure;
(C) retaining means for the enclosure outer wall for retaining the enclosure so that inflation of the enclosure applies pressure on the covered portion extremity;
(D) guide means positioned externally of the enclosure for confronting the outer surface of the outer wall of the enclosure cooperable with the fluid means to cause, during inflation of the enclosure, the outer wall to deform in a predetermined manner to form channel means internally of the enclosure throughout its length providing flow passages in the enclosure extending from the fluid supply means to selected distribution points within the enclosure to enable inflation of the enclosure substantially simultaneously throughout its length;
(E) exhaust means for said enclosure for exhausting fluid from the enclosure to reduce pressure on the extremity; and
(F) control means for the fluid supply means and the exhaust means for controlling the application of pressure on the extremity in a predetermined manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for promoting the circulation of blood through a patient'"'"'s extremity. An outer retaining garment confines and constrains an inflatable air bag around the patient'"'"'s extremity that is undergoing treatment. Compressed gas is supplied to and exhausted from the air bag to inflate and deflate the air bag in order to provide compression and decompression of the patient'"'"'s extremity. Flow passages in the air bag extend from the gas inlet to selected distribution points within the air bag to provide uniform inflation of the air bag substantially simultaneously throughout its length. The rate of compression and decompression of the patient'"'"'s extremity is controlled and phased to the patient'"'"'s heart beat in order to promote the circulation of blood through the extremity.
98 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for promoting circulation of blood through an extremity comprising:
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(A) an inflatable enclosure having a resilient flexible wall for covering at least a portion of the extremity and a deformable outer wall; (B) fluid supply means for the enclosure for supplying a fluid flow to the enclosure to inflate the enclosure; (C) retaining means for the enclosure outer wall for retaining the enclosure so that inflation of the enclosure applies pressure on the covered portion extremity; (D) guide means positioned externally of the enclosure for confronting the outer surface of the outer wall of the enclosure cooperable with the fluid means to cause, during inflation of the enclosure, the outer wall to deform in a predetermined manner to form channel means internally of the enclosure throughout its length providing flow passages in the enclosure extending from the fluid supply means to selected distribution points within the enclosure to enable inflation of the enclosure substantially simultaneously throughout its length; (E) exhaust means for said enclosure for exhausting fluid from the enclosure to reduce pressure on the extremity; and (F) control means for the fluid supply means and the exhaust means for controlling the application of pressure on the extremity in a predetermined manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for promoting circulation of blood through an extremity comprising:
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(A) an inflatable enclosure having a resilient flexible inner wall for covering at least a portion of the extremity, and an outer deformable wall; (B) fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means in said enclosure for receiving a fluid flow to inflate the enclosure, and for exhausting fluid from the enclosure; (C) retaining means for the enclosure outer wall for retaining the enclosure so that inflation of the enclosure applies pressure on the extremity and exhaustion of the fluid reduces pressure on the extremity; and (D) guide means positioned externally of the enclosure for engaging the outer surface of the outer wall of said enclosure during inflation of the enclosure for controlling deformation of the outer wall in a predetermined manner to form channel means within and along the length of the enclosure to provide flow passages in the enclosure extending from the fluid inlet means to selected distribution points within the enclosure, thereby enabling inflation of the enclosure substantially simultaneously throughout its length. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification