Method of producing pressure for a multi-chambered sleeve

• US 4,793,328 A
• Filed: 02/19/1988
• Issued: 12/27/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Original Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Inventors: Dye, John F., Kolstedt, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/157,819
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 128/24 R, 128/40, 128/60, 128/64, 128/38, 128/39, 128/DIG. 10, 128/DIG. 20, 128/686, 128/205.26, 128/202.12, 128/28, 128/30, 128/30.2, 417/540, 425/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 601/150
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5053 mechanically controlled
• 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 128/10 Fluid amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

A method of compressing a multi-chambered sleeve which is normally wrapped about a patient'"'"'s arm, comprising pressurizing an accumulator from within the accumulator, opening a manifold arrangement in said accumulator in a timed manner to direct pressurized air to proper chambers in a multi-chamber sleeve.

Claims

1. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve which is wrapped about a patient'"'"'s limb, the method comprising the steps of:

pressurizing an accumulator housing with fluid;

providing a port assembly in said housing having an inlet arranged in communication with a conduit arrangement for pressurizing said multi-chambered sleeve;

sequentially opening and closing said port assembly inlet arrangement;

sequentially ducting pressurized fluid through said port assembly to said conduit arrangement for communications with said sleeve to pressurize the chambers of said sleeve.

2. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve as recited in claim 1, including:

rotating a pump within said accumulator; and

discharging said pump in said accumulator.

3. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve as recited in claim 2, including:

moving a stopper with respect to each of said conduits of said port assembly to permit the opening and closing thereof.

4. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve as recited in claim 3, including:

rotating a plurality of cam elements within said accumulator; and

following said cam elements with cam followers to permit the moving of said stoppers which open and close said conduits.

5. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve, as recited in claim 4, including:

detecting the position of said stoppers;

regulating the rotation of said cam elements responsive to said stopper detection.

6. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered sleeve as recited in claim 5, including:

dumping the pressurized fluid of said accumulator when the pressure therein reaches a predetermined limit.

7. A method of pressurizing a multi-chambered pressurizable sleeve which is wrappable about a patient'"'"'s limb, comprising the steps of:

pressurizing an accumulator housing with fluid under pressure by means within said housing;

sequentially discharging portions of that fluid under pressure through a conduit means to said chambers of said multi-chambered sleeve.

8. A method of pressurizing a pressurizable sleeve as recited in claim 7, including:

rotating a pump within said accumulator housing to bring fluid from outside of said housing;

discharging said pump in said accumulator housing;

housing a port assembly within said accumulator housing to effectuate the discharge of pressurized fluid from said accumulator housing.

9. A method of pressurizing a pressurizable sleeve as recited in claim 8, including:

timing the opening of conduits in said port assembly as to sequentially the portions of pressurized fluid from said housing accumulator.

10. A method of pressurizing a pressurizable sleeve as recited in claim 9, including:

closing said conduits in said port assembly in a timed sequential manner so as to stop the discharge of pressurized fluid from said accumulator housing.

11. A method of pressurizing a pressurizable sleeve as recited in claim 10, including:

governing the opening and closing of said port assembly conduits by a detector means.

12. A method of pressurizing a pressurizable sleeve as recited in claim 11, including:

dumping the pressurized fluid from said accumulator housing by a dump valve if the pressure within said accumulator exceeds a pre-set limit.