Compression sleeve for use with a gradient sequential compression system

• US 6,080,120 A
• Filed: 03/15/1996
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Huntleigh Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beiersdorf-Jobst Incorporated
• Inventors: Sandman, Terry L., Bolam, Kenneth M., Peeler, Donald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US08/617,491
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 601/148-152, 606/202, 128/DIG. 20
• US Class Current: 601/152
• 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 compression system for applying gradient sequential compression of a patient'"'"'s limb and accelerating deep venous blood flow in the limb from a source of pressurized fluid is provided. The system includes a means for supplying a source of pressurized fluid, said source having a connector interface comprising at least one outlet port, a connector for providing a continuous fluid passageway between the source of pressurized fluid and a compression sleeve. The compression sleeve includes a pair of dimensionally stable, flexible sheets of fluid impervious material, said sheets comprising a thermoplastic film and a fabric applied together into a unitary sheet and means for securing the thermoplastic films of said sheets together along lines defining at least one inflatable chamber disposed longitudinally along the sleeve. A fitting is secured to one of the thermoplastic films of each chamber and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid for inflating the chamber. There is also provided a means for releasably securing the sleeve around the limb of a patient with the chamber encircling the limb.

Claims

1. An elongated sleeve for applying compressive pressures against a patient'"'"'s limb and accelerating deep venous blood flow therein from a source of pressurized fluid, comprising:

a pair of dimensionally stable unitary sheets sealed together along lines defining a plurality of chambers, wherein each of said unitary sheets includes a flexible sheet of thermoplastic fluid impervious material, wherein at least one of said unitary sheets has a fabric substantially laminated to the entire outside surface of the thermoplastic sheet, and wherein the lamination of the thermoplastic sheet and the fabric form a dimensionally stable unitary sheet that retains its shape during use;

a fitting secured to each chamber and adapted for releasable attachment to an individual tube of a multiple-tube connector in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, wherein each fitting is secured to a corresponding chamber so that said chamber is inflated exclusively through said filling by the individual tube of said multiple-tube connector; and

a fastener strip connected to said unitary sheets and comprising a plurality of hook-like elements,

wherein the laminated fabric is of a type to which the hook-like elements are capable of releasably fastening, so that the fastener strip and the fabric arc cooperative for releasably securing said sleeve around the limb of a patient with said plurality of chambers encircling the limb.

2. The sleeve for applying compressive pressures against a patient'"'"'s limb according to claim 1, wherein each chamber of said sleeve has a different internal volume.

3. The sleeve for applying compressive pressures against a patient'"'"'s limb according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a pair of opposed edges having an arcuate shape.

4. The sleeve for applying compressive pressures against a patient'"'"'s limb according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve has two chambers.

5. The sleeve for applying compressive pressures against a patient'"'"'s limb according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve has four chambers.

6. A compression system for applying gradient sequential compression of a patient'"'"'s limb and accelerating deep venous blood flow in the limb from a source of pressurized fluid, comprising:

a means for supplying a source of pressurized fluid having a connector interface comprising at least one outlet port;

a connector having a plurality of individual tubes for providing a continuous fluid passageway from said connector interface; and

a compression sleeve for providing a source of pressurized fluid comprising;

a pair of dimensionally stable unitary sheets scaled together along lines defining a plurality of chambers, wherein each of said unitary sheets includes a flexible sheet of thermoplastic fluid impervious material, wherein at least one of said unitary sheets has a fabric substantially laminated to the entire outside surface of the thermoplastic sheet, and wherein the lamination of the thermoplastic sheet and the fabric form a dimensionally stable unitary sheet that retains its shape during use;

a fitting secured to each chamber and adapted for releasable attachment to an individual tube of said multiple-tube connector in fluid communication with said source of pressurized fluid; and

a fastener strip connected to said unitary sheets and comprising a plurality of hook-like elements,

wherein the laminated fabric is of a type to which the hook-like elements are capable of releasably fastening, so that the fastener strip and the fabric are cooperative for releasably securing said sleeve around the limb of a patient with said plurality of chambers encircling the limb.

7. The compression system according to claim 6 wherein said chambers defined by the sheets occupy a majority of the sleeve but leave a sufficient portion to support a fastening area outside the area defining the chamber.