Lymphedema treatment system

• US 6,645,165 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2000
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Waldridge, Irene A., McKee, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US09/730,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20010018563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 601/41, 601/44, 601/148-152
• US Class Current: 601/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/08 Trunk
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/10 Leg
• 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 of body manipulation in furtherance of treating lymphedema is provided. A wrap, adapted to fit about a body extremity and having a trunk region, and limb regions, and a plurality of compartments distributed throughout the regions, is provided and applied to the body extremity. Each of the compartments of the plurality of compartments are capable of selective pressurization and depressurization. The body extremity is prepared for receipt of lymph fluid via a first pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, and lymph fluid is drained from the body extremity via a second pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of the regions of the wrap, whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated so as to promote readsorption of pooled lymph fluid within surrounding tissue.

Claims

1. A method of body manipulation in furtherance of treating lymphedema comprising the steps of:

a. providing a wrap adapted to fit about a body extremity, said wrap having a trunk region, and a limb region having a plurality of regions and a plurality of compartments distributed throughout said regions, each of the compartments of said plurality of compartments being capable of selective pressurization and depressurization;

b. applying said wrap to said body extremity;

c. preparing the body extremity for receipt of lymph fluid via a first pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of said regions of said wrap, said first pressurization and depressurization sequence beginning with said trunk region and proceeding to a distal limb region of said limb regions, said first pressurization and depressurization sequence including a consecutive pressurization and depressurization of each compartment of the compartments distributed throughout a limb region of the regions of said wrap beginning with a distal chamber of each limb region and proceeding to a proximal chamber thereof; and

d. draining lymph fluid from the body extremity via a second pressurization and depressurization sequence of select compartments within select regions of said regions of said wrap, said second pressurization and depressurization sequence beginning with said distal limb region of said limb regions and proceeding to said trunk region, whereby the lymphatic system is stimulated so as to promote reabsorption of pooled lymph fluid within surrounding tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second pressurization and depressurization sequence includes a consecutive pressurization and depressurization of each compartment of the compartments distributed throughout said selected region of the regions of said wrap beginning with a distal chamber and proceeding to a proximal chamber thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said limb regions are selected from the group consisting of foot, calf and thigh.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said limb regions are selected from the group consisting of biceps, forearm and hand.