Compression sleeve convertible in length

• US 7,871,387 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2004
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bock, Malcolm, Tordella, Elise, Tesluk, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): DEMILLE, DANTON D
• Application Number:
  US10/784,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,521 Days
• Field of Search: 601148-152, 602/13, 602/78, 128/DIG.20, 2 7/0, 226/9, 137/614, 137/614.02, 137/614.03, 251/149.1, 285/124.1
• US Class Current: 601/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/34 Pressure pads filled with air or liquid valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1697 Breathability of the material
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint

Abstract

A compression apparatus is provided that includes a sleeve configured for disposal about a limb. The sleeve includes a first portion defining a first expandable chamber and a second portion defining a second expandable chamber and a third expandable chamber. The second portion includes a connector in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and the chambers thereby facilitating fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the chambers. The first portion is removable from the second portion. The first portion may be connected to the second portion via a perforated attachment. The sleeve may define at least one ventilation opening. The connector can communicate with the chambers via a tubular pathway. The sleeve may be convertible from a length extending from below a knee to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the knee.

Claims

1. A method of performing sequential compression on a limb of a body comprising the steps of:

providing a sleeve configured for disposal about the limb, the sleeve including a first portion defining a first inflatable chamber and a second portion defining a second inflatable chamber and a third inflatable chamber, the first, second and third inflatable chambers being arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve, the second portion including a connector in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and the first, second, and third chambers via a first tubing, a second tubing, and a third tubing extending from the connector to respective chambers, thereby facilitating fluid communication between the pressurized fluid source and the chambers, the first portion of the sleeve being removable from the second portion of the sleeve, and the first tubing being removable from the connector;

disposing the sleeve about the limb;

delivering pressurized fluid to the first inflatable chamber, the second inflatable chamber and the third inflatable chamber to inflate the chambers in a sequence for moving blood lengthwise of the limb;

completely removing the first portion of the sleeve from the second portion of the sleeve by tearing the sleeve along perforations in the sleeve at a location where the first tubing crosses the perforations;

removing the first tubing from the connector while leaving the second and third tubing connected to the connector; and

delivering a pressurized fluid to inflate the second and third inflatable chambers in a sequence for moving blood lengthwise of the limb after the first portion of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve and after the first tubing is removed from the connector.

2. A method of performing compression as recited in claim 1, wherein the steps of delivering are each performed for a duration of between 2.5 and 5.5 seconds.

3. A method of performing sequential compression on a limb of a body comprising the steps of:

providing an expandable sleeve configured for disposal about a leg;

disposing the sleeve about the limb such that the sleeve extends a length from below a knee of the leg to above the knee;

sequentially delivering, via a tubular pathway, pressurized fluid from a source of pressurized fluid to inflatable ankle, calf and thigh portions of the sleeve to move blood lengthwise of the limb of the patient, said tubular pathway comprising first tubing extending from a connector to the inflatable thigh portion of the sleeve, second tubing extending from the connector to the inflatable calf portion of the sleeve, and third tubing extending from the connector to the inflatable ankle portion of the sleeve;

deflating the ankle, calf and thigh portions of the sleeve; and

converting the sleeve from the length extending from below the knee to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the knee by tearing the sleeve along perforations in the sleeve at a location where the first tubing crosses the perforations to completely remove the thigh portion of the sleeve extending above the knee, and by removing the first tubing from the connector while leaving the second and third tubing connected to the connector, the perforations being configured such that the calf and ankle portions of the sleeve remain intact after the thigh portion is torn away to permit sequential inflation of the calf and ankle portions after said thigh portion of the sleeve is removed and after said first tubing is removed from the connector.

4. A method of performing compression as recited in claim 3, wherein the thigh and calf portions of the sleeve are connected by a flexible section of reduced width having a knee opening therein, and wherein said perforations extend across the flexible section at a location below the knee opening.

5. A compression apparatus for carrying out sequential compression vascular therapy on a limb of a patient, comprising:

a sleeve configured for disposal about a limb and having boundary edges,

the sleeve including a first portion defining a first expandable chamber and a second portion defining a second expandable chamber and a third expandable chamber, the first, second and third expandable chambers being arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to move blood lengthwise of the limb,

the second portion including a connector for fluidly connecting a pressurized fluid source to the first expandable chamber, the second expandable chamber and the third expandable chamber whereby fluid can be delivered from said pressurized fluid source to said chambers to carry out said vascular therapy,

the first portion of the sleeve being completely removable from the second portion of the sleeve,

perforations in the sleeve extending continuously across the sleeve from adjacent one boundary edge of the sleeve to adjacent an opposite boundary edge of the sleeve, said first and second portions of the sleeve being located on opposite sides of the perforation whereby the sleeve may be torn along the perforations to completely remove the first portion of the sleeve from the second portion of the sleeve while leaving the second portion of the sleeve intact for delivery of fluid from said pressurized source to said second and third expandable chambers arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to permit sequential compression vascular therapy on said limb after said first portion of the sleeve is removed,

wherein the connector communicates with the chambers via a tubular pathway comprising first tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the first expandable chamber, second tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the second expandable chamber, and third tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the third expandable chamber, and

wherein said first tubing extends from the connector across the perforations to the first expandable chamber.

6. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the first portion is configured for disposal about a first part of the limb and the second portion is configured for disposal about a second part of the limb.

7. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the second expandable chamber is disposed with the second portion for disposal about a second part of the limb and the third expandable chamber is disposed with the second portion for disposal about a third part of the limb.

8. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the first expandable chamber defines at least one sub-chamber.

9. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the second expandable chamber defines at least one sub-chamber.

10. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the third expandable chamber defines at least one sub-chamber.

11. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the sleeve defines at least one ventilation opening.

12. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one opening includes openings formed in a surface of the expandable chambers.

13. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one opening includes a slit disposed between the second expandable chamber and the third expandable chamber.

14. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a quick disconnect port permitting easy removal of the first tubing from the connector when the first portion of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve, said second tubing and said third tubing remaining attached to the connector when the first portion of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve.

15. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said connector comprises a valve for partially closing said quick disconnect port when the first tubing is removed from said connector such that fluid from said pressurized fluid source continues to flow from the port and said sequential compression vascular therapy is able to continue without interruption.

16. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the first and second portions of the sleeve are connected by a flexible section of reduced width having a knee opening therein, and wherein said perforations extend across the flexible section at a location below the knee opening.

17. A compression apparatus for carrying out sequential compression vascular therapy on a patient, comprising:

a sleeve configured to wrap about a leg and having boundary edges,

the sleeve including a thigh portion defining a first inflatable chamber having sub-chambers, the sleeve further including a calf portion defining a second inflatable chamber having sub-chambers and an ankle portion defining a third inflatable chamber having sub-chambers, the first, second and third inflatable chambers being arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to move blood lengthwise of the limb

the ankle portion of the sleeve including a valve connector for fluidly connecting a pressurized fluid source to the chambers via a tubular pathway, the pressurized fluid is delivered from said pressurized fluid source to said chambers to carry out said vascular therapy,

said tubular pathway comprising first tubing extending from the valve connector and fluidly connecting to the first inflatable chamber, second tubing extending from the valve connector and fluidly connecting to the second inflatable chamber, and third tubing extending from the valve connector and fluidly connecting to the third inflatable chamber,

the thigh portion of the sleeve being removably connected to the calf portion of the sleeve via perforations in the sleeve extending continuously across the sleeve from adjacent one boundary edge of the sleeve to adjacent an opposite boundary edge of the sleeve, said thigh and calf portions of the sleeve being located on opposite sides of the perforations whereby the sleeve may be torn along the perforations to completely remove the thigh portion from the calf portion while leaving the calf and ankle portions of the sleeve intact for delivery of fluid from said pressurized source to said second and third inflatable chambers arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to permit sequential compression vascular therapy on said limb after said thigh portion of the sleeve is removed,

wherein said first tubing extends from the valve connector across the perforations to the first inflatable chamber, and

wherein the first tubing of the tubular pathway is removable from the valve connector when the thigh portion is removed from the calf portion, and the second tubing and third tubing remaining attached to the valve connector when the thigh portion is removed from the calf portion to permit sequential inflation of said second and third inflatable chambers after said thigh portion of the sleeve is removed.

18. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the sleeve further includes a ventilation slit disposed between the second inflatable chamber and the third inflatable chamber.

19. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the thigh and calf portions of the sleeve are connected by a flexible section of reduced width having a knee opening therein, and wherein said perforations extend across the flexible section at a location below the knee opening.

20. A compression device as set forth in claim 19 wherein said first tubing extends from the connector over the perforations at one side of the knee opening.

21. A compression device as set forth in claim 19 wherein said first tubing is connected to the thigh and calf portions of the sleeve but is not connected to the ankle portion of the sleeve.

22. A compression apparatus for carrying out sequential compression vascular therapy on a patient, comprising:

an expandable sleeve configured for disposal about a leg, said sleeve having boundary edges, the sleeve extending a length from below a knee of the leg to above the knee, wherein the sleeve is convertible from the length extending from below the knee to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the knee by tearing an inflatable thigh portion of the sleeve completely away from inflatable calf and ankle portions of the sleeve along perforations in the sleeve extending continuously across the sleeve from adjacent one boundary edge of the sleeve to adjacent an opposite boundary edge of the sleeve, the perforations being configured such that the calf and ankle portions of the sleeve remains intact after the thigh portion is torn away to permit sequential inflation of the calf and ankle portions whereby sequential compression vascular therapy on said patient can be carried out after said thigh portion of the sleeve is removed, and

a connector on the calf or ankle portion of the sleeve communicating with the thigh, calf and ankle portions of the sleeve via a tubular pathway comprising first tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the inflatable thigh portion of the sleeve, second tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the inflatable calf portion of the sleeve, and third tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the inflatable ankle portion of the sleeve, and

wherein said first tubing extends from the connector across the perforations to the inflatable thigh portion of the sleeve.

23. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the thigh and calf portions of the sleeve are connected by a flexible section of reduced width having a knee opening therein, and wherein said perforations extend across the flexible section at a location below the knee opening.

24. A compression apparatus adapted for inflation and deflation by a pressurized fluid source for carrying out sequential compression vascular therapy on a patient, comprising:

a sleeve configured for disposal about a limb and having boundary edges,

the sleeve including a first portion defining a first expandable chamber and a second portion defining a second expandable chamber and a third expandable chamber, the first, second and third expandable chambers being arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to move blood lengthwise of the limb,

the second portion including a connector for fluidly connecting said pressurized fluid source to the first expandable chamber, the second expandable chamber and the third expandable chamber, the fluid being delivered from said pressurized fluid source to said chambers to carry out said vascular therapy,

perforations in the sleeve extending continuously across the sleeve from adjacent one boundary edge of the sleeve to adjacent an opposite boundary edge of the sleeve, said first and second portions of the sleeve being located on opposite sides of the perforations, the sleeve is torn along the perforations to completely remove the first portion of the sleeve from the second portion of the sleeve while leaving the second portion of the sleeve intact for delivery of fluid from said pressurized source to said second and third expandable chambers arranged with respect to each other lengthwise along the sleeve to permit sequential compression vascular therapy on said limb after said first portion of the sleeve is removed,

first tubing extending from the connector across the perforations and fluidly connecting to the first expandable chamber,

second tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the second expandable chamber,

third tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the third expandable chamber,

said first tubing comprising a quick disconnect port communicating with a fluid port in said connector permitting easy removal of the first tubing from a downstream side of the connector when the first portion of the sleeve is completely removed from the second portion of the sleeve, said second tubing and said third tubing remaining attached to the connector when the first portion of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve, and

said connector comprising a valve for partially closing said fluid port when the first tubing is removed from said connector, the fluid continues to flow from the fluid port and said inflation and deflation by said pressurized fluid source is able to continue without interruption.

25. A compression apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said valve is movable when the first tubing is removed from the connector to reduce fluid flow from the pressurized fluid source through said fluid port to a level approximating flow to said first expandable chamber prior to removal of the first portion of the sleeve from the second portion of the sleeve.

26. A compression device as set forth in claim 24, wherein the first and second portions of the sleeve are connected by a flexible section of reduced width having a knee opening therein, and wherein said perforations extend across the flexible section at a location below the knee opening.