Methods and apparatus for adjusting blood circulation

• US 9,308,148 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2007
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AVAcore Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: TherMatrx, Inc. (Endo International PLC)
• Inventors: Kane, John Roy, Christensen, Scott A., Hamilton, Nathan, Williams, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louis, LaToya M
• Application Number:
  US11/945,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,059 Days
• Field of Search: 601/1, 601/15, 601/16, 601/40, 601148-152, 601/155, 601/166, 606/98, 606/99, 606/104, 606/108, 606/111
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0242 by a fluid circulating in the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/025 by direct air flow on the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5071 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/065 Hands
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/12 Feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/50 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device

Abstract

A method and device for increasing blood flow by applying positive pressure to extremities of a mammal and/or controlling the temperature of the mammal. The device includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements capable of expanding and flexibly applying pressurized compression forces to the extremity of the mammal by attaching one or more pressure-applying gas plenums as close to the extremity as possibly. The flexible extremity device can be used independently or can be used in conjunction with thermal pads disposed to the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Alternatively, the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements can be manufactured into thermal pads.

Claims

1. A device for controlling body temperature of a patient, comprising:

a plenum having one or more walls that define an internal pressure region, wherein at least one of the one or more walls form an enclosed region that is on a side of the at least one wall that is opposite to a side on which the internal pressure region is disposed, and the enclosed region is adapted to receive a portion of a patient;

one or more thermal exchanging units that are disposed between the one or more walls and the portion of the patient;

a first device that is adapted to create a pressure above atmospheric pressure within the internal pressure region of the plenum to urge the one or more thermal exchanging units against a surface of the portion of the patient;

a vacuum pump that is coupled to the enclosed region of the plenum and is adapted to create a pressure below atmospheric pressure within the enclosed region; and

the device for controlling body temperature further comprising a third device that is in fluid communication with an internal region of an inflatable cuff which is positioned over a portion of the extremity, wherein the third device is adapted to adjust the pressure in the internal region of the inflatable cuff.