Compression sequenced thermal therapy system
First Claim
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1. A method for contiguously providing compression therapy and thermal therapy to a patient, the method comprising:
- providing a blanket having a fluid bladder and an air chamber;
securing the blanket around an appendage of a patient such that the fluid bladder is in thermal contact with the appendage and the air chamber is disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder relative to the appendage;
compressing the fluid bladder against the appendage at a first pressure when the air chamber is deflated;
thermally conditioning a heat-transfer fluid to a predetermined temperature;
flowing the heat-transfer fluid through the fluid bladder to provide thermal therapy to the patient; and
selectively inflating and deflating the air chamber to compress the fluid bladder against the appendage at a second pressure greater than the first pressure while the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid is flowed therethrough.
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Abstract
A sequential compression and temperature therapy blanket with a plurality of air chambers is disclosed. The air chambers are filled and released by a valve assembly that may be separate from or integrated within the blanket. The temperature therapy blanket includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for contiguously providing compression therapy and thermal therapy to a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a blanket having a fluid bladder and an air chamber; securing the blanket around an appendage of a patient such that the fluid bladder is in thermal contact with the appendage and the air chamber is disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder relative to the appendage; compressing the fluid bladder against the appendage at a first pressure when the air chamber is deflated; thermally conditioning a heat-transfer fluid to a predetermined temperature; flowing the heat-transfer fluid through the fluid bladder to provide thermal therapy to the patient; and selectively inflating and deflating the air chamber to compress the fluid bladder against the appendage at a second pressure greater than the first pressure while the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid is flowed therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification