Self-contained compression devicewith spring-biased housing members and method

Abstract

A self-contained compression device and related method for cyclically compressing the limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb. In one embodiment, the compression device includes a compressive section sized and shaped for extending around a portion of the limb for applying compressive pressure and a housing operatively connected to the compressive section. The housing includes first and second housing members movable relative to each other between contracted and expanded positions. A non-pneumatic mechanical actuator is provided in the housing for cyclically moving the first and second housing members from their contracted position to their expanded position. The housing members are spring-biased toward the contracted position.

1 . A self-contained compression device for cyclically compressing the limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb, the compression device comprising:
 a compressive section sized and shaped for extending generally circumferentially around a portion of the limb for applying compressive pressure to the limb portion;   a housing operatively connected to the compressive section, said housing including first and second housing members movable relative to one other between a contracted position in which the housing has a first dimension for relaxing pressure on said limb portion, and an expanded position in which the housing has a second dimension greater than said first dimension for compressing the limb portion;   a non-pneumatic mechanical actuator for cyclically moving the first and second housing members from said contracted position to said expanded position; and   wherein said housing members are spring-biased toward said contracted position.   
   
   
       2 . The compression device set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more springs for biasing the housing members toward said contracted position. 
   
   
       3 . The compression device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is located in an interior housing space defined by the housing members. 
   
   
       4 . The compression device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a prime mover and a cam movable by said prime mover for effecting relative movement between the first and second housing members. 
   
   
       5 . The compression device set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the cam is rotatable by the prime mover to contact an interior surface of one of said housing members to effect relative movement between said housing members. 
   
   
       6 . The compression device set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the prime mover comprises an electric motor. 
   
   
       7 . The compression device set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the electric motor is a reversible electric motor. 
   
   
       8 . The compression device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said compressive section comprises an annular band having a pocket sized and configured for receiving the housing and actuator. 
   
   
       9 . The compression device set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said housing and actuator are removable from the pocket whereby on termination of a compression therapy the band can be disposed and the housing and actuator re-used with a different disposable band. 
   
   
       10 . The compression device set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a force-distributing device in the pocket for distributing compressive pressure over the limb portion. 
   
   
       11 . The compression device set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said force-distributing device comprises a cushion. 
   
   
       12 . The compression device set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a control system for controlling the operation of said compression device, said control system comprising a device for indicating the amount of compressive pressure applied to the limb portion. 
   
   
       13 . The compression device set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the control system is responsive to the applied compressive pressure reaching a predetermined pressure to cause the actuator to cease further expansion of the first and second housing members. 
   
   
       14 . A self-contained compression device for cyclically compressing the limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb, the compression device comprising:
 an annular band sized and shaped for extending generally circumferentially around a portion of the limb for applying compressive pressure to the limb portion;   a pocket on the annular band;   a housing in the pocket, said housing including first and second housing members defining an interior housing space, said housing members being movable relative to one other between a contracted position in which the housing has a first dimension for relaxing pressure on said limb portion, and an expanded position in which the housing has a second dimension greater than said first dimension for compressing the limb portion, said housing members being spring-biased toward said contracted position; and   a non-pneumatic mechanical actuator in the interior housing space for cyclically moving the first and second housing members from said contracted position to said expanded position, the housing and actuator being removable from the pocket whereby on termination of a compression therapy the band can be disposed and the housing and actuator re-used with a different disposable band.   
   
   
       15 . The compression device set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising one or more springs for urging the housing members toward said contracted position. 
   
   
       16 . The compression device set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising a force-distributing device in the pocket for distributing compressive pressure over the limb portion. 
   
   
       17 . The compression device set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said force-distributing device comprises a cushion. 
   
   
       18 . A method of using a self-contained compression device to cyclically compress the limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb, said compression device comprising a compressive section sized and shaped for extending generally circumferentially around a portion of the limb for applying compressive pressure to the limb portion, and a housing operatively connected to the compressive section, said housing including first and second housing members movable relative to each other between a contracted position in which the housing has a first dimension and an expanded position in which the housing has a second dimension greater than said first dimension, said method comprising the steps of:
 applying said compression device to said limb such that said compressive section extends circumferentially around said limb portion;   cyclically activating a mechanical non-pneumatic actuator in the housing to move the housing members from said contracted position to said expanded position in a series of cycles to cyclically compress said limb portion; and   spring-biasing the housing members from said expanded position to said contracted position during said cycles.   
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising removing said housing from said compressive section after use of the compression device for disposition of the compressive section and re-use of the housing with a different compressive section. 
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  further comprising sensing a characteristic indicative of the pressure applied by said compression device to the limb.