Self-contained compression device with pneumatic bladder and method

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for cyclically compressing the limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb. In one embodiment, a 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 to apply compressive pressure to the limb portion. At least one pneumatic bladder is positioned for distributing the compressive pressure over a surface of the limb portion.

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; and   a module operatively connected to and carried by the compressive section for cyclic expansion and contraction in generally radial directions with respect to said limb portion between a contracted condition in which the module has a first dimension for relaxing pressure on said limb portion, and an expanded condition in which the module has a second dimension greater than said first dimension for compressing the limb portion;   said module comprising the combination of at least one pneumatic bladder and at least one non-pneumatic mechanical device, said at least one non-pneumatic mechanical device being operable to apply a force in a generally radial direction with respect to said limb portion for moving said module toward its expanded condition to apply compressive pressure to said limb portion, and said at least one pneumatic bladder being positioned for distributing said compressive pressure over a surface of the limb portion.   
   
   
       2 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said non-pneumatic mechanical device comprises opposing platens and one or more springs between the platens for urging the platens away from one another. 
   
   
       3 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said compression device comprises an annular band having a pocket, and wherein the module is received in the pocket. 
   
   
       4 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the module is removable from the pocket for re-use with another disposable annular band. 
   
   
       5 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the module comprises a battery-powered pump for inflating the pneumatic bladder. 
   
   
       6 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said non-pneumatic mechanical device comprises opposing housing members defining an interior housing space, and a motor-operated actuator between the housing members in the interior housing space for moving the housing members away from one another to expand the module, said pneumatic bladder being located outside the interior housing space. 
   
   
       7 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said compression device comprises an annular band having a pocket, and wherein the module is received in the pocket. 
   
   
       8 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the module is removable from the pocket for re-use with another disposable annular band. 
   
   
       9 . A compression device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said mechanical device is seated on the at least one pneumatic bladder. 
   
   
       10 . A self-contained compression device for application to a limb of a patient for use in a compression therapy to improve blood flow to the heart, the compression device comprising:
 a compression section sized and shaped for extending generally circumferentially around a portion of the limb, said compressive section including a pocket;   a mechanical device in said pocket for cyclically applying compressive pressure to the limb portion;   a pneumatic bladder in the pocket for distributing said compressive pressure over a surface of the limb portion; and   a sensing device associated with the pneumatic bladder for sensing a characteristic of said compression therapy and for outputting a signal indicative of said characteristic.   
   
   
       11 . The compression device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said characteristic comprises one or more of the following: pressure of the contents of the bladder; temperature of the patient; pulse of the patient; blood flow of the patient; and oxygen level of the patient. 
   
   
       12 . The compression device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said mechanical device comprises a module operable for cyclic expansion and contraction in generally radial directions with respect to said limb portion between a contracted condition in which the module has a first dimension for relaxing pressure on said limb portion and an expanded condition in which the module has a second dimension greater than said first dimension for compressing the limb portion, the module comprising at least one non-pneumatic mechanical actuator operable to apply a force in a generally radial direction with respect to said limb portion for moving the module toward its expanded condition. 
   
   
       13 . A method of using a compression system to cyclically compress portions of a limb of a patient to improve blood flow in the limb, said compression system comprising a compressive unit having zones corresponding to different portions of a limb, and at least two modules each comprising a 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 module comprising the combination of at least one pneumatic bladder and at least one non-pneumatic mechanical device, said at least one non-pneumatic mechanical device being operable to apply a force in a generally radial direction with respect to said limb portion for moving said module toward its expanded condition, said method comprising the steps of:
 applying the compressive unit to a limb such that the compressive unit extends circumferentially around the limb and the zones of the unit correspond with said limb portions to be cyclically compressed;   operatively connecting the at least two modules to said compressive unit such that the modules are positioned in respective zones of the compressive unit with the pneumatic bladders of the modules adjacent respective limb portions; and   causing said housing members to move cyclically between said expanded and contracted positions for cyclically applying compressive pressure to said limb portions in a manner such that said compressive pressure is distributed over surfaces of respective limb portions by the pneumatic bladders.   
   
   
       14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of sensing the zone in which each module is located when the modules are positioned on the compressive unit. 
   
   
       15 . A method as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising synchronizing operation of the modules to cyclically compress the limb portions. 
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said operatively connecting step comprises removably connecting said at least two modules to said compressive unit. 
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said operatively connecting step comprises placing the modules in respective pockets of the compressive unit.