Therapeutic compression apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic compression device for applying compression force to a patient. The device is constructed of multiple layers, at least two of which are fluid-tight. At least two fluid-tight layers define a fluid-tight chamber that has a smaller surface area than the overall device. Fluid supplied to the fluid-tight chamber causes compressive force to be exerted on a patient. Preferably at least one layer is a fluid permeable material. An additional layer of fluid permeable material may be also be added to ensure a fluid permeable barrier exists between the fluid-tight chamber and a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic wrap comprising:
 at least four layers, at least one of which is a larger layer having a surface area greater than the surface area than any other layer, wherein two of the layers are small layers of substantially the same size, each having a surface area that is less than the surface area of the larger layer, the small layers each being made of a fluid-tight material; wherein both of the small layers area fused to each other to create a fluid-tight chamber therebetween, and the fluid-tight chamber is also fused to the larger layer;   a fourth layer having a surface area less than the surface area of the larger layer and at least equal to the surface area of either small layer, the fourth layer being fused to any of the larger layer and the small layers such that it covers the fluid-tight chamber, the material of both the fourth layer and the larger layer being fluid permeable; and wherein the fourth layer is fused to any of the larger layer and the small layers by at least two separate seals such that fluid may pass between said fourth layer and said fluid tight chamber without passing thorough any of said seals, said small layers or said fourth layer; and   a port in fluid communication with the fluid-tight chamber.   
     
     
         2 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 1  wherein the at least two separate seals comprise a plurality of dot seals. 
     
     
         3 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one connector, said at least one connector being attached to the larger layer. 
 
     
     
         4 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 1  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         5 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 2  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         6 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 1  further comprising a hose extending from said port and at least one connector attached to a distal end of said hose. 
     
     
         7 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 3  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 6  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A therapeutic wrap comprising:
 at least four layers, at least one of which is a larger layer having a surface area greater than the surface area than any other layer, wherein two of the layers are small layers of substantially the same size, each having a surface area that is less than the surface area of the larger layer, the small layers each being made of a fluid-tight material; wherein both of the small layers area fused to each other to create a fluid-tight chamber therebetween, and the fluid-tight chamber is also fused to the larger layer;   a fourth layer having two sides a top and a bottom and having a surface area less than the surface area of the larger layer and at least equal to the surface area of either small layer, the fourth layer being fused to the fluid tight chamber such that it covers the fluid-tight chamber, the material of both the fourth layer and the larger layer being fluid permeable; and wherein the fourth layer is fused to the fluid tight chamber such that fluid may pass between said fourth layer and said fluid tight chamber without passing thorough any of said seals, said small layers or said fourth layer; and   a port in fluid communication with the fluid-tight chamber.   
     
     
         10 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  wherein said fourth layer and said small layers are of substantially the same size and shape. 
     
     
         11 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  wherein said fourth layer is fused to said fluid tight chamber by at least two seals extending along at least part of each side of said fourth layer. 
     
     
         12 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  wherein said fourth layer is fused to said fluid tight chamber by a plurality of dot seals. 
     
     
         13 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  further comprising a hose extending from said port and at least one connector attached to a distal end of said hose. 
     
     
         14 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  further comprising:
 at least one connector, said at least one connector being attached to the larger layer. 
 
     
     
         15 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 9  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 10  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         17 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 11  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 12  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         19 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 13  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber. 
     
     
         20 . A therapeutic wrap as in  claim 14  wherein at least one additional connection point is provided between said small layers, said at least one additional connection point fuses a portion of said small layers together to form at least one fluid pathway in said fluid-tight chamber.