Compression therapy apparatus, systems, and methods

Abstract

A compression therapy apparatus for applying therapeutic compression to a limb includes a bandage having a trunk, a first end, a second end, and a compression line between the first end and the second end. The apparatus also includes a plurality of compression control members disposed on the trunk along the compression line. Each compression control member defines a compression zone and is adapted to independently control a therapeutic compression associated with the compression zone. The plurality of compression control members are configured to provide a substantially continuous compression profile along the compression line.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A compression therapy apparatus, comprising:
 a bandage comprising a trunk, a first end, and a second end; and   a plurality of compression control members disposed along the trunk between the first end and the second end, each of the compression control members defining a compression zone and adapted to independently control therapeutic compression associated with that compression zone, each of the plurality of compression control members comprising a tension member and a tensioner,   wherein the tension member is laced along the compression zone and is coupled to the tensioner, and   wherein the tensioner is operable to change tension in the tension member to control therapeutic compression.   
     
     
         36 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of compression control members are contiguously disposed on the trunk. 
     
     
         37 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the bandage is formed of neoprene. 
     
     
         38 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the first end comprises an aperture adapted to receive a limb, and the bandage is adapted to cover the limb. 
     
     
         39 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the bandage comprises a leg portion, an ankle portion, and a foot portion. 
     
     
         40 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the bandage comprises a leg portion, an ankle portion, and a foot portion, and a first of the compression control members is disposed on the leg portion, a second of the compression control members is disposed on the ankle portion, and a third of the compression control members is disposed on the foot portion. 
     
     
         41 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the tension member is formed of steel. 
     
     
         42 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein each compression control member comprises an indicator guide member. 
     
     
         43 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the indicator guide member is operatively coupled to the tension member. 
     
     
         44 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the compression zone extends circumferentially around the bandage. 
     
     
         45 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , compression control member further comprises a plurality of guide members coupled to the bandage. 
     
     
         46 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the tensioner comprises an axle and a gear having teeth configured to engage a pawl mounted to the bandage. 
     
     
         47 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the tension member is coupled to the axle of the tensioner and to each guide member, and wherein the tension member is configured to exert a force on the guide members causing compression of the bandage. 
     
     
         48 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein each of the plurality of guide members comprises a base portion configured to couple to the bandage and a receiving portion having a cavity and a post. 
     
     
         49 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the tension member is configured to engage the post and exert a force on the guide members causing compression of the bandage. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 35 ,
 wherein the tensioner comprises an axle and a gear having fasteners configured to engage a pawl mounted to the bandage;   wherein the compression control member further comprises:
 a plurality of guide members coupled to the bandage; 
 at least one indicator guide member coupled to the bandage and configured to indicate a compressive load applied by the bandage; the indicator guide member comprising:
 a base portion having an indicator cavity having a first end and a second end, a slot extending from a top portion of the base portion into the indicator cavity, and an indicator window positioned adjacent to the slot and extending from the top portion of the base portion into the indicator cavity, 
 a spring positioned in the indicator cavity, and 
 a receiving portion having a cavity and a post, the post disposed within the cavity and adapted to receive the tension member, the receiving portion further including a boss extending from a lower portion of the receiving portion parallel to the post, and a beam coupled to the boss and extending away from the receiving portion perpendicular to the boss, the boss and the beam disposed within the indicator cavity and an end of the beam configured to engage the spring; and 
 
   wherein, when the tension member exerts a force on the guide members, the spring is displaced in response to a therapeutic amount of compression to expose an indicator mounted to the bean in the indicator window.   
     
     
         51 . The compression therapy apparatus of  claim 35 , further comprising at least one pair of clip mechanisms coupled to the trunk and configured to adjust a circumference size of the bandage. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the pair of clip mechanisms comprise:
 a first clip mechanism having a plurality of fasteners coupled to a first edge of opposing edges of the bandage; and   a second clip mechanism having a plurality of fasteners coupled to a second edge of opposing edges of the bandage;   wherein the first clip mechanism is configured to engage the second clip mechanism to couple the first edge to the second edge along the trunk.   
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the pair of clip mechanisms comprise:
 a first clip mechanism having a plurality of fasteners coupled to a first edge of opposing edges of the bandage;   a second clip mechanism having a plurality of fasteners coupled to a second edge of opposing edges of the bandage;   wherein each fastener of the first clip mechanism and the second clip mechanism has a base portion, a connecting portion, and a distal portion, the base portion coupled to the edge, the connecting portion extending between the base portion and the distal portion and having a size less than the distal portion and the base portion to form a gap to receive a portion of a distal portion of a fastener of the clip mechanism; and   wherein the first clip mechanism is configured to engage the second clip mechanism to couple the first edge to the second edge along the trunk.   
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the bandage comprises a plurality of panels releasably coupled by the pair of clip mechanisms, each panel further coupled to an adjacent panel by an extender so that when the clip mechanisms are disengaged, the panels are separated by a width of the extender and when the clip mechanisms are engaged, the width of the extender is decreased.