Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPRESSION APPARATUS
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of vascular therapy for
application to a limb of a body, and more particularly, to a compression
apparatus having
removable portions.
2. Description of the Related Art
A major concern for immobile patients and persons alike are medical conditions
that
form clots in the blood, such as, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and peripheral
edema. Such
patients and persons include those undergoing surgery, anesthesia, extended
periods of bed
rest, etc. These blood clotting conditions generally occur in the deep veins
of the lower
extremities and/or pelvis. These veins, such as the iliac, femoral, popiteal
and tibial return
deoxygenated to the heart. For example, when blood circulation in these veins
is retarded
due to illness, injury or inactivity, there is a tendency for blood to
accumulate or pool. A
static pool of blood is ideal for clot formations. A major risk associated
with this condition
is interference with cardiovascular circulation. Most seriously, a fragment of
the blood clot
can break loose and migrate. A pulmonary emboli can form blocking a main
pulmonary
artery, which may be life threatening.
The conditions and resulting risks associated with patient immobility may be
controlled or alleviated by applying intermittent pressure to a patient's
limb, such as, for
example, a leg to assist in blood circulation. Known devices have been
employed to assist
in blood circulation, such as, one piece pads and compression boots. See, for
example, U.S.
Patent Nos. 6,290,662 and 6,494,852.
For example, sequential compression devices have been used, which consist of
an
air pump connected to a disposable wraparound pad by a series of air tubes.
The
wraparound pad is placed around the patient's leg. Air is then forced into
different parts of
the wraparound pad in sequence, creating pressure around the calves and
improving venous
return.
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These known devices may suffer from various drawbacks due to their bulk and
cumbersome nature of use. These drawbacks reduce comfort, compliance and may
disadvantageously prevent mobility of the patient as recovery progresses after
surgery.
Therefore, it would be desirable to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks
of the prior art with a prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus that
reduces bulk
and is not cumbersome during use to improve comfort and compliance to a
patient. It
would be desirable if the prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus
includes a
removable portion to achieve the advantages of the present disclosure. It
would be
highly desirable if the prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus has a
valve
connector that facilitates quick disconnect from a pressurized fluid source.
It is
contemplated that the prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus is easily
and
efficiently manufactured.
SUMMARY
Accordingly, a compression apparatus is provided that reduces bulk and is not
cumbersome during use to improve comfort and compliance to a patient for
overcoming the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. Desirably, the
compression apparatus includes a removable portion to achieve the advantages
of the
present disclosure. Most desirably, the compression apparatus has a valve
connector
that facilitates quick disconnect from a pressurized fluid source. The
compression
apparatus is easily and efficiently fabricated.
The compression apparatus, in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure, includes a thigh length compression sleeve that converts to a knee
length
sleeve via tearing away or otherwise removing the thigh bladder and
disconnecting the
thigh bladder air supply line. In certain aspects of the present invention,
the thigh
bladder air supply line will remove easily along with the thigh bladder,
attaching at or
near the point where the thigh bladder is removed from the sleeve. This would
allow for
a single motion to accomplish both removing of the thigh bladder and the thigh
bladder
supply line. The convertible sleeve allows the patient to use a more
comfortable sleeve
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(knee vs. thigh) as risk for DVT decreases after surgery. This provides
practitioners
with various options while using a single apparatus.
In certain aspects of the present invention, the compression apparatus is
perforated for improved compliance and comfort with the patient during the
overall
length of time for wearing the apparatus. It is contemplated that the
apparatus can be
used with both nomadic and/or stationary compression systems. A pressurized
fluid
source continues to deliver pressurized fluid after removal of the valve. The
pressurized
fluid source can signal a high alarm if there are kinks in the tubing and a
low alarm if
there are leaks in the tubing. The compression apparatus is sequentially
activated by
increasing pressure through the tubes to correspond with the three portions of
the
sleeve. The distal end is the ankle bladder (high pressure), the proximal end
is the thigh
bladder (low pressure). The pressurized fluid source pumps air to the sleeve
in a 60
second cycle with 11 seconds being compression and the rest being
decompression.
In one aspect, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure,
there
is provided a compression apparatus comprising: a sleeve configured for
disposal about
a limb, the sleeve including a first portion defining a first expandable
chamber and a
second portion defining a second expandable chamber and a third expandable
chamber,
the second portion including a connector in fluid communication with a
pressurized
fluid source and the first expandable chamber, the second expandable chamber
and the
third expandable chamber thereby facilitating fluid communication between the
pressurized fluid source and the chambers, the first portion of the sleeve
being
removable from the second portion of the sleeve, and perforations in the
sleeve along
which the sleeve may be torn to remove the first portion of the sleeve from
the second
portion of the sleeve.
The first portion may be configured for disposal about a first part of the
limb
and the second portion is configured for disposal about a second part of the
limb. The
second expandable chamber may be disposed with the second portion for disposal
about a second part of the limb and the third expandable chamber is disposed
with the
second portion for disposal about a third part of the limb.
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Alternatively, the compression apparatus can include a variety of welds and
bladders forming a quilting effect. For example, the first, second and third
expandable
chambers can each define at least one sub-chamber.
The sleeve may define at least one ventilation opening. The at least one
opening
can include openings formed in a surface of the expandable chambers. The at
least one
opening may include a slit disposed between the second expandable chamber and
the
third expandable chamber.
The connector can communicate with the chambers via a tubular pathway. The
tubular pathway of the first expandable chamber may be removable from the
connector.
A pressurized fluid may be delivered to the chambers for expansion thereof in
a
sequential time interval such that, for example, the first expandable chamber
is
expanded, followed by (2.5 seconds later) the second expandable chamber,
followed by
(3 seconds later) the third expandable chamber to a total of 11 seconds from
the start of
the first expandable chamber. The chambers are then all simultaneously vented
to the
atmosphere.
In an alternate aspect, the compression apparatus includes a sleeve configured
to
wrap about a leg and defining a plurality of ventilation openings. The sleeve
includes a
thigh portion defining a first inflatable chamber having sub-chambers. The
sleeve
further includes a calf portion defining a second inflatable chamber having
sub-
chambers and an ankle portion defining a third inflatable chamber having sub-
chambers. The calf portion of the sleeve includes a valve connector that
fluidly
communicates both a pressurized fluid source and the chambers via a tubular
pathway
to facilitate inflation of the chambers. The thigh portion of the sleeve is
removably
connected to the calf portion of the sleeve via perforations in the sleeve
along which the
sleeve may be torn to remove the thigh portion from the calf portion, and the
tubular
pathway of the first inflatable chamber is removable from the valve connector
when the
thigh portion is removed from the calf portion.
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In an alternate aspect, the compression apparatus includes an expandable
sleeve
that is configured for disposal about a leg. The sleeve extends a length from
below a
knee of the leg to above the knee. The sleeve is convertible from the length
extending
from below the knee to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the
knee by
tearing a thigh portion of the sleeve from the calf portion of the sleeve. The
length of
the sleeve extending from below the knee to above the knee may include a first
portion
disposed about a thigh of the leg, the first portion being removable from the
sleeve. The
first portion may be connected to the sleeve via perforations.
In an alternate aspect, there is provided a compression apparatus comprising:
a
sleeve configured for disposal about a limb, the sleeve including a first
portion defining
a first expandable chamber and a second portion defining a second expandable
chamber
and a third expandable chamber, the second portion including a connector in
fluid
communication with a pressurized fluid source and the first expandable
chamber, the
second expandable chamber and the third expandable chamber thereby
facilitating fluid
communication between the pressurized fluid source and the chambers, the first
portion
of the sleeve being removable from the second portion of the sleeve by
tearing, first
tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to the first
expandable
chamber, second tubing extending from the connector and fluidly connecting to
the
second expandable chamber, third tubing extending from the connector and
fluidly
connecting to the third expandable chamber, said first tubing comprising a
quick
disconnect port permitting easy removal of the first tubing from the connector
when the
first portion of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve,
said second
tubing and said third tubing remaining attached to the connector when the
first portion
of the sleeve is removed from the second portion of the sleeve.
In one method, the ankle bladder is compressed for 2'/2 seconds, the mid-
section
bladder is compressed for 2'/2 seconds and the proximal section bladder is
also
compressed for 2'/2 seconds. After the 11 th second elapses, all bladders are
vented
simultaneously. The thigh portion may be torn away, thereby converting from a
full leg
to a knee length. A ventilation slit is disposed on the back of the calf
portion. This
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dissipates heat, relieves itching and accommodates movement. A knit or hosiery
under
the compressive sleeve may be used.
In an alternate aspect, a method of performing compression on a limb of a body
includes the steps of providing a sleeve configured for disposal about the
limb, the
sleeve includes a first portion defining a first inflatable chamber and a
second portion
defining a second inflatable chamber and a third inflatable chamber, the
second portion
includes a connector in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source
and the
chambers thereby facilitating fluid communication between the pressurized
fluid source
and the chambers, the first portion is removable from the second portion;
disposing the
sleeve about the limb; delivering pressurized fluid to the first inflatable
chamber;
delivering pressurized fluid to the second inflatable chamber; delivering
pressurized
fluid to the third inflatable chamber; deflating the chambers; and removing
the first
portion from the second portion.
The steps of delivering may each be performed for a duration of 2.5 seconds.
The step of removing may include disconnecting the first inflatable chamber
from the
connector. The step of removing can include tearing the first portion from the
second
portion via a perforated attachment.
In an alternate aspect, a method of performing compression on a limb of a body
includes the steps of providing an expandable sleeve configured for disposal
about a
leg; disposing the sleeve about the limb such that the sleeve extends a length
from
below a knee of the leg to above the knee; delivering pressurized fluid to the
sleeve;
deflating the sleeve; and converting the sleeve from the length extending from
below
the knee to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the knee. The
step of
disposing the sleeve about the limb such that the sleeve extends a length from
below a
knee of the leg to above the knee can include a first portion of the sleeve
being
disposed about a thigh of the leg. The step of converting may include tearing
the first
portion from the sleeve.
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In another aspect, there is provided use of a sleeve for performing
compression
on a limb of a body, the sleeve configured for disposal about the limb, the
sleeve
including a first portion defining a first inflatable chamber and a second
portion
defining a second inflatable chamber and a third inflatable chamber, the
second portion
including a connector in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source
and the
chambers thereby facilitating fluid communication between the pressurized
fluid source
and the chambers, the first portion being removable from the second portion by
tearing
the sleeve along perforations in the sleeve.
In another aspect, there is provided use of an expandable sleeve for
performing
compression on a limb of a body, the expandable sleeve configured for disposal
about a
leg such that the sleeve extends a length from below a knee of the leg to
above the
knee, and is configured for conversion from the length extending from below
the knee
to above the knee, to a length extending solely below the knee by tearing the
sleeve
along perforations in the sleeve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present disclosure, which are believed to be
novel, are set forth with the particularity in the appended claims. The
present
disclosure, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with
further
objectives and advantages,
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may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in
connection with
the accompanying drawings, which are described below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one particular embodiment of a compression
apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a chamber of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a connector of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1
disposed
about a limb as well as a pressurized fluid source;
FIGS. 4C and 4D are perspective views of the apparatus shown;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4A-4D
whereby a tubular pathway of a portion of the apparatus is removed from the
connector;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 whereby
a
portion of the apparatus is removed;
FIG. 7 is a pressure versus time plot illustrating sequential compression of
the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of the compression apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The exemplary embodiments of the compression apparatus and methods of
operation disclosed are discussed in terms of vascular therapy including a
prophylaxis
compression apparatus for application to a limb of a body and more
particularly in terms of
a compression apparatus having removable portions. It is contemplated that the
compression apparatus may be employed for preventing and overcoming the risks
associated with patient immobility. It is further contemplated that the
compression
apparatus alleviates the conditions arising from patient immobility to prevent
for example,
DVT, peripheral edema, etc. It is contemplated that the compression apparatus
according to
the present disclosure may be attributable to all types of venous compression
systems,
including, but not limited to a prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus.
The term
"prophylaxis sequential" shall not be construed as limiting the general venous
compression
apparatus described herein. It is envisioned that the present disclosure,
however, finds
application with a wide variety of immobile conditions of persons and patients
alike, such
as, for example, those undergoing surgery, anesthesia, extended periods of bed
rest, obesity,
advanced age, malignancy, prior thromboembolism, etc.
In the discussion that follows, the term "proximal" refers to a portion of a
structure
that is closer to a torso of a subject and the term "distal" refers to a
portion that is further
from the torso. As used herein the term "subject" refers to a patient
undergoing vascular
therapy using the compression apparatus. According to the present disclosure,
the term
"practitioner" refers to an individual administering the compression apparatus
and may
include support personnel.
The following discussion includes a description of the compression apparatus,
followed by a description of an exemplary method of operating the compression
apparatus
in accordance with the principals of the present disclosure. Reference will
now be made in
detail to the exemplary embodiments and disclosure, which are illustrated with
the
accompanying figures.
Turning now to the figures, wherein. like components are designated by like
reference numerals throughout the several views. Referring initially to FIGS.
1 and 2, there
is illustrated a prophylaxis sequential compression apparatus 10, constructed
in accordance
with the principals of the present disclosure. Compression apparatus 10
includes a sleeve
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12 configured for disposal about a limb, such as, for example, a leg L (FIGS.
4-6) of a
subject's body. It is contemplated that sleeve 12 and other parts of
compression
apparatus 10 may be disposed, wrapped, mounted, etc., with various limbs,
extremities,
etc. of a subject's body, such as, for example, legs, arms, etc.
Sleeve 12 includes a first portion, such as, for example, thigh portion 14
that
defines a first expandable chamber, such as, for example, first inflatable
chamber 16. A
second portion 18 of sleeve 12 defines a second expandable chamber, such as,
for
example, second inflatable chamber 20 and a third expandable chamber, such as,
for
example, third inflatable chamber 22. It is envisioned that the first portion
14 and the
second portion 18 may include one or a plurality of expandable chambers. It is
further
envisioned that sleeve 12 or portions thereof may be disposable.
Second portion 18 has a calf portion 24 that includes second inflatable
chamber
20 and an ankle portion 26 that includes third inflatable chamber 22. It is
contemplated
that the first portion and second portion 18 may be disposed about various
portions of a
subject's limb, according to the requirements of a particular vascular therapy
application. Ankle portion 26 includes a valve connector 64 in fluid
communication
with a pressurized fluid source 30 via valve connector 28 and tubing 62 (FIGS.
4C and
4D) and chambers 16, 20 and 22 via a fluid pathway including tubing, as will
be
discussed below (see, for example, the valve connector described in U.S.
Published
Patent Application Serial No. 20050184264, filed on February 23, 2004 and
entitled
Fluid Conduit Connector Apparatus. Tubing 62 is made up of three separate
tubes or
lumens 65A, 65B and 65C. This configuration facilitates fluid communication
between
pressurized fluid 30 and chambers 16, 20 and 22.
Thigh portion 14 is removable from second portion 18. For example, calf
portion 24 is removably connected to thigh portion 14 via a perforated
attachment 32,
as will be discussed. This removable configuration advantageously reduces the
bulk of
compression apparatus 10 via facile manipulation to increase comfort and
compliance
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to a subject. Compression apparatus 10 also provides a subject with increased
mobility. It is envisioned that sleeve 12 may include flexible sections, such
as, elastic
or spandex materials, disposed between the portions to facilitate mobility of
a limb
during use
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As best shown at FIGS. 1 and 2, sleeve 12 includes a top sheet 34 and a bottom
sheet 36 that are overlaid to form the sleeve. Top sheet 34 and bottom sheet
36 are fixedly
joined at seams that define inflatable chambers 16, 20 and 22. A seam 38
defines chamber
16, a seam 40 defines chamber 20 and a seam defines chamber 22. An edge 44
extends
beyond seams 38, 40 and 42 about sleeve 12. It is contemplated that sleeve 12
includes a
plurality of seams, disposed variously thereabout, that join top sheet 34 and
bottom sheet
36. It is further contemplated that the seams may be welded, sewn, formed by
adhesive,
heat sealed, etc.
Top sheet 34 and bottom sheet 36 are fabricated from materials suitable for
inflation
of chambers 16, 20 and 22, such as, for example, films and fabrics, such as
PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) and PE (polyethylene), depending on the particular vascular therapy
application
and/or preference. Semi-flexible and flexible fabrics, such as urethanes and
silicones may
also be used. Sleeve 12 may include separate structure that include chambers
16, 20 and 22
and are disposed with or mounted to sheets 34, 36. One skilled in the art,
however, will
realize that other materials and fabrication methods suitable for assembly and
manufacture,
in accordance with the present disclosure, also would be appropriate.
Sleeve 12 defines vent openings, such as, for example sleeve apertures 46 that
provide cooling to an adjacent portion of the limb of the subject. Sleeve
apertures 46 pass
completely through top sheet 34 and bottom sheet 36. This advantageously
improves
comfort to the subject during use. Sleeve 12 includes a weld portion 48 that
surrounds
sleeve aperture 46 to seal off the respective chamber from the aperture and
prevent fluid
communication therebetween. Sleeve 12 also includes vent holes 47 to provide
cooling. It
is envisioned that sleeve 12 may include a plurality of vent openings disposed
variously
thereabout.
A vent opening, such as, for example, vent slit 50 is disposed between
inflatable
chamber 20 and inflatable chamber 22. Vent slit 50 passes completely through
top sheet 34
and bottom sheet 36. The vent slit advantageously provides cooling to the
subject and
increases mobility of the calf and ankle during use. It is contemplated that
vent slit 50 may
extend various lengths.
Thigh portion 14 includes an axial line of spot welds 52 that define sub-
chambers 54
of inflatable chamber 16. Calf portion 24 similarly includes an axial line of
spot welds 54
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that define sub-chambers 56 of inflatable chamber 20 and ankle portion 26
includes
spot welds 58 that define sub-chambers 60 of inflatable chamber 22. It is
envisioned the
sub-chambers may be alternatively formed via a continuous weld, adhesive, hot
seal,
etc. It is further envisioned that welds 58 may be disposed in various
orientations to
create alternative configurations for the sub-chambers.
Valve connector 28 communicates with chambers 16, 20 and 22 via a fluid
pathway. The fluid pathway includes tubing 62 that connects valve connector 28
to
pressurized fluid source 30, which may include a pump (see, for example, the
controller
pump described in U.S. Published Patent Application Serial No. 20050187500,
filed on
February 23, 2004 and entitled Compression Treatment System. Pressurized fluid
source 30 may be stationary or portable. It is contemplated that pressurized
fluid source
30 may include the necessary electronics, computer software, etc. to carry out
vascular
therapy, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
Tubing 62 attaches to valve connector 28 via a coupler 64, as shown in FIG. 3.
Tubing 66 extends from valve connector 28 and fluidly connects to inflatable
chamber
20. Tubing 67 extends from valve connector 28 and fluidly connects to
inflatable
chamber 22. Tubing 68 extends from valve connector 28 and fluidly connects to
inflatable chamber 16. Tubing 68 includes a quick disconnect port 70. Port 70
attaches
with valve connector 28 and is easily removable to facilitate removal of thigh
portion
14 from calf portion 24. Tubing 62 and lumens 65A, 65B and 65C correspond with
tubes 67, 66 and 68, respectively. It is envisioned that valve connector 28
may be fixed
with sleeve 12, removable, tethered, etc. It is further envisioned that port
70 may be
fixed with valve connector 28 and tubing 68 is removable from thigh portion
14.
Sleeve 12 includes securing parts, such as, for example, hook and loop pads 72
mounted in an orientation for engagement with corresponding hook and loop pads
74.
Hook and loop pads 72, 74 enable secure mounting of sleeve 12 with leg L of a
subject.
It is contemplated that one or a plurality of securing parts that may be
variously
disposed about sleeve 12. It is further contemplated that the securing parts
may include
for example, clips, adhesive, pins, etc.
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Referring to FIGS. 4-7, compression apparatus 10, similar to that described
above, is
assembled, sterilized and packaged for use. In operation, compression
apparatus 10 is
provided and manipulated for disposal about leg L of the subject. Tubing 66 is
connected
with calf portion 24 and tubing 67 is connected with ankle portion 26. Tubing
68 is
connected to thigh portion 14. Tubing 66, 67 and 68 is connected to valve
connector 28,
which is connected with tubing 62 and pressurized fluid source 30 (FIGS. 4C
and 4D).
Therefore, the fluid pathway of compression apparatus 10 establishes fluid
communication
between pressurized fluid source 30 and chambers 16, 20 and 22.
Sleeve 12 is wrapped about leg L and secured thereto via hook and loop pads
72, 74,
discussed above, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Sleeve 12 extends a length from
below a
knee of leg L, via second portion 18, to above the knee, via thigh portion 14.
Compression
apparatus 10 is sequentially activated by delivering pressurized fluid to
chambers 16, 20 and
22 via the fluid pathway. In one embodiment and as shown at FIG. 7,
pressurized fluid
source 30 delivers air to sleeve 12 in a 60 second cycle including 11 seconds
in compression
and 49 seconds in decompression. Compressed air is delivered to inflatable
chamber 22 for
2.5 seconds. Then, compressed air is delivered to inflatable chamber 20 for
2.5 seconds.
Compressed air is then delivered to inflatable chamber 16 for 2.5 seconds.
Compression
apparatus 10 maintains inflation for several seconds until the 11`h second and
then chambers
16, 20 and 22 are deflated simultaneously. It is contemplated that this
sequential
compression may continue for a plurality of cycles, according to the
requirements of a
particular vascular therapy application. Other sequential compression cycles
are also
contemplated. It is envisioned that various forms of fluid may be delivered to
sleeve 12,
such as, for example, liquid, gases, etc.
After a desired period of time for sequential compression elapses, e.g.,
recovery
time, etc. pursuant to the requirements of a particular vascular therapy
application, thigh
portion 14 may be removed from second portion 18. Thus, sleeve 12 is
convertible from the
length extending from below the knee to above the knee, to a length extending
solely below
the knee. Sleeve 12 is manipulated such that thigh portion 14 is removed and
torn from calf
portion 24 via perforations 32, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Port 70,
connected to tubing
68, is easily manipulated to quick disconnect from valve connector 28, as
shown in FIG. 5B.
The remaining portion of sleeve 12, second portion 18 including calf portion
24 and ankle
portion 26, is stand alone and continues to operate as described above. This
converts sleeve
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12 from a full leg length apparatus to a knee length apparatus. Compression
apparatus
may be employed to completion of a desired vascular therapy application. Other
methods of use are also contemplated, for example, the thigh portion 14 may
not be
removed and remain with the sleeve 12.
5
As stated above, upon the optional removal of thigh portion 14, a user or
practitioner disconnects tubing member 68 and disconnect port 70 from
connector 28.
Connector 28 (and optionally disconnect port 70) is configured such that upon
separation of tube 68 from connector 28, a desired amount of fluid flow from
fluid
to source 30 is continuously achieved through the connector 28. Such continued
fluid
flow is desirable to maintain continuity with the pressurized fluid source 30.
That is,
fluid flow adjustments to the fluid source 30 need not be made if a user or
practitioner
decides to remove thigh portion 14 from the compression apparatus 10. Even
after
removal of thigh portion 14, the pressurized fluid source 30 will continue to
deliver the
same amount of fluid and pressure through tubing 65C into connector 28 and out
into
the atmosphere.
Referring to FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of compression apparatus 10 is
shown. Sleeve 12, similar to that described above, includes thigh portion 14
and a
second portion 118. Second portion 118 has a calf portion 124 and an ankle
portion
126 that include an inflatable chamber 122. Pressurized fluid source 30 (FIG.
1) fluidly
communicates with sleeve 12 via valve connector 28 and tubing 62 (FIG. 1).
Perforations 32 extend continuously from one boundary edge 198 to an opposite
boundary edge 199. Valve connector 28 fluidly communicates with chambers 16
and
122 via separate tubes 68 and 166, respectively, for employment similar to
that
described above, including the optional removal of thigh portion 14 via
perforations 32.
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the
embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the tear away and removable
features of
the instant compression apparatus 10 may be employed with other compression
apparatuses (see, compression apparatus described in U.S. Published Patent
Application
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Serial No. 20050187499, filed on February 23, 2004 and entitled Compression
Apparatus. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but
merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art
will
envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims
appended hereto.
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