CN101232856A - A cuff for providing compression to a limb - Google Patents

Abstract

A compression device for the foot comprises outer wall connecting inner wall forming bladder, the bladder having device separated from the wall, so keeping path for fluid flowing in and out, characterize of it is separating mechanism is separator mounted on at least inside of one wall, when bladder run out of air, the wall is separated.

Description

Compression is provided to the hoop cover of limbs

The present invention relates to be suitable for the compressor of limbs, and relate more specifically to be applicable to the device on the foot.This device is particularly useful in the compression treatment of used kind in treatment vein foot ulcers or vein foot heel ulcer.

The various compressor that are used for compression pressure is applied to patient's limbs are known.Use the device of these kinds to mainly contain and help prevent venous thrombosis (DVT), angiopathy and reduce edema.The device of prior art is applicable in the hospital device that wherein they mainly are applicable to and prevent venous thrombosis among the patient (DVT), and above-mentioned patient has the high risk that increases the weight of DVT.US5117812, US5022387 and US5263473 (The Kendall Company), US6231532 (Tyco International Inc), US6440093 (McEwen etc.) and US6463934 (Aircast Inc) disclose this device.

Compression treatment is used in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.Above-mentioned treatment relies on compression to obtain the minimizing of edema and the blood via Venous system of improvement refluxes.Above-mentionedly reduce blood supply successively to holdup time of lower limb and the seriousness that reduces ischemic incident in the limbs that can cause tissue damage.

Can obtain the compression of foot by the compressor of inflation.Known devices is applied to the remainder of foot and limbs by thick and heavy hoop cover with pressure, and this hoop cover is bigger, heavy and entirely by driven by power.Known devices not only influences patient's mobility, and is aesthetic unacceptable for many patients.For example, this device can make can not wear usual footwear of patient and clothes, the above-mentioned patient of meaning be can not leave home and can not walk.In hospital device, owing to the patient mainly is limited on the bed, so these defectives are unconspicuous.

One of problem that exists in the process of aesthetic acceptable foot cuff is provided is that the supply aerated fluid is to the hoop cover.Formerly in the hospital device of technology, aerated fluid is fed to the hoop cover by pipe network, and does not consider that the patient is a mobility, the problem of wearing civilian clothes or wearing shoes.Even when hoop cover is in suitable position and makes that the patient can put on their shoes with air deflating state, because the path that shoes can be blocked the aerated fluid path, so shoes can hinder the hoop cover inflation in needing the pressure span.If supply fluid to for example arch of foot of foot with pipe, shoes can flatten or the above-mentioned pipe of knot and can cause pressure point on foot.

A problem of prior art apparatus existence is that the hoop cover is normally cylindraceous in addition, and pressure is applied on the whole surface of foot, even the above-mentioned patient of meaning can wear shoes and make hoop cover inflation, thereby the mobility of ankle joint reduces and makes difficulty in walking.

But the inflation compressor has the advantage that especially surpasses compression bandage really.They provide effective treatment, and when disappointing, disappointing one or more hoop covers are easy to apply to patient's foot, and easier control and monitoring pressure.In addition, they are without undergoing the influence of radius, and in above-mentioned radius, compression level depends on the limbs situation, and the ankle at the radius change place under binder produces high pressure and low pressure position like this.The effect of radius is to the restriction of elasticated binder and stocking is arranged substantially.In addition, it is difficult to elastic bandage pressure is applied to sufficient heel, and sufficient heel is the zone that ulcer takes place therein.With elastic bandage pressure is applied to heel and means when binder is applied to whole ankle joint with pressure, the mobility of ankle joint reduces.When the patient can not normally walk, above-mentioned reduction on mobility had weakened venous return.

Therefore, have the demand to foot cuff, it will bind round the cover applied pressure and focus on ulcer those zones in vogue, and the inflation of restricting collar cover in the zone around, and the patient can wear their usual shoes and clothes when inflating when hoop overlaps like this.In addition, also demand is fed to the device of foot cuff with aerated fluid, and inflation concentrates on some zone like this, and make the patient do not hinder under the situation that supplies fluid to the hoop cover mobile and wear usual shoes.Demand can make pressure apply in enough adaptive modes in addition, thereby by a kind of device various symptoms is treated.

We have invented a kind of device that is used for compression is applied to patient's foot now, by being provided, so a kind of device alleviated the problems referred to above, this device is applied to foot easily, pressure is concentrated on some zone of foot, it is low profile and light-weight, and has strict aerated fluid supply.An aspect of of the present present invention provides the compressor that is suitable for foot, comprising:

Be suitable for wrappage around foot, described wrappage comprises at least two bladders, it meets the foot shape so that pressure to be provided when inflation, bladder is positioned on the wrappage, such first bladder concentrates on pressure on the heel of foot, and second bladder concentrates on pressure on the arch of foot of foot;

Be attached to the pipeline of each bladder, so that fluid is transported to each bladder independently; And

Be attached to the controller of pipeline, described controller produces and independently controls to the fluid flow of bladder.

We have found that this device can provide following advantages, promptly under the situation that does not reduce mobility, pressure is applied to patient's sufficient heel and arch of foot.In addition, pressure can concentrate on ulcer sufficient heel area the most in vogue.Can operate this device in every way to meaning to the fluid independently supplying of two bladders and control.This adaptability makes provides the treatment of certain limit by this device, and allows a kind of device to treat various symptoms.

Can operate this device, can be same to each other or different to each other by sufficient heel bladder and arch bladder applied pressure like this, or can be identical or different with the relevant apparatus applied pressure.The pressure of for example sufficient heel bladder can be identical with the pressure of the bladder that is arranged in associated leg sleeve, and can be attached to it.

Preferably, controller comprises micro treatment control system and pump.Preferred, this device comprises at least one pressure transducer that is in the pipeline or is arranged in device, and the sensor provides the pressure reading that causes foot to stand owing to the inflation by the wrappage of controller control.

Wrappage comprise two or more can independent inflated bladder.Described bladder can be formed with its inwall that contacts foot in use by outer wall.Wrappage can comprise that bladder is fixed to its non-elastic fabric, and perhaps above-mentioned fabrics can form the outer wall of bladder.Preferably, bladder wall be elastic and by solder bond to wrappage.

Preferably, bladder is provided with and in use makes the isolating device of above-mentioned wall, thereby keeps fluid to flow into and flow out the path of bladder.Above-mentioned have a following advantages, i.e. the inflation of bladder can be confined to the foot area that need exert pressure, for example heel of foot and arch of foot, and can be restricted to and do not need the zone of exerting pressure, for example instep.Under this mode, the patient can move, and has mobility in ankle, and can wear their civilian clothes and shoes.

Above-mentioned segregation apparatus in the bladder can be the spacer that is provided with on the inside of at least one bladder wall.Because this device, there is no need to have and flow into the fluid supply in patient's shoes and cause pressure point or choked pipe.Above-mentioned spacer is preferably made by compliant material, and it is incompressible relatively, and extending to be formed for the fluid supply is entered the pipeline of bladder or outflow bladder.

Preferably be in not package status following time when wrappage, wrappage has the profile of gamma-form.The branch of Y is provided with the bladder that in use pressure is applied to sufficient heel, and another branch of Y is provided with the bladder that in use pressure is applied to the foot arch of foot.The wrappage of gamma-form can be opened to flat condition, makes that to be applied to foot enough easy, but this device of patient's independent utility like this.

The arch of foot of their foot is in place on the arch bladder in the branch (arch arm) of Y and the turnoff that their sufficient heel is placed into Y can be applied to foot with wrappage by the patient.The afterbody of Y can be wrapping on the foot top then, and another branch of Y (sufficient heel branch) is fixed to afterbody around sufficient heel parcel and by hook and loop fasteners.The free end of arch arm folds on the top of foot and is attached to sufficient heel branch and the afterbody of Y by hook and loop fasteners then.Preferably, sufficient heel bladder and arch bladder are near location, ramose cross point.

Optionally, in another embodiment, wrappage can comprise a ribbon securing member, is fastened on the foot into the wrappage of integral body, sufficient heel and the foot arch part.Foot can be inserted in this device, and belt is fastened on the instep.

Foot heel bladder preferably is divided into two parts, and it can connect and provide pressure in malleoli on the every side of sufficient heel and the zone between the heel string.This bladder can be permanently affixed on the position on the wrappage, maybe can reorientate so that the suitability of user's request is provided for independent patient.

Above-mentioned wrappage can be in conjunction with such as using at the compression cover that is suitable for lower limb described in GB 0307097.6 or the GB 0423410.0.When there being this cover period of the day from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m, wrappage can be whole maybe can be connected to it with it.Can be same to each other or different to each other by sufficient heel bladder and arch bladder applied pressure, perhaps can be identical or different with the pressure in the hoop cover of cover.

Foot heel bladder and/or arch bladder can be directly connected to the controller that produces and control fluid flow in the cover, perhaps can be connected to one of bladder of cover, and therefore are in the pressure identical with that bladder or are in different pressure.

Preferably, the pipeline that sufficient heel bladder and arch bladder is connected to cover or controller is that profile is low, and for example resists the pressure that the shoes by the wearer cause and collapse or knot.Pipeline can have the structure that is similar to bladder, and comprises outer wall and the inwall that is in the elongate straps form, and it is provided with and is used in use making the isolating device of above-mentioned wall, thereby produces the path from the fluid flow of cover or controller.Under this mode, collapse or the knot pipeline although press, segregation apparatus keeps being suitable for the path of fluid flow.Segregation apparatus in the pipeline can be identical with the segregation apparatus that uses in the bladder, and be preferably the flexible strip of the elongation narrower than channel wall width.

Channel wall is preferably by making with the bladder identical materials, and can be welded to the window of the bladder wall of cover or wrappage or hoop cover, is tightly connected thereby form.

Preferably there are the one or more independently pick offs that link to each other with each bladder, so that detect pressure from that bladder.Above-mentioned permission controller is accurately controlled the pressure in that bladder and the device, to meet predetermined pressure distribution.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides the hoop cover that is used for pressure is provided to limbs, hoop cover comprises and is attached to inwall to form the outer wall of bladder, and bladder is provided with spacer, thereby being used to make above-mentioned wall to separate to form is suitable for the pipeline that fluid flows into bladder and flows out bladder.

The advantage of hoop of the present invention cover is that segregation apparatus allows bladder to be shaped, like this be suitable for path that fluid moves can odd-shaped situation under, the compression that is produced by device can concentrate on ulcer those zones more in vogue.

Spacer is made by incompressible relatively material, and it separates above-mentioned wall, but can not make bladder or pipeline with pipe knot or flattening or be close on the shoes for example and the mode that can form obstruction forms obstruction.

Preferably, above-mentioned bladder wall optionally welds together, and the inflation of bladder is limited in the welding region like this, and above-mentioned welding region in use can contact foot does not need those parts of exerting pressure, for example, on instep or the apophysis source in sufficient heel.

Spacer preferably is arranged on the inside of at least one wall of bladder, and even preferred, spacer is arranged on the inwall of bladder, and spacer is arranged on the outer wall of bladder, when bladder loses heart, above-mentioned spacers abut.

Above-mentioned spacer allows aerated fluid to flow in the bladder, and has spacer and be structured in advantage on the bladder wall easily.Spacer is extending and be compliance, and bladder can be shaped like this, so that the elongation pipeline that is suitable for being connected to the device conduit to be provided.

In the 3rd embodiment, the invention provides the pipeline that one or more bladders is connected to each other or is connected to controller, above-mentioned pipeline comprises the elongation outer wall that is attached in the elongation, thereby above-mentioned pipeline is provided with the device that makes above-mentioned wall separation formation be suitable for fluid inflow pipeline and flow out pipeline.

Segregation apparatus is preferably the spacer on the inside that is arranged at least one wall of pipeline, and even be more preferably the spacer that is arranged on the pipeline inner wall, and be arranged on spacer on the pipeline outer wall, when bladder loses heart, above-mentioned spacers abut.

On relative wall, have spacer and mean that each spacer only need have half of on a wall single spacer thickness, yet still can obtain the same separation of above-mentioned wall.Above-mentioned pipeline or the bladder of making is submissiveer, and can contact when sliding over each other when spacer, makes the easier curved surface that meets of bladder and pipeline.

Above-mentioned spacer is preferably by making with bladder or pipeline identical materials, and it is wide and 0.4mm is thick to be preferably about 4mm, and is provided with in pairs.

Now with reference to accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the plan view of the wrappage of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the sufficient s heel portion of another embodiment of wrappage of the present invention;

Fig. 3 be level by the plane of patient's ankle joint on and the cross-sectional view strength seen from the top down, wherein the device of Fig. 2 is positioned on the foot, and the position of sufficient heel bladder is shown;

Fig. 4 is the perspective view that the wrappage of Fig. 1 is applied to the phase I of foot;

Fig. 5 is the perspective view that the wrappage of Fig. 1 is applied to the second stage of foot;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view that the wrappage of Fig. 1 is applied to the final stage of foot;

Fig. 7 is the cross-sectional view strength that the line A-A along Fig. 1 is got, and the segregation apparatus in the pipeline is shown;

Fig. 8,9 and 10 is to hang down the perspective view of profile air pipe line according to another embodiment of the present invention, and specifically illustrates the connection of pipeline to bladder.

Among Fig. 1, with plan view the wrappage of opening of the present invention is shown, the surface that wherein in use will contact foot is topmost.Wrappage (2) is generally gamma-form, and comprises first branch (4) that is provided with bladder (6), and it in use plays contact foot arch of foot, and second branch (8) that is provided with bladder (10), and it in use contacts sufficient heel.First branch (4) (arch arm) is provided with a part of hook and ring fastener material (12) in its end.Second branch (8) (sufficient heel branch) is provided with a part of hook and ring fastener material (14) in its end.Foot heel bladder (10) and arch bladder (6) still can be repositioned on the wrappage by purposes hook and ring fastener material near location, ramose cross point.

In the wrappage of Fig. 1, bladder is welded to the outer wall of wrappage by it and is welded to inwall (18, the 20) formation of outer wall.The aerated fluid that is generally air is fed to bladder by pipeline (22), and this pipeline (22) is formed by the spacer (23) that is positioned on the inner and outer wall, and when bladder during for air deflating state, above-mentioned spacer (23) adjacency is shown in the best among Fig. 7.

Pipeline (22) passes the turnoff among the Y and is stopped by adapter (24), and this adapter (24) is attached to conduit (not shown) and control unit.Optionally, pipeline can further continue elongation, and can be directly connected to controller.Shown in Fig. 5 the best, the afterbody of wrappage (26) is arranged on its outer surface with a part of hook and loop fasteners (28).

Fig. 2 illustrates the single band embodiment of wrappage of the present invention, and its mesopodium heel bladder (30) is whole with band (32), and it is fastened to device on the instep of foot.Foot heel bladder (30) is in the form of two coupling parts, by bladder pressure is applied on each side of rear portion shin calf ligament like this.Shown in 19 among Fig. 1, can obtain bladder (3) is separated into two parts by the inside of bladder and a series of welding of outer wall.Spacer is disposed in welding, so that the path that is suitable for fluid flow is provided.Arbitrary region at bladder or pipeline possibility knot or obstruction for example can be provided with similar spacer in the apophysis source.

In use, sufficient heel bladder (30) is applied to sufficient heel in the mode shown in Fig. 3 with pressure.Among Fig. 3, sufficient heel bladder (30) is shown is under the state of inflation, wherein pressure is applied on each side of sufficient heel.

Fig. 4,5 and 6 wrappages that illustrate Fig. 1 are applied to patient's foot.Fig. 4 illustrates the phase I of application, and wherein the patient is placed into the arch of foot of their foot on the arch bladder (6), sufficient heel is positioned at the turnoff of Y.Fig. 5 illustrates the second stage of application, and wherein the afterbody of Y (26) is wrapped on the foot instep, and mentions sufficient heel branch (8) and around the sufficient heel of foot, and securing member (14) contacts with securing member (28) on afterbody (26) outer surface like this.Fig. 6 illustrates the final stage of using wrappage, wherein sufficient heel branch (4) is folded on the foot, thereby makes securing member (12) contact with securing member (28).

Fig. 6 also illustrates adapter (24) and pipeline (22) location at the foot top, thereby allow conduit to be attached to wrappage, and need not downwards extend and arrive the pipe of arch bladder (6), and need not center on the pipe that the foot edge extend to sufficient heel bladder (10) along instep.Pipeline (22) has formed the reliable channel of fluid to bladder (6,10), can not cause pressure point, does not have the danger of knot or collapsible tube, and strict, is unconspicuous concerning pipe network with other like this.Pipeline (22) also allows the patient wearing their usual shoes.

The wrappage of Fig. 1 allows the mobility of patient in its ankle joint, and reason is that said apparatus does not limit the hinge of ankle joint or rotatablely moves.

Fig. 8,9 and 10 illustrate the embodiment that the present invention is in elongation pipeline 60 forms, wherein each channel wall 62,64 are provided with the separation band 66,68 that is attached to each wall inner surface, like this when wall 62,64 weld together when forming pipeline 60 their adjacency on their longer face.Pipeline 60 provides lower profile, and more discrete than conventional pipe.Lower profile means that flat channel can not produce the pressure point that contacts patient's limbs when for example wearing shoes.

As shown in Figure 8, for pipeline (60) is attached to bladder wall 69, make wall 62 shorter than wall 64, when wall welded together with formation pipeline 60, part wall 64 and band 68 were exposed like this.As shown in Figure 9, in order to expose pipeline inside, channel wall 64 is folded back over its top place.Channel wall 62 is in place on the bladder wall under the opening 73 69, and is welded to bladder wall 69 along its top edge 70.Channel wall 64 upwards folds on the opening 73 in the bladder wall 69, and on the throne around its free edge welding, shown in the line among Figure 10 72.Air pipe line 60 is solder-connected to bladder wall 69 to be provided than using conventional pipeline to be connected with the safer fluid of air adapter.

Though reference several preferred embodiments wherein shows the present invention and describes, can carry out various changes, deletion and increase to its form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. be suitable for compression is provided to the hoop cover of limbs, described hoop cover comprises the outer wall that is attached to inwall, to form bladder, described bladder is provided with and makes the isolating device of above-mentioned wall, thereby keep being suitable for the path that fluid flowed into and flowed out bladder, it is characterized in that segregation apparatus is arranged on the spacer on the inside of at least one wall, when bladder lost heart, it made above-mentioned wall separate.

2. hoop cover according to claim 1 is characterized in that the inwall of bladder is provided with spacer, and the outer wall of bladder is provided with spacer, when bladder loses heart, and above-mentioned spacers abut.

3. hoop cover according to claim 2 is characterized in that described spacer is in form elongation, flexible strip that is welded to bladder wall.

4. according to the described hoop cover of arbitrary aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that described bladder wall optionally welds, so that the inflation of bladder is limited in some zone, concentrate on patient's the selection area by the bladder applied pressure like this.

5. according to the described hoop cover of arbitrary aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that described bladder wall welding, to form the pipeline of elongation, so that air flows into and flows out bladder, described segregation apparatus is positioned in the described pipeline.

6. according to the described hoop cover of arbitrary aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that described hoop cover is a foot cuff.

7. be suitable for compression is provided to the purposes of spacer in the hoop cover process of foot in preparation, described hoop cover comprises the outer wall that is attached to inwall, to form bladder, when bladder loses heart or shrink, described segregation apparatus makes above-mentioned wall separate, thereby keeps being suitable for the path that fluid flowed into and flowed out bladder.

8. be applicable to that being used in the compressor is connected to each other one or more bladders or is connected to the pipeline of controller, described pipeline comprises the elongation outer wall that is attached to the elongation inwall, described pipeline is provided with and makes the isolating device of described wall, is suitable for the path that fluid flowed into and flowed out described pipeline and inflow and the described bladder of outflow thereby form.

9. pipeline according to claim 8 is characterized in that described segregation apparatus is form elongation, flexible strip that is welded to channel wall.

10. according to Claim 8 or 9 described pipelines, it is characterized in that described pipeline is connected by welding to described bladder.

11., it is characterized in that described channel wall is by making with described bladder identical materials according to Claim 8 to 10 described pipelines.

12. be suitable for compression is provided to the purposes that being used in the compressor of limbs is connected to each other one or more bladders or is connected to the pipeline process spacer of controller in preparation, described pipeline comprises the elongation outer wall that is attached to the elongation inwall, described pipeline is provided with and makes the isolating device of described wall, thereby keeps being suitable for the path that fluid flowed into and flowed out described pipeline and inflow and the described bladder of outflow.

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