EP4633573A1

EP4633573A1 - Dynamic pressure soft tissue optimization device

Info

Publication number: EP4633573A1
Application number: EP23810174.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew J. Mcgregor; Jonathan G. REHBEIN; Javier Gonzalez; Jordan A. TRAXLER; Christopher J. Carroll
Original assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Co
Current assignee: Solventum Intellectual Properties Co
Priority date: 2022-12-15
Filing date: 2023-11-20
Publication date: 2025-10-22
Also published as: WO2024127117A1

Abstract

A soft tissue optimization device including a plurality of isolated chambers and a pump to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. Each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers includes a substantially flexible first surface, a second surface, a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface, and a fluidic opening disposed in the second surface. The pump is configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber. The pump controls the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers, and the dynamic fluid pressure may be changed within a range between a positive fluid pressure and a negative fluid pressure to deliver a therapy to the skin of the patient.

Description

DYNAMIC PRESSURE SOFT TISSUE OPTIMIZATION DEVICE

Summary

In some aspects of the present description, a soft tissue optimization device is provided, the soft tissue optimization device including a plurality of isolated chambers and a pump configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. Each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers include a substantially flexible first surface, a second surface, a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface, and a fluidic opening disposed in the second surface. The pump is configured to deliver the dynamic fluid pressure to the at least a subset of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber. The pump controls the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. The dynamic fluid pressure may be changed within a range between a positive fluid pressure (above an ambient pressure) and a negative fluid pressure (below an ambient pressure). When the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, the positive fluid pressure causes the check valve to close and the flexible first surface to expand outward against the skin of the patient, and the negative fluid pressure causes the check value to open and the flexible first surface to contract inward and create a pulling force on the skin of the patient.

In some aspects of the present description, a soft tissue optimization device is provided, the soft tissue optimization device including a plurality of isolated chambers and a pump configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. Each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers includes a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber. The pump is configured to supply the dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber. The pump controls the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. The dynamic fluid pressure may be changed independently for each isolated chamber within a range between a positive fluid pressure and a negative fluid pressure. When the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, a positive fluid pressure causes the flexible first surface to expand outward against the skin of the patient, and a negative fluid pressure causes the flexible first surface to contract inward in a direction substantially away from the skin of the patient.

In some aspects of the present description, a method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient is provided, the method including the steps of (1) providing a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers having a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber; (2) disposing the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers on the soft tissue of the patient; and (3) supplying a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers to provide an optimization therapy to the soft tissue of the patient. The dynamic fluid pressure of each isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers may be changed independently of each other isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers within a range between a first fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure and a second fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top, plan view of a soft tissue optimization device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views of a soft tissue optimization device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIGS. 3 A and 3B are side views of a soft tissue optimization device, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for a soft tissue optimization device providing a therapy to a skin of a patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide additional configurations of a soft tissue optimization device, in accordance with alternate embodiment of the present description; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart detailing the steps in a method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, ft is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present description. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

In areas of medical practice (e.g., sports medicine), acute soft-tissue injuries or fractures may be managed either operatively or non-operatively. In operative treatments (e.g., severe fractures), there is often a need for both pre-operative therapy (e.g., reduction of soft tissue edema to allow for earlier, safer surgeries) and post-operative therapy (e.g., the management of soft tissue edema to reduce swelling and pain to improve recovery). In non-operative treatments (e.g., minor fractures, sprains, strains, etc.), there may be a need to reduce edema to alleviate pain and to enhance the recovery process. Many of these needs remain unmet or ineffective using existing therapies. For example, a current standard of care for soft tissue injuries such as edema is a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injured area (also known as R.I.C.E, based on the first letter of each of the therapies involved). However, there is research which suggests that the R.I.C.E. approach is not the best approach and may even slow parts of the healing process. According to some aspects of the present description, a soft tissue optimization device that optimizes the recovery from soft tissue injuries is provided which relies on a number of isolated chambers which can be “inflated” and “deflated” using dynamic pressure control to provide a therapy to a soft tissue area. More importantly, the soft tissue optimization device described herein can, in some embodiments, rely on not just dynamic pressure control but specifically on the application of negative pressure to create a decompression therapy effect to achieve tissue distention and to facilitate the removal of fluid trapped in the soft tissue (releasing it back into the circulatory system). In some embodiments, a soft tissue optimization device may include a plurality of isolated chambers and a pump configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. In some embodiments, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers may include a substantially flexible first surface (e.g., an elastic wall of the isolated chamber), a second surface of the isolated chamber, a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface, and a fluidic opening (an opening into the isolated chamber through which a fluid such as air or water may pass) disposed in the second surface. In some embodiments, the flexible first surface may be the same surface as the second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface, and any other interior surface of the isolated chamber other than the flexible first surface, may be a substantially inflexible surface (e.g., a rigid or nonelastic wall or surface of the isolated chamber).

In some embodiments, the pump may be configured to supply the dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. In some embodiments, the pump may control the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers (e.g., the fluid pressure of each isolated chamber may be controlled separately). In some embodiments, the dynamic fluid pressure may be configured to be changed within a range between a positive fluid pressure (i.e., a pressure greater than an ambient pressure of the environment) and a negative fluid pressure (i.e., a pressure less than the ambient pressure). In some embodiments, when the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient (e.g., on a soft tissue injury) such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, the positive fluid pressure may cause the check valve of the corresponding isolated chamber to close and the flexible first surface to expand outward against the skin of the patient (i.e., applying a pressure against and into the soft tissue), and the negative fluid pressure may cause the check value to open and the flexible first surface to contract inward and create a pulling force (e.g., a decompression force) on the skin of the patient. In some embodiments, independently controlling each of the plurality of chambers may be used to provide a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, or any appropriate dynamic pressure therapy to the soft tissue of the patient.

The plurality of isolated chambers may take various shapes, arrangements, and forms appropriate to the requirements of different therapy techniques. In some embodiments, for example, the plurality of isolated chambers may be configured as a series of concentric chambers, such as a series of concentric rings (e.g., arranged like the zones on an archery target). In some other embodiments, the plurality of isolated chambers may be configured as an array of isolated chambers in an encompassing material (e.g., non-concentric, non-overlapping chambers contained within a block of foam). In some other embodiments, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers may be a substantially ring- shaped chamber and the plurality of isolated chambers may be configmed as a stack of ring-shaped chambers forming a “sleeve”, wherein in the sleeve is configured to encompass a limb of a patient (e.g., a sleeve wrapping a limb such as an ankle). In some embodiments, the soft tissue optimization device may further include an attachment layer 40 (e.g., an outer adhesive bandage, hook and loop strap, fabric ties, etc.) to attach the soft tissue optimization device to the skin of the patient. In some such embodiments, the attachment layer may provide a seal against the skin of the patient. For example, when the soft tissue optimization device has the form of a flat disk shape including a series of concentric chambers, an outer adhesive bandage larger than the soft tissue optimization device may be placed over the device (on a side opposite the side of the device facing the soft tissue of the patient) and hold the soft tissue optimization device against the soft tissue and the overlapping bandage extending beyond the perimeter of the soft tissue optimization device may adhere to the skin of the patient to create an environmental seal over and around the soft tissue optimization device.

In some embodiments, the dynamic fluid pressure is a dynamic air pressure (i.e., the pump controls a flow of air into and out of each isolated chamber to create either the positive pressure or the negative pressure within each chamber). In some embodiments, the dynamic fluid pressure is a dynamic liquid pressure (i.e., the pump controls a flow of water or another liquid into and out of each isolated chamber).

In some embodiments, the soft tissue optimization device may be configured to apply a therapy to an injury of the patient. In some embodiments, the therapy may be at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy, or a pre-determined pattern of positive and negative pressures. For example, a massaging therapy may be created by supplying alternating positive and negative pressures as a wave propagating across a set of neighboring isolated chambers (see, e.g., FIG. 4).

According to some aspects of the present description, a soft tissue optimization device may include a plurality of isolated chambers and a pump configmed to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. In some embodiments, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers may include a substantially flexible first surface 11 and a fluidic opening 18 disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber. In some embodiments, the second surface of the isolated chamber may be the same surface as the flexible first surface.

In some embodiments, each of the isolated chambers may include a check valve covering an opening in the flexible first surface. In some other embodiments, there may be no check valve or opening in the flexible first surface, and the dynamic fluid pressure may be increased to a positive pressure causing the isolated chamber to expand outward (at least in the flexible first surface) or may be decreased to a negative pressure causing the isolated chamber to contract inward (at least such that the flexible first surface is pulled toward the inside of the isolated chamber. In some embodiments, an adhesive may be applied between the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber and at least a portion of the skin of a patient (e.g., a soft tissue of a patient where therapy is to be applied). In some such embodiments, the adhesive creates a pulling force on the skin/soft tissue of the patient when a negative pressure is applied to the corresponding isolated chamber (causing the flexible first surface to contract, lifting the surface of the skin along with it. In other such embodiments, no adhesive is used, and the skin/soft tissue of the patient is simply allowed to expand up into the void created when the flexible first surface is pulled up away from the skin. In some embodiments, the plurality of isolated chambers may be configured as one of a series of concentric chambers, an array of isolated chambers in an encompassing material, and a stack of ring-shaped chambers forming a sleeve.

In some embodiments, the pump may be configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers. In some embodiments, the pump may feed into a manifold attached to each of the isolated chambers, wherein the manifold distributes air to each isolated chamber to which it is attached. In some embodiments, feed lines move fluid (e.g., a gas or liquid) from the pump into the manifold, or from the pump directly into each isolated chamber. In some embodiments, the pump may be configured to provide an independent and dynamic pressure to each of the isolated chambers (or some subset thereof) separately.

In some embodiments, the pump may be configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure within a range between a positive fluid pressure and a negative fluid pressure, and wherein when the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, a positive fluid pressure introduced within the corresponding isolated chamber causes the flexible first surface of the isolated chamber to expand outward against the skin of the patient, and a negative fluid pressure causes the flexible first surface to contract inward in a direction substantially away from the skin of the patient (and into the interior of the isolated chamber).

In some embodiments, wherein at least one surface (e.g., at least the second surface) of each isolated chamber other than the substantially flexible first surface is a substantially inflexible surface. In some embodiments, all surfaces of the isolated chamber other than the flexible first surface may be substantially inflexible.

For the purposes of this specification, the phrase “substantially inflexible” is defined to mean that the surface or object to which the phrase is applied is less flexible than the substantially flexible first surface. A surface or object which is “substantially inflexible”, as defined herein, may be rigid (substantially entirely incapable of flexing or moving from the application of a dynamic fluid pressure alone inside the isolated chamber), or merely semi-rigid (i.e., wherein a small amount of flexing occurs but which is substantially imperceptible to a human observer). A flexible surface may be an elastic surface, which may be bent or stretched or compressed by a force or a pressure, but which returns to its original shape after the force or pressure is removed. In more practical terms, as it relates to the isolated chambers described herein, a flexible surface will deform (e.g., contract in, expand outward) with the application of dynamic pressure, and an inflexible surface will substantially retain its shape with the application of a similar dynamic pressure. In some embodiments, a flexible surface as defined herein may be at least 2 times, or at least 3 times, or at least 4 times, or at least 5 times, or at least 10 times as flexible as an inflexible surface (e.g., if a scientific measurement of flexibility of each surface is performed producing a flexibility number in units such as, but not limited to, meters per newton).

In some embodiments, positive fluid pressure shall be defined as a fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure (e.g., an atmospheric pressure or local environment pressure), and negative fluid pressure shall be defined as a fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure.

In some embodiments, the soft tissue optimization device may be configured to apply a therapy to an injury of the patient. In some embodiments, the therapy may be at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.

According to some aspects of the present description, a method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient may include the steps of (1) providing a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers having a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber; (2) disposing the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers on the soft tissue of the patient; and (3) supplying a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers to provide an optimization therapy to the soft tissue of the patient.

In some embodiments, the dynamic fluid pressure of each isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers may be configured to be changed independently of each other isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers within a range between a first fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure and a second fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure. In such a manner, the plurality of isolated chambers may be used to provide an optimization therapy to the soft tissue of a patient. In some embodiments, the optimization therapy may be at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.

In some embodiments, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers may further include a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface. In some embodiments, the check valve may be configured to open when the second fluid pressure is applied to the corresponding isolated chamber, and to close when the first fluid pressure is applied to the isolated chamber.

In some embodiments the method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient may further include a step of applying an adhesive between the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers and at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient. In some embodiments the method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient may further include a step of applying an attachment layer to the plurality of isolated chambers to hold the plurality of isolated chambers against the soft tissue of the patient. In some such embodiments, the attachment layer may create at least a partial seal between the plurality of isolated chambers and the soft tissue of the patient.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a top, plan view of an embodiment of a soft tissue optimization device according to the present description. In some embodiments, soft tissue optimization device 300 may include a plurality of isolated chambers 10 and a pump 70 configured to supply an independent and dynamic fluid pressure (e.g., such as an air pressure) to each of isolated chambers 10. In some embodiments, pump 70 may supply the dynamic fluid pressure to each isolated chamber 10 through a manifold 20, which may distribute the dynamic fluid pressure as required and independently to each of isolated chambers 10 through a plurality of feed lines 30. In some embodiments, the plurality of feed lines 30 may be numbered so as to match the number of isolated chambers. For example, the embodiment of soft tissue optimization device 300 shown in FIG. 1 has 7 isolated chambers (shown numbered as 1-7), and, in some embodiments, soft tissue optimization device 300 may include at least 7 feed lines 30 (such that each isolated chamber 10 is supplied by a separate feed line 30 through manifold 20. In some embodiments, no manifold 20 is used, and each feed line 30 may be attached to and supply dynamic fluid pressure to a corresponding isolated chamber 10.

In some embodiments, an attachment layer (e.g., a covering bandage) 40 may be placed over the plurality of isolated chambers 10. For example, the dashed line in FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an attachment layer (i.e., a bandage) 40 which could be placed over the plurality of isolated chambers 10. In some such embodiments, attachment layer 40 may have an adhesive coating such that, when the attachment layer 40 is placed over the plurality of isolated chambers 10, a seal 55 is created between the attachment layer 40 and any underlying surface (e.g., the skin/soft tissue of a patient). See also FIGS. 2A and 3 A. (Attachment layer 40 is shown as a dashed line in FIG. 1 as it would be placed over the top surface of the plurality of isolated chambers 10 and possibly over manifold 20 and at least a portion of feed lines 30. In some embodiments, attachment layer 40 may also cover at least a portion of pump 70).

In some embodiments, attachment layer 40 may have other embodiments. In some embodiments, for example, attachment layer 40 may be a strap or tie which wraps around a limb of a patient, holding the soft tissue optimization device 300 against the soft tissue for which therapy is desired. Other embodiments of attachment layer 40 are also possible and this example is not intended to be limiting.

In the embodiment of soft tissue optimization device 300 shown in FIG. 1, isolated chambers 10 are configured as a series of concentric chambers. That is, the isolated chamber 10 which is numbered as 1 (this will be called chamber “10-1” for the purposes of this discussion) is a circular chamber that is inside isolated chamber 10-2, which is in turn inside isolated chamber 10-3, which is in turn inside isolated chamber 10-4, and so on. In such an embodiment, the fluid pressure as seen within each isolated chamber 10 may be controlled independently to create a specific optimization therapy to the soft tissue to which the soft tissue optimization device 300 is attached.

For example, turning briefly to FIG. 4, an example timing diagram is shown. In the timing diagram of FIG. 4, each row of the FIG. represents a state of the pressures within each isolated chamber for a specific period of time. For example, the top row of FIG. 4 shows the state of each of the seven chambers of FIG. 1 (as seen here from a cross-sectional, side view) from a period from a starting time tl to a second time t2 (e.g., tl to t2 may represent a 30-second time period). In this time period (t 1 -t2), a positive pressure 10+ may be applied to isolated chamber 10-1, while a negative pressure 10- may be applied to isolated chambers 10-2 and 10-3. (The pressures as measured within isolated chambers 10-3 through 10-7 may be, for example, substantially equal to the ambient pressure or have another nonambient pressure based on previous cycles of the therapy being applied. The pressure in these chambers is moot for this discussion.)

At a second, subsequent time period, t2 to t3 (second row from top in FIG. 4), as well as in later time periods t3-t4 and t4-t5, the positive pressure 10+ and negative pressure 10- are applied to isolated chambers further away from chamber 10-1, in a wave of alternating pressure propagating out from the center chamber 10-1. This propagating wave moves across the soft tissue of the patient, creating a dynamic “massaging” action across the soft tissue to which the device is applied. Underneath each isolated chamber 10 with a positive pressure 10+, the flexible first surface of that chamber 10 will push down into the soft tissue of the patient. Similarly, underneath each isolated chamber 10 with a negative pressure 10-, the flexible first surface of that chamber 10 will be pulled up into the chamber, creating a pulling or decompression force on the soft tissue of the patient. Other dynamic pressure patterns may be used to create different therapy patterns on the soft tissue. For example, all of the isolated chambers 10 may be given a negative pressure, such that the entire surface of the soft tissue beneath the soft tissue optimization device has a pulling or decompression force (e.g., a cupping action over the entire area of soft tissue beneath the soft tissue optimization device).

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide cross-sectional, side views of the soft tissue optimization device of FIG. 1. Elements in FIGS. 2A and 2B which share like-numbered elements with FIG. 1 shall be assumed to have the same function as described for FIG. 1 unless specifically stated otherwise. In the embodiment shown, soft tissue optimization device 300 includes a plurality of isolated chambers 10 disposed on a skin/soft tissue 50 of a patient. In some embodiments, each isolated chamber 10 may include a flexible first surface 11 and a second surface 12. In some embodiments, first surface 11 and second surface 12 may be the same surface, although generally they may be separate surfaces, as shown in FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, a check valve 16 may be disposed within flexible first surface 11 and covering a check valve opening 14 within flexible first surface 11, and a fluidic opening 18 may be disposed within the second surface 12. In some embodiments, pump 70 may provide a dynamic fluid pressure (e.g., an air or liquid pressure) to isolated chambers 10 through fluidic opening 18. In some embodiments, pump 70 may provide the dynamic pressure to each isolated chamber 10 through feed lines 30 and manifold 20. In some embodiments, an attachment layer 40 may be used to hold the plurality of isolated chambers 10 against soft tissue 50 of the patient. In some embodiments, attachment layer 40 may form a seal or partial seal 55 around the plurality of isolated chambers between the attachment layer 40 and soft tissue 50.

Turning to FIG. 2B, the effects of a therapy created by the supply of an independent, dynamic fluid pressure to isolated chambers 10 is shown. In this example, a negative dynamic pressure has been supplied to isolated chambers 10-3 and 10-5 (causing check valves 16a to lift and create a lifting force on corresponding areas of soft tissue 50a), and a positive dynamic pressure has been supplied to isolated chamber 10-4 (causing check valve 16b to close and create a pushing force on corresponding area of soft tissue 50b). FIGS. 3A and 3B provide cross-sectional, side views of an alternate embodiments of the soft tissue optimization device according to the present description. Elements in FIGS. 3 A and 3B which share like-numbered elements with FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B shall be assumed to have the same function as described in the discussion of those figures unless specifically stated otherwise. A difference in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B from the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B are that isolated chambers 10a in this embodiment do not include check valves (such as check valves 16 of FIG. 2A). In this embodiment of FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the plurality of isolated chambers 10a of soft tissue optimization device 300a still include a flexible first surface 11 and a second surface 12 containing fluidic openings 18. However, as isolated chambers 10a do not have a check valve, the isolated chambers 10a are expanded/inflated and contracted/deflated by the dynamic fluid pressure supplied to each isolated chamber 10a independently. In this embodiment, a negative pressure supplied to an isolated chamber (such as to chambers 10-3 and 10-5) causes flexible first layer 11 to pull up, allowing the skin 50a (FIG. 3 A) to rise up or be pulled toward the contracted flexible first layer 11. Similarly, a positive pressure suppled to an isolated chamber (such as isolated chamber 10-4) causes the skin to be pushed down into the soft tissue by the expanding flexible first layer 11. In some embodiments, soft tissue optimization device 300a may further include an adhesive or adhesive layer 60 applied between flexible first surfaces 11 and the soft tissue 50 of a patient, such that the soft tissue 50 is pulled up appropriately as the flexible first surface moves away from the soft tissue 50.

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for a soft tissue optimization device providing a therapy to a skin of a patient and is discussed elsewhere herein.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide additional embodiments of a soft tissue optimization device, according to the present description. FIG. 5 A shows a top, plan view of an embodiment of a soft tissue optimization device 300b in which isolated chambers 10b are non-concentric. In such an embodiment, isolated chambers 10b may form a regular or non-regular array of isolated chambers 10b across the soft tissue optimization device 300b. In some embodiments, isolated chambers 10b may be embedded in an encompassing material 45 (e.g., a foam block). In some embodiments, soft tissue optimization device 300b may include an attachment layer 40 as is described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, therapies provided by such an embodiment of a soft tissue optimization device 300b may be created by the independent control of dynamic fluid pressures within each of the isolated chambers 10b. For example, a “wave” of positive or negative fluid pressure may be provided in sequence across the surface of the soft tissue optimization device 300b (e.g., a wave from left to right, or a wave from top to bottom). Any appropriate pattern of dynamic fluid pressures may be used to provide dynamic pressure therapies to a soft tissue of a patient.

FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a soft tissue optimization device 300c in which the isolated chambers 10c are configured as a stack of ring-shaped chambers 10c forming a sleeve. In such an embodiment, the limb of a patient (e.g., an angle) may be inserted into the sleeve through a center passage 310, and a therapy may be applied to the soft tissue of such a limb by dynamically and independently controlling the dynamic fluid pressure applied to each isolated chamber 10c. For example, a wave or pulse of dynamic fluid pressure may be allowed to move up and down the sleeve of the soft tissue optimization device 300c, or a negative dynamic pressure may be applied simultaneously to all isolated chambers 10c to deliver a decompression therapy to the limb.

Finally, FIG. 6 is a flow chart detailing the steps in an embodiment of a method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient, according to the present description. In some embodiments, a method 100 of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient includes the steps of providing a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers including a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber (step 110); disposing the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers on the soft tissue of the patient (step 120); and supplying a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers to provide an optimization therapy to the soft tissue of the patient (step 130). In some embodiments, the dynamic fluid pressure supplied to each isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers may be configured to be changed independently of each other isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers within a range between a first fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure (a positive fluid pressure) and a second fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure (a negative fluid pressure). In some embodiments, the optimization therapy provided may be at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.

In some embodiments, the method 100 may further include the step of providing each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers with a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface (step 115). In some embodiments, the method 100 may further include the step of applying an adhesive between the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers and at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient (step 123). In some embodiments, the method 100 may further include the step of applying an attachment layer to the plurality of isolated chambers to hold the plurality of isolated chambers against the soft tissue of the patient (step 127). In some such embodiments, the attachment layer may create at least a partial seal between the plurality of isolated chambers and the soft tissue of the patient.

Terms such as “about” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described in the present description by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the use of “about” as applied to quantities expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “about” will be understood to mean within 10 percent of the specified value. A quantity given as about a specified value can be precisely the specified value. For example, if it is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, a quantity having a value of about 1 , means that the quantity has a value between 0.9 and 1.1, and that the value could be 1.

Terms such as “substantially” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described in the present description by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the use of “substantially equal” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially equal” will mean about equal where about is as described above. If the use of “substantially parallel” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially parallel” will mean within 30 degrees of parallel. Directions or surfaces described as substantially parallel to one another may, in some embodiments, be within 20 degrees, or within 10 degrees of parallel, or may be parallel or nominally parallel. If the use of “substantially aligned” is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “substantially aligned” will mean aligned to within 20% of a width of the objects being aligned. Objects described as substantially aligned may, in some embodiments, be aligned to within 10% or to within 5% of a width of the objects being aligned.

All references, patents, and patent applications referenced in the foregoing are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in a consistent manner. In the event of inconsistencies or contradictions between portions of the incorporated references and this application, the information in the preceding description shall control.

Descriptions for elements in figures should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in other figures, unless indicated otherwise. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A soft tissue optimization device, comprising: a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers comprising a substantially flexible first surface, a second surface, a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface, and a fluidic opening disposed in the second surface; and a pump configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers; wherein the pump controls the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers, wherein the dynamic fluid pressure is configured to be changed within a range between a positive fluid pressure and a negative fluid pressure, and wherein when the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, the positive fluid pressure causes the check valve to close and the flexible first surface to expand outward against the skin of the patient, and the negative fluid pressure causes the check value to open and the flexible first surface to contract inward and create a pulling force on the skin of the patient.

2. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of isolated chambers is configured as a series of concentric chambers.

3. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of isolated chambers is configured as an array of isolated chambers in an encompassing material.

4. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers is a substantially ring-shaped chamber and the plurality of isolated chambers is configured as a stack of ring-shaped chambers forming a sleeve, wherein in the sleeve is configured to encompass a limb of a patient.

5. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment layer to attach the soft tissue optimization device to the skin of the patient.

6. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 5, wherein the attachment layer provides a seal against the skin of the patient

7. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of each isolated chamber other than the substantially flexible first surface is a substantially inflexible surface.

8. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein the dynamic fluid pressure is a dynamic air pressure.

9. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein the dynamic fluid pressure is a dynamic liquid pressure.

10. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, configured to apply a therapy to an injury of the patient.

11. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 10, wherein the therapy is at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.

12. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 1, wherein the second surface is the same surface as the flexible first surface.

13. A soft tissue optimization device, comprising: a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers comprising a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber; and a pump configured to supply a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers; wherein the pump controls the dynamic fluid pressure of at least one of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers independently from at least one other of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers, wherein the dynamic fluid pressure is configured to be changed within a range between a positive fluid pressure and a negative fluid pressure, and wherein when the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on a skin of a patient such that the flexible first surface faces the skin of the patient, a positive fluid pressure causes the flexible first surface to expand outward against the skin of the patient, and a negative fluid pressure causes the flexible first surface to contract inward in a direction substantially away from the skin of the patient.

14. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, further comprising an adhesive disposed on the flexible first surface such that, when the soft tissue optimization device is disposed on the skin of the patient, the adhesive is in contact with and creates a bond to at least a portion of the skin of the patient.

15. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, wherein at least one surface of each isolated chamber other than the substantially flexible first surface is a substantially inflexible surface.

16. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, wherein the second surface of the isolated chamber is the same surface as the flexible first surface.

17. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, wherein positive fluid pressure is a fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure, and negative fluid pressure is a fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure.

18. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of isolated chambers is configured as one of a series of concentric chambers, an array of isolated chambers in an encompassing material, and a stack of ring-shaped chambers forming a sleeve.

19. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, configured to apply a therapy to an injury of the patient.

20. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 19, wherein the therapy is at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.

21. The soft tissue optimization device of claim 13, wherein each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers further comprises a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface.

22. A method of providing optimization of a soft tissue of a patient, the method comprising: providing a plurality of isolated chambers, each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers comprising a substantially flexible first surface and a fluidic opening disposed in a second surface of the isolated chamber; disposing the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers on the soft tissue of the patient; and supplying a dynamic fluid pressure to at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers through the fluidic opening in each isolated chamber of the at least a subset of the plurality of isolated chambers to provide an optimization therapy to the soft tissue of the patient, wherein the dynamic fluid pressure of each isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers is configured to be changed independently of each other isolated chamber in the at least the subset of the plurality of isolated chambers within a range between a first fluid pressure greater than an ambient pressure and a second fluid pressure less than the ambient pressure.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers further comprises a check valve disposed in the flexible first surface.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising applying an adhesive between the flexible first surface of each isolated chamber of the plurality of isolated chambers and at least a portion of the soft tissue of the patient.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising applying an attachment layer to the plurality of isolated chambers to hold the plurality of isolated chambers against the soft tissue of the patient.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the attachment layer creates at least a partial seal between the plurality of isolated chambers and the soft tissue of the patient.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the optimization therapy is at least one of a massaging therapy, a cupping therapy, a decompression therapy, and a dynamic pressure therapy.