GB2391811A

GB2391811A - Foot treatment apparatus for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis during flying

Info

Publication number: GB2391811A
Application number: GB0217409A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ebrahim Rouholamin; Rodney Meere; Ian Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-27
Filing date: 2002-07-27
Publication date: 2004-02-18
Also published as: GB0217409D0

Abstract

Apparatus for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis during flying which comprises a foot rest 20 to support the feet of a passenger 14, and a slipper 22 for each foot of the passenger. The walls 28 of the slippers 22 provide an inflatable chamber 30. A valve 40 releasably connects each slipper to a distribution pipe 42 for distributing pressurised fluid from a central supply within the aircraft. This provides a pulsed supply of pressurised fluid to repeatedly inflate and deflate the slippers 22 to maintain blood flow within the feet and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and associated conditions.

Description

Aircraft The present invention relates to aircraft. In particular, the

invention relates to the desirability of maintaining adequate blood flow in the lower legs of air passengers, particularly during long flights.

Air passengers, particularly on long flights, may sit for prolonged periods of time in a relatively inactive state. In some aircraft layouts, even their position in their seat may remain virtually unchanged in view of the lack of space available for adopting alternative positions. Consequently, the feet and lower legs of the passenger may remain virtually unmoved during this period.

This can give rise to blood pooling in the lower extremities. The resultant static condition of the blood ("stasis") can allow clots to form, even in otherwise healthy individuals, giving rise to a condition known as deep vein thrombosis.

The condition and its aisles and consequences have become known colloquially as "economy class syndrome", in view of the particular risk arising for passengers in economy class aircraft seating, who have the least space provided to them.

The present invention provides an aircraft having a plurality of seating positions for passengers, at least some of the seating positions being provided with foot treatment means operable to stimulate arterial blood [low in the feet of a passenger seated at the corresponding position, the aircraft further comprising an activation arrangement common to a plurality of foot treatment means and operable to cause operation of those foot treatment means connected thereto.

Preferably at least some of the foot treatment means are removably mountable at the seating positions, and releasably connectable to the activation arrangement. The foot treatment means may each define a cavity for receiving a foot, the cavity walls being movable to apply pressure to the foot. The cavity walls may have hollow, flexible portions which are inflatable to apply pressure to the

foot. The activation arrangement is preferably operable, in use, to pressurise fluid, there being fluid distribution means operable to distribute pressurised fluid to the foot treatment means to cause inflation of the cavity walls. The pressurised fluid may be air or a liquid.

The activation arrangement preferably includes a compressor arrangement for pressurising the fluid. At least some of the seating positions are preferably provided with two foot treatment means for respective feet of a passenger, whereby each foot may be treated independently of the other. The two foot treatment means are preferably independently connected or connectable to the activation arrangement. The activation arrangement is preferably operable, in use, to activate the two foot treatment means alternatively. The invention also provides a foot treatment arrangement for an aircraft, the arrangement comprising foot treatment means operable at passenger seating positions to stimulate blood flow in the feet of a passenger seated at the corresponding position, and an activation arrangement locatable withm an aircraft to be common to a plurality of foot treatment means as aforesaid, and to be operable to cause operation of those foot treatment means connected thereto. The foot treatment arrangement may have arty of the features of the arrangements set out above.

The invention also provides a foot treatment means for use in the aircraft or foot treatment arrangement defined above, the foot treatment means being operable to stimulate blood flow in the feet of a user when the foot treatment means is connected to an activation arrangement, the foot treatment means further comprising releasable connection means operable to connect the foot treatment means to an activation arrangement.

The foot treatment means may include any of the features of the foot treatment means of the aircraft or foot treatment arrangements set out above.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a highly schematic plan view of an aircraft incorporating the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of part of the interior of the aircraft of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical section along part of the central axis of the aircraft of Fig. l; and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram on an enlarged scale of a foot treatment slipper for use as part of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows an aircraft 10 which provides a plurality of seating positions for passengers. These positions are indicated schematically at 12 in Fig. 1 and are shown in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3. At least some of the seating positions 12, but preferably most or all of them, are provided with foot treatment means to be described more fully below, which are operable to stimulate blood flow in the feet of a passenger 14 (Fig. 2) seated at the corresponding position 12. The aircraft 10 further comprises an activation arrangement 16 common to a plurality of foot treatment means 18 and operable to cause operation of those foot treatment means 18 which are connected to the activation arrangement 16.

In more detail, and looking particularly at Figs. 2 and 3, each seating position 12 is provided with a foot rest 20 at a convenient position and angle to support the feet of a passenger 14 in comfort, when seated at the corresponding seating position 12. The foot rest 20 is provided with slippers 22 (Fig. 4) for each foot of the passenger. Each slipper defines a cavity 24 for receiving a foot 26 of the passenger 14. The slipper 22 is preferably adjustable to achieve a snug fit of the foot 26 within the cavity 24. The walls 28 of the cavity 24 are flexible over areas which bound at least one inflatable chamber 30, within the

slipper 22. Consequently, inflation of the chamber 30 will cause the cavity walls 28 to move, constricting the cavity 24 and applying pressure to the foot 26. It is desirable that pressure can be applied in this way to the sole and instep of the foot. Inflation of the chamber 30 is achieved by means of an inlet 32 for pressurised fluid, there being a network of pipes 34 within the slipper 22 to convey pressurised fluid to the chamber 30. The arrangements for supplying pressurised fluid to the inlet 32 will be described below.

The sole of the slipper 22 has arrangements for releasably securing the slipper 22 to the foot rest 20, such as releasable clips 36 and/or regions of hook/pile fastening arrangements 38.

The inlet 32 is connected through a valve 40 to a fluid supply pipe 42.

The valve 40 is of a type which allows the inlet 32 to be disconnected from the pipe 42 while leaving the pipe 42 sealed at all times, so that the slipper 22 can be connected or disconnected from the pipe 42 at any time, without leakage of pressurised fluid from the pipe 42.

Consequently, in the event that a passenger does not require a slipper 22, the valve 40 can be disconnected and the clips 36 and/or hook/pile fastenings 38 can be released, allowing the slipper 22 to be removed from the foot rest 20.

It is therefore possible for slippers 22 to be removed at the end of a flight. They may be retained by the passenger for use on a subsequent flight or be disposable. The pipe 42 forms part of a distribution network for distributing pressurised fluid from the activation arrangement 16 to the slippers 22. The activation arrangement 16 includes a compressor 44 shown schematically in Fig. 2. The compressor 44 is powered by conventional power supply systems within the aircraft, preferably by pneumatic, electrical or hydraulic power derived from the aero engines.

The compressor 44 serves to maintain a supply of pressurised fluid, preferably compressed air but alternatively a liquid, such as hydraulic fluid.

This can be distributed through the pipes 42 to the individual slippers 22. The activation arrangement 16 preferably includes control mechanisms such as valve arrays, to allow pressurised fluid to be supplied in pulses to the slippers 22, so that the cavities 24 are repeatedly inflated and then allowed to deflate.

This applies pressure to the foot 26 on a cyclic basis. Preferably there are separate pipes 42 serving separate slippers 22 for each foot 26 of the passenger 14, and the activation arrangement 16 pulses pressurised fluid alternately to each slipper 22. This has the effect of applying pressure to each foot 26 alternately, thereby simulating the effect of walking and thus stimulating blood flow within the feet and lower legs. This maintains blood flow even when the passenger is static and consequently, is expected to reduce significantly the risk of deep vein thrombosis and associated conditions.

The activation arrangement 16, compressor 44 and pipes 42 are preferably housed below the cabin floor 46 so that they are not visible to passengers 14, the pipes 42 extending up through the floor 46 beneath a seat in the row in front of the passenger 14, and supplying the slippers 22 below that seat and thus, out of sight of the passenger 14.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the arrangements described above, particularly to allow a foot treatment arrangement of the type described to be adapted for a particular aircraft or aircraft layout. The aircraft may be first built with the activation arrangement and pipework installed or alternatively, a complete foot treatment arrangement could be supplied for subsequent fitting to an existing aircraft. Furthermore, the aircraft could be supplied when first built or subsequently with the necessary means for supplying pressurised fluid to the slippers, but not with slippers, which are purchased and owned by passengers, if desired, for instance for reasons of hygiene. The use of a standard valve 40 would ensure that a passenger's slippers could be used on any aircraft fitted with the system.

Provision is preferably made at each seat for foot treatment of the type

described above. The use of a single compressor and activation arrangement common to all of the foot treatment means is expected to achieve savings in cost and complexity but alternatively, several compressors could be spaced through the aircraft, each serving a respective region of the aircraft and having associated activation arrangements.

The slippers have been described as removable, but could be formed to remain as fixtures of the aircraft. The slippers have been described as acting by inflation directly causing pressure on the foot, but alternatively, the pressurised fluid could operate other arrangements to create pressure on the foot.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to

those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

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1. An aircraft having a plurality of seating positions for passengers, at least some of the seating positions being provided with foot treatment means operable to stimulate arterial blood flow in the feet of a passenger seated at the corresponding position, the aircraft further comprising an activation arrangement common to a plurality of foot treatment means and operable to cause operation of those foot treatment means connected thereto.

2. An aircraft according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the foot treatment means are removably mountable at the seating positions, and releasably connectable to the activation arrangement.

3. An aircraft according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foot treatment means each define a cavity for receiving a foot, the cavity walls being movable to apply pressure to the foot.

4. An aircraft according to claim 3, wherein the cavity walls have hollow, flexible portions which are inflatable to apply pressure to the foot.

5. An aircraft according to claim 4, wherein the activation arrangement is operable, in use, to pressurise fluid, there being fluid distribution means operable to distribute pressurised fluid to the foot treatment means to cause inflation of the cavity walls.

6. An aircraft according to claim 5, wherein the pressurised fluid is air or a liquid.

7. An aircraft according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the activation arrangement includes a compressor arrangement for pressurising the fluid.

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8. An aircraft according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the seating positions are provided with two foot treatment means for respective feet of a passenger, whereby each foot may be treated independently of the other.

9. An aircraft according to claim 8, wherein the two foot treatment means are independently connected or connectable to the activation arrangement.

10. An aircraft according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the activation arrangement is operable, in use, to activate the two foot treatment means altematively.

11. A foot treatment arrangement for an aircraft, the arrangement comprising foot treatment means operable at passenger seating positions to stimulate blood flow in the feet of a passenger seated at the corresponding position, and an activation arrangement locatable within an aircraft to be common to a plurality of foot treatment means as aforesaid, and to be operable to cause operation of those foot treatment means connected thereto.

12. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 11, wherein at least some of the foot treatment means are removably mountable at the seating positions, and releasably connectable to the activation arrangement.

13. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the foot treatment means each define a cavity for receiving a foot, the cavity walls being movable to apply pressure to the foot.

14. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the cavity walls have hollow, flexible portions which are inflatable to apply pressure to the foot.

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15. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the activation arrangement is operable, in use, to pressurise fluid, there being fluid distribution means operable to distribute pressurised fluid to the foot I treatment means to cause inflation of the cavity walls.

16. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the pressurised fluid is air or a liquid.!

17. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the activation arrangement includes a compressor arrangement for pressurising the fluid.

18. A foot treatment arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the seating positions are provided with two foot treatment means for respective feet of a passenger, whereby each foot may be treated independently of the other.

19. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the two foot treatment means are independently connected or connectable to the activation arrangement.

20. A foot treatment arrangement according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the I activation arrangement is operable, in use, to activate the two foot treatment means alternatively.

21. A foot treatment means for use in the aircraft or foot treatment arrangement defined above, the foot treatment means being operable to stimulate blood flow in the feet of a user when the foot treatment means is connected to an activation arrangement, the foot treatment means further comprising releasable connection means operable to connect the foot treatment means to an activation arrangement.

À À À 1

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22. A foot treatment means according to claim 21, wherein the foot treatment means each define a cavity for receiving a foot, the cavity walls being movable to apply pressure to the foot. I

23. A foot treatment means according to claim 22, wherein the cavity walls have hollow, flexible portions which are inflatable to apply pressure to the foot.

24. An aircraft substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A foot treatment arrangement substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A foot treatment means substantially as described above, with: reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.