GB2533850A - Rapid inflator - Google Patents
Rapid inflator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2533850A GB2533850A GB1519821.1A GB201519821A GB2533850A GB 2533850 A GB2533850 A GB 2533850A GB 201519821 A GB201519821 A GB 201519821A GB 2533850 A GB2533850 A GB 2533850A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- air
- pressure
- reservoir
- compressor
- pressurised
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 206010047249 Venous thrombosis Diseases 0.000 abstract description 7
- 206010051055 Deep vein thrombosis Diseases 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 208000007536 Thrombosis Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002560 therapeutic procedure Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000003462 vein Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000001631 vena cava inferior Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 206010020772 Hypertension Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010025282 Lymphoedema Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000000558 Varicose Ulcer Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000003146 anticoagulant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940127219 anticoagulant drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000036772 blood pressure Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004204 blood vessel Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 244000309466 calf Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000002502 lymphedema Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000037997 venous disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H9/00—Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
- A61H9/005—Pneumatic massage
- A61H9/0078—Pneumatic massage with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H1/00—Apparatus for passive exercising; Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
- A61H1/008—Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
- A61H2201/5007—Control means thereof computer controlled
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2209/00—Devices for avoiding blood stagnation, e.g. Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT] devices
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)
- Massaging Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A pressure cuff inflation system, such as for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), comprises an airflow circuit for inflating one or more pressure cuffs using an air compressor 20 in communication with a pressurised air reservoir 24 arranged to accumulate air pressurised by the compressor 20 for rapid discharge into air pressure cuffs via a distributor 22A with solenoid valve-controlled 22 outlet ports 23. A controller 27 and a reservoir pressure switch 28 provides primary control of the reservoir air pressure and the controller and solenoid valve 25 provides secondary control of the release of pressurised air from the reservoir into the said distributor. The incorporation of an air reservoir enables fast pressure rise time in the cuffs whilst using only a small, quiet, low power compressor to maintain pressure in the reservoir.
Description
RAPID INFLATOR
This invention relates generally to pressure cuffs, more specifically, this invention relates to a rapidly inflatable pressure cuff system useful in treatment of venous disease like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), Lymphedema and venous ulcers.
DVT arises from the development of blood clots in a vein and is also known as venous thrombosis. The condition can occur in the larger veins in the body, usually in the limbs and commonly in the legs. DVT is treated through the prescription of anticoagulant medicines or Rivarixoban which prevent blood clots from forming easily, invasive inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, and other non-invasive and non-medicinal treatments.
Non-invasive and non-medicinal such treatments include exercise, raising the affected limb or pressure cuffs.
Pressure cuffs are worn around the affected area(s) and when in use they apply pressure all around the limb thereby restricting the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure in that area. This increased blood pressure is advantageous as it promotes the better movement of blood. Some inactive pressure cuffs rely on their elasticity to compress the affected area whilst other active pressure cuffs rely on fluid pressure inside the cuff and a compressor to maintain that pressure. It is to this type of active pressure cuff that this invention is focused.
A fast pressure rise time in the cuff(s) is advantageous, but this is currently achieved through the use of relatively high powered compressors.
The disadvantages of a high power compressor are that they are large, heavy, inefficient, relatively costly and loud. A patient may need to be treated with compression cuff(s) for several hours at a time. Throughout the night while the patient is asleep, a high power compressor will therefore be difficult to manoeuvre to an area with which the patient is comfortable, will use a large amount of electricity and will disturb the patient and neighbouring patients with its noise.
A low power compressor on the other hand can be smaller, lighter, more efficient and quieter, however, a low power compressor will not provide the desired and optimal fast pressure rise in the cuff(s) and will therefore be inferior and contrary to current practice when designing rapidly inflatable pressure cuff(s) of this type.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an inflatable pressure cuff system that can use a low power compressor yet provide a fast pressure rise time in the cuff or cuffs to which the compressor is coupled.
The present invention describes a system that uses a pressurised air reservoir such as an air chamber separate from the pressure cuff(s) thereby providing a battery of rapidly releasable compressed air. A small, quiet, energy efficient compressor can therefore be used in such a system to pressurise and maintain this chamber to a pre-set level of pressure.
The essential components to make a functioning system are an air compressor whose outlet is connected to a pressurised air reservoir such as an air receiving tank, which in turn has two air outlets. The first outlet is connected to a pressure switch and the second outlet is the air feed to a primary valve such as a solenoid valve. From that valve outlet a pressure cuff is connected along with a pressure transducer for monitoring the pressure. Finally there is a Control PCB which monitors and controls the air flow.
The advantages are that the system can be made smaller, lighter, more efficient and quieter than rapid cuff inflator systems currently on the market. The pressurised store of air can also be released into the cuff(s) very quickly, thus giving a good therapy.
According to the present invention there is provided a pressure cuff inflation system comprising an airflow circuit for inflating one or more pressure cuffs, said circuit comprising an air compressor in communication with a pressurised air distributor having one or more outlet ports adapted to communicate with air pressure cuff(s) when fitted to said distributor, valve means for opening and closing the port(s) to receipt of pressurised air, a pressurised air reservoir arranged to accumulate air pressurised by said compressor and to discharge that pressurised air into the said pressurised air distributor, primary control means for controlling the pressure of air that accumulates within the reservoir and secondary control means for controlling release of pressurised air from the reservoir into the said distributor.
In a non-exclusive embodiment, there is provided a cuff inflation system as above wherein the reservoir is located in the airflow circuit between the compressor and the distributor.
In another further non-exclusive embodiment, there is provided a cuff inflation system according to either of the previous embodiments wherein a further valve means is provided in the airflow circuit between the reservoir and the distributor.
In yet another further embodiment, there is provided a cuff inflation system as above in which the primary control means comprises a pressure switch linked to the compressor to activate the compressor upon the pressure in the reservoir reaching a predetermined threshold.
In yet another further non-exclusive embodiment, there is provided a cuff inflation system as above wherein the compressor is linked to a controller that activates said secondary control means.
In a further embodiment relating to some or all of the features above, there is provided a cuff inflation system wherein the reservoir pressure switch is linked to said controller and/or to said secondary control means.
In order that the invention may be illustrated, more rapidly appreciated, and readily carried into effect by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the invention will now be described purely by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a simplified schematic of the layout of a pressure cuff system according to the prior art; and Figure 2 is a simplified schematic of the layout of a pressure cuff system according to the present invention.
Figure 1 demonstrates an already known and used therapeutic pressure cuff inflation system (1) comprising a relatively high power compressor (10), an air supply hose (11) connected to the compressor for supplying pressurised air to a manifold (11A), solenoid valves (12) for controlling the air flow to air outlets (13) in a communication with a pressure cuff or cuffs (not shown).
Figure 2 demonstrates a practical working embodiment of the invention comprising a system for rapidly delivering providing pressurised air to one or more therapeutic pressure cuffs (not shown). This improved rapid inflation system includes a relatively low power air compressor (20), an air supply hose (21), solenoid operated air valves (22) for controlling the air flow from a distribution manifold (22A) and air outlets (23) to a pressure cuff or cuffs (not shown). The embodiment also includes a pressurised chamber (24) for storing and rapidly releasing pressurised air, a primary air feed solenoid valve (25), data transfer cable (26), a compressor control means printed circuit board (PCB) (27), and a pressure switch (28). Although not shown, the solenoid operated air valves (22) are also linked to and controlled by the control means (27).
In one method for use, the low power compressor (20) fills the pressurised chamber (24) to a pre-determined pressure at which point the solenoid (s) (22) for controlling the air flow release the pressurised air into the cuff(s) (not shown) connected the pressurised air outlets (23) and the patient begins treatment. Pressurised air flow distribution and control is effected by the compressor control PCB (27) that controls the primary air fed solenoid valve (25) via the data transfer cable and commands the low power compressor (20) using data from the pressure switch (28).
Operation The Control PCB is connected to a power supply. There is a microcontroller on the PCB which monitors the pressure switch on the air tank and also reads the pressure in the cuff. Also there is a switch to turn on and off the compressor.
When the tank pressure is below the set pressure, e.g. 150mmHg, then the compressor is switched on and fills up the tank with pressurised air. A typical cycle time for the inflation and deflation of the cuff would be 60 seconds. The inflation cycle would be 15 seconds and the deflation 45 second and go up a pressure of 40mmHg.
At the start of the inflation cycle the Control PCB switches the air solenoid valve on, which allows air to pass from the tank into the cuff. During this process the pressure transducer is used to monitor the pressure in the cuff. As soon as the PCB senses that the pressure has reached 40mmHg it switches off the air solenoid valve. During this cycle the air tank pressure will have dropped and the compressor will be turned on to re-pressurise the tank as quickly as possible.
Once the inflation time has completed its 15 second cycle the air solenoid valve will vent the cuff to atmosphere for the next 45 seconds.
This cycle would repeat every 60 secs on a 24/7 basis.
Benefits It is widely accepted that the quicker the cuff can be inflated up to pressure the better the pulse of blood within the calf, and the present system can provide for rapid cuff inflation.
This process allows a very low output and thus quiet compressor to be used, instead of a large noisy compressor.
The economics are significantly reduced whilst the therapy is improved.
Claims (9)
- CLAIMS1. Pressure cuff inflation system comprising an airflow circuit for inflating one or more pressure cuffs, said circuit comprising an air compressor in communication with a pressurised air distributor having one or more outlet ports adapted to communicate with air pressure cuff(s) when fitted to said distributor, valve means for opening and closing the port(s) to receipt of pressurised air, a pressurised air reservoir arranged to accumulate air pressurised by said compressor and to discharge that pressurised air into the said pressurised air distributor, primary control means for controlling the pressure of air that accumulates within the reservoir and secondary control means for controlling release of pressurised air from the reservoir into the said distributor.
- 2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reservoir is located in the airflow circuit between the compressor and the distributor.
- 3. A system as claimed in 1 or 2 wherein a further valve means is provided in the airflow circuit between the reservoir and the distributor.
- 4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the primary control means comprises a pressure switch linked to the compressor to activate the compressor upon the pressure in the reservoir reaching a predetermined threshold.
- 5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the compressor is linked to a controller that activates said secondary control means.
- 6. A system as claimed in claim 5 when dependent upon claim 4 wherein the reservoir pressure switch is linked to said controller and/or to said secondary control means.
- 7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, substantially as herein described.
- 8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, substantially as herein exemplified in any described embodiment.
- 9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, substantially as herein illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1419964.0A GB201419964D0 (en) | 2014-11-10 | 2014-11-10 | Rapid inflator |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201519821D0 GB201519821D0 (en) | 2015-12-23 |
GB2533850A true GB2533850A (en) | 2016-07-06 |
GB2533850B GB2533850B (en) | 2017-03-01 |
Family
ID=52118249
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1419964.0A Ceased GB201419964D0 (en) | 2014-11-10 | 2014-11-10 | Rapid inflator |
GB1519821.1A Active GB2533850B (en) | 2014-11-10 | 2015-11-10 | Rapid inflator |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1419964.0A Ceased GB201419964D0 (en) | 2014-11-10 | 2014-11-10 | Rapid inflator |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3217941A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB201419964D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016075452A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11638675B2 (en) | 2018-11-07 | 2023-05-02 | Zenith Technical Innovations, Llc | System and method for heat or cold therapy and compression therapy |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109718072A (en) * | 2019-02-26 | 2019-05-07 | 聂滢 | A kind of control method of intelligent air bag |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130245519A1 (en) * | 2012-03-13 | 2013-09-19 | Medical Technology Inc. | Deep vein thrombosis ("dvt") and thermal/compression therapy systems, apparatuses and methods |
US20140276287A1 (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2014-09-18 | David Anthony Pickett | External counterpulsation apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3811431A (en) * | 1973-01-17 | 1974-05-21 | M Apstein | Programmed venous assist pump |
US6589267B1 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2003-07-08 | Vasomedical, Inc. | High efficiency external counterpulsation apparatus and method for controlling same |
US8591439B1 (en) * | 2012-08-13 | 2013-11-26 | AutoCPR | Extended term patient resuscitation/ventilation system |
-
2014
- 2014-11-10 GB GBGB1419964.0A patent/GB201419964D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2015
- 2015-11-10 EP EP15816492.1A patent/EP3217941A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2015-11-10 WO PCT/GB2015/053403 patent/WO2016075452A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-11-10 GB GB1519821.1A patent/GB2533850B/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130245519A1 (en) * | 2012-03-13 | 2013-09-19 | Medical Technology Inc. | Deep vein thrombosis ("dvt") and thermal/compression therapy systems, apparatuses and methods |
US20140276287A1 (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2014-09-18 | David Anthony Pickett | External counterpulsation apparatus |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11638675B2 (en) | 2018-11-07 | 2023-05-02 | Zenith Technical Innovations, Llc | System and method for heat or cold therapy and compression therapy |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2533850B (en) | 2017-03-01 |
EP3217941A1 (en) | 2017-09-20 |
GB201419964D0 (en) | 2014-12-24 |
WO2016075452A1 (en) | 2016-05-19 |
GB201519821D0 (en) | 2015-12-23 |
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