GB928362A - Means for stimulating the flow of fluids in animal bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

928,362. Applying pressure to the body. W. C. BLATCHFORD. (Jobst Institute Inc.); July 4, 1961, No. 24086/61. Class 81 (2). Apparatus for applying pressure to a body portion comprises an envlope fitting about the body portion, means for alternately contracting and releasing the envelope in successive uniformly timed cycles and means for timing within the cycles periods of contraction at one rate and periods of release at a second independent rate. A sleeve A secured around a limb by lacing C is alternately tightened and loosened, to apply an intermittent pressure on the limb, by the alternate inflation and collapse of tubes D which extend longitudinally of the sleeve in pockets E. The tubes are connected by a T-fitting M<SP>1</SP> with a pump chamber I and a valve casing N which houses an adjustable ball check positive pressure relief valve and a ball check air inlet valve. The pressure in the pump chamber and the tubes D is cyclically increased and decreased by displacement of a diaphragm I<SP>1</SP> in the pump chamber. This is effected by a rod J which is secured to the diaphragm at one end and carries a cam follower K<SP>1</SP> at the other end, a cam K being rotated by an electric motor G through reduction gearing H and being so shaped that it causes the desired reciprocation of the rod J.