Apparatus for lowering intra-abdominal pressure
US5938626A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2205/083
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An abdominal decompression apparatus reduces intra-abdominal pressure in patients by application of negative pressure to the patient's abdomen. Preferably, the negative pressure is applied continuously at low negative pressures (e.g., -20 to -40 mm Hg) for extended periods of time (e.g., 6-12 hours). Changes in the patient's intra-abdominal pressure can be monitored using measurements of the patient's bladder pressure, and treatments can be designed to achieve desired decreases in bladder pressure. To alleviate pain and permit maximum decrease in intra-abdominal pressure, a countertraction mechanism is connected to the shell which encloses the patient's abdomen, and counters the negative pressure induced downward movement of the shell on the patient's chest. The countertraction mechanism is sufficient to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure induced downward movement but is less than an amount which would cause loss of vacuum pressure within said shell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.