Gradient sequential compression system for preventing deep vein thrombosis
US6786879B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S601/21
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A gradient sequential compression system for preventing deep vein thrombosis includes a pressure-based system controller for controlling transfers of air from a source of pressurized air to inflatable chambers of a limb sleeve, so that a prophylactic modality is provided to the limb. The controller also includes a plurality of feeder valves pneumatically connected to each of the chambers and a microprocessor-based control unit for opening only one of the feeder valves at a time during an inflation cycle, so that each of the chambers can be independently inflated to predetermined pressure levels. The control unit also regulates the pressures in each of the chambers at the respective pressure levels by repeatedly independently measuring the pressures in the chambers and adjusting the pressure levels upward or downward, if necessary. The predetermined pressure levels can be default levels or selected by a user or health care professional for a particular application. In addition, the system controller can be programmed into a variety of modes for one or two-limb operation, for handling sleeves of varying length, or for providing different pressure cycles to the sleeves. The programmin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.