Device for increasing microcirculation
Inventors
Tucker, Arthur Tudor • Bain, Duncan Shirreffs
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10357653-B2
Publication Date
2019-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and device for increasing microcirculation in the lower limb are described. The device includes a means for immobilizing the limb, for example a plaster cast, and an electrical stimulation device, which applies electrical stimulation to opposed leg muscles such that antagonistic and agonistic muscle groups contract near simultaneously, resulting in near isometric contraction. The combination of this contraction and the leg restraint have been found to markedly increase blood circulation and in particular microcirculation in the limb.
Core Innovation
The patent describes a kit and associated devices for improving blood circulation in a lower limb of a patient. The approach combines a below-knee immobilisation device configured to eliminate motion in an ankle with a stimulation device that administers electrical stimulus to opposed leg muscles.
A key element of the invention is that the immobilisation device and the stimulation device are provided as separate devices configured to couple to the patient independently of each other. This supports attaching and using the immobilisation device to eliminate ankle motion while independently attaching the stimulation device for targeted stimulation at the popliteal fossa.
The electrical stimulation is sufficient to cause isometric contraction of opposed leg muscles and is located at the lateral popliteal nerve of the patient. The disclosed implementation includes a stimulation device with at least one electrode, power supply, and a controller or control means for activating the electrode, with the electrode positioned at the popliteal fossa.
The document reports improvements in microcirculation measures during immobilisation when electrical stimulation is applied, including increases in peak venous velocity and microcirculatory velocity versus inactive control. The patent links these improvements to prevention of deep vein thrombosis and reduction of inflammation and acute compartment syndrome risk, as well as support for wound healing, ulcer management, and sports injury recovery.
Claims Coverage
The patent provides three independent claims: a kit for improving lower-limb blood circulation, a device for improving lower-limb blood circulation, and a method for improving lower-limb blood circulation. Across the independent claims, the inventive focus is on pairing below-knee ankle motion elimination with electrical stimulation that causes isometric contraction of opposed leg muscles via electrode positioning at the popliteal fossa, with the immobilisation and stimulation parts configured as separate, independently couplable components.
Independent coupling of immobilisation and stimulation devices
The immobilisation device configured to eliminate motion in an ankle and the stimulation device are provided as separate devices such that the immobilisation device and the stimulation device are configured to couple to the patient independently of each other.
Electrical stimulation for isometric contraction of opposed leg muscles
A stimulation device comprising at least one electrode for administering an electrical stimulus to opposed leg muscles of a patient, a power supply connectable to the electrode, and a controller or control means for activating the electrode to administer an electrical stimulus sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.
Electrode positioning at the popliteal fossa
The stimulation device is configured to position the at least one electrode at the popliteal fossa of the patient, and the electrical stimulus is provided to opposed leg muscles at the lateral popliteal nerve sufficient to cause the muscles to contract isometrically.
Below-knee immobilisation eliminating ankle motion
A below-knee immobilisation device configured to eliminate motion in an ankle of a patient.
Overall, claim coverage centers on combining independently couplable lower-limb immobilisation with an electrical stimulation device that positions an electrode at the popliteal fossa and administers stimulus to opposed leg muscles sufficient to produce isometric contraction.
Stated Advantages
Increases in peak venous velocity and microcirculatory velocity during immobilisation versus inactive control.
Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Reduction of inflammation and acute compartment syndrome risk.
Support for wound healing.
Management of ulcer.
Support for sports injury recovery.
Documented Applications
DVT prophylaxis.
Reduced inflammation / reduced acute compartment syndrome risk.
Wound healing.
Ulcer management.
Sports injury recovery.
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