Method and system for thermal and compression therapy relative to the prevention of deep vein thrombosis
Inventors
Parish, Overton L. • Quisenberry, Tony • Balachandran, Niran • McSpadden, Sam K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8778005-B2
Publication Date
2014-07-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A control unit coupled to a thermal therapy device, a compression therapy device and DVT therapy devices is provided. The thermal therapy device includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The compression therapy device includes an gas bladder for providing compression to a patient. The DVT therapy devices provide pulsed compression in coordination with the compression therapy device.
Core Innovation
The described system addresses deep-vein-thrombosis (DVT) in a patient utilizing compression therapy. A control unit thermally conditions heat-transfer liquid for a thermal therapy pad or thermal compression therapy device and provides compressed gas to compression devices. The control unit coordinates the therapies so that a DVT compression pulse is provided only when compressed gas is not being applied to the corresponding thermal compression therapy device.
The claims describe one arrangement with a thermal therapy pad and an outwardly disposed compression therapy device, and another with a thermal compression therapy device receiving heat-transfer liquid and compressed gas. Both arrangements include DVT compression devices for patient extremities. The system provides thermal treatment and DVT prophylaxis, including post-operative use.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include two independent claims, claims 1 and 10, covering two inventive features that combine thermal therapy and compression devices for DVT with coordinated compressed-gas delivery.
Thermal therapy pad with coordinated compression and DVT devices
Claim 1 recites a control unit that thermally conditions heat-transfer liquid and provides compressed gas; a thermal therapy pad conducts the liquid; and a compression therapy device compresses the pad against a first portion of an extremity. First and second DVT compression devices receive respective gas pulses, with the first pulse provided only when gas is not being applied to the compression therapy device.
Thermal compression therapy device with sequenced DVT compression
Claim 10 recites a control unit that thermally conditions heat-transfer liquid and provides compressed gas in a select order. A thermal compression therapy device receives both the liquid and gas, while first and second DVT compression devices receive respective gas pulses. The first pulse is provided only when gas is not being applied to the thermal compression therapy device.
The two independent claims cover systems that combine thermal treatment and compression therapy with DVT compression devices. Their control units coordinate gas delivery so that the first DVT pulse occurs only when gas is not being applied to the relevant thermal compression device.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Thermal treatment and DVT prophylaxis, including post-operative use.
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